Modelling-integrated product architectures: an aero engine component example

Paper in proceedings, 2019

A method to model functionally integrated product architectures is demonstrated on a static aero engine component. The scheme is based on concepts in set theory, graph theory and the creation of an enhanced function-means (EF-M) tree. Separate options for segmenting the component for manufacture affect these descriptions. Using the generated descriptions, implications for the chosen segmenting options are discussed with respect to overall functional satisfaction as well as functional realization at sections in the component. In addition to describing the architecture of integrated components, the description scheme might be utilized for studying product-feature integration opportunities facilitated by manufacturing techniques such as AM.