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New features in Laminate Tools version 4.0  (first release, since launch of version 3.4)

Geometry

  • new module, introducing new functionality with potential for many further features
  • new STEP and IGES file format import capability
  • automatic mesh conversion with surface sew function
  • automatic Element Set creation for imported surfaces, for easy selection

Design

  • added draping warp and weft angle deviation graphics
  • implemented Element Set picking in graphics
  • corrected problems with Reverse ply application in Layup
  • re-introduced STL format import node merge tolerance, added edge sew tolerance

Manufacturing

  • added support for generation of exact innermost / outermost layup surfaces as point clouds
  • improved exact flat pattern calculations by preserving surface normals at ply edges

Analysis

  • implemented surface offset extrusion for Nastran solid elements

  • supported sandwich configurations for solid element extrusion with 3 elements through thickness

  • automated the 3D solid element stiffness property calculation and export

  • enabled Nastran/Optistruct exports to merge with any Nastran data file
  • upgraded Optistruct SET export format

  • forced laminate angles within -90..+90 for the Nastran First Ply option

  • improved support for Ansys LOCAL axis systems and Ansys Existing laminate generation

Post-processing

  • improved stiffness calculations for anisotropic materials, for interactive calculations
  • improved automatic min-max range for stress or strain contour plots

User Interface

  • enabled all windows to be considered when optimising desktop layout

  • added gradient background colour in graphics windows

  • allowed the opening of multiple files via Windows Explorer, in separate threads

  • added diagnostics for licencing operations

  • implemented licence update via user interface

  • improved status bar update for progress messages

  • implemented custom toolbar positioning
  • implemented html help in addition to standard Windows help

  • added numerous visual and efficiency improvements

PlyMatch

  • relaxed tolerance of camera movement for graphics update, for smoother animation

 


 

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.4  (first release, since launch of version 3.3)

Design

  • implemented safe draping simulation method, to prevent unexpected crashes
  • implemented view filter for plies in layup builder window
  • added Delete Laminates menu command

Manufacturing

  • added support for generation of exact flat patterns, taking layer offset into account
  • added Ply Area and Mass to the available plybook export columns

Analysis

  • implemented new Optistruct optimiser export interface

Post-processing

  • enabled 3 user-defined spectra for results post-processing
  • added global ply id and ply name to results summary report
  • added ply name to plot window popup for a layer
  • implemented interactive LaRC05 failure criterion
  • implemented interactive Cowin failure criterion
  • implemented interactive Hankinson failure criterion
  • implemented interactive Hoffman failure criterion
  • implemented partial, user controlled, result type import from op2 or f06
  • added post-processing support for SOL103 eigen value, SOL111 (incomplete) modal frequency response, and SOL112 modal transient response dynamic results
  • implemented new failure results generation for a single element set only, as an option
  • introduced parameter to control the maximum lines in the results list feedback (default=50)
  • added Show ALL button in setting results scope window, to easily disable view filter
  • added separate call of user-defined criterion for layer interfaces

User Interface

  • saved plot windows to desktop layout

  • implemented 64-bit version
  • enabled multiple instances on same machine for each licence
  • added ply node under each layup ply node, for easy graphics and modifications

  • enhanced Ansys material data import

  • improved automatic web updates checks

  • upgraded installation environment

PlyMatch

  • blocked calibration if coordinates differ by given tolerance
  • implemented better feedback for error situations
  • made dialogs large size, to view from a distance
  • implemented fixed camera option
  • allowed the option of no tool probe being used
  • added support for user-defined line thickness
  • added keyboard shortcut for open calibration file function
  • enabled targeting the tool probe for easy calibration / check

 


 

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.3  (first release, since launch of version 3.2)

Design

  • implemented dual sub-layup level for compatibility with Catia layups (PlyGroups and Sequences), with backward compatibility support, and layup file import functionality
  • layup import now reports unmapped elements in feedback window
  • implemented creation of one element set for each selected ply
  • implemented layup changes log
  • implemented layup export to excel
  • implemented layup layer highlighting and also used in layer graphics
  • introduced Show/Hide/Toggle options in element sets context menu
  • speeded up pick by application of 2D pattern in dxf, introduced 3 methods in menu
  • saved Ansys Solid95 and Beam189 information in Layup file
  • allowed manual edit of external material ids for FEA

Manufacturing

Analysis

  • supported laminate creation with material shear states (Nastran)
  • added option to generate laminates for visible elements only

Post-processing

  • implemented LaRC02 criterion for interactive calculations
  • implemented Puck 2002 criterion for interactive calculations
  • supported Simulayt Addin
  • implemented popup window with information for layer post-processing plots

User Interface

  • implemented laminate directional stiffness plot
  • implemented fully Camera mode (Fly-by) as an option on each model window
  • supported 3Dconnexion devices in Model or Camera mode, with disable option
  • implemented Ansys Beam189 element display
  • implemented reading of HyperMesh material names
  • implemented custom function key and mouse assignments
  • implemented automatic software update notifications
  • numerous performance enhancements and support for latest graphics hardware.

 


 

New features in Laminate Tools version 3.2  (first release, since launch of version 3.1)

Design

  • enabled sub-layup hierarchy import on Layup Import.
  • implemented separate import of layup sets, as an enhancement to Layup Import.
  • implemented separate import of layup materials, to easily re-use and share material data.
  • implemented element sets output to Ansys CDB files, as with Nastran files.
  • added PlyMaster layup import functionality.
  • enabled multiple material shear states, whereby the correct mechanical properties can be assigned to different shear states of scissor materials.
  • implemented the display of Ansys Solid95 elements, as an option.

Post-processing

  • implemented micro-strain post-processing for Model, Info, Worst Elements, and Plot windows.
  • implemented user-defined global ply view filter for restricted scope post-processing, as a selection aid.
  • implemented transverse shear calculations by NEiNastran method, as a user option.
  • supported post-processing of imported results that are already sorted by global ply.
  • modified global ply results text output per element, to be sorted by laminate ply, reflecting the actual laminate sequence.
  • added Margin of Safety to the lists of possible imported components to be post-processed.
  • added PUCK criterion to the possible failure theories exported in PCOMPs.

Manufacturing

  • implemented a new Flat Pattern window, where multiple two-dimensional user-defined patterns can be applied to the model, with support for overlapping strip calculation, highlight and export (2D or 3D), pattern vertex pick and drag in 3D model window, and element selection (pick) by application of 2D pattern.
  • implemented flat pattern extension (growth) by given amount around the calculated boundary, for later trimming.
  • implemented the selection of which DXF flat pattern details to be exported, for individual plies or for the plybook.
  • added support in plybook export for selection of layer ranges by sublayup.

User Interface

  • implemented distance measurement as traced along the visible surface.
  • implemented option for multiple visible straight-line distance segments.
  • implemented user option for scaling the spread of exploded layer graphics.
  • implemented custom colours for sets, pick area, 2D pattern DXF outline, 2D pattern DXF strips, and many more.
  • implemented user option for drawing or not of the semi-transparent dark background behind spectrum legends.
  • enabled highlight for hidden elements of selected element set, and any current element selection.
  • allowed multi-selection of element sets, showed set coverage filled and shaded.
  • added pick command to hide all unselected elements, using an element set.
  • implemented "from Selected Elements only" option for picking.
  • implemented picking by bounding coordinates box (within xyz ranges).
  • added ".fem" to the supported file formats (Hypermesh).
  • implemented $HMSET card in .fem files for element set name definition.
  • enabled resizing for worst elements - all layers results window.
  • numerous performance enhancements and support for latest graphics hardware.

 

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