Knowledge driven composite design optimization process and system therefor

A laminate part constructed using a knowledge driven composite design optimization process comprising steps for:

• generating a globally optimized 3-D ply definition for a laminate part using predetermined optimal rules of laminate design practice;
• and
• subsequently modifying the ply definition to include features of the laminate part,
• wherein said generating and modifying steps are parametrically linked to one another.

A knowledge driven composite design optimization process for designing a laminate part comprising:

• a Parametric Composite Knowledge System (PACKS) module for generating a globally optimized 3-D ply definition for a laminate part in accordance with laminate design transition rules, said PACKS module including:
• a connectivity subroutine for determining connectivity between a plurality of regions defining the laminate part responsive to said transition rules;
• a ramp definition subroutine for generating ramp features detailing interconnection of the regions defining the laminate part;
• and
• a visualization subroutine for displaying views and corresponding tabular data describing the laminate part and illustrating both inter-region connectivity and the ramp features as specified by a user;
• and
• a feature module including:
• a subroutine for modifying the 3-D ply definition to include features which locally modify the global ply solution;
• wherein said PACKS and said features modules are parametrically linked to one another, and wherein the knowledge driven composite design optimization process applies said PACKS module and said features module in that order as a best practice.

A knowledge driven composite design optimization system used in designing a laminate part, comprising:

• first means for generating a globally optimized 3-D ply definition for the laminate part in accordance with laminate design transition rules, said first means including:
• second means for determining connectivity between a plurality of regions defining the laminate part responsive to said transition rules;
• third means for generating ramp features detailing interconnection of the regions defining the laminate part;
• and
• fourth means for displaying views and corresponding tabular data describing the laminate part and illustrating both inter-region connectivity and the ramp features as specified by a user;
• and
• fifth means for modifying the 3-D ply definition to include features which locally modify the global ply solution;
• wherein said first through fifth means are parametrically linked one to another, and
• wherein said first through fifth means operate in numerical order as a best practice.