topoForm#1: Generative Topological Design for Additive Manufacturing

MULTI-AGENT TOPOLOGICAL FORMATION FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Additive Manufacturing(AM) methods are being adopted in building construction due to their ability to provide reductions in time, cost and material waste, while offering increased geometric design flexibility. This flexibility enables increases in topological complexity to provide greater structural integrity whilst reducing the material volume utilized in the manufacture of parts. This research developed a multi-manifold generative design software that is able to embed both structural and geometric optimisation within a bespoke design process that preserves algorithmic character throughout optimisation cycles.

topoForm #1 is in an evolutionary multi-agent software that develops topological design solutions for column-like elements while attempting to optimize for several structural and geometric conditions. Inspired by John Frazer’s Etruscan Column project and Richard Dawkins’ Blind-Watchmaker algorithm, topoForm #1  is both an evolutionary and generative design algorithm. topoForm #1  mixes bottom-up agent-based behavior with top-down global means of analysis and evaluation, leveraging systemic openness and design character from local agent-based interactions while ensuring agent behaviours are evolved towards performance-based results.

Lead Researcher: Robert Stuart-Smith
Researchers: Patrick Danahy, Natalia Revelo