System and method for distributing multiple layers of a composite within a structural volume containing an inclusion
First Claim
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1. A method performed by a data processing system comprising:
- receiving a computer aided drafting (CAD) model representing a composite part having a height representing a plurality of composite material layers, where said CAD model contains one or more inclusions within a structural volume;
generating, for each layer height of the composite part, a ply shape representation at each layer of a composite material within the structural volume having a first surface;
determining, for each layer height of the composite part, whether the first surface rests on or abuts a second surface;
if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface rests on the second surface, storing the generated ply shape representation into a container of bottom shapes;
if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface abuts the second surface, combining the generated ply shape representation with one or more generated ply shapes representing bottom shapes from a previous layer height; and
generating, as a result of the plurality of determining steps, a resultant model and resultant projection onto a laminate surface of the CAD model having a resulting plurality of represented composite layers, wherein said represented composite layers are not within one or more inclusions of the represented composite part, wherein the composite part can thereafter be manufactured by a three-dimensional printing device or additive manufacturing device.
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Abstract
Method, systems, and processes are provided for generating a model having a plurality of represented composite layers, wherein the represented composite layers do not fill one or more inclusions within a structural volume represented within a computer aided drafting (CAD) model representing a composite part. The composite part can then be manufactured, based on the resultant generated model, using any manufacturing technique, including but not limited to, 3D printer, hand layup, automated layup, and other methods for distributing multiple layers of a composite material onto a laminate surface to manufacture a composite part.
15 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method performed by a data processing system comprising:
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receiving a computer aided drafting (CAD) model representing a composite part having a height representing a plurality of composite material layers, where said CAD model contains one or more inclusions within a structural volume; generating, for each layer height of the composite part, a ply shape representation at each layer of a composite material within the structural volume having a first surface; determining, for each layer height of the composite part, whether the first surface rests on or abuts a second surface; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface rests on the second surface, storing the generated ply shape representation into a container of bottom shapes; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface abuts the second surface, combining the generated ply shape representation with one or more generated ply shapes representing bottom shapes from a previous layer height; and generating, as a result of the plurality of determining steps, a resultant model and resultant projection onto a laminate surface of the CAD model having a resulting plurality of represented composite layers, wherein said represented composite layers are not within one or more inclusions of the represented composite part, wherein the composite part can thereafter be manufactured by a three-dimensional printing device or additive manufacturing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A data processing system comprising:
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a processor; and an accessible memory, the data processing system particularly configured to; receive a computer aided drafting (CAD) model representing a composite part having a height representing a plurality of composite material layers, where said CAD model contains one or more inclusions within a structural volume; generate, for each layer height of the composite part, a ply shape representation at each layer of a composite material within the structural volume having a first surface; determine, for each layer height of the composite part, whether the first surface rests on or abuts a second surface; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface rests on the second surface, storing the generated ply shape representation into a container of bottom shapes; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface abuts the second surface, combining the generated ply shape representation with one or more generated ply shapes representing bottom shapes from a previous layer height; and generating, as a result of the plurality of determining steps, a resultant model and resultant projection onto a laminate surface of the CAD model having a resulting plurality of represented composite layers, wherein said represented composite layers are not within one or more inclusions of the represented composite part, wherein the composite part can thereafter be manufactured by a three-dimensional printing device or additive manufacturing device. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more data processing systems to:
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receive a computer aided drafting (CAD) model representing a composite part having a height representing a plurality of composite material layers, where said CAD model contains one or more inclusions within a structural volume; generate, for each layer height of the composite part, a ply shape representation at each layer of a composite material within the structural volume having a first surface; determine, for each layer height of the composite part, whether the first surface rests on or abuts a second surface; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface rests on the second surface, storing the generated ply shape representation into a container of bottom shapes; if, as a result of the determining step, the first surface abuts the second surface, combining the generated ply shape representation with one or more generated ply shapes representing bottom shapes from a previous layer height; and generate, as a result of the plurality of determining steps, a resultant model and resultant projection onto a laminate surface of the CAD model having a resulting plurality of represented composite layers, wherein said represented composite layers are not within one or more inclusions of the represented composite part, wherein the composite part can thereafter be manufactured by a three-dimensional printing device or additive manufacturing device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification