Application of an integrated and distributed multidisciplinary product development framework to a multi-tier aircraft design case

GKN Fokker targets a significant improvement in the time-to-market and cost of hightech structures and systems. This is to be achieved through front-loading the development process and by implementing a flexible collaboration framework for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO). The Eureka/ITEA 13040 IDEaliSM project proposes a service-oriented framework for MDO that is capable of integrating people, processes and technology. The main components of the framework are the Engineering Library, the Engineering Language Workbench and the Advanced Integration Framework. When combined, these components allow for building automated engineering services which can be connected and executed within a network of distributed competences. This paper presents an implementation of this framework for an aircraft development process in which the processes, tools and data of an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier are integrated. For the rapid detail design of an aircraft rudder, a database of feasible designs is filled prior to receiving the new aircraft concept from the OEM. During project execution, a configuration is selected from this dataset by the Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier in conjunction with the OEM. The framework was demonstrated in a live public session with engineering services running at multiple geographical locations across different organizations. The effective usage of front-loading principles within collaborative MDO framework proves to have the potential to significantly reduce the time-to-market and cost of high-tech products, such as an aircraft and its components