Exploding Plies

You can generate an exploded view of plies by creating an offset surface for each ply.

Before you begin: This task is available in Composites Design and Composites Manufacturing Preparation.

Note: The output surfaces are always datum: They are not updated automatically if you modify the input plies. By-pass: delete them in the tree, and restart Ply Exploder on the modified plies groups.

  1. From the Simulation and Review section of the action bar, click Ply Exploder .
  2. Select an input.
    • Stacking: The whole stacking is processed, only Cumulative as per Stacking is available.
    • Selected Plies Groups: Select the plies groups to process, and the Nature of Offset.
  3. Enter a Scale factor by which each ply thickness is multiplied.
  4. Enter other values according to the selected ply representation.
  5. If relevant, select the Take cut-pieces into account check box.
  6. Select a Ply Representation.
    • Shell Constant Offset creates an exploded view for each ply.

      If Take cut-pieces into account is selected, an offset corresponding to each cut-piece is created.

    • Tessellated Constant Offset generates a tessellated surface corresponding to a constant offset of the ply shell.

    • Draped Tessellated Surface

      If you select Ignore scale for Cores, The core thickness remains unchanged, only that of the plies is scaled.



      Closer view:

    • Draped Tessellated Skin generates a closed skin that represents all the exploded plies. For all plies, a draped tessellated surface is generated as described above, then an offset equal to the scale x ply thickness is applied and triangles are added to create a closed skin.

      Closer view: