MSLattice: A free software for generating uniform and graded lattices based on triply periodic minimal surfaces

Abstract

Nature‐inspired materials based on triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) are very attractive in many engineering disciplines because of their topology‐driven properties. However, their adoption across different research and engineering fields is limited by the complexity of their design process. In this work, we present MSLattice, a software that allows users to design uniform, and functionally grade lattices and surfaces based on TPMS using two approaches, namely, the sheet networks and solid networks. The software allows users to control the type of TPMS topology, relative density, cell size, relative density grading, cell size grading, and hybridization between lattices. These features make MSLattice a complete design platform for users in different engineering disciplines, especially in applications that employ additive manufacturing (3D printing) and computational modeling. We demonstrate the capability of the software using several examples.

Programmed Plastic Deformation in Mathematically-Designed Architected Cellular Materials

“…where x, y and z are the Cartesian coordinates, l is the unit cell size, and t is the iso-value used to define the thickness, and controls the relative density of the cellular material, such that RD(%) = 57.57t − 0.197. This level-set equation and several others were coded using MATLAB (R2021b, MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA) and compiled into a standalone executable package called MSLattice [65]. An example of a uniform primitive cellular material produced using this package is shown in Figure 1a.…”

TPMS Designer: A tool for generating and analyzing triply periodic minimal surfaces

“…FLattPack, was developed to allow a selection of unit cell structures to be applied to a (.stl) object [10]. MSLattice is another tool developed within Matlab, providing a large library of TPMS structures, and tool for creating hybrid structures [11]. NTopology represents the commercial solution to implicit design and includes many additional features for CAE (computer aided engineering), however the software is proprietary, requiring paid licensing and does not allow users full control over the source code [12].…”

Wind in a Natural and Artificial Wildland Fire Fuel Bed

“…We used α = β = 3π and γ = π, thus compressing the model cell density in the x and y dimensions relative to the z dimension. Each mathematical model was generated following (1) using the Minimal Surface Lattice Generator [26] with the parameters in Table 1.…”