Showcase

In this specific example, a 3D printer, printhead bracket was optimized. The original bracket was made from ABS plastic. However, because of the limited heat transfer of ABS plastic, problems where experienced with heat creep in the filament extruder, placed on top of the bracket (not shown). 

In order to improve the heat dissipation of the bracket, a different material, like aluminium, would be an improvement.

For this particular 3D printer, there is a CNC machined aluminium bracket, commercially available. This made this bracket an interesting test case, to find out if topology optimization, combined with an SLM print process, could lower the weight and price, compared to the original design.