An optimized material removal process

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimization approach combining boundary element simulations and particle swarm algorithms to enhance material removal efficiency, demonstrated through an ice scream scoop application.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization method for micro-contact shape and placement to maximize elastic energy for material removal.

Findings

Optimized micro-contact configurations increase energy transfer.

The method effectively designs tools like an ice scream scoop.

Simulation results validate the optimization approach.

Abstract

We conduct boundary element simulations of a contact problem consisting of an elastic medium subject to tangential load. Using a particle swarm optimization algorithm, we find the optimal shape and location of the micro-contacts to maximize for a given load the stored elastic energy contributing to the removal of a spherical particle contained in between the micro-contacts. We propose an ice scream scoop as an application of this optimization process.