RF-CUTTING-PATTERN Add-on Module for RFEM 5

Add-on Module for RFEM 5

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Add-on Module for RFEM 5
RF-CUTTING-PATTERN

The RF-CUTTING-PATTERN add-on module calculates and organizes cutting patterns for membrane structures. Boundary conditions of the cutting patterns on curved geometry are determined by boundary lines and independent planar cutting lines or geodesic cutting lines. The flattening process is performed according to the minimum energy theory.

For each cutting pattern, you can apply the compensation in the warp and weft directions. You can also define a specific compensation value for each boundary line as well as overlaps for the manufacturing process.

Cutting Patterns of Tensile Membrane Structures

Total items: 4

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN | Features

Planar and geodesic cutting lines
Flattening of double-curved surface parts of tensioned membranes or pneumatic cushions
Definition of cutting patterns by using boundary lines which are not required to be connected
Sophisticated flattening based on the minimum energy theory
Welding and boundary allowances
Uniform or linear compensation in warp and weft direction
Possibility of different compensations for boundary lines
Adaptable data organisation (any additional modification of input data is considered up to the final "weld")
Graphical display of cutting patterns
Statistical information about each cutting pattern (width, length, size)
Option to automatically generate cutting patterns from cells

Decomposition of membrane surface using the line type "Intersection by means of two lines"

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN | Input

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN is activated by selecting the respective option in the Options tab in General Data of any RFEM model. After activating the add‑on module, a new object, "Cutting Patterns", is displayed under Model Data. If the membrane surface distribution for cutting in the basic position is too large, you can divide the surface by cutting lines (line types "Cut via Two Lines" or "Cut via Section") in the corresponding partial strips.

Then you can define the individual entries for each cutting pattern using the "Cutting Pattern" object. Here you can set boundary lines, compensations, and allowances.

Steps of the working sequence:

Creation of cutting lines
Creation of the pattern by selecting its boundary lines or using a semi‑automatic generator
Free selection of warp and weft orientation by entering an angle
Application of compensation values
Optional definition of different compensations for boundary lines
Different allowances (welding, boundary line)
Preliminary representation of the cutting pattern in the graphic window at the side without starting the main nonlinear calculation

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN | Calculation

The nonlinear calculation adopts the real mesh geometry of planar, buckled, simple curved, or double curved surface components from the selected cutting pattern and flattens this surface component in compliance with the minimization of distortion energy, assuming defined material behavior.

In simplified terms, this method attempts to compress the mesh geometry in a press, assuming frictionless contact, and to find the state in which the stresses from flattening in the component are in equilibrium in the plane. This way, minimum energy and optimum accuracy of the cutting pattern are achieved. Compensation for warp and weft as well as compensation for boundary lines are considered. Then, the defined allowances on boundary lines are applied to the resulting planar surface geometry.

Features:

Minimization of distortion energy in the flattening process for very accurate cutting patterns
Application for almost all mesh arrangements
Recognition of adjacent cutting pattern definitions to keep the same length
Mesh application for main calculation

Display of Cutting Patterns in the RFEM Model

RF-CUTTING-PATTERN | Results

After the calculation, the "Point Coordinates" tab appears in the cutting pattern dialog box. In this tab, the result is displayed in the form of a table with coordinates and a surface in the graphical window. The coordinate table presents new flattened coordinates relative to the centroid of the cutting pattern for each mesh node. Furthermore, the cutting pattern with the coordinate system at the centroid is represented in the graphical window. When selecting a table cell, the respective node is displayed with an arrow in the graphic. In addition, the area of the cutting pattern is displayed below the node table.

Moreover, standard stress/strain results for each pattern are displayed in the RF‑CUTTING‑PATTERN load case in RFEM.
Features:

Results in a table, including information about the cutting pattern
Smart table relating to the graphic
Results of flattened geometry in a DXF file
Output of strains after flattening in order to evaluate the cutting patterns
Results of strains after flattening for the evaluation of patterns

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2,510.00 USD

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Total Amount 2,510.00 USD

The price is valid for United States.

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