engineering drawings

General Composites Discussions Engineering Talk
#1

I have just started a new career path in the world of composite engineering after spending a number of years working with metalic engineering products and I am looking for some advice, guidance and help with regards to composite engineering drawings.

Would anyone be able to provide me with information as to what is required on a composite drawing i.e. ply tables and what information or how much information a ply table should contain and what else I need to show on the drawing? additionally how do I show the layup of a part on a drawing?

Additionally any composite drawings you could show me as a guide, links to websites and books explaining composite drawings would be much appreciated just so I can start to get an understanding of what is required as I am struggling to find any form of information on the net to help me.

Many thanks

#2

Can you throw me a mail?

hbrouwerjr at brandscomposiet dot nl

#3

Can anyone give me any help on this issue please?

#4

Herman gave you his contact up above. You should contact him

#5

In my experience, Plybooks start with a top-down view of the empty tool. A ply-table should be off to the side of the tool image and contain ply numbers (in order of lay-up), materials, orientation and thickness. The ply-table should also include any core material and its appropriate location in the lay-up sequence.

Subsequent pages contain a top-down view of the mold with a ply pattern draped over the surface. Ply orientation and boundaries, including any darts or splices and their locations relevant to features in the tool should be displayed clearly. Each page should show only one ply at a time, however, additional images and cross-sections may be added to aid in the visualization of stacking/ply drop-off details.

I have used CATIA V5 with FiberSIM for plybook generation. Once a drawing template is created, FiberSIM can automatically generate and fill in the plytable and subsequent plybook. DXFs can also be generated for 2D ply cutting.

I’ve only generated a few plybooks in my time and haven’t had any official training in the matter, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement, but I hope this helps!

#6

i have seen a few different types and they are usually all the same.

ive never seen the empty tool instead it is mirror of the part showing ply location. laser lines are used on the ply but not usually referenced in the drawing, only on the tool data. plys are shaded and shown in 3rd dimension.

the drawings come in catia form. so thats not a big deal.

drawings should show…

EOP solid line
overlap dashes
lazer lines center lines
orientation arrow

thats about it really… but the technician should have the availability to see all process specifications and be able to see the part schedule in 3d form with respect to all plys…etc.

composite drawings are not a blue print… they are like a quilters instruction/coloring book… kinda. generally the drawing for the technician should be in document form with a single page that shows a picture of the part with the ply shaded. a ply number and so on.

hope this helps

#7

What I would like to see as well, as usually the drawing with table is all there is, is a Vf and/or thickness, and a resin. Also gelcoats and topcoats should be mentioned, as well as a total weight of the laminate.

The challenge is to catch different laminates of different parts in 1 table, such that it still is readable and can be layed up without problems.

#8

thing is drawings and such are proprietary so exchanging that kind of stuff is illegal. sorry but your not going to find anyone that is willing to give you an example. i suggest going to a college and taking some classes.

#9

Here you can find some useful information

#10

I vote to sticky in it’s own thread. Very very useful and informative. Nice contribution wings.