CATFIBER DFM (Design for Manufacturing) is an add-on to CATIA Composites (CPD). It allows designers and/or NC programmers to extend the composites design phase down to the AFP tows design. Remaining in the CATIA environment it also allows to check if an AFP head is compatible with the AFP the AFP design. DFM is fully machine vendor independent.
Global benefits
- Reduce design-to-manufacturing leadtime
- Provide manufacturing process requirements as early as possible
- Maximize use of automated manufacturing
Design benefits
- Optimize mechanical properties considering manufacturing constraints
- Ease of communication between NC-programmers and designers
- Final FEA validation with “as-programmed” part definition
Process benefits
- Machine vendor agnostic solution
- Compatible with legacy machine programming solutions
- Maximum precision of CAD definition of part (AFP design fully embedded in CATIA)
DFM at preliminary design stage
- To make sure surfaces are compatible with automated manufacturing
- To define theoretical orientations (rosette transfer) compatible with automated manufacturing
- To tailor fiber orientations foroptimal use of composite materials

DFM at detailed design stage
- To help designers understand the impact of their design on manufacturing
- To optimize design for automated manufacturing
- To validate mechanical properties with maximum precision
- To define targeted manufacturing process as early as possible
DFM at NC programming stage
- Full set of commands to create tailored AFP design
- Final FEA validation as accurate as possible with “as-programmed” data


Main features
- Full AFP design inside CATIA design
- Multiple AFP designs investigation
- Link to FEA
- Layup simulation with collision detection
- AFP configurations definition
- Advanced rosette definition
- Automatic AFP design creation
- All functions to tailor AFP design
- AFP design analyses: angular deviation, steering, gap/lap, roller contact, …
- Metrics: material area/weight, number of tows, layup course length, …

Available on
V5
&
3DEXPERIENCE
platforms
