Aircraft Skin Stretch-Forming Die Light-Weight Design Using Topology Optimization

The purpose of this paper is to use the topology optimization method to solve the light-weight design problem of large aircraft skin stretch-forming die. The platform of ABAQUS is firstly used for numerical simulation of skin stretch-forming. And the surface load conditions are therefore obtained. The topology optimization is carried out accordingly to maximize the structural stiffness with the material properties and the boundary conditions properly defined. Referring to the obtained topology design, the optimal structure is reconstructed and then evaluated by the non-linear numerical simulation of stretch-forming. Compared with the traditional design, the numerical results have shown that the topology design can improve the stiffness and strength of the stretch-forming die significantly.