Defining the Panel

You can select reference elements to define a panel, specify a default ramp definition for a group of reference elements and a ramp definition for given reference elements.

Notes:
  • This task is available in Composites Design.
  • The last two options are not proposed if the reference element has not been created from a surface.
  • You can edit the parameters of a reference elements group or a reference element using a formula.
  • When you edit a reference elements group, you apply the values of those parameters as formulas to all the elements of the reference elements group.

This task shows you how to:

Define the Grid Panel

You can define a grid panel to contain reference elements groups populated with reference elements, and define panel limits for future use.

  1. From the Grid Design section of the action bar, click Grid Panel .

    A Grid definition node is created in the tree.

    A Grid Reference Elements Group is proposed in the dialog box and created in the tree. For the moment it is empty.

  2. Select the Support Surface.

    Note: Holes are not allowed on the support surface.

    The Draping direction is displayed in the 3D area.
  3. Optional: Click Reverse direction in the dialog box or the red arrow in the 3D area to invert the Draping direction.
  4. Select a rosette from the list.

    For more information, see About Rosette and Rosette Transfer Type.

  5. Create the first Reference Elements Group:
    1. Select the grid Reference Elements Group.1 in the dialog box.
    2. Optional: Enter a new name in the Group prefix and click Rename Group.
    3. Select the elements in the 3D area.

    • Reference elements (for example ribs and stringers) can be either:
      • Curves
      • Or surfaces or planes.
    • A warning is displayed if several reference elements have the same name.
    • If a reference element is closed, it is split into 3 sub-elements with the same ramp definition as the original reference element.
    • Right-click reference elements to remove, replace, or reorder them.
    • If a grid has been created, new cells can appear or others can be removed. In that case, the Stacking Areas Table, Sequence shape even the plies contours are updated.
    • To edit a reference group of an existing grid panel, select it in the dialog box to display the list of its elements.

  6. Select a group under Reference element groups.
    The slope preview is displayed in the 3D area on each element of the group.
  7. Select a reference element.
    The slope preview and text information are displayed in the 3D area. A context menu is also available.
  8. Click Add and repeat the step above as required.

  9. Right-click a reference elements group to remove it.
  10. Define the Panel limits (that is, the Edge of Part). They show the part boundaries and its holes.

    Although panel limits are known and can be defined early in the design, while defining the panel, designers often prefer to work without limiting the plies before having reached the stage where the design is almost finished and detailed. The limit contour defined as panel limits limits the plies after you have activated it with Limit/Unlimit Plies. For more information, see Relimiting Plies from Panel Limits.

    1. Click Add under Panel limits.
      A contour is added in the dialog box.
    2. Select curves to form a closed contour.
      A green tip replaces the red cross.
    3. Use Insert After, Before and Remove to modify the order of the curves as well as the contour.
    4. Right-click Panel limits to create the curves of the contour.
    • If you define the limits of the Grid Panel, the ExtrapolDist parameter that has been defined in the Zone Definition dialog box is stored under the contour of the grid panel.
    • It is visible in the dialog box when you reopen it.
    • If you are editing an existing grid panel, this parameter is editable too.
    • If you are editing an existing grid panel, and change the Side attribute of a limit contour, a warning message is displayed as this impacts the ply.
    • An arrow lets you decide of the limitation side of limit contours.
    • You can define several grid panels in the same Composites part.

The Grid Panel, the reference elements groups and reference elements are created.

Edit a Reference Elements Group

You can edit a reference elements group to select a default ramp definition. This ramp definition is applied to elements already in the group, as well as to the elements you add in the future.

For more information, see Specifying a Ramp Definition.

  1. To edit a reference elements group, either:
    • Select it in the Panel definition dialog box, and click Edit,
    • Or, once it has been created, double-click it in the tree,
    • Or, once it has been created, right-click it in the tree and select Definition.
  2. Continue as explained below for a reference element with the difference that there is no sub-staggering.
  3. At validation, if reference elements already existed in the group, select how to propagate the changes.

The defined values are stored as parameters under each element of the reference elements group.

