JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009 - 38

FEATURE “Automation” Focus With DesignConcept V4, cost is no longer the result of a process chain, but instead a key parameter that can be considered when making design decisions. Lectra offers a full 3D modelling tool that includes meshing, automatic flattening and a set of analysis tools. Component libraries, associative technical specification sheets and an integrated nesting module complete this powerful CAD solution. A rich set of data import/export interfaces makes implementing the tool easy in any operational environment. which will probably drive others to catch up. But above all, the achievement is a challenge to the industries to re-organize their existing method of product collaboration. g…/… Controlling product costs as early as the concept design phase several weeks earlier than usual. The total elimination of physical checks on full-size hardware elements makes this possible. There is no need to wait for a mould or a core to be draped or covered and hardened to get a clear vision of a version of the final product. As early as the initial design stage, information can be extracted directly from the 3D model (and not simply calculated through estimative formulae). Not only is precise information available at hugely reduced cost, but the information is available far earlier, leaving a lot of extra time for additional simulations. Being able to simulate variants of a model (without spending extra money for materials or moulds) opens the way to new designs. Therefore, a CAD tool can be used not only to develop and check a pattern on a 3D model, but also to modify the pattern on the 3D model until it fits operational and manufacturing criteria, opening new horizons in prototyping. The recently presented Lectra DesignConcept V4 also offers the possibility to work in reverse: defining fabric properties that fit a shape. In big organizations especially, this information is required by the fabric manufacturer, often at a time when no such information is available. So, people who tended to go with existing values or to copy similar previous projects can now define tolerances and forward precise requirements to their sub-contractors. Defining the ideal fabric width for a set of 2D patterns is another highly valuable feature that can limit project costs without even touching quality or feasibility issues or the end product. The diagram below shows the fabric efficiency for different widths using an identical set of patterns. Fig. 5: Multi-fabric nesting. Fig. 4: Influence of fabric width on efficiency. Multi-fabric-nesting can automatically create real-time updates with each modification on the 3D model. Furthermore, the ideal quantity of sets per batch to be cut on a specific production line is determined by the costing module of this revolutionary software. Benefits and outlook Being able to define the fabric requirements ahead of prototyping with such a high degree of precision is definitely to be considered a breakthrough – one achieved by Lectra, and With the upcoming 3rd generation of software products, manufacturing engineers will no longer have to explain to a designer why things should be changed. Purchasing departments will no longer have to accept a subcontractor’s fabric criteria. Production needs can be taken easily into account during early design studies. Fabric manufacturers can receive the information that designers were so far unable to give. Even though the implementation of those new tools is generally rather easy to handle, companies that manage to adapt their operational networks will benefit most from the new possibilities offered. On the other hand, technology providers with close ties to the manufacturing world are probably best positioned to satisfy more advanced needs such as cutting simulations or production planning, which are items more likely to enter into costing calculations. Lectra is currently the only company to offer a complete integrated solution from 3D design through virtual prototyping to manufacturing, thereby eliminating problems due to incompatibilities between interfaces. More information: www.lectra.com 38 jec composites magazine / No47 March-April 2009

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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #47 - March/April 2009