Integrated AFP Manufacturing and Stress Analysis/Design Process

Abstract

Design of structures manufactured with automated fiber placement machines presents a unique set of challenges when compared to traditional hand layups. However, it has a significant advantage in simulation of the manufacturing process. Fiber is placed by a robot, providing an accurate digital model of the manufactured part. In this paper, a process is presented to map this manufacturing data from Vericut Composite Programming (VCP) to the stress analysis performed in HyperSizer. Such a process makes it possible to incorporate manufacturing constraints in the design process, thereby streamlining the laminate design and potentially reducing the weight of the structure.