{"id":7979,"date":"2023-09-01T05:35:44","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T09:35:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/?p=7979"},"modified":"2026-03-26T04:35:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:35:28","slug":"utilizing-shape-constraints-in-nx","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/nx-design\/utilizing-shape-constraints-in-nx\/","title":{"rendered":"Topology Optimization Shape Constraints | NX Tips and Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to another instalment of our Tips and Trick series<\/a>! As you hopefully know by now, we bring you these to provide useful information from our NX continuous release strategy. Our aim is always to improve your overall design workflow, and with any luck, these tips and tricks support that goal! In this entry we\u2019ll be looking at how to utilize shape constraints with Topology Optimization to achieve optimized results that are more in line with different types of manufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optimized Shape, but no constraints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In our example, we\u2019re going to start by looking at an optimized part, but without any constraints. As you can see in our model, this specific part has several crevices and overhangs involved, making this part difficult to cast and manufacture. This is something we want to pay attention to when building out our model further, as this can hinder and slow down the design and manufacturing process. Let\u2019s look at making some design changes to our model. This way, we can ensure it can be more easily manufactured using traditional methods.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"NX<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Fill from direction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under \u2018shape constraint\u2019 you can find where to add \u2018fill from direction\u2019. In our example, this is what we\u2019re going to add. This option will ensure that the model is built up from the base and the model wouldn\u2019t be locked if it were to be cast. Remember here to select \u2018unidirectional\u2019 and then the vector that you want your model to be built up from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using our video as an example, once the part has finished running, you are able to see how the body has changed. For instance, with the addition of a shape constraint, the model still resembles your original, but no longer contains overhangs or crevices. With the model now having tall walls, it\u2019s much more practical to cast and be sent for manufacture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bidirectional from a plane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Within NX there are several different options when it comes to deciding the shape of the model. Again, in our video, you can see that this third example has a different design from the previous two. This has been achieved by selecting \u2018bidirectional\u2019 instead of \u2018unidirectional\u2019. We have then selected a plane that has been placed midway through the body of our model. This enables the part to have a more internalized structure but maintaining the omission of crevices or overhangs to help with ease when casting.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"bidirectional<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Acceleration load<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When creating any model or part within NX, it\u2019s essential to remember what function your model will have in the real world. This part that we\u2019re looking at in particular would be used to hold a load on its linkages, and potentially have something that could crash into it at force. Due to this, we need to ensure that our part could sustain that very possible impact. We can check this by adding an \u2018acceleration load\u2019 to the model. This can be found under \u2018analysis load\u2019. This part is entirely up to you in terms of where you choose your potential impact to be from, but in this instance, let\u2019s say it’s coming from the X direction. Once you\u2019ve chosen that, simply optimize our design and view your results. Referring to our example, you can see how the design has changed to accommodate for this sudden acceleration. Material has been removed from the front of the model and then added to the back to keep the model from deforming.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"acceleration<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Continue your journey with NX<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s a wrap on utilizing shape constraints! We hope you have found this useful, and it helps improve your workflow. Please stay tuned for the next entry, as we continue to help your designs reach their optimum potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Topology Optimization Shape Constraints | YouTube Video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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