Automatic shape and topology variations in 3D CAD environments for genetic optimisation

This paper introduces tools for automatic shape and topology variations in 3D-CAD environments for optimisation and innovation purposes. It is known that performance enhancements are first achieved through optimisation methods for finding maxima or minima of the response surface. Then, after performance enhancements through parametric changes are exhausted, paradigm shifts and other qualitative changes that lead to innovation are required. A macro has been implemented within a commercial CAD system as an approach for supporting shape and topological variations. Using genetic algorithms evolutionary shape and topology variations are performed that allow further performance enhancements.