PAM-FORM 2000 - 3D simulation of composite and plastic materials from ESI

 Paris 16 May 00 ESI Group released PAM-FORM 2000, the first 3D software for forming simulation of composite and plastic parts. PAM-FORM enables virtual and realistic analysis and optimization of a variety of manufacturing processes, including thermoforming, dry-fabric stamping, draping, diaphragm-forming, blowing, extrusion-blowing and stretching-blowing. PAM-FORM simulates parts production using physical modeling based on CAD data, taking numerous critical parameters into account such as the materials used, friction, holding systems or even press speed or pressure cycles.

The result of a ten-year partnership with aeronautical industry leaders, the latest version of PAM-FORM is now fully integrated into its Virtual Try-Out Space environment, ESI Group's virtual test lab. This environment makes use of the most sophisticated technologies for testing, validating and improving manufacturing products or processes. It offers engineers the possibility of analyzing the part as it will be actually manufactured, without resorting to error-prone approximate values.

ESI tartgets PAM-FORM at the following markets:

  • All industries concerned by "new" materials: aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, leisure, food industry, etc.
  • In the aerospace industry, composite materials are widely and increasingly used. A total of 35 tons of carbon fiber composites will be used in the future Airbus A3xx. PAM-FORM is currently being used by a large number of manufacturers, in particular, Aerospatiale-Matra and Dassault Aviation in France and Airbus UK Ltd in England.
  • In the automotive industry, manufacturers have once again turned to composite materials to reduce energy consumption. Due to the high cost of such materials, concerted efforts are being made to reduce production costs. Just as in the metal industry, numerical simulation is essential for controlling production quality and cost. This technology can now be used in the manufacture of automobile carpets and all interior trim.
  • In the consumer goods sector, controlling the thermoforming process allows for substantial gains in materials. Whirlpool, for example, uses PAM-FORM to simulate and optimize the pre-heating of plastic sheets for refrigerator inner liners.

Main features of the new product are:

  • Tool kinetics and material and tribological (mold-part contact) properties are taken into account, as well as temperatures.
  • Modeling of plastic sheets, thermoset and thermoplastic components reinforced with continuous fibers (unidirectional, woven or non-woven), dry fabrics and carpets.
  • Importing geometrical data in CAD file format allows automatic mesh generation for even the most complex parts. CAD-produced meshes can also be imported.
  • Advanced display features make validation easier and enable users to better understand physical phenomena, such as fiber direction modifications, thickness variations and temperature changes.
  • PAM-FORM analysis results can be combined with other software package, including the following ESI Group's design, crash and drop-test tools: SYSPLY, PAM-CRASH and PAM-SHOCK.

PAM-FORM 2000 is available for UNIX workstations and servers from Compaq/DEC, HP, IBM, SGI and SUN.

 

Ad Emmen

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