Optimization and additve manufacturing

The results from the topology optimization are usually very difficult or even impossible to manufacture with conventional methods. But with additive manufacturing, as for example 3D printing, the production becomes not only feasible but most optimized structures can be directly produced without modification. However, the material characteristics and also bounds of the additive manufacturing processes, as for example material anisotropy, print directions, overhangs, thermo-mechanical properties, and so on, should be considered as constraints for the optimization. Those effects strongly depend on the chosen additive manufacturing process and are considered in future projects.