Laminate Editor¶

Generall¶

The laminate editor opens automatically when a new laminate is created. If you want to open the laminate editor manually, you can do so by double-clicking on the desired laminate or by right-clicking on the laminate and selecting "Edit".

The numbering / listing of the individual layers and the global coordinate system are generally related as follows:

1st layer
2nd layer
3rd layer
4th layer + z
--------------------- reference plane
5th layer -z
6th layer
7th layer
8th layer

construction¶

1 - Stacking Sequence of the Laminate¶

In the center of the laminate editor, the stacking sequence of the laminate or its individual layers including all layer information (name, angle, thickness, material, failure criterion) is displayed in a table. All cells in the table can be edited so that adjustments can be made directly in the line of the corresponding position.

Individual layers can be selected with the mouse and then moved in the laminate structure. This is also possible with several layers (with the help of the CTRL or SHIFT key when marking the layers).

Further processing or information features can be used by right-clicking on the relevant layer. In this way

• the stiffness matrix $\mathbf{Q}$ and the compliance matrix $\mathbf{S} $ of the single layer can be displayed in the local and global coordinate system,
• A selection of layers can be added to the previous laminate n times,
• the marked layers can be deleted.

If several layers are selected, they can all be edited together via the properties window.

2 - Properties of a Layer¶

In this window area, new individual layers are defined using a name, the material, the failure criterion, the thickness and the angle. This layer can be added by pressing the Enter key or the "Add" button. The cursor immediately jumps back into the angle field so that a layer with the same properties can be created except for the angle and only the angle is changed. At the end, an enter is enough to generate the position.

3 - Symmetry Options¶

Due to the lack of coupling between membrane and bending properties, symmetrical laminates are often used in practice. These are composites that have the same structure as seen from the central plane in the positive and negative direction of thickness. In order to facilitate the creation of such laminates, the creation of a symmetrical laminate with or without a middle layer can be selected via two checkboxes. If the first option is selected, the laminate created so far is mirrored on the last layer created, with the middle plane of this layer also marking the middle plane of the resulting symmetrical laminate. When creating a symmetrical composite without a central layer, all layers created so far are mirrored. In this case, the symmetry planee lies between the middle two layers.

The properties of the individual layers can only be edited for those layers that were created before mirroring. Deselecting the option to create a symmetrical laminate is easily possible by clicking on the desired option again.

4 - Process the laminate structure¶

The entered laminate structure can be modified using these buttons. The buttons are explained below.

- Invert stack: The order of the laminate layers is inverted. In the case of symmetrical laminates, this only applies to the part above the plane of symmetry.
- Rotation of the entire laminate: With the help of the button, the entire laminate can be rotated by a certain angle (−90◦ ≤ angle ≤ 90◦).
- Add selected layers: Adds all selected layers in the desired number again at the end of the laminate or at the plane of symmetry.