Definition of terms used with Composite Materials

Project
A project is the top level design component in Compas and would typically represent a deliverable component or structure.

Revision
A project can contain many revisisions to allow for tracking changes in project requirements. A project is create with an initial revsions, further revisions can be added. A new revision can be created by copying an existing revision.

Laminate
Laminate are the basic design component for Compas. A project would be built with one or more laminates designed to meet the requirements of specific sections of the project. Laminate are designed to optimise strength, stiffness, weight and cost to meet the target requirements for the particlar section.

Material
Laminates are constructed from materials which are arranged in layers at specified weights and thicknesses. A laminate can only be specified to be built for a specific resin process.
When designing a laminate only materials suitable for the selected laminate are displayed.
Materials are classified as reinforcements which are fibre based such as glass or carbon fibre, cores pvc foam et.c., resins and other isomorphic materials such as steel or aluminium plate.
The material database consists of generic materials which are commonly available, prices are quoted as an average over the prices quoted by some major suppliers.

Ply
Materials are composed of plies which are discrete separate layers in the material. A ply has a specified weight for reinforcements or thickness for cores and can be orientated at specific angles in the materrial. The mechanical properties of a material are calculated from the specified properties of its constituent plies, these may be different depending on the resin used to build the end laminate.

Resin Process

Refers to the combination of the type of resin and the layup and curing method used for a laminate. A laminate can only be constructed with a singlr resin process.
Currently allowed for resin/processes are :-
Non-moulded
Contact moulded, iso polyester
Contact moulded, vinylester
Contact moulded, ortho polyester
Contact moulded, epoxy
Vacuum bagged, 50deg.C rpoxy
Vacuum bagged, 80deg.C epoxy prepreg
Autoclaved, 120deg.C prepreg

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