The Hybrid Synthesizer
The study of composites and hybrid materials is becoming increasingly important in engineering and design courses. This innovative tool helps predict the performance of sandwich panels, cellular structures, and composites.
Integration with CES EduPack makes comparison of Hybrid Synthesizer predictions with ‘standard’ materials simple, straightforward, and rational. The tool allows teachers and students to explore the benefits of using different hybrid materials and structures, for example to aid lightweight design.
The Hybrid Synthesizer allows students to predict the performance of hybrid materials and structures based on the performance of constituent materials selected from any of the thousands of covered by the CES EduPack Materials and Process Database, or your own materials. A simple 'Wizard' user interface makes the entry of parameters required by the Hybrid Synthesizer straightforward.
After the calculation, data for the predicted materials are stored on datasheets, accessed via the standard data browsing tools within CES EduPack. Data for these materials can be plotted together with the rest of the database, encouraging students to make quick and easy comparison of the hybrid structures with other materials (as in the graph above). Records created by the Hybrid Synthesizer can also be specified in subsequent models, enabling their performance in other hybrid structures to be evaluated.
This current release of the Hybrid Synthesizer includes models to enhance teaching on:
- Sandwich panels
- Foams and Octet lattices
- Unidirectional, quasi isotropic and particulate composites (using a 'simple bounds' model)
NEW in 2012: Updates to the models give more guidance when considering performance and cost.
White paper: You can download "The Hybrid Synthesizer" white paper as part of the CES EduPack information pack »
Acknowledgement: Initial development work on the Hybrid Synthesizer was supported with funding and partner input from the European Union Project MANUDIRECT. More »