Topology optimization aims to selectively place material in the locations required by a part's function, a process that tends to increase its geometric complexity. This fact makes topology optimization a natural pair with additive manufacturing, which is capable of building almost any such complex shape. Additive powder-bed processes such as selective laser melting (SLM) can create high-resolution, optimized features that would be difficult or impossible to machine. By the same token, topology optimization helps designers remove constraints and take better advantage of the design freedom additive manufacturing offers.

The diesel engine support pictured above is one example of a design made possible by the combination of additive manufacturing and topology optimization. Conventionally machined out of a metal block (left), the engine support connects the powertrain and chassis and supports a cooling system tensioner pulley. To optimize this part, researchers fed data about the support's load and other demands into a finite element model to come up with a lightweight, material-saving form (right) that would be difficult to achieve without additive manufacturing.