Software bid to reduce aircraft noise

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 26, 2006

Software being used to develop rigs for European aircraft engine manufacturers to test that gas turbine engines comply with new legislation to reduce significantly airplane noise around airports.

Assystem is using SolidWorks Office Professional software to develop test rigs that European aircraft engine manufacturers will use to ensure their gas turbine engines comply with new legislation to reduce significantly airplane noise around airports.

These test rigs are a third the size of large aircraft engines, but are much cheaper to build and operate, saving manufacturers tens of thousands of pounds as they seek to reduce civil aircraft noise.

For decades, airplane noise has been a lightning rod of contention around the world between airports, airplane and engine manufacturers, and residents who live near airports.

Assystem is part of the Silence R (Significantly Lower Community Exposure to Aircraft Noise) collaboration of 53 European companies, including aircraft engine companies Rolls Royce, Snecma and MTU.

The aim is to develop strategies to lower civil aircraft noise by 6dB by 2010, and cut it in half by 2020.

An engineering design consultancy with particular expertise in civil aerospace and military industries, Assystem is using SolidWorks 3D CAD software to streamline test rig development and reduce errors so clients can ensure their latest engines are quieter.

"To progress a test in an efficient manner, it is important that mechanical build and instrumentation problems are avoided", said Assystem Chief Engineer Bob Hemmings.

"We're designing smaller, more affordable test rigs that our clients can customise and deploy each time they need to conduct a practical test on a new engine design".

"Using SolidWorks helps us quickly custom design test rigs and to interface concurrently with the manufacturing supply chain for different clients and their engines".

Even at one-third scale, these test rigs are large and complex, at over 1m in diameter and with 3000 parts working together.

Their mission is to detect the slightest variation in noise levels.

SolidWorks' support for large assembly modelling allows Assystem engineers to design quickly and accurately individual parts, subassemblies and the entire test rig while ensuring smooth operation.

Engineers use the physical simulation capabilities to identify and fix part collisions before manufacturing begins.

Routing enables engineers to design the correct connections for more than 2000 instrumentation tubes and wires throughout the test rig.

Many Assystem customers and partners use SolidWorks, creating a common design language throughout the product development lifecycle.

SolidWorks EDrawings email-enabled design communications tool lets Assystem engineers share interactive 3D product models with customers, suppliers and internal sales and marketing.

The company also uses Photoworks to generate life-like images of its products for sales and marketing programmes.

"It will take a collaborative effort among manufacturers and companies like Assystem to effectively reduce civil aircraft noise", said SolidWorks VP of Worldwide Marketing Rainer Gawlick.

"Using SolidWorks helps Assystem develop test rigs with the hyper-accurate sensitivity to make sure engine manufacturers achieve their bold, yet laudable goals".

Assystem relies on SolidWorks reseller NT Cadcam for software training, implementation and support.