Method for defining fiber trajectories from curves or constraint grid

A method for the manufacture of a part by an automatic fiber layup machine configured to apply at least one ply of a composite material to a layup surface based on a plurality of fiber trajectories, the method comprising:

• selecting a plurality of analysis points, each analysis point representing a point on the layup surface;
• receiving the definition of a constraint, each constraint having a form selected from the group consisting of:
• a plurality of constraint curves and a constraint grid;
• for each analysis point, determining the direction of a fiber by:
• deriving a plurality of constraint vectors proximate the analysis point from the constraint,
• calculating a normalized weight of each constraint vector of the plurality of constraint vectors based on a distance between the analysis point and the constraint vector,
• assigning the direction of the fiber at the analysis point based on the plurality of constraint vectors proximate the analysis point and the normalized weight of each constraint vector of the plurality of constraint vectors;
• and
• creating the plurality of trajectories based on the direction of the fiber at each analysis point;
• providing the plurality of trajectories to the automatic fiber layup machine.