Patent ID: 7010472

Claim:
A computer implemented knowledge driven composite design optimization process for designing a laminate part comprising steps for: generating a globally optimized 3-D ply definition for a laminate part, said generating step further comprising steps for: (1) determining connectivity between a plurality of regions defining the laminate part and substructure to which the laminate part is coupled, wherein a starting definition point for determining connectivity is determined by a connection point of a substructure portion to the laminate part or to a second substructure portion; (2) subsequently generating ramp features detailing interconnection of the regions defining the laminate part; (3) displaying views and corresponding tabular data describing the laminate part and illustrating both inter-region connectivity and the ramp features as specified by a user; and (4) optimizing local stacking sequences; and subsequently modifying the 3-D ply definition to include features of the laminate part, wherein said generating and modifying steps are parametrically linked to one another.