Environmental impact of process constrained topology optimization design on automotive component’ life

Abstract The components’ lightweighting has been pursued, especially in the transport industry, for greenhouse gas reduction. Topology optimization, being able to allocate material within a provided design space, is mathematical method that can support of lightweight components, preserving, at same time, their mechanical performances. In this paper, standard shape component, specifically an automotive bracket, was topology optimized by estimating impacts new designs from eco-friendly point view. A subtractive, additive and casting manufacturing process were considered as possible routes achieving geometry component each them. optimizations performed considering processes’ peculiarities, introduced constraints. Same strength given set loads boundary conditions target analysis. component’s lightening be environmentally friendly just after assessing associated with all stages product’ life cycle. Indeed, phase cycle affected, differently, optimization taking into account peculiarities employed process. overall considerations on most safe strategies can, therefore, change according specificities shapes. showed its utmost potentiality, sustainable view, if applied techniques advantages arisen capability manufacture complex shapes benefiting also reduction time owing less deposited.