ABSTRACT
Topology optimization since past two decades is characterized by a dynamic development, both in research and industrial applications. This development has led to a steady increase in applications of optimization technology in the past decade (Zhou, Pagaldipti, Thomas, & Shyy 2004). It is especially evident since Bendsoe and Kikuchi’s studies caused a renewed interest in the topic (Bendsoe & Kikuchi 1988). The strength of this technology lies in the initial impact in a design process. Currently, topology optimization has rapidly grown and with the development of topology theory and an increased number of tools, it has become a strong method in the design of new products. However, a range of problems, including porosity, a design with checkerboards, mesh dependency, local minimum results, etc. often lead to a non-manufacturable topology that cannot be accepted later in the manufacturing process (Kong-Tian, Li-Ping, Yun-Qing, & Jingzhou 2006). As it was shown, topology optimization can help to create highly efficient design concepts. This very often leads to much more significant design improvement compared to sizing and shape optimization that can be only applied to a structure with a given layout (Zhou, Fleury, Shyy, Thomas, & Brennan 2002). At the initial stage of the design, fulfillment of the production requirements is one of the fundamental demands.
