Design Optimization of Short Fiber Composite Parts

摘要

A cross-disciplinary Boeing team has developed software for rapid assessment and optimization of oriented short-fiber configurations in composite materials as part of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiative, Tailorable Feedstock and Forming. The benefit of steered short-fiber technology is assessed through a framework comprised of trivariate volumetric solid modeling coupled with an automated structural analysis process and optimization. An optimization study minimizing part volume subject to stiffness has shown a 21% reduction in part volume when using steered short-fiber technology versus non-steered unidirectional short-fiber for a given load case. This result is an indicator that steered short-fiber has benefits if its manufacturing process is matured.