Simultaneous engineering in design and manufacture using the RTM process

Abstract Simultaneous engineering allows different teams to work on the same project, from design to manufacture, including sizing, dimensional checks or production management. The implications of various options can be followed in real time due to the use of the same computer files. This is evident for RTM technology, some stages of the process being completely interdependent. Indeed, the shapes of the designed parts must allow layering of reinforcements. This reinforcement gives the local fibre orientation, which in turn gives the material its local mechanical characteristics as well as the main flow directions. It is then possible to determine the dimensions of the part by a structure calculation, and to simulate the manufacture process.