Cevotec Unveils Software Upgrade, Support for Trapezoidal Patches

Cevotec unveils a major upgrade to its Artist Studio software, now featuring full support for trapezoidal patches that expands the design possibilities. Additionally, the company is introducing the Smart Gripper concept, which intends to deliver efficiency and flexibility to Fiber Patch Placement production.

Full Support for Trapezoid Patches

Small-Patch FPP relies on automated patch creation and overlap optimization algorithms, enabling designers to manage thousands of patches. From a structural perspective, this approach uses a smeared laminate model, where individual gaps and overlaps are neglected for efficiency.

Large-Patch FPP applies fewer, larger patches of custom shapes while tailoring gaps and overlaps. This approach is driven by the needs of large aerospace components (e.g., radomes, nacelles, fairings, etc.). Trapezoidal patches of varying lengths excel at meeting these requirements.

Full support for trapezoidal patches“ means that users can now define the cutting angle at the front and the back of a patch type.

Interactive Patch Adjustments

For every patch users can now interactively adjust not only the patch location and orientation but also the trapezoidal angles and overall patch length.

For more details on the trapezoid patches feature, click here.

Additionally, the company announced a software update: ARTIST STUDIO – Release 24.3.4. The new release saw many improvements of the interface between Motion Artist and its counterpart on the SAMBA system side, the machine data reader (MDR). Additionally, FE export tools now support coordinate system-based material orientations for OptiStruct and Nastran solver formats.

The latest version can be downloaded here.

Smart Gripper

The Smart Gripper technology integrates new features like a tailored stiffness distribution, variable suction zones, and active deformation. Cevotec says that at the heart of its mission to redefine automated production for complex composite parts lies the development of the Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) gripper technology. For more on the Smart Gripper concept, click here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.