With its Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) approach, Cevotec replaces classical composite layers with standardized pre-cut fiber patches. This enables process automation for complex-shaped parts while increasing the flexibility in laminate design to a level previously unknown in the world of composites.

In ARTIST STUDIO, the FPP-specific CAM-CAM software, the orientation of each patch is determined by an underlying base curve that defines the start and end point of each patch. Along such a curve the patches are created butt to butt and the resulting patch set is referred to as a chain in FPP terms. The strength of an FPP laminate is mostly influenced by the overlap length between individual patches of neighboring plies of the same orientation. FPP laminates can consist of several thousand patches and ARTIST STUDIO helps you to manage this complexity by automatically optimizing the overlap patterns for maximum mechanical strength.

However, in some cases – e.g. at the edges of a layer – it may be necessary to manually adjust patch positions to obtain a more regular laminate thickness distribution or to create local reinforcements on the level of a single patch. Previously, manual movements were restricted to positions along the base curve that was originally used to create the patches – moving all the patches belonging to the same chain simultaneously. To reduce computational time those positions were already pre-calculated and were therefore limited to a fixed number of possible configurations.

Our recent improvements in patch creation – the introduction of kinematic draping in concert with a significant reduction in computation time for the creation of patches – enabled us to get rid of such restrictions and to bring patch positioning to a whole new level. In ARTIST STUDIO 1.3 we will introduce a new feature that enables our users to freely and interactively move patches on the part surface –without any restrictions. We offer full high-quality kinematic draping support in real time. You can specify your own discrete step-size for accurate translational or rotational positioning or use the powerful dragging feature to intuitively place your patches.

With Cevotec’s brand new patch movement feature it is now easier than ever to transform your design ideas into an FPP laminate that is literally just a few more clicks away from production. We start rolling out this update mid/end of this year’s third quarter. ARTIST STUDIO Customers with an existing license will of course be upgraded to the new version.

Contact us to request a live introduction to the software via a web conference call. We’d be thrilled to explain in more detail the various functions that help to accelerate your development process.

About Cevotec:

Munich-based automation specialist Cevotec offers one of the world’s most advanced production systems for complex fiber composites. At the intersection of composites, mechanical engineering and software, Cevotec develops production systems and software based on Fiber Patch Placement (FPP) technology: SAMBA and ARTIST STUDIO. The systems, which are particularly suited for automated fiber placement on complex 3D geometries, process carbon fibers, glass fibers, adhesive films and other technical fibers. They can be used for a broad range of applications. Such flexibility is particularly appreciated by customers from aerospace and med-tech industries, who realize cost and time savings of 20%-60% when switching from manual processes to FPP.