Title:
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A computer aided selection programme of additive manufacturing materials and processes for generative design
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This thesis documents the rules that were written to define the functionality of the
selector tool, and the rules that constrain the pseudo random design programmes. To
define the selector tool rules, a comprehensive survey of the current AM technology
production systems was conducted. This documented the capabilities of each system
in terms of build volume capacity, and minimum achievable geometric feature
dimension. As AM materials are often specific to AM production systems, the survey
also matched the AM materials to the corresponding AM production systems. The AM
production system and material data gathered for this research was also used to
define rues for the pseudo random design programme.
The research concluded that the varying capabilities of AM systems can be used as a
system of criteria for a rule based system, which could automate the process of
analysing CAD parts for their suitability to be produced by certain AM systems. The
research also finds that AM systems capabilities can also be used to constrain
generative design programmes to certain AM systems, allowing the creation of
pseudo random designs of object that are specific to certain AM systems. The key
findings of the research have shown that gaps in empirical data regarding AM
material characteristics prevent a material selection system based on comparative
analysis. With current levels of available material knowledge, a more suitable system
uses previous examples of AM applications in a case based structure as a metric for
material suitability
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