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CCM has been creating unique design and analysis software solutions for composite structures for more than two decades. The software is continuously upgraded to reflect new research findings as well as to capitalize on advances in computing technology. Software applications such as SMARTree, LIMS and MAT162 are used extensively by researchers at UD-CCM and industrial sponsors to predict material properties and behavior during processing as well as study failure of composites under dynamic loading.
For more information:
CDS: Composite Design Software
What is CDS?
Composite Design Software (CDS) is UD-CCM’s integrated structural design and analysis platform for composite materials. The latest release, CDS 3.1, builds on prior versions with parametric design, real-time analysis, and intuitive drag-and-drop workflows for composite laminates and cylinders, bringing multiple composite solid mechanics tools into a single, unified environment.
Why CDS matters
- Accelerates composite design decisions through real-time property prediction, analysis, and ranking.
- Unifies critical tools for mechanics, materials, thermal, and process simulation in one platform.
- Improves design insight with parametric studies that enable rapid comparison of multiple micromechanics and laminate solutions.
Key Capabilities
- Integrated laminate and cylinder analysis with effective property prediction, stress/strain evaluation, and progressive failure modeling.
- Parametric design and analysis for direct comparison and ranking of multiple material and laminate configurations.
- Advanced materials database with drag-and-drop sorting, duplication, and export in multiple formats.
- Ashby plots and tabular ranking tools to compare mechanical, physical, micromechanics, cure kinetics, and damage/failure properties.
- Real-time updates: Modify material properties on the fly and instantly view changes in laminate behavior and performance.
- Support for non-linear and MAT162 (LS-DYNA) properties for advanced simulation workflows.
- Spreadsheet import/export and intuitive drag-and-drop functionality for efficient data management.
Applications
CDS is used by researchers and industrial partners at CCM to design, analyze, and optimize composite structures across aerospace, automotive, energy, and other advanced manufacturing sectors.
Design Smarter Composites with CDS
CDS 3.1 is available to industrial consortium members through tailored consortium agreements. Demonstration versions and training workshops can be arranged for prospective members. The software is PC-based and runs on Windows®, including non-networked systems.
SMARTree: Standards-Driven Materials & Process Data Management
What is SMARTree?
SMARTree is an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop graphical user interface (GUI) for implementing and managing standardized protocols to capture, store, and share materials, process, and test data. Designed for both desktop and mobile use, SMARTree combines intuitive workflow building with built-in logic and integrity checks to ensure data validity and compliance with materials and testing standards.
Why SMARTree matters
- Standards-compliant data capture: Embedded validation and integrity checks help ensure datasets meet applicable materials and test standards.
- Simplified workflows: Drag-and-build environments lower the barrier to adopting standardized protocols across teams and projects.
- Cloud-enabled collaboration: Secure cloud storage supports seamless data sharing across PC clients and mobile applications.
Key Capabilities
- Drag-and-drop protocol builder for defining and executing standard data-capture workflows.
- Built-in logic and integrity checks to prevent invalid or non-compliant data entry.
- Cross-platform access via PC clients and mobile applications.
- XML-based data storage for easy sharing, import, and long-term interoperability.
- Domain-specific extensibility: XML schemas allow materials scientists and engineers to define custom tags and document structures tailored to their data needs.
- Third-party integration: XML format enables efficient parsing and import into external analysis and data-management software.
Applications
SMARTree supports researchers and industry partners in managing materials, processing, and testing data across the product lifecycle, facilitating reproducible research, standards compliance, and efficient collaboration in materials science and engineering.
Streamline Your Materials Data with SMARTree
Explore how SMARTree can standardize your data workflows, improve compliance, and enable secure, cloud-based collaboration.
Visit the SmarTree Software website to learn more.
LIMS: Liquid Injection Molding Simulation Program
What is LIMS?
LIMS simulates the mold-filling stage of Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) processes such as resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), Compression RTM, High Pressure RTM and Resin Film Infusion. By modelling flow through porous media using finite-element methods, LIMS offers a “virtual mold filling” environment, helping you optimize mold design and filling strategies without costly physical trial-and-error.
Why LIMS matters
- Enables cost-effective process optimization and reduces development lead times.
- Supports intelligent or adaptive injection processes: using embedded sensors, controllable injection hardware, and scripting capabilities to model a wide range of process variants.
- Handles complex geometries, thick parts, distribution media, and real-world flow phenomena (e.g., race-tracking, vents, resin distribution layers) through a flexible and robust simulation engine.
Key Capabilities
- 3D solid, 2.5D shell, and 1D runner/flow-channel modeling for full mold geometry coverage.
- Support for multiple injection gates, vents, sensors; real-time adjustment of gates/vents during simulation to study process control strategies.
- Fabric deformation integration for pre-forming stage simulation, enabling accurate prediction of flow behavior in real composite preforms.
- Dry-spot prediction and flow-front tracking to avoid voids and defects.
- Rapid solution algorithms that solve typical problems (thousands of DOF) in seconds on standard workstations (~3 GHz i7), enabling quick design iterations.
- Flexible scripting interface for custom process definitions and integration with external control or analysis tools, plus DLL/MPI support for automation and coupling with other simulation packages.
Applications
LIMS is actively used by researchers and industrial sponsors at Center for Composite Materials (CCM) to design and optimize composites manufacturing for a wide range of sectors – automotive, aerospace, energy, and more.
Accelerate Your Composite Manufacturing with LIMS
Request an evaluation license, explore integration options (API/DLL), or speak with our technical team about how LIMS can support your process modeling, adaptive injection strategies, and digital manufacturing workflows.
Contact the LIMS Team at info-ccm@udel.edu or 302-831-8149.
Why CCM?
- 50+ years of leadership in composites research
- 350+ industry partnerships worldwide, from Fortune 500 to startups
- End-to-end integration of materials, processes, and validation under one roof
- Globally recognized expertise accelerating innovation & commercialization