TexMath Software Tool for the Simulation of Knitted, Woven and Warp Knitted Fabrics

Our software tool TexMath is a modular program for simulating mechanical material properties and optimizing textile products as well as multi-scale problems for textile applications.

  • MeshUp creates periodic textile structures of all kinds (woven fabrics, knitted warp and weft fabrics, spacer textiles) according to the respective machine control with complex weaves/knitting looping diagrams.
  • FiberFEM calculates effective mechanical properties (bending, tension, shear, compression) for the textile structures created with MeshUp.
  • FISFT simulates complex load scenarios on textiles (e.g. stretching, draping) or even the textile production process such as knitting.

All tools have interfaces to each other and also to GeoDict (optionally to Ansys/Abaqus as IGES-formats) in order to perform further fluid mechanical simulations on the textiles, e.g. to determine their permeability in any elongation state. An interface with FeelMath allows further detailed three-dimensional mechanical simulations at specific yarn or contact points, so that strength and durability can also be investigated.

MeshUp for Structure Generation of Woven Patterns and Stitches

Knitted and woven fabrics are produced with the aid of knitting or weaving machines. Each textile is based on a looping diagramm, which is read into the machine or is firmly pre-defined in the machine. MeshUp is the software module of TexMath, in which looping diagramm for various woven and knitted fabrics with different types of binding, the yarn path and all contact points between different yarns are created, graphically displayed and translated into the corresponding input formats for further simulations in TexMath with FISFT and FiberFEM. 

3D spacer fabric
© Fraunhofer ITWM
3D spacer fabric with marked monofilament fibre in slightly drawn condition.
3D spacer fabric
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Further 3D spacer fabric in initial state.
Multi-layer knitted fabric
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Multi-layer knitted fabric. Different yarns colour coded.

FiberFEM to Calculate Effective Mechanical Properties of a Periodic Textile Structure

With FiberFEM, woven and braided textiles, spacer fabrics, scrims and trusses can be calculated and optimized regarding their effective mechanical material properties. A special feature of FiberFEM is that, in addition to tensile and shear properties, effective bending and torsional properties of textiles can also be determined based on their textile structure and yarn properties.

Virtual bending and compression test for spacer fabrics.

As input variables FiberFEM requires the microstructure description from MeshUp, the fiber cross-section geometry, as well as mechanical fiber properties such as tensile stiffness and friction. As output the effective mechanical textile quantities are calculated. Besides the calculation of the effective mechanical material properties for already existing woven or knitted textiles for technical and medical applications, the approach also offers the potential for the targeted design and optimization of new textiles with a given mechanical property profile.

For example, the relaxation behavior of a textile can be determined from the weave or knit pattern and the yarn relaxation times for viscoelastic yarns. Coefficients of friction between the yarns are also taken into account and are directly included in the simulation of the effective properties or identified from the experimental validation with the fabric.

Compression of a spacer fabric.
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Compression of a spacer fabric.
Wrinkle formation in a fabric.
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Wrinkle formation in a fabric.
Simulation of a continuous damage in a fabric.
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Simulation of a continuous damage in a fabric.

FIFST to Calculate the Deformation and Load of Textiles

 

The tool FIFST is specialized for dynamic simulations of stretchable knitted fabrics and teir production. For example, the knitting process can be simulated, the pull-off from the knitting machine, the shrinkage to a relaxed textile and also the further deformation during tightening can be calculated. This means that the design of the knitted fabric can also be adapted to predefined tension profiles and individualized machine control is possible for the production of personalized textiles or product-specific designs.

Simulation of the knitting process in a circular knitting machine.

Effect of different friction parameters of the yarns.

The numerical implementation uses the finite element method with non-linear truss elements, which has been extended for contact problems by an additional internal variable - the sliding of threads at contact nodes. The friction law is implemented with the Euler-Eutelwein model, which was extended by an additional adhesion term. Adhesion thus allows different pre-strains in the respective meshes. The elastic energy is calculated directly from the yarn force-elongation curves. 

One of the most important unique selling points of FIFST is the special technology of assigning several elements to specific threads and their arrangement in the thread as well as the simultaneous contact sliding at millions of nodes. Thus FIFST enables multi-scale simulation of large knitted or woven shell components, taking into account the local textile structure.

Exemplary put-on process.

Simulation of the extending and covering of a face with a woven mask.

Another functionality of the software is to virtually drag textiles over a surface triangulation given in STL format. In the video, woven mask (knitted is also possible) is extended in the plane at 6 points and pulled against the face surface. Its knots are projected onto the face and continue to slide on the surface until the mask is fully in place. If you know frictional properties of yarns on the face, you can investigate further folding formation and also influence it specifically. As a further potential for optimization, FIFST allows to minimize pore sizes of dressed textiles on particularly curved surface areas. This can be achieved by increasing the pre-tension in yarns or by modifying the lapping diagram or the binding cartridge.

Video: Process Chain in TexMath for a Woven Fabric

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Video: Process Chain in TexMath for a Weft-Knitted Fabric

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Video: Process Chain in TexMath Exemplified by Knitted Fabrics

Process Chain in TexMath for a Spacerfabric

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Video: Manual Boundary Conditions in TexMath

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