NAFEMS World Congress 2011, 23-26 May 2011, Boston, USA
Noesis Solutions co-authored 3 technical papers:
A Multidisciplinary Simulation Framework for Optimization of Rotorcraft Operations and Environment Impact by
Bram van Der Heggen (Noesis Solutions)
Tuesday 24th May - Session 1A Optimisation 1
Abstract: Rotorcraft mission performance analysis has always been an important topic for the rotorcraft
industry. This topic is now raising even more interest as aspects related to gas emissions and noise gain more
importance for environmental and social impact assessments. The present work illustrates a multidisciplinary
analysis case where a selected helicopter manoeuvre is optimized in order to minimize the noise and emissions
footprints under specific operational or environmental constraints. For this purpose, an integrated tool is being
developed within the JTI Green Rotorcraft initiative that is capable of computing and optimizing flight paths
against noise and gas emissions as well as assessing its environmental impact. This simulation framework tool is
the result of a collaborative effort between LMS International (BE), National Aerospace Laboratory NLR (NL) and
Cranfield University (UK).
In order to simulate the characteristics of a specific trajectory, as well as to evaluate the gas emissions and noise
that are produced during the rotorcraft’s operation, three computational models have been integrated into the
simulation tool. These models consist of a rotorcraft flight mechanics simulator (jointly developed in a European
project), a rotorcraft environmental noise analysis model (jointly developed in a European project), and an
engine performance and emissions evaluator developed at NLR. The integrated process has been created in
order for the three simulation tools to communicate with each other, and iteration loops have been added to
account for fuel burn during the course of the mission. The multidisciplinary integrated process has been
performed with the deployment of the OPTIMUS process and simulation integration framework developed by
Noesis Solutions. The optimization processes carried out for the purpose of this work are based on OPTIMUS’
built-in optimization algorithms as well as on algorithms developed at NLR. A comparative evaluation between a
baseline and the optimized trajectory’s results has been waged for the purpose of quantifying the operational
profit (in terms of fuel required) gained by the helicopter’s operation within the path of an optimized trajectory
under specific constraints.
The application of the aforementioned methodology to a case study and the actual gain in terms of
environmental impact, demonstrates the validity of this integration and optimization process for a class of
rotorcraft missions, based on the simulation performed.
2
Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization of a Plastic Injection Mold using an Integrated Design and Engineering
Environment by R. Van Dijk (Delft University of Technology)
Tuesday 24th May - Session 3D Manufacturing - Moulding
Abstract: In order to remain competitive with respect to low-cost overseas markets, domestic moldmakers will
have to increase the productivity of their engineers and maintain high quality standard, while dealing with the
problem of an aging workforce. To increase the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, the
concept of and Integrated Design and Engineering Environment (IDEE) has been developed within the 6th
framework European project Pegasus - Integrated engineering processing & materials technologies for the
European sector. The IDEE consists of a distributed set of software applications able to accelerate the design
process of plastic injection molds by means of process automation and multidisciplinary optimization
techniques.
The IDEE combines into a single user-friendly platform different technologies ranging from Knowledge
Management (KM) and Knowledge-Based Engineering (KBE) to Process Integration and Automation (PI&A).
Central to the IDEE framework is a KBE application, which consists of a fully parametric rule-based mold product
model. On the basis of the geometry of the plastic part to be molded and other (user) inputs, the KBE
application can automatically produce different mold configurations and variants. In this way, product
knowledge is leveraged to automate the repetitive and therefore time-consuming CAD modelling activities
typically encountered in industry.
Next to the mold geometry, the KBE application is able to generate different reports that serve as input to inhouse developed or commercially-of-the-shelf CAE applications, like Autodesk® Moldflow® Synergy. The
resulting software framework enables the simulation and analysis of the injection molding process, from which
important performance characteristics can be retrieved. Other disciplinary applications are used to assess the
cost and the environmental impact of the molding process and tooling. All the IDEE software applications are
provided as web services on remote servers according to the Software as a Service (SaaS) paradigm. Noesis’s
Optimus software has been used to link them into a seamless framework, control their execution and support all
data exchange in an automated fashion over the internet.
The scope of this paper is to describe the architecture and main functionalities of the IDEE and provide the
results of studies performed on representative plastic parts for the automotive industry. It is demonstrated how
the IDEE can enable multidisciplinary optimization of the injection molding process and find solutions that best
balance manufacturing performance and product quality. By means of the IDEE many concepts and customized
variants can be quickly generated and evaluated in terms of hours or days instead of weeks or months, thereby
supporting a more efficient development of innovative and complex parts. The reliability of the evaluation is
enhanced by the early use of computer-based simulations in the design process, and the success rate of the
overall component increased because of the more disciplines included in the evaluation (tooling design, material
processing, cost, environmental impact). The IDEE can help the designer to virtually prototype and analyze the
product and, eventually, support the “first-time-right” design principle.
3
3D-Testbench – Collaborative Framework for 3D Engineering Simulations Practice Integrating Workflows and
Knowledge-Based Tools by Prof. Dean Vucinic (VUB)
Wednesday 25th May - Session 8B Integration 3
Abstract: The paper describes the research and development approach and the achieved results in the ITEA2
European framework project, named 3D-Testbench.
3D-TestBench is the collaborative engineering environment which enables the teamwork for a large variety of
different scientific disciplines, professions, researchers and engineering technologies.
Today, the modern engineering design is, and has to be, based on the Modelling and Simulation (M&S)
principles, as the key enablers to combine multidisciplinary workflows in order to manage and structure highly
complex industrial solutions.
The 3D-TestBench collaborative engineering environment puts forward innovative and easy to use software and
hardware technologies that aid the design and validation process. The 3D-Testbench solution combines:
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Real-time engineering practice
o To handle large data sets
o To include heterogeneous knowledge-bases, layers, zones
o With a distributed and parallel large-scale visualization platform
Workflow based engineering
o To automate product development
o To implement test driven development
Knowledge based engineering
o To model and automate the key steps of the design process
Novel concepts are shown to empower engineering practice combining automated, workflow based,
engineering processes with Knowledge Engineering and Display Wall Visualization technologies. These
innovative concepts support the product development process and their effectiveness is proven with an
application case on a aircraft wing wire harness routing problem.
You can find us at booth nr. 4.
For more information: http://www.nafems.org/congress