GEN-SCAPE: A Generative Framework for Supply Chain and 2Manufacturing Aware Product Design (September, 2026).

This paper was presented by Michael Murphy at the 42nd International Manufacturing Conference (IMC42), co-organized by the Irish Manufacturing Council and Queen’s University Belfast, which was held on 10 and 11 September 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The plenary sessions of the conference occurred on the 10^th September at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), Global Point, Newtownabbey, followed by technical sessions and a tour of AMIC facilities in the afternoon.

Abstract: Truss topology optimisation is a well-established field in structural engineering, traditionally focusing on determining optimal node locations and member sizing to minimise compliance or weight under prescribed loads. Recent advances have explored more flexible design representations to overcome limitations of fixed-topology approaches. In this context, Radial Basis Functions (RBFs) offer a tool for topology optimisation, providing smooth, continuous control over geometry and structural parameters. By incorporating RBFs, optimisation algorithms can efficiently generate diverse structural solutions, enable finer control over cross-sectional areas, and improve convergence rates. This work highlights the potential of RBF-based representations to enhance truss topology optimisation, offering designers a versatile and computationally efficient framework for exploring complex, high-performance structural configurations. The optimisation of a car chassis subjected to multiple load cases is used as a case study to demonstrate the capabilities of the approach.
Index Terms—topology optimisation, evolutionary computation, radial basis functions, engineering design.

The link to the full paper will be provided in due course.