TexGen: Open-Source Software for Textile Geometry Modeling and Simulation

TexGen, developed by the University of Nottingham, is an open-source software tool designed for the modeling, simulation, and analysis of textile structures. It provides researchers, engineers, and manufacturers in industries like composites, automotive, aerospace, and textile engineering with the ability to create detailed geometric models of woven, knitted, and braided textiles. TexGen allows users to generate accurate 3D models of textiles, enabling them to simulate material properties, optimize structural performance, and study mechanical behaviors before physical testing.

By providing a flexible, customizable platform, TexGen supports a wide range of applications, from composite material design to textile mechanics and structural analysis. The tool is widely used in academia and industry for conducting research, design, and development of new textile materials and products.

Key features of TexGen include:

• 3D Textile Geometry Modeling: TexGen allows users to create 3D models of various textile architectures, including woven, knitted, braided, and nonwoven fabrics. The software’s modeling capabilities allow for the creation of highly detailed textile structures that represent the yarn paths and fiber orientations within the material.

• Customizable Yarn and Fiber Properties: TexGen provides the ability to assign specific properties to yarns and fibers, such as material type, thickness, and mechanical properties. This customization allows researchers to simulate how different yarn configurations and material choices affect the overall performance of the textile.

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Integration: TexGen models can be exported to finite element analysis (FEA) software for mechanical testing and structural analysis. This integration enables users to simulate textile behaviors under various conditions, such as stress, strain, and deformation, helping optimize textile designs for specific applications.

• Composite Material Simulation: TexGen is particularly useful for composite material design, where textiles are used as reinforcement structures. The tool allows engineers to model the interaction between textiles and matrix materials (e.g., resin), supporting the development of high-performance composite materials for industries like aerospace and automotive.

• Open-Source and Extensibility: TexGen is open-source software, making it freely available to the research community and industry professionals. Its open architecture allows users to extend the platform's capabilities by integrating custom algorithms, simulations, or external software tools, fostering innovation in textile modeling.

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: TexGen is compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing researchers and engineers to work with the software regardless of their platform preference.

• Visualization Tools: TexGen includes powerful visualization tools that enable users to view and inspect the internal structure of textiles in detail. These visualization capabilities provide insights into yarn paths, cross-sectional shapes, and material layouts, helping users identify areas for improvement in textile designs.

• Research and Education: TexGen is widely used in academic research and education, supporting the development of next-generation materials and textiles. It offers a robust platform for studying the relationship between textile geometry and material performance, making it an essential tool for textile engineers and researchers.

• Key Benefits:

  • Open-source software for modeling 3D textile structures and architectures.

  • Customizable yarn and fiber properties for accurate material simulation.

  • Integration with finite element analysis (FEA) for mechanical testing and analysis.

  • Ideal for composite material design and textile mechanics research.

  • Detailed visualization of textile structures for in-depth analysis.

  • Cross-platform compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  • Freely available to researchers, engineers, and industry professionals for innovation in textile design.

For more information, visit the official product page: TexGen by the University of Nottingham