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Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:36 pm
by SchmidtMotorWorks
This is an example of what AI can do to optimize the shape of a rocker arm for a target mass.
The cylindrical boss areas surrounding the pushrod cup, shaft pivot and roller axle holes are defined before AI begins.
All of the other shape is done 100% by AI.
Basically, it makes a simple shape like a block, simulates the stress, removes the least stressed material (except the bosses that it is forced to keep) and repeats again and again.
This is just for strength to weight. Design for manufacture guidance is in the works.

The process took about 3 minutes on my laptop.
For me to develop as shape with stress that uniform would take at least a week, probably a lot more.
Using that as a starting point, a manufacturable model could be made in one or two days,
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Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:22 pm
by digger
SchmidtMotorWorks wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:36 pm This is an example of what AI can do to optimize the shape of a rocker arm for a target mass.
The cylindrical boss areas surrounding the pushrod cup, shaft pivot and roller axle holes are defined before AI begins.
All of the other shape is done 100% by AI.
Basically, it makes a simple shape like a block, simulates the stress, removes the least stressed material (except the bosses that it is forced to keep) and repeats again and again.
This is just for strength to weight. Design for manufacture guidance is in the works.

The process took about 3 minutes on my laptop.
For me to develop as shape with stress that uniform would take at least a week, probably a lot more.
Using that as a starting point, a manufacturable model could be made in one or two days,

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isnt it just an FEA topology optimisation program, the same as what have been around for years? what makes it AI

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:58 pm
by SchmidtMotorWorks
digger wrote: Tue Oct 08, 2019 11:22 pm isn't it just an FEA topology optimization program, the same as what have been around for years? what makes it AI
The work in progress for design for manufacture goes beyond topology optimization.

In the end, all of it is optimization though, one criteria that is often used today to classify is whether a neural network is involved; having used neural networks many times I find distinction to be artificial, and motivation to use them counterproductive in a many cases.

For example, there was a guy that made a cam design program more than 10 years ago using a neural network. In order to make it easy to fit to the NN he used a bezier curve with uniform spacing between the nodes. He relied on the NN to work out all the problems. He never found much success. If he would have constrained more outside of the NN I think he might have had a winner.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:01 am
by modok
That's really neat example. Only smart as the guy using it tho.

A real rocker you might want to design for rigidity and minimal momentum, rather than for equal stress distribution. Weight can be saved in other areas, perhaps a hollow shaft. Dampening vibration is also a consideration. Just giving you a hard time. Very neat stuff to see for those of us still in the stone=age :wink:

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:18 am
by digger
I've done a lot of FEA over last 20 years I don't agree that the relatively tight scallops to clear the retainer are the optimum especially with low dress area adjacent. You shouldn't see large gradients
Is it for strength as in proof load or fatigue ?

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:20 am
by modok
Must have been one of the fixed constraints.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:26 am
by digger
modok wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:20 am Must have been one of the fixed constraints.
reading the OP properly it looks like it. there must be a way to have constraints but in such a way as they arent excessively specific

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 1:14 am
by Jeff Lee
...and then it goes straight to the 3D printer...LOL

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 1:14 am
by SchmidtMotorWorks
digger wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:18 am I've done a lot of FEA over last 20 years I don't agree that the relatively tight scallops to clear the retainer are the optimum especially with low dress area adjacent. You shouldn't see large gradients
Is it for strength as in proof load or fatigue ?
That is a byproduct of the keep-out zone for the spring/retainer.

It had a 0.1" radius on it.

As it becomes possible to define more criteria those things will work out.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 3:46 am
by Caprimaniac
This is cool. Great use of AI.

As other has commented: hit the return- tab, and the part comes out at the other end of the cable.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 7:51 am
by bob460
Cool stuff...........i like it!!

Good job SchmidtMotorWorks.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 7:50 pm
by hoffman900
Yeah, because no plane before AI designed parts ever fell out of the sky...

What a silly statement, but not surprising. I’d rather not go back to when planes were less safe, louder, and slower.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:28 pm
by SchmidtMotorWorks
exhaustgases wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:47 pm Just curious is that what they used to design those cracking parts on the 737NG? I still think the old slide rule dudes in the past had a better handle on stuff.
Not even close to true
Jet airliner fuel efficiency has nearly doubled since the 1980's

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:50 pm
by hoffman900
SchmidtMotorWorks wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:28 pm
exhaustgases wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:47 pm Just curious is that what they used to design those cracking parts on the 737NG? I still think the old slide rule dudes in the past had a better handle on stuff.
Not even close to true
Jet airliner fuel efficiency has nearly doubled since the 1980's
This. And much safer.

Re: Artificial Intelligence to Design Lightweight Parts

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:30 am
by emsvitil
hoffman900 wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:50 pm
SchmidtMotorWorks wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:28 pm
exhaustgases wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:47 pm Just curious is that what they used to design those cracking parts on the 737NG? I still think the old slide rule dudes in the past had a better handle on stuff.
Not even close to true
Jet airliner fuel efficiency has nearly doubled since the 1980's
This. And much safer.

Except for the 737 MAX