Aircraft Part Design Optimization via Iterative Topology Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques fail to simultaneously optimize part designs for aircraft parts based on both weight reduction and resource use, making the design process more time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a computer system to process finite element models, refine part topologies, and generate configurations that balance part weight and resource use by iteratively editing and analyzing manufacturing processes, ultimately outputting an optimized part design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple considerations (environmental concerns, ease of manufacturing, maintenance, etc.) are taken into account when creating part designs, then the quality and compliance of part designs are improved, but the design process becomes more time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis by processing finite element models and generating multiple part configurations with varying weights and parameters before the actual design decision is made. This preliminary generation of options allows for comprehensive evaluation of multiple considerations without extending the final decision-making process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by analyzing resource use estimates for manufacturing each configuration and iteratively refining part topologies based on this analysis. The feedback loop continues until an optimized configuration is identified, ensuring that design compliance is achieved while minimizing design process time through automated iteration.
2Weight of moving object
If part weight is reduced to improve aircraft performance, then payload capacity and fuel efficiency are improved, but manufacturing complexity and resource use estimation become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the design process into distinct components: finite element model processing, configuration generation, resource use estimation, and iterative optimization. Each component handles a specific aspect of weight reduction, allowing complex weight optimization problems to be solved through manageable, automated steps without increasing overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates multiple part configurations by varying parameters such as geometry, material properties, and structural features. Each configuration has different weight characteristics, allowing the system to automatically explore the parameter space and identify optimal weight reductions while maintaining design compliance through automated analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus for managing a part design. The method comprises processing, by a computer system, a finite element model for a part to refine a part topology and generate a number of configurations, in which each configuration has a part weight and a number of different parameters that change the part weight and meet a specification for the part. The method analyzes a part geometry model and a selected manufacturing process to estimate a resource use for manufacturing the part. In response to determining that the part weight or the resource use for a configuration is unacceptable, the method iteratively edits the configuration, refines the part topology to generate an updated configuration, and analyzes the selected manufacturing process to estimate the resource use, until an optimized configuration is identified. The method outputs a file for the optimized configuration, enabling manufacturing of the part using the part design.