CGTech has announced a new release of their composites applications, VERICUT Composites Programming (VCP) and VERICUT Composites Simulation (VCS). Improvements made to the latest versions of VCP and VCS strengthen core software features to meet growing demands and complexity for composites manufacturing.
Launching alongside VERICUT 9.3, VCP and VCS both feature improvements to simulation graphics and ease of use such as adjusting the rendering of form edges, importing form surfaces, creating and saving custom views, and more. Improvements have also been made to algorithms such as form offset linking, advanced path generation, and advanced rosette systems.
VERICUT Composites Applications stands separately from VERICUT, CGTech’s simulation, verification, and optimization software. VCP reads CAD surfaces and ply boundary information and adds material to fill the plies according to user-specified manufacturing standards and requirements. These layup paths are linked together to form specific layup sequences and output as NC programs for automated layup machines.
VCS simulates work environments for automated composites manufacturing, simulating the sequence of NC programs on a virtual machine, including head changes, probing, knife cutting, and more. The simulated material applied to the virtual form can be measured and inspected for stack thickness, ply offset, ply angle, and other specifications to ensure the NC program follows manufacturing standards and requirements.
VCP and VCS 9.3 Highlights
Advanced Path Generation
VCP has new settings for advanced path generation, which increase the quality of courses generated on thin, closed parts, or parts with small radii. Users can set values for criteria such as tolerance for boundary crossing distances, minimum knot spacing, ply angle adjusting during path propagation, and more.
Advanced Rosette System
Along with current Rosettes, advanced rosette systems can be used to define different rosette configurations for different sections of the part, called Rosette Zones. During course generation, VCP will pick the closest rosette zone and use this configuration to find the rosette direction for the path.
Form Offset Linking
Form Offset is a new linking algorithm which searches for a more direct path between two courses while maintaining a constant form offset distance, which can be set in “Retract Distance.”
FEA Nastran Support
This helps users generate a detailed finite element shell model of a laminate’s layers. With the locations of a set of element nodes, the software can assign each ply’s material to those nodes and specify the fiber direction at each node.
Python Scripts
This card offers the ability to write custom Python version 2.7.2 scripts using VCP’s available APIs. The current implementation of Python is Version 2.7.2.
Import Form Surfaces into Existing Laminate
Users can now import new surfaces into an existing Laminate from CAD data.
Color Themes, Custom Views
VERICUT now supports a Dark Mode color theme for users that prefer darker colors for easing eye strain. Users can also define which columns show in the window by default in their settings.
Links, View Clearance
Checking the View Clearance box turns on a graphical representation of the clearance area when plane or cylinder are selected. Adjusting the settings in Axis System Settings will instantly update the clearance area in the graphics window.
About CGTech
CGTech’s VERICUT software is the standard for CNC simulation, verification, optimization, analysis, and additive manufacturing. CGTech also offers programming and simulation software for composites automated fiber-placement, tape-laying, and drilling/fastening CNC machines. VERICUT software is used by companies of different sizes in all industries. Established in 1988, and headquartered in Irvine, CA; CGTech has offices worldwide.
For more information, visit the CGTech website at cgtech.com.