Research Summary
Assessing Composites Manufacturability and Automated Distribution Media Generation
Authors: Erik Andres
OBJECTIVES
Use finite element analysis to assess the feasibility of manufacturing a composite component
Use geometric and LIMS analysis to automatically generate an optimized distribution media plan.
Terminology
• CME: Composites Manufacturability Evaluation
o CME reads mesh files and returns feedback on manufacturability via LIMS simulations and geometric analysis
o Information on Infusion methods, vent areas, racetracking sites, fill time, and other details are provided in a detailed report
Coarse Mesh Generation Algorithm
• Creates a coarse mesh to reduce the run time of DM algorithms
• Algorithm compares distance between centroids of elements, and if the distance is below a certain threshold(varies based on desired mesh density), the elements are grouped together
Fast-Pass Generation of Distribution Media
Utilizes the coarse mesh algorithms
Establish one vent case for part and generate coarse mesh
1. Using the coarsened mesh and Dijkstra's algorithm, find the shortest path to the inlet.
2. Change the clusters on the path to the inlet to have D.M. permeability
3. If necessary, add D.M. to the void areas as well
4. Repeat
Line-Growth Generation of Distribution Media
Given an inlet line, “grow” distribution media towards vents
Weight growth factor towards void areas
Stop when a certain fill time or media coverage is obtained
Conclusions
Distribution media addition can drastically reduce the projected fill time of a mesh and can be automatically generated given a geometry and infusion scheme. This has the effect of simplifying the recommended infusion scheme.
Acknowledgements
This work is supported by the University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials, DARPA and by Dr. Suresh Advani, Dr. Shridhar Yarlagadda, Dr. Pavel Simacek, Jiayin Wang, Dr. John Tierney, Dan Molligan, John Gangloff, Hatice Sinem-Sas, Cedric Jacob, and Shashank Sharma.
