Research

Central research focus at FAST Lightweight Technology is the development of a continuous CAE chain for the virtual description of manufacturing process chains of continuous and discontinuous fiber reinforced composites. The CAE chain enables the consideration of complex interactions between component design, component manufacturing, material properties and the resulting component behavior in early phases of product development. For this purpose, FAST Lightweight Design researches and develops the CAE chain as well as methods for the simulation of different manufacturing process steps and for structural simulation.

Fiber composite processes

To develop large-scale, lightweight and high-performance fibre composites and hybrid components, it is essential to combine competencies from the fields of methods, materials and production. Our institute develops simulation methods and integrated virtual process chains to describe the manufacturing process of fibre reinforced composites.

Process simulation

Can my component be manufactured? We develop simulation methods for complex fibre composite manufacturing processes to ensure manufacturability even before expensive tools are produced. In addition, we use the results of such process simulations in a continuous CAE chain for subsequent structural simulations.

Structural simulation

Will my component hold? We perform structural analyses for discontinuously and continuously reinforced components as well as hybrid material composites using cross-scale methods. We investigate anisotropic damage, damping behavior and the influence of manufacturing effects.

CAE chain and Optimization

Every component is only as good as its semi-finished product and so is every simulation only as good as its input. We do research how we can interconnect individual simulations to form a continuous virtual process chain and then optimise component and process holistically, e.g. with the help of AI.