Formability optimisation of fabric preforms by controlling material draw-in through in-plane constraints

Chen, S.; Harper, L.T.; Endruweit, A.; Warrior, N.A.

Abstract

A genetic algorithm is coupled with a finite element model to optimise the arrangement of constraints for a composite press-forming study. A series of springs are used to locally apply in-plane tension through clamps to the fibre preform to control material draw-in. The optimisation procedure seeks to minimise local in-plane shear angles by determining the optimum location and size of constraining clamps, and the stiffness of connected springs. Results are presented for a double-dome geometry, which are validated against data from the literature. Controlling material draw-in using in-plane constraints around the blank perimeter is an effective way of homogenising the global shear angle distribution and minimising the maximum value. The peak shear angle in the double-dome example was successfully reduced from 48.2 degrees to 37.2 degrees following a two-stage optimisation process.

Citation

Chen, S., Harper, L., Endruweit, A., & Warrior, N. (2015). Formability optimisation of fabric preforms by controlling material draw-in through in-plane constraints. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 76, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.05.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 7, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 14, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 30, 2015
• Deposit Date: Aug 3, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 3, 2017
• Journal: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
• Print ISSN: 1359-835X
• Electronic ISSN: 1359-835X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 76
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.05.006
• Keywords: Fabrics/textiles, Finite element analysis (FEA), Forming
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/760183
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X15001608?via%3Dihub