Laying Composites Fiber—Digitally

Spring Technologies’ NCSIMUL Machine software is typically thought of as a means to simulate the path of a CNC cutting tool—used to remove material from a workpiece in conventional machining. However, the most recent release of this program is capable of simulating the addition of material. NCSIMUL Machine version 9.1 includes a “Composite” option that dynamically simulates laying fiber ribbon with NC machines. The option can alert users to composites-specific problems such as deviation caused by steering angle errors or the twisting of taut fibers. Learn more on the company’s website. 

Of course, machining composites is more in our readership’s wheelhouse. Here are four articles that address the challenges machining those tough materials:

1. Setting the Stage for Sizeable Composites Work
2. Composites Machining for the F-35
3. Getting New Business with Big Machines
4. An Alternate Micromachining Process for Composites