Zones
Multi-zone lattices enable powerful control over the performance of your lattice. Each lattice type has its own unique characteristics, and zones allow the lattice to serve multiple purposes.
For example, rhombic lattices absorb energy and serve well in high impact conditions. If a high impact lattice is wearable, you may also want a lattice that performs well for comfort such as tetrahedral. Multi-zone allows you to achieve both goals.
Furthermore, transition zones allow you to specify the transition distance. Large transition distances enable the creation of hybrid lattices that merge the characteristics of two lattice types. You are therefore not limited to just the lattice types offered but also have every hybrid option available.
If you have not yet read about Multi-Zone File Preparation, please do so before proceeding.
Strut Lattice
Define the Input Mesh
The Input Mesh defines the overall design space that will be latticed. These parameters define the overall characteristic of the lattice and provide the favoring parameters for the lattice where a zone is not specified.
- Select the overall design space as the Input mesh
- Select the lattice parameters to define the Unit Cell
Zones
Define the Lattice Zone(s)
Each zone may define its own lattice parameters. You do not need to define the entire boundary mesh with zones.
- Select Zones tab
- Select Zone Mesh
- Select the lattice parameters for the zone
- Specify the Transition distance
- Defaults to the Main cell size of the input mesh
You may also use Lattice Search to apply a lattice type to a zone.
Transition distance defines the dimension within which zones transition between differing parameters.
Minimum One Cell Size Distance
- Transition distance defaults to the Main cell size of the input mesh
- If a zone's cell is larger than the input mesh main cell size, it is recommended to increase the transition distance to the larger cell size
- The software does not prevent you from entering smaller transition distances so you can iterate for your design. Note that the smaller the distance, the more potential there is for
- Awkward transitions
- Transitions that are difficult to clean in post-processing
The minimum transition is shown here with each lattice type combination for reference. Each lattice was created with a 5.0 mm cell size, 0.5 mm strut diameter, and 5.0 mm transition distance on a sample puck geometry.
From left>right/top>bottom: Icosahedral | Kagome | Rhombic | Tetrahedral | Voronoi
- Transitions between similar lattice types may appear smoother, such as Kagome and Voronoi.
- Lattice types that are very different from each other will have a more noticeable transition, such as Tetrahedral and Voronoi. In these cases, a larger transition distance may yield more gradual resulting transitions.
Hybrid lattices are essentially another type of lattice that combines the characteristics of two types. This example uses voronoi at the sides of a wrist pad for its springy character while combining voronoi with tetrahedral in the center, where a wrist rests, to engage the static comfort of tetrahedral.
Transition distance is measured outwards from the edge of a zone. Overlapping transitions may be needed to obtain a hybrid lattice type. In this case, the two sides are defined as zones with a transition distance that extends fully across the center (which is not defined as a zone).
Lattice Search also provides a wide variety of hybrid lattice types that are not limited to just two types.