FiberSIM 3.3 Released for Unigraphics CAD Systems
WALTHAM, Massachusetts (USA), October 18, 2000 - Composite Design Technologies, Inc. (CDT) today announced the release of Version 3.3 of FiberSIM/UG software for composite design and manufacturing on the Unigraphics CAD system from Unigraphics Solutions. The new version includes a number of significant enhancements that provide companies using Unigraphics to design composite components with the opportunity to substantially increase engineering productivity. "Version 3.3 enhances previous FiberSIM capability, allowing engineers to accomplish more in less time," said John O'Connor, CDT Technical Consultant, FiberSIM/UG Product Line. "Users will discover a wide range of improvements that simplify and streamline the operation of the program, making it possible to focus their attention more fully on the design process."
One major improvement enables users to import stored ply definitions into the FiberSIM Composite Engineering Environment, including material name, fiber spacing factor, simulation type as well as additional geometric data such as holes and markers. This feature saves time by eliminating the need to re-enter information when opening a previously created Unigraphics model.
The new version also speeds the interactive definition of ply boundaries and holes by automatically chaining curves to define a closed, contiguous boundary. This eliminates the need to define the ply as a single joined curve and greatly reduces the amount of geometry creation that is required to define a composite part. Additional time is saved by allowing curves to be used in multiple ply boundaries. Version 3.3 also provides substantially improved batch processing capabilities, generating further gains in productivity. Producibility analysis can now be generated for predefined plies in batch mode, making it possible to quickly evaluate large groups of plies without the need to interactively generate producibility results. Producibility analysis determines areas where manufacturing problems such as wrinkling, bridging and material width limitations might occur, eliminating the need for trial and error on the shop floor.
FiberSIM/UG 3.3 also provides the ability to accurately simulate complex curvature parts using liquid composite molding manufacturing techniques through a link to LCMFLOT, mold filling analysis software from Liquid Process Performance Prediction, Inc. (L3P). This makes it possible for companies investigating this fast growing composite manufacturing method to more accurately simulate the flow of resin through a mold without the expense and time involved in building and testing a prototype mold. Additional enhancements in the data interface area include the ability to export flat patterns in the popular DXF file format and to generate laser projection data far more quickly than in the previous version.
FiberSIM/UG 3.3 is now available on HP (HP-UX), SGI (IRIX), and Windows NT. Additional platforms will be supported in the future. Please call for availability.
About FiberSIM and Composite Design Technologies, Inc.
FiberSIM is a suite of software products that transforms CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER and Unigraphics CAD systems into high performance environments for designing and manufacturing composite parts. The FiberSIM product suite includes tools that automate the design process, assess the producibility of a part, and generate manufacturing information including documentation, flat patterns, and data to interface with laser projectors, automated cutters and fiber placement machines. Consequently, FiberSIM enables users to drive all aspects of preliminary design, analysis, detailed design, and manufacturing from within a single CAD master model.
Founded in 1991, Composite Design Technologies, Inc. is the market leader in creating software solutions for composite design and manufacturing. CDT was the first company to recognize the need for the unique treatment of composite materials in the CAD environment. Staffed by engineers who have first-hand, in-depth knowledge of the composites industry, CDT provides world class software, training, and consulting for companies that value the integration of composite design and manufacturing. For more information on the FiberSIM software package, contact the Composite Design Technologies, Inc. headquarters in the U.S. at +1 (781) 290-0506 extension 300 or visit the corporate web site at www.fibersim.com.
FiberSIM is a trademark of Composite Design Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their registered owners.