The first LAP application was developed in 1988 for the BBC microcomputer, in the BASIC language. Although it was the first attempt at a Laminate Analysis tool, it offered a menu-driven interface as well as graphics. The DOS version followed soon, developed in Pascal, and became the first commercial version. The Composites Centre at Imperial College (University of London), led by Frank Matthews, began marketing the software which became an instant success. This was in fact the first ever commercial software application on PCs worldwide to offer composite laminate analysis with a graphical user interface! We are proud to have been pioneers in this race.

The first LAP Windows version appeared in 1995 and was launched at the same time as our company. Important features, such as unlimited laminate plies, were available from early versions. More advanced features, such as the non-linear stiffness solver, followed later. Since its launch in 1995, LAP for Windows has set the pace for user interface and content among its rivals. LAP continues to offer reliability as well as the best value for money.

The latest major addition to LAP has been the Design module. Possibly not the easiest of concepts for engineers to adopt, the Design module can generate laminates that initially pass all the desired mechanical loading design criteria. The design algorithm has been the result of 3 years of research and experimentation with various alternatives, and we are proud to offer this unique tool.

CoDA is a product of the Composites Group at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). It is based upon several years research funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and has been experimentally validated. Major UK industrial companies assisted with the development through advisory panels and funding.

Graham Sims of NPL approached us in the mid-90's to suggest a collaboration to implement this NPL research into a commercial product similar to LAP. CoDA was born, and our collaboration has been growing steadily ever since.

Laminate Tools version 1 was launched in January 2002, as a simple viewer of files created by the MSC.Patran Laminate Modeler module. Our collaboration with John Klintworth, the developer behind Laminate Modeler, was set to create a revolutionary new product.

Versions 2 and 3 followed soon afterwards and added full functionality for draping simulation, thus giving it the freedom to operate independently and offer a wider audience the benefits of global ply usage from design, through analysis, to manufacture. The core of the application shares the exact same source code libraries used within a popular industry-standard product, which have been used and validated by hundreds of specialists since 1991. Versions 4.x delivered many enhancements and usage improvements on all modules, and drove the product's maturity for over a decade.

The latest versions 5.x introduced a step change in functionality and user interface, refreshing across the board and extending the product's lifetime to continue to offer unparalleled value for money for the next generation of design engineers.

PlyMatch is the result of a two-year research initiative, involving mainly Anaglyph and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The contribution of NPL staff with guidance, ideas and the provision of their laboratory facilities has been crucial to the success of the project. Sincere thanks are also due to Combined Composites Technologies (CCT) Ltd, for supplying moulds and testing the system.

The PlyMatch idea was born out of working with Laminate Tools and imagining how it would make sense for the graphics to be superimposed on the actual structure being manufactured. Three prototype systems followed, including use of goggles, which offered all the necessary and critical feedback for the first commercial implementation by early 2008. The system is now well established as a revolutionary method that is part of a brand new digital world in manufacture. An International Patent has been secured, underlining our achievement.

Our success story continues. We work on new products every year, making sure that we offer our customers solutions they can rely on.

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