Paper Title
Structural Optimization of Automotive Flexplates Using A Fully Parameterized Finite Element Model

Abstract
An automotive flexplate connects the engine crankshaft and the torque converter and provides a cushion between them preventing damage from harmful axial movement. In this paper, a fully parameterized model of a flexplate is created, and then optimization process applied to study maximizing the fundamental frequency of the flexplate model and minimizing the maximum von Mises stress in the model. All three optimization cases studied show improvement in their objective functions. In one case, more than 12% of improvement has been observed and the equivalent stress in the optimized flexplate model appears to be more evenly distributed, which makes the resulted model a more durable and better design. Keywords - Flexplate, Parameterized Model, Structural Optimization, Maximizing Fundamental Frequency, Minimizing Maximum Stress.