Cavitation

Flow visualisation of a cavitating hydrofoil as part of a preliminary test validation study for a large numerical and physical research project.

Composites

Composites Manufacturing Simulation Software

Composite materials in engineering are gaining popularity with manufacturers due, in part to their lightweight properties, strength and durability. As with any industrial part or product, composite components must reach quality requirements and go through extensive testing to meet certification requirements, which usually happens late in the development cycle. When defects are found at this stage, they lead to additional time and costs and a delay in getting the product to market.

Composite application examples

ESI's PAM-COMPOSITES simulation software helps you target defects early in your composite product’s development cycle, when it’s easier to fine-tune the manufacturing process. With PAM-COMPOSITES, you can:

  • Analyze and optimize individual manufacturing operations
  • Link these operations by transferring material history from one operation to the next (change in fiber orientations, curing degree, temperature distribution)
  • Correct, optimize or validate processes like draping, thermoforming, RTM, infusion or curing, to minimize manufacturing defects, ensure reproducibility, and decrease development costs

PAM-COMPOSITES addresses a wide range of composite materials, with a focus on continuous fibers. It can model carbon or glass fibers, thermoset or thermoplastic matrix, dry textiles or pre-pregs.

ESI PAM-COMPOSITES allows FIDAMC to perform "the analysis and optimization of each individual manufacturing operation". Thanks to simulation, FIDAMC, which is aimed to consolidate the Spanish leading position in composite material technology, "save cost and speed up projects completion, substituting manufacturing trials by simulation analysis".

Jacinto Tortosa, CEO at FIDAMC

We have worked with ESI on flow simulation, forming simulation and impact modelling for many years and consider their software to be at the leading edge of composites analysis. During that time we have developed materials characterization techniques to determine necessary input data, in particular reinforcement permeability for resin flow simulation. We are very pleased to be able to provide some of our data for other users as well as providing useful data for analysis of composites manufacturing. We hope that this will promote further collaboration amongst the composites manufacturing community.

Pr. Andy Long, University of Nottingham

Read the Engineering.com Article: Simulate Composites to Improve NVH and Quality