Presentation: Anton Nemme and Roderick Walden at TENZ 2019

Anton Nemme and Roderick Walden will present their research paper ‘Integrating Generative Design and Topology Optimisation with Product Design Values’ this week at the TENZ 2019 Conference in Aukland, New Zealand.

Advances in computer technology and software tools increasingly encourages the use of CAD for designing forms that optimise the balance between ‘structure’ and ‘form’ features. These sophisticated new computational processes broadly known as ‘generative design’ and ‘topology optimisation’ are very likely to become a typical part of the product design process for many types of products. A core value of design practice is the development of intuition and iterative skills in order to forecast and explore the performance - both technical and experiential - of design concepts through sketching, model making and prototyping. Identifying ways to integrate ‘generative design’ and ‘typology optimisation’ CAD processes, with ‘making’ as a core value in product design concept development is an important challenge - particularly for design education. A related concern is that ‘topology optimisation’ can generate parts that are structurally optimised for the amount, and type, of material used which essentially determines fabrication method. Often these parts in their raw form can only be made using 3D printing technologies, though they can (and often need to be) ‘styled’ or modified. Therefore the relationship to 3D printing and its limitations as an end-part manufacturing technology must also be critically tested as part of the design process. The practice-research presented includes a case study of the design of a bicycle crank arm developed using an integrated design process that incorporates ‘generative design’ and typology optimisation’ CAD processes. The project was undertaken by the authors to inform the design of a new ‘generative design’ and ‘typology optimisation’ studio based subject to be offered to second and third-year product design students at the University of Technology Sydney. The research proposes a form of integrated design practice that values iterative ‘making’ and the advancing CAD based ‘generative design’ and ‘topology optimisation’ tools, to responsibly support experiential learning in product design, manufacturing and engineering.