Edit a Reference Element

You can edit a specific staggering for an element: Reference elements can be divided into sub-elements, with specific staggering information that overrides the global information. The context menus provided on elements in the 3D area help you quickly define the slope.

See also About Staggering Edition

  1. To edit a reference element, either:
    • Select it in the Panel definition dialog box, and click Edit,
    • Or, once it has been created, double-click it in the tree,
    • Or, once it has been created, right-click it in the tree and select Definition.

    Geometry information (Surface and Geometry) is displayed but not editable.

  2. Click Reverse direction or the arrow in the 3D area to invert that staggering direction.
  3. Specify default ramp definitions.
    1. Decide to have the same on both sides, or not.
    2. From the list of Side+, select the ramp definition to apply as default.

      Note: Depending on the geometry, not all ramp definitions are proposed:
      • Offset/Offset ramp definitions are not proposed if the input geometry is not a surface or a plane.
      • Between two curves, Angle to curve and Custom ramp definitions are not proposed if the input curves are not on the same reference surface as the Grid Panel Surface.

    3. Alternatively, click New, and specify a new ramp definition.
    4. Repeat on Side- if you have cleared Same on both sides.

      Note: Select the blank item in the list if you do not want to apply a ramp definition to the reference element.

  4. Add a Sub-Staggering.
    The default ramp definition is proposed.
  5. Check and manage the sub-staggerings.
    1. Select one sub-staggering in the table.
      It is highlighted in the 3D area.
    2. Check information in the 3D area or in the table (Overlapping or adjacent sectors).
    3. Select two adjacent sub-staggering sectors (sharing a common reference element) and click Merge.
    4. Right-click an information tag to edit the staggering, or replace it with one of the available ramp definitions.
  6. Use the arrows to reorder selected sub-staggerings.
  7. Select a sub-staggering and the two elements (Limit 1 and Limit 2) that relimit the sub-element.
    • As you select the relimiting elements, they are highlighted in the 3D area.
    • The sub-element is displayed in green in the 3D area.
  8. Alternatively, in the 3D area, place the pointer over a valid reference element. Click the scissors that appear.
    Relimiting elements are automatically specified, the sub-staggering is created.
  9. Select a geometry to define the direction for Side +.

    A context menu is available.

  10. Define how ramps are visualized in 3D area.

    • An arrow shows the orientation of the reference elements.
    • Clearance and slope values are displayed. They are editable by their context menu.
    • Side+ is identified by solid lines, Side- by dashed lines. These lines do not lie on the reference surface, but on a 3D plane tangent to the surface. As a consequence, they are sometimes distant from the corresponding ramp support curves.
    • Sub-staggering sectors are identified in different colors.
    • When the slope is defined by a ratio, the step is computed from the thickest material of the plies.
    • The active staggering is highlighted.
    • The preview is automatically updated.

    • Standard: Each ramp is visualized by 3 curves on each side. This is the only possible mode when no or more than one Virtual Stacking exists.
    • Virtual Stacking Drops: The number of displayed curves varies with the number of plies dropped in Virtual Stacking.

      When Virtual Stacking Drops is selected, select Drop plies with same layer level on same curve. The reference element visualization considers that plies with the same layer level are on the same curve.

      Recommendation: Select this option when plies are generated with the option Drop plies same layer level on same curve.

    • Combination of Both: Same as Virtual Stacking Drops, with a minimum of 3 curves displayed on each side. The curves are displayed in low intensity if no ply drop applies.
    • Minimal

The sub-staggering information is taken into account while generating the ramp supports.

Edit Several Sub-Staggerings

You can modify the ramp definition of several sub-stagerrings in one shot.

  1. Start editing a reference element as explained above. Select several sub-staggerings from the list.
    • If all the sub-staggerings have the same value on Side + or Side -, or both, the common value is displayed in the Side + and Side - box. Edit all the same values in one shot.
    • Otherwise, the corresponding box is left blank. Edit each different sub-staggering separately.
  2. Alternatively, select several sub-staggerings in the 3D area and modify the ramp definition from their context menu.
  3. Edit the ramp definitions from the lists in the dedicated boxes, or from the context menu.

    Tip: Click New to create a new sub-staggering.