Design for additive manufacturing from a force-flow perspective

Abstract With the increasing application of additive manufacturing (AM) in the industry, more attention has been paid to the performance of the additively manufactured part. How to maximize the structural efficiency of a part to achieve the desired performance has become the focus and challenge of design for additive manufacturing (DFAM). To give full play to the complex-geometry, multi-material, multi-scale, and multi-function manufacturing capabilities of AM, new approaches in DFAM have to be explored. The relationship between stress and growth in biology indicates that naturally evolved perfect structures are all optimal responses to their applied force. This work discusses a novel method to DFAM at the macroscale, mesoscale and microscale from a force-flow perspective, aiming to achieve an organic integration of force-flow based design with AM-driven manufacturing. Firstly, the characteristics of force-flow and its embodiment in nature and engineering are analyzed. Then, an overview of topology optimization, lattice/cellular structure design and infill pattern design are respectively provided in the combination of force-flow and AM. Finally, the future development directions of DFAM based on force-flow are proposed according to the limitations of current research.