PAM-DISTORTION
PAM-DISTORTION, a module within PAM-COMPOSITES, allows the prediction of manufacturing-induced residual stresses and shape distortion of composites parts made of continuous fibers and thermoset matrix.
PAM-DISTORTION, with its first commercial version released in September 2013, is the accomplishment of several years of research and experience in thermo-chemical-stress analysis. It was developed through industrial partnerships and projects in the aeronautics and wind energy industries.
During their manufacturing, composite parts made of thermoset matrix go through a curing operation that transforms the resin from a liquid to a solid state. This thermo-chemical process results in residual stresses that will distort the part.
Controlling the geometrical distortion of composites parts is a critical challenge for most industries: high performance aeronautic structural parts have tight tolerances; respect of tolerances is important to allow assembly and becomes critical when dealing with very large parts such as wind blades.
PAM-DISTORTION comes as an alternative to expensive and time consuming physical trials. Prediction of manufacturing-induced shape distortions makes tooling and process correction possible before trials are performed.
PAM-DISTORTION computes shape distortions taking into account major influencing phenomena including laminate lay-up, resin thermal expansion, cure shrinkage, cure temperature and mold thermal expansion.