A simple MATLAB draping code for fiber-reinforced composites with application to optimization of manufacturing process parameters

This paper presents a simple code written in MATLAB for simulating and optimizing the draping of a composite material fabric onto a mold. Being simple and kinematically based, the algorithm can be used to predict the final fiber orientations after a fabric has adapted to a double-curved mold surface. These fiber orientations will in turn govern the mechanical properties of the composite part and a draping analysis is thus advantageous in connection with a structural analysis as well as manufacturing. The code is intended for educational purposes and can be found in the Appendix of the paper and on the repository at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4316860 along with a Python implementation. After a description of the code, various extensions are introduced, including a framework for optimization of the draping parameters.

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