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CompPro Value

"I look for software tools that are simple to use, accurate, and versatile. CompositePro fits the bill. I use it for RFQs, ROMs, rough designs, and full-up laminate analysis; this desktop tool is an important part of my process."

Dave Crockett
Owner and President
Osprey Technologies

Optimization of Composite Design

Composite materials are selected for their ability to opmtimize in areas such as weight, durability and manufacturing. But insufficient analysis capability can leave much of that potential out of reach.

Those looking to go beyond current limitations on composite design optimization should explore the ways to:

Optimize Laminate Thickness - See what considerable benefits can be had using strength-driven design

Optimize Analysis Time - Increase your productivity with technologies designed to significantly reduce composite simulation run time

Optimize Laminate Thickness

The number of plies relates directly to the weight of the component, the manufacturing complexity and time required, and the overall material costs. If you are using a first-ply-failure approach to design your composite parts, you may be missing opportunities to significantly reduce the number of plies required to reach your objectives. Consider these examples:

Under-Estimating Laminate Strength

A traditional approach used by many to predict the strength of a laminate is to determine the “first-ply- failure” (FPF). With FPF, the laminate is assumed to fail when the first ply fails. Is this a good approach?

In this short example, Helius:CompositePro is used to quickly demonstrate the optimization that can be had by using progressive failure to determine the ultimate strength of a laminate and pursue a lighter, more optimal design.

Read the example.

Optimizing Laminate Thickness with Progessive Failure

In this example, finite element analysis is used to determine how many plies are needed to meet a strength requirement. A traditional First Ply Failure approach is compared to a first ply fiber failure as well as a progressive failure approach. The result is a 75% reduction in the necessary number of plies!

See how the right analsys technology can help you attain strength-based optimization.

Read the example.

Optimize Composite Analysis Time

Optmization in composite design requires the ability to simulate early and often. Run times of weeks or months are unacceptable - and unnecessary.

Improved composite simulation convergence

Designed for Efficiency and Robustness

Many composite analysis methods are plagued by excessive run times or an inability to reach a converged solution. Helius:MCT incorporates composites-specific technology designed to produce substantial improvements in solution convergence.

Read the example.

Make the Most of Your Simulation Time

A significant portion of run-time in a progressive failure analysis can be tied up in numerous iterations that take place after failure occurs. Helius:MCT has an added feature that, when activiated, can terminate a simulation when catastrophic failure has been detected. This can dramatically (as much as 50%!) reduce run-time and increase productivity.

Read the example.

Helius:MCT, Helius:MatSim, Helius:CompositePro, CompositePro and Helius:Fatigue are trademarks of Firehole Technologies, Inc. Any use of these trademarks require the prior written consent of Firehole Technologies, Inc. Abaqus, Abaqus/CAE, Abaqus/Standard and Abaqus/Viewer are trademarks of Dassault Systemes S.A. and Dassault Systemes SIMULIA Corp. ANSYS is a trademark of ANSYS, Inc. fe-safe™ is a trademark of Safe Technology.