Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has significantly changed the prototyping process in terms of technology, construction, materials, and their multiphysical properties. Among the most popular 3D printing techniques is vat photopolymerization, in which ultraviolet (UV) light is deployed to form chains between molecules of liquid light-curable resin, crosslink them, and as a result, solidify the resin. In this manuscript, three photopolymerization technologies, namely, stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and continuous digital light processing (CDLP), are reviewed. Additionally, the after-cured mechanical properties of light-curable resin materials are listed, along with a number of case studies showing their applications in practice. The manuscript aims at providing an overview and future trend of the photopolymerization technology to inspire the readers to engage in further research in this field, especially regarding developing new materials and mathematical models for microrods and bionic structures.

This paper deals with an experimental analysis of stress prediction and simulation prior to 3D printing via the selective laser melting (SLM) method and the subsequent separation of a printed sample from a base plate in two software programs, ANSYS Addictive Suite and MSC Simufact Additive. Practical verification of the simulation was performed on a 3Dprinted topologically optimized part made of AISI 316L stainless steel. This paper presents a typical workflow for working with metallic 3D printing technology and the state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of stress analysis and simulation of printed components. The paper emphasizes the role of simulation software for additive production and reflects on their weaknesses and strengths as well, with regard to their use not only in science and research but also in practice.

The combination of topology optimization (TO) and 3D printing has revolutionized the way components are designed and fabricated. In view of this, this manuscript presents a TO workflow considering the frame of a scooter. In particular, TO is employed to redesign the scooter frame based on a commercial one. The topologically optimized frame is then fabricated with stainless steel 316L utilizing the selective laser melting (SLM) method. In particular, technical obstacles encountered during the process and according solutions are recorded. Given the herein notes, readers who are working with the two technologies can anticipate the technical problems and deliver more effective solutions should any of them arise.

This article describes the design procedure of a topologically optimized scooter frame part. It is the rear heel of the frame, one of the four main parts of a scooter made with stainless steel 3D printing. The first part of the article deals with the design area definition and the determination of load cases for topology calculation. The second part describes the process of the topology optimization itself and the creation of the volume body based on the calculation results. Finally, the final control using an FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis and optimization of created Computer-Aided Design (CAD) data is shown. Part of the article is also a review of partial iterations and resulting versions of the designed part. Symmetry was used to define boundary conditions, which led to computing time savings, as well as during the CAD model creation, where non-parametric surfaces were mirrored to shorten the design time.

This paper deals with the design of an upright using a topological optimization. This type of optimization is a relatively young and rapidly evolving area of computational mechanics that seeks to make multiple material savings that cannot be achieved by conventional methods. The optimized upright was utilized in a fully functional prototype of the student formula within the Formula Student competition. The main objective of the optimization was to meet the requirements of the physical properties, weight, stiffness, and strength of the upright. The initial model of the upright was iteratively optimized using topological optimization and a finite element static analysis to obtain the final model. Using the finite element analysis, its behavior in operation within individual load cases was predicted. Symmetry was used to mirror the finished model to obtain the opposite upright of the other side of the car. Finally, the topologically optimized upright was compared with an upright made by conventional methods.