WEIGHT MINIMIZATION OF THE HYDRAULIC PRESS FRAME WITH METAHEURISTIC ALGORITHMS

Abstract

This study presents the lightweight optimization design of the cross-sectional areas of the welded press columns (I-profile) and the welded press traverse (box profile) used in hydraulic press machines for panel production. The objective function is the total weight of the press frame structure for this optimization problem. The research considers several constraint functions, including the maximum stresses at key points of the I and box profiles, the stability of the press traverse, the maximum stress in the welded connections, and the maximum deflection of the press traverse. Also, some geometric constraints are included. Stress and stability checks are performed in accordance with Eurocode. The obtained results are verified on one example of the hydraulic press machine used in panel production and compared with results from previous research. Savings in the weight of the press frame structure are shown in terms of the type of materials and geometrical limitations. Two physics-based optimization methods are chosen for this research: the Flow Direction Algorithm (FDA) and the Weighted Mean of Vectors (INFO) algorithm. A comparison between the results obtained from both algorithms is also performed in this research.