ARCADE: An interactive playground for real-time immersed topology optimization

TL;DR

ARCADE introduces immersive topology optimization by leveraging augmented reality to integrate human intuition into topology optimization workflows, addressing barriers like software availability, expert required, and manufacturability concerns. The framework implements a Swift-based AR app on Apple Vision Pro that defines domains and boundary conditions, runs a 3-D TO formulation derived from Ferrari and Sigmund, and visualizes results in real-world contexts in real time. The contributions include the concept of immersive topology optimization (ITO), a functional ARCADE prototype, and the demonstration of real-time, gesture-based control over optimization parameters, with potential extension to other disciplines. The work promises to reduce design lead times, improve manufacturability, and broaden TO adoption by making it accessible to non-specialists.

Abstract

Topology optimization (TO) has found applications across a wide range of disciplines but remains underutilized in practice. Key barriers to broader adoption include the absence of versatile commercial software, the need for specialized expertise, and high computational demands. Additionally, challenges such as ensuring manufacturability, optimizing hyper-parameters, and integrating subjective design elements like aesthetics further hinder its widespread use. Emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) offer transformative potential for TO. By enabling intuitive, gesture-based human-computer interactions, these immersive tools bridge the gap between human intuition and computational processes. They provide the means to integrate subjective human judgment into optimization workflows in real time, creating a paradigm shift toward interactive and immersive design. Here we introduce the concept of immersive topology optimization (ITO) as a novel design paradigm that leverages AR environments for TO. To demonstrate this concept, we present ARCADE: Augmented Reality Computational Analysis and Design Environment. Developed in Swift for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset, ARCADE enables users to define, manipulate, and solve structural optimization problems within an augmented reality setting. By incorporating real-time human interaction and visualization of the design in its intended target location, ARCADE has the potential to reduce lead times, enhance manufacturability, and improve design integration. Although initially developed for structural optimization, ARCADE's framework could be extended to other disciplines, paving the way for a new era of interactive and immersive computational design.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: The definition of the design domain takes place in the Computational domain tab. The domain can be resized via the sliders in the window, or simply by pinching and dragging each of the three colored planes of the rendered domain. The three orthogonal arrows represent the Cartesian coordinate system, and pinch-and-drag gestures on the arrows move the domain in space. The domain can also be rotated around the vertical yellow axis by pinching and dragging the green circular arrow.
• Figure 2: Boundary conditions are defined in the Boundary conditions tab (a). Buttons with default boundary conditions are provided for a cantilever beam (b) and for a bridge (c). Any other boundary conditions can be defined (d): Clamped regions of the boundary, shown in blue, can be defined by simply tapping a vertex, edge, or an entire surface. Boundary tractions (colored in red with black arrows) are defined using pinch-and-drag gestures. Both traction direction and magnitude are defined by the dragging direction and dragging distance, respectively. Tapping a geometric entity with a prescribed boundary condition clears the boundary condition (the entity becomes translucent again).
• Figure 3: Settings that define the optimization are set in the Optimization settings tab. These include the maximum allowed number of iterations, the target volume fraction of material within the computational design domain, and the finite element mesh size used for the discretization. The toggles allows the removal of voids during optimization and to use an iterative solver (both set to true by default).
• Figure 4: During the optimization process, which starts by pressing the Start optimization button, changes to the design are visualized in real-time. The objective function value as a function of iteration is displayed in the floating 2-D menu. The app is interactive so that changes to boundary conditions can take place during the optimization.
• Figure 5: The final result of an optimization procedure fully renders all elements with a density above a pre-defined threshold. The design stays still in space so it can be inspected from any angle.