Research Summary
Integration of Composite Part Design and Processing Simulation in Liquid Composite Molding (LCM)
Authors: J. Wang (PhDME), Dr. P. Simacek, and Dr. S. G. Advani
Background: Composite Functional Design & Process Design
LCM Processes and Mold Filling Simulation Tool: LIMS
Motivation: Integration of LCM Simulation with Design Cycle
Approach: Three Levels of Manufacturability Analysis
Example: Manufacturing Analysis for a Trailer
Integration with CAD Software MSC SimXpert
Summary and Conclusions
• Coupling between composite part functional design and process design can reduce prototype development cost and time
• Integrating LCM simulation tools into a CAD environment seamlessly can provide process information to the designer in real time
• Ease in manufacturing and improvement in yield can therefore be achieved
Acknowledgements
The financial support of this work is provided by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through orthotic project for the Center for Composite Material at the University of Delaware.
Input from Dr. Yarlagadda and Dr. Tierney on the use of the Orthotic geometry and constraints associated with manufacturing allowed us to conduct a realistic simulation.
Thanks to Dan Molligan for the help on the use of CAD software SimXpert
