Desktop Engineering (DTE) Blog

Desktop Engineering Blog

Topology Optimisation and 3D Printing

The use of FEA to design ‘optimal’ components has been around for nearly two decades.  In general terms it works by meshing an available volume for a part and then eating away at the space iteratively to leave just those bits of the mesh that are doing work while aiming at a target mass for the part, as in the examples below.

 

Using this method ‘raw’ it is easy to see how un-manufacturable designs can result, so much effort has been invested by software developers to place manufacturing constraints on the optimisation process to, for example, eliminate voids or undercuts in moulded parts.

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Topics: Automotive, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Aerospace, Hexagon MSC Software

3 Ways to Improve Aircraft Design and Production

Producing 38,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years is a big ask. The amount of time and effort that goes into producing a single aircraft is high enough, so when we think of producing another 37,999, the pressure mounts.

That's why OEMs and suppliers need to be on top form when it comes to aircraft production. Unless the activities of suppliers and OEMs are managed properly, the delivery of these new aircraft may be significantly delayed. 

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Topics: Aerospace

3 advantages of CATIA in Aerospace Composite Design & Manufacturing

Designing and manufacturing aerospace parts is complicated enough without having to worry about the structural integrity of parts. This is where the use of composite materials can take some of the pressure off.

Composite materials enable the production of lightweight, impact resistant parts compared to alternative metals. This allows OEMs to produce higher quality parts, which is particularly important for aircraft when we consider safety protocols. 

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Topics: Aerospace

Implementing Risk Management in the Aerospace Supply Chain

Irrespective of size, all organizations across the aerospace supply chain face risks. Yet many organizations don’t have a systematic strategy in place to respond to risks. 

That’s why Aerospace supply chain partners need to implement a system of risk management, reducing the chances risks will negatively impact the organization’s bottom line.

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Topics: Aerospace

The benefits of re-shoring the supply chain

One of the main reasons for moving manufacturing overseas has been to reduce costs. But today many OEMs are re-shoring the supply chain as going overseas no longer affords the costs advantages it used to.

For example, many companies used to benefit from off-shoring their manufacturing to China due to the low cost of labour. But increasing wages in China are prompting many businesses to bring manufacturing closer to home.

But it’s not only increasing wages pushing manufacturers to re-shore the supply chain. Re-shoring creates jobs and helps to boost the local economy. For example, Boeing are expanding their operations in St. Louis to develop parts for the Boeing 777X, beginning in 2017.

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Topics: Aerospace

Making the most out of aerospace supply chain

With OEMs under pressure to deliver 38,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years, suppliers need to be on top form when it comes to aircraft production. And unless the activities of suppliers and OEMs are managed properly, the delivery of these new aircraft may be significantly delayed. 

OEMs often make demands on suppliers that are not manageable, but the potential for a new contract means suppliers may not want to turn it down. For example, in aerospace, OEMs are shifting design responsibilities onto tier 1 suppliers who don’t often have much experience in this area.

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Topics: Aerospace

How environmental pressures affect aerospace design and manufacturing

Designing and manufacturing aircraft is complicated enough as it is, but governmental calls for more environmentally friendly aircraft can make aircraft design even tougher.

For example, the UK government have included the aviation industry in their plans to reduce carbon emissions significantly by 2050. And with the cost of fuel as a percentage of operating costs for airlines significantly greater than it was a decade ago, aircraft manufacturers need to take steps to increase the fuel efficiency of aircraft and comply with governmental calls for more environmentally friendly aircraft.

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Topics: Aerospace

Why training is important in aerospace design and manufacturing

As orders for new aircraft have come in thick and fast, OEM’s and suppliers are needing to find better ways to produce aircraft more efficiently. But doing this requires a significant investment into training the workforce to be able to keep up to date with advances in technology and the use of new design and manufacturing tools/methods to get the job done. 

Other factors such as global competition and the significance of aircraft safety are particular reasons why suppliers need to ensure that they have a skilled workforce who will be able to face today’s challenges of aircraft design and manufacturing.

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Topics: Aerospace

Developing trends in the aerospace supply chain

As aircraft manufacturers receive more and more orders for new aircraft, suppliers need to react and increase their efficiency to ensure this increased demand can be managed effectively.

This has triggered a number of changes in the supply chain that influence the activities of OEMs and suppliers. This includes how OEMs are re-shoring their supply chain, how OEMs are now placing design responsibilities on tier 1 suppliers and how OEMs and suppliers are reassessing their relationship to improve efficiency in design and manufacturing.

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Topics: Aerospace

5 benefits of 3D Printing for Aerospace design and manufacturing

As consumer air travel increases, the demand for new aircraft to keep up has led to orders of nearly 38,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years. The problem is that OEM’s and suppliers are struggling with finding cost-effective ways to produce these aircraft as quickly as possible. But that’s where 3D printing comes in.

3D printing allows aerospace designers and manufacturers to create a variety of aircraft parts with complex geometries, cost effectively and quickly. So here’s some of the benefits of 3D printing for aircraft production.

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Topics: Aerospace