Creating a Producibility for Braiding

Use Producibility for Braiding to create a braiding simulation.

  • The centerline calculated from the ply surface defines the path of the guide along the mandrel.
  • The guide diameter is 3 times the maximum radius from the centerline to the surface.
  • The simulation runs along the x-axis of the rosette referenced by the ply.
  • You can specify the start and finishing lengths of the guide.
  • The carrier rotation speed is fixed for a typical braiding machine,

  1. Select a Propagation Type.
  2. Select or generate the Braid Path that is, the travel path of the braiding head, usually the centerline (single curve) of the components.
  3. Specify an orientation curve that allows the rotation fo the braiding tool relatively to the component.
  4. Enter the values of the Machining Parameters.

    Tip: Click ... to enter the Mandrel Speed as variable values.

  5. Select the Show Path check box to verify the consistency of the guide diameter and speed values.
  6. Go to the Material tab to edit the material parameters, thus investigating the sensitivity of results to material parameters.
    1. Click Estimate Dimensions.
    The braid thickness and perimeter minimum, maximum and mean values are displayed to qualify the mandrel design before starting simulations.
  7. Go to the Thickness Update tab to update the thickness from that defined for the material.
    1. Select the type of computation.
    2. Select the elements to process.
  8. Under Advanced, set parameters and options to fine-tune the simulation.
  9. Go to the Results tab to verify, visualize, and export results, and to keep visible fibers.