Investigation of the capability of flux of force oriented lattice structures for lightweight design

Production technologies often turn out to be a limiting factor for the geometrical freedom in part design. By the use of Additive Layer Manufacturing processes, the existing restrictions can be negotiated due to their generative character. To exploit their whole capabilities, new approaches in part design have to be applied. One of these numerous possibilities is mesoscopic lightweight design, like for example by the use of lattice structures instead of massive material accumulations. Currently, these structures have a periodic build-up, which leads to unfavourable stress states like bending loads in the single strut elements. By an adaption of the course of the structure to the flux of force inside a part, predominantly push and pull forces appear inside the struts, which is very positive for the structures lightweight performance. To prove the capability of this optimization approach, Finite-Element-Analyses have been executed for periodic and for flux of force adapted lattice structures. Thus, the great potential of this optimization method has been shown.