nTop 4.25 is here! This release features our new manufacturing constraints: 3-axis milling constraint and 5-axis milling constraint. Scroll down to read more about it. As with every release, nTop's dedicated support team is ready to answer your questions. Please visit support.ntop.com to gain access to helpful tutorials and support articles.
3-Axis Milling Constraint
5-Axis Milling Constraint
3-Axis Milling Constraint
The 3-Axis Milling Constraint block enables three-axis milling constraints on Topology Optimizations. The constraint ensures the Topology Optimization result can be manufactured without contact between the tool head and the design domain. It ensures no features are generated smaller than the smallest cutting tool would allow.
- Block Name: 3-Axis Milling Constraint
- Location: Beta > Topology Optimization
- The block has the following inputs:
- Head Radius: The radius of a half sphere used to represent a simplified drill chuck. This will ensure the cutting tool can access specific regions without interference. The head radius should be larger than the min tool radius.
- Tool Length: The length of the cutting tool, measured from the tip to the drill chuck.
- Min Tool Radius: The radius of the cutting tool. This input controls the radii that can occur in the results.
- Approach Directions: These are the possible milling directions. If left blank, the default directions are +X, -X, +Y, -Y, +Z, and -Z. You can select multiple approach directions for one milling configuration to allow for multi-sided machining.
- Output: Optimization Constraint
The above image shows an example of a Cantilever Beam optimized using the 3-Axis Milling Constraint on one axis.
5-Axis Milling Constraint
The 5-Axis Milling Constraint block enables five-axis milling constraints on Topology Optimizations. The constraint ensures the Topology Optimization result can be manufactured without contact between the tool head and the design domain. It ensures no features are generated smaller than the smallest cutting tool would allow.
- Block Name: 5-Axis Milling Constraint
- Location: Beta > Topology Optimization
- The block has the following inputs:
- Head Radius: The radius of a half sphere used to represent a simplified drill chuck. This will ensure the cutting tool can access specific regions without interference. The head radius should be larger than the min tool radius.
- Tool Length: The length of the cutting tool, measured from the tip to the drill chuck.
- Min Tool Radius: The radius of the cutting tool. This input controls the radii that can occur in the results.
- Output: Optimization Constraint
The above image shows an example of a Cantilever Beam optimized using the 5-Axis Milling Constraint.