THE METHODOLOGY OF MODELING THE ACTUAL SURFACES OF AN AIRCRAFT WING IN THE PROCESS OF ITS MANUFACTURING AND OPERATION

Abstract

The article proposes a method for modeling the actual surfaces of the outer-wing section (console) of an aircraft wing during its manufacture, after final assembly and during operation. The relevance to create geometric models of actual surfaces is derived from the necessity to study aircraft airframe deformations for a comprehensive assessment and changes forecasting of aircraft actual flight characteristics. In addition to determining actual flight characteristics of an aircraft, the creation of geometric models of its actual surfaces will allow solving a number of other issues associated with improving the reliability of a product and the level of flight safety. An aircraft wing experiences significant regular overloads, especially during takeoff and landing, which with time can lead to significant permanent deformations and changes in geometric parameters and, as a result, to a deterioration in flight performance. Therefore, the investigation of changes in aircraft wing geometric parameters is one of the priority tasks.

The actual wing surfaces are the main element of a geometric model created at each of these stages. These surfaces are formed using the method applied during the modeling of wing surfaces at the development stage, however, as the initial data, not the design but actual geometric parameters are used that are obtained in a certain way at certain stages of the manufacturing or operation of an aircraft. The actual geometric parameters used in the modeling of actual wing surfaces are calculated on the basis of data obtained by unit measurements using modern laser measuring tools and reflecting the geometric features of each individual product. The creation of such a model is part of the aircraft digital twin forming process.

The formation of a complete product digital twin is one of the most promising methods for the integrated solution of many problems facing manufacturers and operators of modern aviation engineering. This concept carries the idea of geometric, physical and behavioral object properties deep monitoring during its entire life cycle by reproducing them in digitalised form.

Key words: digital twin, aircraft, production, product life cycle (PLC), actual geometric model.