It is common practice within open-walled multiscale topology optimization frameworks to place a non-zero lower bound on the radii of the constituent structural members during optimization, in order to constrain the minimum length scale of an optimized geometry and to prohibit the formation of unsupported members or isolated assemblies of overhanging members. However, structural performance is traded for manufacturability as result of this prohibitive lower bound constraint, as accessibility is denied to microstructures with efficient stiffness characteristics.
By integrating novel AM constraints within our existing multiscale optimization framework, it is permissible to circumvent the application of prohibitive lower bound constraints to guarantee manufacturability. Through the inclusion of these AM constraints, it is permissible to derive manufacturable structures with substantially increased mechanical performance relative to contemporary applied multiscale topology optimization frameworks.