Multi-objective Topology Optimization of Steel Reinforcement for Epoxy Granite VMC Column

Traditional machine tools with cast iron or cast steel structures experience structural vibrations, resulting in the poor surface finish on manufactured components. The static and dynamic characteristics of machine tools are improved by steel-reinforced epoxy granite. Topology optimization is a mathematical approach for optimizing the design space for a given set of objectives, loads, boundary conditions and constraints to maximize system performance. The present work focuses on optimizing the steel reinforcement configuration of a vertical machining centre column made of epoxy granite (EG). Topology optimization is carried out with the objective of maximizing the stiffness and natural frequencies of the steel-reinforced epoxy granite column while minimizing the mass of the structure. Multiple design configurations for steel reinforcement are evolved based on topology optimization, and numerical investigations are carried out by FEA. The static and dynamic characteristics of the EG columns with optimized steel reinforcements are compared with the existing CI and SREG columns. The results reveal an 8–20% improvement in natural frequencies and a 12% decrease in the mass of steel reinforcement than that of the existing SREG column.