Automated geometric modelling of textile structures

Abstract

An automated approach (TexGen) for modeling the geometry of textile structures is presented. This model provides a generic approach to the description of yarn geometry and yarn interlacement for all types of weaving. One feature of this model is that the shape and size of the cross sections may change locally; this is exploited in the functions for interference correction, which modify the textile according to geometric considerations to avoid penetration of yarns. Another feature of this model is that it acts as a pre-processor for finite element simulations by generating a mesh, definition of contact, materials orientation and boundary conditions, thus providing an automatic procedure. This paper describes the modeling techniques, algorithms and concepts implemented in TexGen and examines the functionality of their implementation for a range of twodimensional/three-dimensional commercial fabrics. Comparisons between the images of real fabrics and modeled fabric structures confirm that the software is capable of modeling sophisticated fabric architectures, including twisted yarns with varied yarn cross sections. Accurate input measurements of fabric geometry are critical for successful results. The paper also discusses directions for further development of the approach to overcome current limitations. Keywords fabric geometry, modeling, simulationRealistic fabric geometric description is essential for modeling of the mechanical and physical properties of textiles and textile composites. It determines the accuracy of modeling results and geometric non-linear response to external loadings. Attempts to model textile geometry were recorded as early as the1930s 1 and have continued up to the present time. 2 There are many challenging aspects of modeling fabric structures, for example, even the geometry of relatively simple plain-weave fabrics is complicated and requires careful modeling to obtain accurate results. There are two major obstacles: the

Investigation of automated geometry modeling process of woven fabrics based on the yarn structures

“…TexGen software is an open-source software developed by the University of Nottingham (Lin et al, 2012). The main advantages of TexGen over WiseTex are: (i) less restrictions are placed on the geometry of the fabrics that can be modeled, (ii) yarn paths can be created arbitrarily and variable cross-sections can be assigned to the yarn in a number of different ways.…”

“…TexGen generates the geometry of any textile fabric in a generic way by specifying the yarn path and yarn cross-sections independently. In this approach, TexGen allows models to be generated easily for any 2D and 3D textile fabric structures (Lin et al, 2012).…”

Prediction of woven fabric properties using software protkatex

“…Prediction of fabric properties is based on a combination of mathematical modeling and experimental research, including development and application of nonstandard methods for definition and measuring of the fabric structure [16,19,22,24]. Mathematical models are possible to use for modeling the geometry of textile structures as well as properties, including textile mechanics, permeability, drape, roughness, and composite mechanical behavior [24][25][26][27].…”

3D composite reinforcement meso F.E. analyses based on X-ray computed tomography

“…model, its geometry and the associated data, most important of which being the fibre directions. The geometry can be obtained with textile geometrical simulators such as TexGen or WiseTex [34][35][36][37]. Nevertheless, they provide an idealised geometry of the reinforcements which cannot take into account the geometrical imperfections or specificities of the material being analysed.…”