Altair Case Studies HyperWorks Assists SOGECLAIR Aerospace in Developing Innovative Aircraft Flooring Concept

	HyperWorks Assists SOGECLAIR Aerospace in Developing Innovative Aircraft Flooring Concept Altair

HyperWorks Assists SOGECLAIR Aerospace in Developing Innovative Aircraft Flooring Concept

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Automation & Control - Human Machine Interface (HMI)
Applicable Industries	Aerospace Transportation
Applicable Functions	Maintenance Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Manufacturing Process Simulation Transportation Simulation
Services	System Integration Testing & Certification
Challenge	SOGECLAIR aerospace, a major partner in engineering and prime contractor for the aerospace industry, was tasked with the development of a new flooring concept for aircraft cabins. The challenge was to create a lighter structure, adjustable panels for all types of aircraft, and ensure easier installation and maintenance. The aerospace industry has always been at the forefront of weight optimization and lightweight design, hence it was not surprising that aerospace also was one of the first industries to use alternative materials such as composites. The engineers had to consider conflicting issues such as weight, design, maximal dimensions, strength, stiffness etc. The use of optimization technology is the solution to combine all of these constrains with respect to an optimal composite layout. In this context SOGECLAIR aerospace investigates innovative materials and processes to integrate them in the design, analysis, and optimization. Read More
About Customer	SOGECLAIR aerospace, part of the SOGECLAIR group, is a major partner in engineering and a prime contractor for the aerospace industry. The company is present in several countries including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Tunisia, and Canada, as well as in the dollar zone and off-shore (India and Turkey). With a team of nearly 1000 highly qualified people, SOGECLAIR aerospace offers a variety of services including aero structures, systems installation, configuration and product data management, equipment, and manufacturing engineering. The company also provides Innovation & Development (I&D), project management, industrial cooperation programs, industrialization, integration, certification, processes, quality, IT resources, procurement, subcontracting, support, aftersales and more. Read More
Solution	To address these challenges, SOGECLAIR aerospace employed Altair's HyperWorks suite, particularly HyperMesh and HyperView as a pre- and postprocessor, OptiStruct for optimization issues, RADIOSS for linear and nonlinear simulation, and solidThinking Evolve/Inspire for concept modeling. In a typical project, the first step is a feasibility study of the objectives to clear up whether it is possible to create an efficient solution. To develop composite structures, the engineers conduct Freesize and Size optimizations defining different patches and layer thicknesses of the composite material, followed by a shuffle optimization to determine the optimal stacking sequence of the single layers. Also gauge optimizations are conducted in order to reach the optimal dimensions of the composite stiffener. In the subsequent development process, the engineers compare the numerical analysis results with tests data, in particular the strains in different stackings. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Automation & Control - Human Machine Interface (HMI)

Applicable Industries

Aerospace

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Maintenance

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Manufacturing Process Simulation

Transportation Simulation

Services

System Integration

Testing & Certification

Challenge

SOGECLAIR aerospace, a major partner in engineering and prime contractor for the aerospace industry, was tasked with the development of a new flooring concept for aircraft cabins. The challenge was to create a lighter structure, adjustable panels for all types of aircraft, and ensure easier installation and maintenance. The aerospace industry has always been at the forefront of weight optimization and lightweight design, hence it was not surprising that aerospace also was one of the first industries to use alternative materials such as composites. The engineers had to consider conflicting issues such as weight, design, maximal dimensions, strength, stiffness etc. The use of optimization technology is the solution to combine all of these constrains with respect to an optimal composite layout. In this context SOGECLAIR aerospace investigates innovative materials and processes to integrate them in the design, analysis, and optimization.

About Customer

SOGECLAIR aerospace, part of the SOGECLAIR group, is a major partner in engineering and a prime contractor for the aerospace industry. The company is present in several countries including France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Tunisia, and Canada, as well as in the dollar zone and off-shore (India and Turkey). With a team of nearly 1000 highly qualified people, SOGECLAIR aerospace offers a variety of services including aero structures, systems installation, configuration and product data management, equipment, and manufacturing engineering. The company also provides Innovation & Development (I&D), project management, industrial cooperation programs, industrialization, integration, certification, processes, quality, IT resources, procurement, subcontracting, support, aftersales and more.

Solution

To address these challenges, SOGECLAIR aerospace employed Altair's HyperWorks suite, particularly HyperMesh and HyperView as a pre- and postprocessor, OptiStruct for optimization issues, RADIOSS for linear and nonlinear simulation, and solidThinking Evolve/Inspire for concept modeling. In a typical project, the first step is a feasibility study of the objectives to clear up whether it is possible to create an efficient solution. To develop composite structures, the engineers conduct Freesize and Size optimizations defining different patches and layer thicknesses of the composite material, followed by a shuffle optimization to determine the optimal stacking sequence of the single layers. Also gauge optimizations are conducted in order to reach the optimal dimensions of the composite stiffener. In the subsequent development process, the engineers compare the numerical analysis results with tests data, in particular the strains in different stackings.

Impact #1	The use of Altair's HyperWorks solutions enabled SOGECLAIR aerospace to investigate and optimize their products already in the early concept phase of a project, leading to a more streamlined development process. The new floor panel concept offers several benefits such as a lighter structure, adjustable panels for all types of aircraft, easier installation and maintenance, quick and easy fastening, and a ready-to-use floor system. The floor panels will be manufactured using a pultrusion process, a continuous high rate manufacturing process enabling the manufacturers to quickly meet the expectations of the market. The aircraft manufacturer will benefit from the time savings reached during the panel installation. The composite structure of the new part also allows for a weight reduction of 20% of the total floor weight, leading to more fuel efficiency or increased load capacity.

Impact #1

The use of Altair's HyperWorks solutions enabled SOGECLAIR aerospace to investigate and optimize their products already in the early concept phase of a project, leading to a more streamlined development process. The new floor panel concept offers several benefits such as a lighter structure, adjustable panels for all types of aircraft, easier installation and maintenance, quick and easy fastening, and a ready-to-use floor system. The floor panels will be manufactured using a pultrusion process, a continuous high rate manufacturing process enabling the manufacturers to quickly meet the expectations of the market. The aircraft manufacturer will benefit from the time savings reached during the panel installation. The composite structure of the new part also allows for a weight reduction of 20% of the total floor weight, leading to more fuel efficiency or increased load capacity.

Benefit #1	20% weight reduction of the total floor weight compared to the previous floor design
Benefit #2	Significant time and cost savings in the development process
Benefit #3	Quick and easy fastening of cabin elements (seats, furniture…)

Benefit #1

20% weight reduction of the total floor weight compared to the previous floor design

Benefit #2

Significant time and cost savings in the development process

Benefit #3

Quick and easy fastening of cabin elements (seats, furniture…)

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Overview

HyperWorks Assists SOGECLAIR Aerospace in Developing Innovative Aircraft Flooring Concept

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit