CGTech Italy » Print » VERICUT Composite Applications Suite

VERICUT Composite Applications Suite

Posted By webmaster On 12th November 2007 @ 15:33 In Content | Comments Disabled

Download the VERICUT Composite Applications Suite flyer [PDF]

Machine-independent off-line programming & simulation software for automated composite tape & fiber-placement CNC machines

VERICUT Composite Programming (VCP)

VCP reads CAD surfaces and ply boundary information and adds material to fill the plies according to user-specified manufacturing standards and requirements. Layup paths are then linked together to form specific layup sequences and output as NC programs for the automated layup machine.

VERICUT Composite Simulation (VCS)

VCS reads CAD models and NC programs, either from VCP or other composite layup path-generation applications, and simulates the sequence of NC programs on a virtual machine. Material is applied to the layup form via NC program instructions in a virtual CNC simulation environment. The simulated material applied to the form can be measured and inspected to ensure the NC program follows manufacturing standards and requirements. A report showing simulation results and statistical information can be automatically created.

Fiber Placement Programming

Read a lay-up tool surface and ply data
Fill plies with material
Post-process for the target machine
Save all settings and data for subsequent modification

VERICUT Fiber Placement Programming Process

Reads CATIA V5 or ACIS surface models

Other model formats available upon request

Reads CATIA V5 or external ply geometry and information

Boundary geometry
Ply direction
Start points

Generates layup paths based on manufacturing engineering rules

Rosette projection at specified angles
Parallel to guiding curve
Following the natural path of the form’s surface
Add thickness to form for subsequent sequences

Links paths to create form layup sequences

Automatically and manually link paths based on shortest distance and form’s topology
Insert machine-specific commands and actions
Insert safe start and restart events

Post-processes linked paths

Output per machine requirements
Configurable machine-specific events
Output safe start and restart sequences

Fiber Placement Machine Simulation

Based on industry leading VERICUT Software
User-configurable machine kinematics and control emulation models
Reads and simulates ISO (G-Code) NC program file

VERICUT Composite Machine Simulation & Analysis Features:

Reads CAD geometry of the layup form

Used for collision detection and material application

Uses VERICUT virtual machine and control emulation to simulate the layup machinery

Can be configured for virtually any CNC syntax and machine kinematics configuration

Reads the NC program and simulates the layup process based on NC program commands

Validate the actual NC program that will run on the layup equipment
Add material to the form based on NC program commands
Material added in discreet layers/sequences, constructing the workpiece exactly like the physical process

Checks the process for compaction roller/form conformance and direction

Verify roller orientation to path
Verify path correctness to the form and previously applied sequences/layers of material
Check roller conformance for bridging or excessive compaction

Added material is measurable and can be inspected for manufacturing requirements

Measure lap, gap and thickness
Detect steering radius violations

Electroimpact Selects CGTech to Provide Machine Independent AFP Programming Software

Excerpt from: High-Speed Fiber Placement on Large Complex Structures
By: Russell DeVlieg, Kyle Jeffries, Peter Vogeli
Electroimpact, Inc.

Programming of AFP machines is critical. Traditionally, the machine tool vendor has delivered AFP programming systems. However machine tool vendors do not generally excel at the type of programming required for an AFP programming system, or at providing updates for new operating systems, CAD software or computing hardware platforms.

Spirit AeroSystems has recognized the need for programming software to be provided by an industry recognized software provider as part of a standard suite of regularly updated and maintained software. The delivery of machines by competent machine tool vendors, with the delivery of programming systems by competent software vendors, mirrors practices in the mature metal removal industry. In that industry machine tool vendors by and large no longer attempt to compete with far more competent programming companies like Mastercam, Gibbs and others.

Electroimpact recognized CGTech, with their Vericut Suite of software, as being very capable to provide machine independent AFP programming software. For over 2 years Electroimpact has been in a non-exclusive partnership with CGTech to develop AFP programming software called the "Vericut Composite Programming and Simulation Suite". Major aircraft manufacturers and their partners have tested this programming software over the last 2 years, and it will be used by Spirit Aerosystems to program these new AFP machines. The software will be updated and maintained by CGTech. For further information on the
programming system contact CGTech.

The addition of a mathematically rigorous programming system has been demonstrated to eliminate end placement errors sometimes seen on machine tool manufacturer-developed programming systems. These programming system errors appear most frequently in tow convergence areas. They occur less frequently at ply boundaries.