Knowledge driven composite design optimization process and system therefor

A laminate part constructed using a computer implemented 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, said generating step further comprises substeps for:
• determining connectivity between a plurality of regions defining the laminate part and a substructure to which at least one of the regions is coupled, wherein a starting definition point for determining connectivity is defined by a connection point of a substructure portion to the laminate part or to a second substructure portion;
• subsequently generating ramp features detailing interconnection of the regions defining the laminate part;
• 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
• optimizing local stacking sequences;
• and
• subsequently modifying the ply definition to include features of the laminate part, said modifying step further comprising modifying the 3-D ply definition to include features which locally modify predetermined optimal rules of laminate design practice for the laminate part,
• wherein said generating and modifying steps are parametrically linked to one another.

A computer implemented 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 and supporting substructures responsive to said transition rules, wherein a starting definition point for the connectivity subroutine is defined by a connection point of a substructure portion to the laminate part or to a second substructure portion;
• 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;
• a stacking sequence subroutine for optimizing local stacking sequences;
• 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
• the knowledge driven composite design optimization process applies said PACKS module and said features module in that order as a best practice;
• said connectivity subroutine comprises a plurality of connectivity subroutines;
• said transition rules determine a number of said plies which can be dropped between adjacent ones of said regions;
• each said connectivity subroutine examines all of said plies with respect to a predetermined order to thereby determine which of said plies will be dropped between said regions, said predetermined order being defined with respect to a centerline ply and a tool surface;
• and
• said connectivity subroutine, said ramp definition subroutine and said visualization subroutine are repeated seriatim until all of said connectivity subroutines have been utilized.

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 and a substructure responsive to said transition rules, wherein a starting definition point for determining connectivity is defined by a connection point of a substructure portion to the laminate part or to a second substructure portion;
• 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, wherein said first through fifth means operate in numerical order as a best practice,
• wherein said first means further comprises sixth means for optimizing local stacking sequences, and
• wherein said transition rules determine a number of plies which can be dropped between adjacent ones of said regions and wherein said second means examines all of said plies in a predetermined order to thereby determine which of said plies will be dropped between said regions.