A lightweight bionic design for a scanner based on the 3D architecture of root system of pine trees

Lightweight design is usually a critical criterion in many engineering fields. In addition to the well-developed method topology optimization, structural bionics is also considered an effective approach to obtain innovative designs with lightweight. In nature, trees have evolved highly developed root systems to maximize the efficiency in anchorage. Inspired by the 3D branch structure of plant roots, this paper selects the root system of pine trees as a biological prototype for the optimization of a scanner which has a strict requirement for the flatness. First, a topology-optimized structure of the scanner is modeled and simulated for its mechanical behavior. Next, architectural and mechanical characteristics of the tap root system of pine trees are investigated through sensitivity analysis. Similarity analysis between the root system and the scanner is performed from three aspects. Then, by imitating the spatial configuration of pine tree roots, a bionic design for the scanner is proposed and modeled. Finally, finite element method (FEM) is carried out to evaluate the mechanical performance of the original model, the bionic model, and the topology-optimized model in terms of weight, dynamics response, and specific stiffness efficiency. Comparison results show that the proposed bionic model provides the best lightweight solution for the scanner, followed by the topology-optimized model. The proposed bionic model suggests a new solution to the design of the supporting system of “tower-like” structures and extends the application of branch-based bionics from planar systems to complex spatial systems.