Computational Design

Please note: this course is only intended for students following the Master track High Tech Engineering.

This advanced course is a follow-up of its prerequisite course Engineering Optimization (ME46060) and offers the opportunity to learn more about optimization-based computational design techniques for creating designs of physical objects and components. This is fundamentally different from so-called Computer Aided Design (CAD), where designers use computer software to draw and create designs by hand. Instead, in computational design algorithms autonomously drive the design generation process, under the guidance of the human designer. Understanding the workings of such algorithms is important, as this allows designers to make best use of them, while avoiding their pitfalls. A popular computational design technique is Topology Optimization, which therefore forms a large part of the course content.

Next to having successfully followed Engineering Optimization (ME46060) and submitted their final project, students are expected to be sufficiently proficient in at least one programming language (Matlab or Python) to work with existing (open source) computational design software. Also an aptitude to learn to use new commercial software is expected. The course assessment includes a project, for which initiative and independence is expected. Attendance of the lectures is required, also to take part in in-class quizzes that contribute to the final grade.