Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform (Image source: Dassault Systèmes)
 

GE Aviation enhances digital thread with Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPEREINCE platform

2018-11-01 William Kucinski
Creating a digital thread throughout the extremely complex process of developing aerostructures and engines can optimize an original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM’s) product line, efficiency, and total costs. However, establishing that thread can be an arduous process in and of itself. Many OEMs turn to platforms designed by companies that specialize in product lifecycle management (PLM) software.

The latest engine developer to go this route is Evendale, Ohio-based GE Aviation with the decision to implement Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPEREINCE platform – a collaborative digital environment where engineers conduct and manage product design, analyses, and manufacturing data.

“For GE Aviation Hamble, the implementation of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform supports our ongoing focus on developing innovative aerostructures for the Aerospace industry,” says Paulo Mancilla, executive engineering leader at GE Aviation's Hamble, United Kingdom facility. “This enables us to use techniques like digital 3D modelling from design through manufacturing and qualification to create high performance aerostructures for the aviation industry.”



Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is designed with a common user interface so all users have a similar experience and a shared digital reference. By doing this, 3DEXPERIENCE ensures each stakeholder is working on the latest information and in the relevant context, increasing collaboration between engineering and supply chain functions and fostering decision-making based on data-centric rationale.

Solutions like 3DEXPERIENCE help GE Aviation and other OEMs to develop a digital thread – essentially continuity and collaboration across business units – that draws requirements definition, design, analysis, simulation, manufacturing, qualification, and support into one cohesive and trackable narrative. Beyond these immediate benefits, this “big picture” also provides the perspective required for developing new manufacturing technologies and techniques.

“Weight, performance and cost continue to dominate the competitiveness of developing and fabricating sophisticated and complex aerostructures for the latest generation of aircraft,” says David Ziegler, vice president, Aerospace and Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “As a global leader in this field, GE Aviation is constantly innovating and has recognized how the 3DEXPERIENCE platform provides critical technology for this approach. We are very proud to be their partners in this transformation.”

Having implemented 3DEXPEREINCE, GE Aviation is now among other prominent Dassault Systèmes customers like Boeing, Airbus, and Bombardier. Beyond products like the T901 turboshaft engine and the LEAP high-bypass turbofan, GE Aviation recently completed an initial design for the first supersonic engine purpose-built for business jets.


Read more: GE Aviation debuts Affinity, first civil supersonic engine in 55 years


The GE Affinity engine line, a new class of medium bypass ratio engines, has yet to mature – and may see advantages from the company’s use of Dassault Systèmes digital thread platform.


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William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at william.kucinski@sae.org.
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