Composites

Composite materials such as carbon fiber are considerably lighter than metals while having very high strength but have complex design and manufacturing processes that can result in high costs. Composites can be broadly split into Particulate Reinforced Composites and Fiber Reinforced Composites detailed below.

Advanced Metallics

Advanced metallics refer to materials which are viewed as a good solution to solve product weight challenges. These materials retain the strength of commonly used metals but require less material or are inherently lighter. The category can be broadly split into advanced steels and alloys.

Joining Technology

Joining technology refers to methods used when fixing one material to another. They can be catagorized as either mechanical or adhesives with each method having implications to a product’s weight and performance.

Optimization Methods

There are a number of design optimization methods which can be employed to develop minimum mass and weight products and the use of each of them will depend on the component and its material. They are divided into freeform (determining the material layout based on a design space) and size (refining a chosen design’s material gauge and thickness).

Optimization Processes

Performing design optimization effectively can be a challenge as the technology needs to be integrated into the design process and used when simulation can have the biggest impact on the design. The categories below indicate a number of processes to maximize the potential of design optimization.

Materials & Manufacturing

New materials and the development of new manufacturing processes can have a huge impact on product weight. Composite manufacturing methods are becoming more efficient while 3D printing and additive manufacturing processes are allowing optimized structures to be manufactured at the click of a button.

Product Optimization

Simulation technologies are constantly becoming more intelligent which opens up opportunities to optimize more complex materials while taking into account a broader range of constraints and use conditions simultaneously. This section presents the latest methods and processes being developed throughout industry.