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Tailor-made designs in the skies - Aviation manufacturer uses Siemens PLM software in aircraft design

Vero Beach/Florida, USA, 2018-Nov-12

Piper Aircraft Inc. (Piper) manufactures a wide range of aircraft: From rugged machines to high-performance turboprops, the company turns its customers' requests and requirements into reality. To this end, Piper uses Siemens PLM software solutions. For example, Piper produces digital twins of the aircraft using NX CAD (Computer Aided Design) which reduces costs and engineering input. Teamcenter provides a precise parts trail. By using Siemens tools, the company has increased the fuel payload by 35 percent and the range by 40 percent in its latest project.

Piper Aircraft Inc. manufactures a wide range of different aircraft, turning individual customer requests and requirements into reality.

Two of the most recent customer requirements were increased fuel capacity and extended range. Piper therefore decided to optimize the design of the type M500 aircraft. The result is the M600 which is based on a completely new wing design.

The initial structural wing layout for the M600, including the positioning of ribs, spars and flaps, was completed in NX and the detailed model was developed from this.

Optimized design process

"The main technical challenge we faced was meeting the weight requirements as there was not a great deal of leeway moving from the M500 to the M600," explains Mike Rushworth, Chief Engineer at Piper. Piper overcame this challenge by using NX and Teamcenter from the Siemens PLM Software portfolio. This allowed Piper to re-use parts data which increased productivity and also met all the requirements. "We produced the initial structural wing layout, including the rib, spar and flap positions, in NX. We then used this to produce detailed models," says Rushworth. "Using NX reduced the design process time significantly, primarily because it can be visualized in 3D." Knowing how the aircraft and its component parts will come together makes work on the project considerably easier.

The main technical challenge in developing the machine from the M500 model to the M600 was the weight requirement.

Easy collaboration

Teamcenter had an equally important role to play, providing Piper with a clear parts trail for all the components involved. "By knowing which parts are located in each aircraft, it makes it a lot easier on manufacturing downstream. They can see our models at the same time as us, so they know what is coming. The team can then take our model and develop the appropriate tools." Teamcenter also supports the whole value chain. Suppliers can send 3D models which Piper can integrate into its own models, allowing any potential problems to be easily and quickly identified.

Using Siemens solutions benefits the entire value chain as suppliers can send 3D models which Piper can easily integrate into its own models.

The new wing on the M600 holds almost 985 liters, approximately 35 percent more than the M500, giving the new machine a 40 percent greater range of 1,658 nautical miles (3,070 kilometers).

The completely new wing design on the M600 gives the machine almost 35 percent more fuel payload than the M500 and a 40 percent greater range. With a fuel payload of 985 liters, the M600 has a range of 3,070 kilometers.

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