Industrial design DfAM series: Computational chair design using topology optimization and fields

Gabrielle Thelen, nTop

A well-designed chair takes into account not only practical aspects — such as function, structure, comfort, and manufacturability — but also form, aesthetics, and personal expression. That’s why chairs have drawn the attention of many great designers. 

By utilizing state-of-the-art computational design tools, techniques such as topology optimization coupled with field driven design can be leveraged to create new chair design concepts with nTop. This technology has allowed engineers to push the boundaries of design and innovate more rapidly especially in the consumer products industry where aesthetics are of value as well as functional requirements in improving the ergonomic experience for the end user.

Watch and learn how to:

• Generate organic & lightweight chairs using topology optimization
• Smoothen the results of the generative algorithm into a usable geometry
• Automate and accelerate the design process by leveraging the power of reusable workflows