Composites Link - Importing Plies

You can import analysis plies from a Layup file to define a full design ply model.

Note: If Composites Parameters are not defined in the model, Import > Composites Plies simply imports the ply boundaries as geometry without including full composites information.

  1. In the top bar click Add > Import then Composites Plies.
  2. Select the Layup file to import.

    Composites Link tries to match materials from the imported layup file with those referenced in the Composites parameters, by:

    • Matching material names
    • Matching key mechanical property values within 0.1%.
  3. Enter the Marker Length value.

    Marker Length is used to create lines that show the reference directions and warp direction at the seed point.

  4. When automatic mapping is not possible, map the materials manually.
    1. Pick an analysis material on the left.
    2. Pick a Composites Design material on the right.
    3. Click Map.
    A spread sheet opens for ply mapping:
    • Imported plies are displayed on the left, existing plies on the right, both with their plies group, sequence and ply name.
    • Composites Link tries to match group, sequence and ply names.
    • When a mismatch occurs,
      • A status is given for the imported plies.
      • An action is proposed on the existing files. By default, the action is set to Reject .
      • You can accept the action row by row, or accept or reject all actions in one shot.
    • You can edit the group, sequence and ply names of imported plies, mainly to add group and sequence names to plies created in an analysis environment where names were not required.

      The spread sheet is updated automatically.

  5. For a more detailed comparison, select a row and select Show Selection.
    A viewer opens with the attributes of the imported and existing plies.
    • The boundary of the imported ply is displayed in blue.
    • That of the existing ply is displayed in red.
    • The surface of the ply group is displayed to help reference, if necessary.

    The display is updated as you go to another row.

  6. Select required Update Options

    These options are not selected by default as the designer often simplifies the ply geometry before associating it to a ply.

    • Set Geometry on Ply to project the ply contour onto the Ply Group surface.
    • Automatic Local Updates.
      Note: This option is time consuming.

The accepted plies are imported. The contour and seed point of new plies are placed into the geometrical set Composites Link/Plies in the order in which they exist in the imported layup.

If Set Geometry On Ply option is selected, a projection of the contour is made onto the Ply Group surface and the seed point is also projected onto this surface.