From topology optimization to additive manufacturing of soft magnetic cores

The goal of this research is the modelling by Magnetic Equivalent Circuit and topology optimization of a magnetic core, in order to maximize the inductance value function of an imposed material volume. A penalization is used in order to obtain density-based optimization results strictly made of air and magnetic material. The shapes of three magnetic cores resulting of the topology optimization are printed by additive manufacturing with fused granular fabrication process, being subject to a thermal treatment, and then compared by characterization and modelling to a reference shape in terms of magnetic properties.