Kinematic Drape Algorithm and Experimental Approach for the Design of Tailored Non-Crimp Fabrics

In the preforming process, the textile is draped into the geometry of the structural part and afterwards consolidated with resin via injection. For preforming processes non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) have become increasingly popular for cost effective applications. For the realization of automated draping of two-dimensional textiles into three-dimensional complex geometries during the preforming process there is a high advantage for the use of tailored textiles compared to textiles with uniform material properties. Large flat surfaces require a high bending stiffness and low shear stiffness due to high structural stability of the textile and small radii of curvature require a low bending stiffness due to good drapeability of the textile. The bending and the shear stiffness of NCFs with a given layup can be influenced by the manufacturing parameters of the knitting yarn. With tailored NCFs it is possible to adapt the manufacturing parameters of the knitting yarn locally in the production direction to improve drapeability and handling of the textile in the preforming process. To use the high potential of tailored NCFs, the development of the new textile structure has to go hand in hand with the characterization and with the simulation of the draping process. An experimental approach and a modelling approach using a kinematic drape algorithm have been developed to define the local stitching parameters for tailored NCFs dependent on the geometry of the component part.