Boeing, Airbus and others collaborate to propose data model
Aircraft Industry Publishes Data Standard Requirements for MBD
Building product models on the computer and implementing MBD (Model Based Development) has greatly improved the efficiency of manufacturing processes such as design and production, but there is still much room for improvement.
The aerospace industry is one of the most advanced in this regard, and they are developing a list of data standards that will be needed to take this further.
Leading companies have collaborated to publish a document entitled “Minimum Model-Based Definition (MBD) for Type Design Certification” and are asking solution vendors and others to respond.
Although the document is for the aviation industry, there are many points of reference for other industries in terms of content and how to proceed.
Jointly developed by Boeing, Airbus, and other aviation industry companies
February 2, 2021 – The Aerospace & Defense PLM Action Group (AD PAG) has released a detailed list of requirements for CAD Part types and data items needed for Model-Based Definition for Type Design Certification.
The AD PAG is an association of aerospace and defense companies within CIMdata’s PLM Community Program and is responsible for setting the direction of the aerospace and defense industry on PLM-related topics of importance to its members.
The newly released document is the culmination of a two-year effort by a team of domain experts from eight aircraft OEMs and one Tier 1 supplier, including
- Airbus
- Boeing
- Embraer
- Gulfstream
- Rolls-Royce
- GE Aviation
- Mitsubishi Regional Jet
- Pratt & Whitney Canada
- Safran
The report contains a list of requirements for OEM MBD. It contains over 200 specific data items required for a 3D MBD model of an aircraft.
Background
While MBD is already widely used, it continues to evolve.
One of the current problems is that collaboration within a large, globally distributed supply chain with design and development partners relies on traditional document-based development processes.
This is a very big problem in driving the certification process for each company.
Contents
This particular project started in 2017 with the goal of a minimum Model Based Definition (MBD) for Type Design Certification. This meant agreeing on the minimum content required for a full 3D MBD definition for certification and also agreeing on a set of recommended criteria for representing that information.
The MBD dataset includes all Engineering Intent requirements (e.g., Process Specifications, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Product and Manufacturing Information (PMI), and other required information).
Combined with Product Lifecycle Management attributes, a parts list, and general notes, this product dataset constitutes an authoritative, single source of master product definition data that does not include or depend upon traditional 2D drawings.
The MBD dataset also defines complete requirements for a product in its nominal condition, as well as permissible limits of variation and other acceptance criteria, providing all the data needed to plan, fabricate, and validate an article of product hardware.
Supported user scenarios
The study is based on the following four user scenarios.
▪ Visual Build & Inspection
▪ Feature Based Manufacturing
▪ Statistical Process Control
▪ Submittal of a Technical Data Package to a Regulatory Agency
The goal was to establish a set of requirements for the A&D community that details the minimum information required for an MBD that supports the above Use Case.
Part Type Information
The information to be captured in each MBD depends on the part part type defined by the manufacturing method.
Therefore, we analyzed the information requirements for the following part types.
- General Part
- Machined
- Casting/Forging/Molded
- Sheet Metal
- Composite
- Electrical Wire Harness
- Mechanical System – Tubing Transport Elements
- Structural Assembly/Installation
They plans to add more component types in the future.
This document contains 53 pages with detailed information about each type.
Requests to solution providers
Many of these have already been implemented in the commercial product solutions of PLM software providers, but are still insufficient, according to the report, which asks providers to clarify their views.
Future Plans
The group’s future plans are to evaluate each solution product and to consider various standards.
Specifically, the following examples are given
- Process & Methods (e.g., ASME Y14.x)
- Data Model & Format (e.g., ISO 10303, ISO 23952 – QIF)
- Terms & Properties (e.g., ISO 14649)
- 3D Visualization (e.g., ISO 14306 – JT, ISO 14739 PRC)
- Data Package, Organization & Delivery (e.g., ASME Y14.41, MIL-STND-31000B, HTML)
