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ESI releases ESI-PAM composites 2017 version

08 Nov '17

3 min read

ESI Group, a leading innovator in virtual prototyping software, has unveiled ESI PAM-Composites 2017. The latest version of the process simulation software for manufacture of composites, addresses fibre reinforced structural and semi-structural components and multi-material thermoformed acoustic and cosmetic interior parts for vehicles and aircraft.

Process and design engineers in the automotive or aeronautic sectors must create lightweight, strong and durable composite components that will meet all quality requirements at an affordable cost. With PAM-Composites 2017, they can create a simulated part that matches the exact nature of the composite material, improve process stability, and reduce manufacturing defects for a vast range of composites types and manufacturing processes.

While past improvements to the software focused on continuous fibre reinforced composite parts with high structural performance expectations, PAM-Composites2017 targets the thermoformed acoustic and cosmetic multi-material components typically used in automobile and aircraft interiors.

The new version gives users the ability to accurately determine the noise and vibration response (NVH or Noise, Vibration & Harshness) of the manufactured product by predicting the stiffness and thickness in each location of the formed part. Typical defects, such as tearing and skin texture modifications induced during manufacturing, can also be anticipated and corrected through simulation. This cost-effective solution enables process and design engineers to evaluate the manufacturing of composite parts even more accurately and to reduce time consuming and expensive physical trials.

Recently, Japanese floor carpet manufacturer Kotobukiya Fronte needed to quickly move from manufacturing rubber carpets to new synthetic materials carpets; a challenge they addressed quickly thanks to PAM-Composites.

Takumi Fujino, acoustic and simulation group / R&D department Kotobukiya Fronte Co., Ltd said, “ESI PAM-Composites is equipped with the features and parameters necessary for carpet analysis. The analysis accuracy and the usability are excellent, and graphical display of analysis results is easy to understand, which is why we rate it highly. We consult with ESI daily about various matters such as how to reduce calculation time or what kind of modelling is necessary. ESI Japan is also actively and frequently providing information. We recognise that the early practical application of simulation of sound absorption type carpet is largely owed to support from ESI Japan.”

Also new in PAM-Composites 2017, the solution now includes a grid tracing tool that allows engineers to analyse the length variation on each segment of the grid as they would do on physical prototypes. Moreover, the new element elimination functionality allows the visualisation of physical holes or fibre separations generated during the thermoforming of composite products. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India