Science and technology behind the Project

The solution proposed by MODSIMtex is to develop a composed simulation system, where the result is given through 2 methods, which united can accomplish the exact result and also the analysis of the causes for this result:

1. Finite elements analytic simulation system of the mechanisms that influence over the internal elements of the fabrics through finite elements simulation. A textile structure is formed by intertwined yarns or fibres that accomplish determined patterns in the case of woven/knit fabrics, or semi-aleatory patterns in the case of non-woven structures (see figures). From these patterns it is possible to extract basic structural units that, repeated in the three-dimensional space, configure the complete fabric or structure. It is foreseen to model mathematically the physical properties of these basic units, to predict precisely how they will react to certain contour conditions (tension, flexion, filtration power, transpiration, barrier effects, etc.). The system is therefore composed of the spatial repetition of elements that can be mathematically modelled, although they have a very complex individual behaviour.

FABRIC STRUCTURE                                                     NON WOVEN STRUCTURE

WEAVING FABRIC STRUCTURE

However, the sole analytic calculation results are not precise enough, due to the difficulty of developing a mathematical model in which the virtual textile structure is sufficiently approximate to the real thing. In spite of the limitations of the analytic model, it is possible to determine the mathematical relationships between a few key parameters, and through them it is possible to optimize the manufacturing system conditions and therefore the quality parameters of the final product/structure. The approach is to solve the relationships between the internal parameters of the productive process and the textile structure parameters (‘transparent box’ approach).

2. In front of the complexity and uncertainty of the analytic modelling, it is necessary to strengthen the whole system through the parallel development of an artificial-intelligence-based simulation system. This module is capable of solving the relationships between the external parameters of the productive process and the product quality parameters (‘black box’ approach). On the other hand, there is key parameters to define a textile structure that rely on subjectivities (hand, feel, fall, etc.) and the application of A.I. is a must to solve the measurement of these parameters.