Multi‐Set MMV Topology Optimization Approach for Sliding Surface Texture Design

Surface texture is of great practical importance in applications due to its significant effect on the tribological performance of the sliding surface. In the present work, an explicit topology optimization framework for surface texture design is proposed. For this purpose, the moving morphable void (MMV)‐based explicit topology optimization approach is used to maximize the load carrying capacity (LCC) of the bearing by optimizing the distribution of the surface texture. A multi‐set of voids is established to describe the multi‐film thickness of the texture. By using the explicit geometry information in MMV, the present work can be seamlessly linked to the CAD system, resulting in the accurate processing of complex surface textures. Besides some numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, experimental tests are also provided to verify the validity of the optimization results.