Defining plies and a stacking sequence

For both zone-based and ply-based processes, you create plies and define the stacking sequence using the following methods:

• From scratch, creating plies and ply groups, copying them, and moving them.

• Importing from a spreadsheet or a CSV file.

• Using the standard shorthand lamination format.

For the ply-based process, you can also import a layup that you previously defined in the Laminate Modeler dialog box.

As you create the layup, you can see the plies and ply groups in the ply layup list and the graphical representation of the layup in the Ply Sketcher tab.

• The layup bottom ply is shown at the bottom of the box, and the top ply at the top of the box.

• The direction defined from the bottom ply to the top ply is the same as the shell element normal direction.

• By default, the shell element nodes lie directly on the mid plane of the laminate.

• In the Ply Sketcher tab, the laminate reference plane is shown as a solid black horizontal line.

After you defined your layup, you can export it to a spreadsheet or a CSV file using the Edit Layup to Spreadsheet and Export Layup to CSV file options.

Commands to create a stacking sequence from scratch

You create desired stacking sequence using any combination of the following commands:

• Create New Ply

• Copy and Paste family

• Move Selected Ply Up and Move Selected Ply Down

• Delete Ply

• Group Selected Plies , Ungroup Selected Ply Group , and Unlink Selected Ply Group

A new ply is added above the selected ply or above the top ply, if no ply is selected.

Click Undo to undo your latest operation. You can click undo more than once to cancel up to ten of your most recent operations.

Paste commands

You can use the Copy and Paste family commands on a single ply, multiple plies, a single ply group, or multiple ply groups.

Paste Above or Paste Below	Paste Symmetric Above	Paste Anti-symmetric Above
Paste Repetition = 3	Paste Symmetric Below	Paste Anti-symmetric Below

Note:

When a ply group is copied and pasted, the new group reflects the parent-child relationship of the copied group.

Reversing the stacking sequence

Use the Reverse Stacking Sequence command to easily reverse the stacking sequence of a layup. You can reverse the plies and their global ply IDs (1), or reverse the plies but keep the original ply ID sequence (2).

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	You must work in the FEM.
Command Finder	(Zone-based process) Laminate Physical Property or Solid Laminate Physical Property (Ply-based process) Global Layup
Location in the dialog box	(Zone-based process) Ply Layup tab(Ply-based process) Ply Layup group

How do I

Define a stacking sequence using Paste Repetition

Define a stacking sequence using Paste Anti-symmetric

Define a stacking sequence using Paste Symmetric

Define a stacking sequence using Paste

Define parent and child groups

Modify ply properties

Define ply properties

Import a layup from Excel

Export a layup to Excel

Modify a layup in Excel

Define a layup using the lamination shorthand format

Learn more

Ply properties

Ply groups

Using a spreadsheet or a CSV file to define a layup

Defining a layup using the lamination shorthand format

Look up more details

Right-click commands for plies

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Defining plies and a stacking sequence, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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