Autodesk Technology Demonstration
COMPANY
Autodesk Ltd
LOCATION
London, England
Autodesk® Within
LIQUID LATTICE
Demonstrating a Lightweight Load
Bearing Engine Block
TECHNOLOGY
Autodesk® Within Software &
Design Consulting
In this case study you can see
that the component is originally a
solid block where two pipes,
carrying fluids, merge into one
larger pipe which exits the block
at right angle to the original
direction. Traditionally, in order
to create this component, you
would have to drill two holes into
the top of the block in such a way
as to meet another hole that was
drilled into the side of the block.
Where the pipes meet in the
middle of the block would then
be a point of resistance as the
flow of fluid would be
interrupted by the sharp angle
change between the pipes. By
building the pipe design into the
component, a more continuous
pipe construction can be created
where a uniform cross section is
maintain between the two
smaller pipes and the one larger
pipe and a smoothly curving
junction can be created the limits
any unwanted interruption to the
fluid flow.
In addition to the task of
designing the pipes, this
conceptual block had two further
requirements; those of
withstanding a fictional
asymmetric complex loading
from the top surface of the block
and the need to support the
under surface of the top plate of
the block. The underneath of the
larger pipe (and the junction to
some extend) also need to be
supported).
The images below demonstrate
the design process and resulting
lattice design. The part was then
built in stainless steel on the EOS
M270.
Autodesk Technology Demonstration
Autodesk® Within
Original engine block
External support structure
Critical interfaces
Final design
Internal support structure
Manufactured design