Advanced Composites Division
We provide a variety of structural design, analysis and optimisation services; ranging from full turn-key lightweight composite design packages to specific composites support.
Offering
Our customers benefit from our expertise in providing a complete composite structures service, including concept design, laminate stack creation and optimisation, finite element structural analysis and component detailing for manufacture. This allows them to meet challenging requirements, often combining light-weighting and specific stiffness whilst withstanding extreme environmental loading.
The Team
Our multi-disciplined team has considerable experience in composites technology, combined with investment in the latest composite specific design and analysis software tools results in a unique approach to customer’s challenges, allowing them to meet specific and demanding requirements.
Seamless Integration
The Advanced Composites Division seamlessly integrates with the Advanced Engineering and Advanced Analysis & CFD Divisions, frequently joining forces to offer customers a holistic solution for projects that require cross-divisional expertise.
Our Capabilities
Design
- Concepting, detail design & drafting
- Laminate & lay-up creation
- Thin & thick composite structures
- Design for extreme environments
- Aeroelastic & hydroelastic structures
- Honeycomb & foam core structures
Analysis
- Structural optimisation
- Ply failure assessments
- Composite structures FEA
- Fluid structure interaction (FSI)
- Laminate stack optimisation
- Adhesive bonding assessments
- Dynamic & non-linear analysis
- Shock & high strain-rate analysis
Manufacturing Support
- Manufacturing specifications
- Composite repair specifications
- Materials selection (in-house database)
- Definition of coupon testing methods
- Qualification for flight components
- Design of tooling
Why Choose Advanced Composites?
- 9Decades of experience in composite design and analysis across multiple industry sectors.
- 9Specialists in the design of aerospace, marine and motorsport structures subject to extreme loading.
- 9Close working relationship with composite manufacturers, testing houses and materials suppliers.
- 9Access to a vast as tested database of composite material properties.
Aero-Engine Air Intake
Our customer required an Airmeter air intake to accurately control and monitor air flow into their engines, allowing them to optimise designs giving them a competitive edge in the market.
Highly Tuned & Lightweight
To ensure accuracy of results, exacting geometric and stiffness values were required while keeping mass to a minimum. Our specialist composite knowledge resulted in an optimised solution that met the stringent requirements of our customer.
Depth of Experience
Our composites experience ensured we understood and predicted mould tool expansion effects alongside maintaining the overall intake aero profile, whilst simultaneously appreciating the complexity of bonding-in and retaining multiple sensors penetrating the structure.
Seamless Sensor Integration
For optimisation of inlet flow characteristics, numerous sensors were to be integrated throughout the intake without compromising the structural integrity. Using our extensive knowledge of intake design and close relationship with the manufacturer, a new solution to mount and position all necessary sensors was developed.
Short Programme Time Scales
An aggressive 10-month timeframe was set, covering all the design and manufacturing tasks. Working hand-in-glove with the manufacturer we delivered a successful product, meeting stringent requirements whilst remaining practical and cost-effective to build in the short time scale. We have since been approached to design a further intake due to the previous success.
Client Case
Client Case
Aero-Engine Air Intake
Our customer required an Airmeter air intake to accurately control and monitor air flow into their engines, allowing them to optimise designs giving them a competitive edge in the market.
Highly Tuned & Lightweight
To ensure accuracy of results, exacting geometric and stiffness values were required while keeping mass to a minimum. Our specialist composite knowledge resulted in an optimised solution that met the stringent requirements of our customer.
Depth of Experience
Our composites experience ensured we understood and predicted mould tool expansion effects alongside maintaining the overall intake aero profile, whilst simultaneously appreciating the complexity of bonding-in and retaining multiple sensors penetrating the structure.
Seamless Sensor Integration
For optimisation of inlet flow characteristics, numerous sensors were to be integrated throughout the intake without compromising the structural integrity. Using our extensive knowledge of intake design and close relationship with the manufacturer, a new solution to mount and position all necessary sensors was developed.
Short Programme Time Scales
An aggressive 10-month timeframe was set, covering all the design and manufacturing tasks. Working hand-in-glove with the manufacturer we delivered a successful product, meeting stringent requirements whilst remaining practical and cost-effective to build in the short time scale. We have since been approached to design a further intake due to the previous success.
Software Tools
Design
- Siemens NX
- PTC Creo 4.0
- SolidEdge
- Catia V5
- SolidWorks
- Keyshot
Structural Analysis
- NX/MSC Nastran
- SIEMENS NX Analysis
- SIEMENS FEMAP
- MSC Digimat
- MSC Dystran
- Anaglyph CoDa
- Anaglyph LAP
