Improved design capabilities of the FiberSIM (TM) composite software

Improved design capabilities of the FiberSIM^TM composite software

Keywords: CDT, Software, CAD

Composite Design Technologies, Inc. (CDT) announced the release of FiberSIMTM 3.1 on the CATIA and Unigraphics CAD platforms. Significant customer-driven improvements have been added to the new release that enable engineers to optimize composite designs and interface with analysis packages more effectively. Changes in product packaging and pricing have also been made to accompany the new release.

FiberSIM, a software for composites, is a suite of software that transforms CAD systems into high performance tools for designing and manufacturing composite parts. Customers have long depended on the accuracy of FiberSIM's producibility simulation and ability to generate flat patterns. But with the release of FiberSIM 3.1, CDT has added significant new customer-driven functionality that makes the design engineer's job easier and more efficient. For example, CDT has added new ply definition capabilities and an orientation deviation display that helps engineers design critical composite parts more effectively. The new orientation deviation display alerts designers early-on if fiber paths exceed user-specified deviations, even if the part is indeed producible.

Included also in the release of FiberSIM 3.1 is the new Analysis Interface product. This application provides feedback on structural properties early in the design cycle, enabling engineers to optimize designs by making several iterations based upon the initial feedback. Prior to this, it was necessary for analysts to make assumptions about the properties of the part and use these assumptions as input to analysis packages. This resulted in inaccurate data and over-designed parts. Now with the FiberSIM Analysis Interface, engineers are able to use true fiber orientations as input to popular finite element analysis packages. The outcome is an optimized part that has been accurately analyzed based on actual fiber paths as they will occur in the manufactured part. Not only does this make the designer's job easier, it minimizes development time and reduces production costs, giving customers a distinct competitive advantage.

Also in response to customer feedback, CDT has changed the packaging of the FiberSIM product line for the 3.1 release. The Composite Engineering Environment and Flat Pattern/Producibility applications are now bundled together and sold as the FiberSIM Base Product. This powerful product provides part producibility simulations, generates net flat patterns for complex curvature plies, and enables designers to manage the vast amounts of data generated in the design and manufacture of composite parts. In addition, the following optional applications are available that enhance the capabilities of the Base Product and span the needs of the entire composite engineering organization:

• FiberSIM Documentation - generates engineering drawings and related documents directly from the 3D CAD model (available on FiberSIM/CATIA only).

• FiberSIM Analysis Interface - provides exact fiber orientations for use in generating laminate properties for improved structural analysis by popular FEA codes.

• FiberSIM Laser Projection - automatically accounts for ply and core offsets to generate laser projection calibration data for all major laser projection systems.

• FiberSIM Flat Pattern Export - provides seamless transfer of flat patterns from the CAD system directly to a nesting system or automated cutter.

Details from Composite Design Technologies. Tel: +1 781 290 0506.