Composites Design
We provide a variety of composites design, analysis and optimisation services; ranging from full turn-key lightweight composite design packages to specific composites support.
Design
Our team are experts in the design of composite structures for a variety of applications, from satellites to submarines, performing concepting through to full detail design and component detailing.
Analysis
Our engineers have decades of experience in the optimisation of composite structures for weight, strength and stiffness whilst withstanding extreme environmental load cases.
Relationships
We have close working relationships with composite manufacturers, testing houses and materials suppliers, with access to a vast database of composite material properties.
Our Capabilities
Design
- Concepting, detail design & drawings
- Materials selection & laminate design
- Detailed lay-up drafting
- Design for extreme environments
- Environmental protection
- Thick & thin composite structures
- Cored composite structures
- Tooling design
- Manufacturing specifications
- Aeroelastic & hydroelastic structures
Structural Analysis
- Laminate analysis and synthesis
- Structural optimisation
- Composite structures FEA
- Combined multi-material assessments
- Adhesive bonding analysis
- Dynamic & non-linear analysis
- Filament winding analysis
- Ply failure assessments
- Shock & high strain-rate analysis
Testing
- Vast database of tested material properties
- Selecting appropriate coupon tests
- Understanding of testing standards
- Writing qualification documents
- Selecting number of tests (A or B basis)
- Sub and full component testing specification
Manufacturing Support
- Manufacturing specifications
- Composite repair specifications
- Materials selection (in-house database)
- Definition of coupon testing methods
- Qualification for flight components
- Design of tooling
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.
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
Software Tools
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