Composites Design & Simulation

Designers of composite parts can choose from a huge variety of fiber reinforcements and resin systems, a situation that gives infinite design freedom but adds to composites’ complexity. Along with cost factors, knowledge of material properties is a prerequisite to satisfactory product design. The mechanical properties, orientation, and type of fibers; the properties of the resin; the fiber-to-resin ratio and behavior of the combined materials; and the intended fabrication process are all factors to consider in the design of a composite part.

Crashworthiness testing of composites: A building block approach, Part 2
Design/Simulation

Crashworthiness testing of composites: A building block approach, Part 2

Following the previously discussed coupon-level testing element, subcomponent and component testing are the next steps in designing crashworthy composite structures.  

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Airtech
Webinar UV Powder Coatings for Composite & AM

Latest Design/Simulation Articles

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Aerospace

Carbon fiber/flax landing gear achieves 54% weight reduction via tailored layup optimization

Fuko’s Biogear showcases how strategic composite material distribution and natural fiber damping properties can lightweight and enhance critical aerospace structure performance.

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Aerospace

Collier Aerospace HyperX optimizes X-59 composite nose cone

Swift Engineering relied on the CAE software’s structural sizing, analysis and test validation capabilities to deliver flight hardware for NASA’s supersonic QueSST aircraft early, under budget and with 25% weight savings.

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Digitization

Schrödinger advances materials informatics for faster development of next-gen composites

Cutting time to market by multiple orders of magnitude, machine learning and physics-based approaches are combined to open new possibilities for innovations in biomaterials, fire-resistant composites, space applications, hydrogen tanks and more.

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JEC

User-driven composite design software, AR solutions

JEC World 2025: Anaglyph celebrates 30 years serving industry through the demonstration of PlyMatch, Laminate Tools, CoDA and LAP software technologies for composites manufacturers.

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Proving thermoplastic composites match carbon fiber/epoxy performance in road bikes

CDCQ, LxSim, Addcomp and Argon 18 collaborate to optimize a carbon fiber/PA6 bike seat post, democratizing AFP and demonstrating materials and process for future designs and production.

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Solico software suite now includes horizontal tank module

Solico Engineering introduces the module to complete its Amphora calculation tool, made for the design of fiber-reinforced silos and tanks.

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Knowledge Centers

Sustainability
Sustainability

The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.

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Industrial CNC Routers
American Elements
CompositesWorld Top Shop Survey
Real Time Resin Degassing Measurement
Airtech International Inc.

Latest Design/Simulation News And Updates

Jetcam nesting/IoT software release focuses on enhanced computing power performance

The company cites up to 80% reduction in NC code generation time when using Jetcam Expert CAD/CAM software version 24.

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Digital workflows optimize material yields, design and productivity

CAMX 2024: TruComposites and Evolv GMP digital manufacturing solutions by Magestic Technologies drive efficiencies and precision across composites manufacturing disciplines.

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CoreTech, Xnovo bring 3D imaging to Moldex3D molding software

Moldex3D users will now be able to conduct accurate 3D fiber orientation simulations using calibrated fiber parameters.

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Aerospace

Aurora reveals latest SPRINT X-Plane design concept

An Aurora and Boeing team advances its high-speed, vertical lift concept to the preliminary design phase, which features three lift fans, a more refined composite exterior and an uncrewed cockpit.

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Anaglyph releases Laminate Tools version 5.2

Nesting, design, GUI and viewing features have been improved or added to the composites design software tool.

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Aerospace

NCC leads composites manufacturing phase of eXtra wing demonstrator

Key structural elements for a 6-meter section of the Airbus biomimetic wing were undertaken by NCC engineering specialists to produce 28 one-off flying parts.

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HEATCON Composite Systems
Airtech
Composites One - distributor
release agents, purging compounds, process chemical specialties
CompositesWorld Top Shop Survey

Featured Posts

Modeling and characterization of crushable composite structures

How the predictive tool “CZone” is applied to simulate the axial crushing response of composites, providing valuable insights into their use for motorsport applications.

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Testing to support composite bolted joint analysis

An overview of ASTM Standard Guide D8509, and its coupon-level mechanical testing of design properties for analyzing composite bolted joints.

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Automotive

Carbon fiber, bionic design achieve peak performance in race-ready production vehicle

Porsche worked with Action Composites to design and manufacture an innovative carbon fiber safety cage option to lightweight one of its series race vehicles, built in a one-shot compression molding process.

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Optimizing robotic winding of composite tanks and pipes

Pioneer in mandrel-based reinforced rubber and composite products, TANIQ offers TaniqWindPro software and robotic winding expertise for composite pressure vessels and more.

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Multi-scale 3D CT imaging enables digital twinning, high-fidelity simulation of composite structures

Computed tomography (CT) provides highly accurate 3D analysis of internal microstructure, performance simulation of carbon fiber/PEEK satellite strut.

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Aerospace

Improving carbon fiber SMC simulation for aerospace parts

Simutence and Engenuity demonstrate a virtual process chain enabling evaluation of process-induced fiber orientations for improved structural simulation and failure load prediction of a composite wing rib.

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Large Scale Additive Manufacturing
Airtech International Inc.