How to use kinematic drape results for material orientation definition?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am trying to use my kinematic drape results to tune the 2D elements material orientation to have a better accordance between drape simulation and FEM mechanical simulation.

Is there an easy and direct way to assign ply/plies table data results for this? Or any other way?

Using Hypermesh 2025.1

Thanks,

JMB

jmborlot · Answer

Hi Jason,

Thanks for help… but I have already seen these videos (which are a good help for running the kinematic drape tool), but my question is for the next step. I have already done the kinematic draping, and I would like to use its results to align the 2D elements material direction on the resulting ply direction (for example, use the ply #1 directions as reference for the 2D elements material direction, and adapt automatically or manually the other plies directions also based on kinematic drape results). I have all results in tables in hypermesh, is there a way to use these data to reorient elements material direction, and stacking sequence?

Unless I miss something in the material/ply/element definition saying that the kinematic drape plies directions are automatically used for composite stacking PCOMP/PCOMPG definition…

Jason_Craanen · Answer

Hey JMB,

I would start with this video series

Composite Modeling with HyperWorks - YouTube

specifically this video

Composite Ply Draping

and the help

Kinematic Drape