The advantages of laminated composite structures make them attractive in industrial applications. To achieve the maximum advantages of the composite structures, the design optimization is of great importance. This paper classifies and compares various optimization problems and methods in laminated composite structure design. Three kinds of problems are illustrated in this paper: constant stiffness design, variable stiffness design, and topology optimization. The main optimization methods used in laminated composite structure design, including the gradient-based methods, heuristic methods, and hybrid methods, are presented. The advantages and shortcomings of each method are discussed in detail. Finally, constant and variable stiffness design and topology optimization of laminated composite structures which have been solved in literature are reviewed.

A review on the design of laminated composite structures: constant and variable stiffness design and topology optimization

Efficient design optimization of nonconventional laminated composites using lamination parameters: A state of the art

The automated fiber placement process (AFP) enables the manufacturing of large and geometrical complex fiber composite structures with high quality at low cycle times. Although the AFP process is highly accurate and reproducible, manufacturing induced imperfections in the produced composite structure occur. This review summarizes and classifies typical AFP-related manufacturing defects. Several methodologies for evaluating the effects of such manufacturing defects from the literature are reviewed. This review paper presents recent scientific contributions and discusses proposed experimental and simulation-based methodologies. Among the identified ten defect classes, gaps and overlaps are predominant. This paper focuses then on methods for modelling and assessing gaps and overlaps. The state of the art in modelling gaps and overlaps and assessing their influence on mechanical properties is presented. Finally, research gaps and remaining issues are identified.

Manufacturing-Induced Imperfections in Composite Parts Manufactured via Automated Fiber Placement

In recent years, new revolutionary paradigms generally indicated using the term Industry 40, have been conceived and are progressively applied in several manufacturing systems to achieve a smarter

Advanced robotics and additive manufacturing of composites: towards a new era in Industry 4.0

A user requirement driven framework for collaborative design knowledge management

The use of curvilinear fibre paths to develop variable stiffness laminates is now recognised as a promising technique offering great potential for performance improvements over conventional ‘straight fibre’ laminates. Its manufacture is feasible by fibre placement technologies, such as automated fibre placement. However, these technologies present a set of limitations that need to be included in the design to guarantee the manufacturability and quality of the composite laminates. Although this approach experiences an increasing interest from the specialised literature, most of the works completed overlook the manufacturing reality and, as a result, variable stiffness laminates are not used in industry. This work aims to provide a review of the State-of-the-Art on design for manufacture of variable stiffness in order to highlight the current gaps and research needs. As a conclusion, tools for analysis of the effect of manufacturing defects, manufacturing optimisation of gaps/overlaps or cycle time and the ...

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0954405415600012

A review on design for manufacture of variable stiffness composite laminates

A framework for management of Knowledge-Based Engineering applications as software services: Enabling personalization and codification

When a composite laminate is tailored to suit its design intent, it is possible to improve the individual ply shapes to reduce component mass. If the laminate is going to be manufactured using an automated deposition system such as an automated fibre placement machine, then the design of the laminate will also influence the material deposition speed. This article identifies methodologies for indicating the likely impact on automated manufacture at the design optimisation stage by evaluating the ratio of ply perimeter to ply surface area when the laminate is defined as a simplified array of cells which are filled or unfilled to create a two-dimensional representation of the ply shape. A set of recommendations are made for using the methodology for improving deposition speed.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0954405416660996

A strategy to analyse composite designs to improve automated production speeds

Energy efficiency has become a key concern in industry due to increased energy cost and associated environmental impacts. It is as well factor on marketing and reputation. Customers require information on the ecological performance of products and the process to build that product. Therefore eco-efficient manufacturing is in our days a matter of competitiveness and economic success. This paper presents industrial driven research and the key findings from production eco and energy efficiency analysis and development projects. Both static and dynamic multi-level modelling and simulation is covered with examples. The use of Value Stream Mapping and Discrete Event Simulation with life cycle inventory data for production eco efficiency analysis is explained. Generic developement steps for process, machine and production system model with environmantal aspects is shown. Development continues in EPES “Eco Process Engineering System for Composition of Services to Optimise Product Life-Cycle”- project.

/pdf/discrete-part-manufacturing-energy-efficiency-improvements-1rl8k6jb3b.pdf

Discrete Part Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Improvements with Modelling and Simulation

The focus of engineering design on achieving a superior product, processes or services from functional and economical factors is now shifting towards sustainable design which considers environmental, economical and social aspects. This can be achieved by integrating the sustainable elements into the engineering design and analysis tasks throughout the product's lifecycle. Life Cycle Thinking (LCT), Design for Environment (DfE), eco-efficiency, eco innovation should be part of collaborative product development. In the development of products, product improvements, processes and related services, e.g. product service systems (PSS) which provide customer and business value but significantly decrease environmental impacts, new tools are needed. Eco-process engineering system (EPES) is the methodology and related ICT tools provided as a service for the development of PSS. The goal is to improve eco-efficiency, i.e. reduce energy and resource consumption, emissions, and the use of hazardous substances through the holistic analysis of PSS and its life cycle. European research project, EPES, carries out research and development to improve the sustainability performance of end-users operations, products and services. EPES system integrates existing tools and provides them as configurable services for non- ICT experts. This paper shows a case study for conceptual product assessment using EPES system.

/pdf/product-concept-manufacturability-and-sustainability-2lc1i8zbku.pdf

Simon Astwood

Papers

A review on design for manufacture of variable stiffness composite laminates

A framework for management of Knowledge-Based Engineering applications as software services: Enabling personalization and codification

A strategy to analyse composite designs to improve automated production speeds

Discrete Part Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Improvements with Modelling and Simulation

Product Concept Manufacturability and Sustainability Assessment with Eco Process Engineering System