Drape Estimator Tool

Drape Estimator tool and options.

Note: Drape estimator has been deprecated in favor of kinematic draping and is now hidden behind an environment variable.

Drape estimator uses an inverse mapping method to predict how the orientation and thickness of a ply will change as the ply is placed on a tool/mold. For each ply in HyperMesh that is draped, corrections are applied spatially to the default ply orientation and thickness. A Table entity for each draped ply is generated and assigned to the ply. The table contains the corrections to ply orientation and thickness due to draping. Ply shapes need to be associated to elements. If the model is based on surfaces or lines, ply realization is needed before draping.

  1. In the Composite Browser, right-click Plies.
  2. In the context menu, point to Drape then select Drape Estimator.
    The Drape Estimator tool opens.
  3. Click the Drape Calculation tab to display options to run the drape estimator and control the launch of the draping simulation. Set options according to the table below.
    Option Action
    Initial Drape Direction The initial direction from the seed point where the ply is pressed to the mold. Choose from:
    • By Ply System – uses the x-axis of the ply system assigned to the ply.
    • By System – uses the x-axis of the selected local system
    • By Vector-2 Nodes – uses the vector defined by the selection of 2 nodes
    • By Vector – uses the selected vector
    Seed Point The location at which the ply first touches the mold surface.
  4. Click the Review Options tab to display methods to review a completed simulation. Set options according to the table below.
    Option Action
    Ply Select the ply to review.
    Review Option The generated plot. Choose from:
    • Drape Thickness
    • Drape Orientation
    • Flat Shape
    • Shear Angle
  5. Click the Export Options tab to display methods to export flattened line geometry of selected plies to CAD geometry files. One .stp file is created per ply. Set options according to the table below.
    Option Action
    Working Directory Directory to which flattened ply shapes will be exported.
    Select Plies Plies to export as flattened shapes.