Model-based enterprise framework for aerospace manufacturing engineering

In the context of aerospace digital transformation, gaining and maintaining competitive advantage has led aerospace manufacturers to change how product definition is communicated. Model-Based Definition (MBD) and Enterprise (MBE) are the next generations of product definition that aim to move from 2D drawings to a full 3D digital model. Even though traditional engineering drawings still play an essential role in product development, developing an MBE today, for an aerospace company, deals primarily with its fundamentals: how significant benefits are? This work focuses on defining the MBE value stream framework and evaluating the potential improvements that can be realised for MBE within an aerospace manufacturing engineering (ME) context. To achieve this aim, a methodological triangulation has been adopted through the framework. Based on a ME business case and value stream case study, findings suggest a significant reduction of manufacturing lead-time and cost as well as an improved quality of both the product and the process, resulting in less rework. The developed framework and analysis method have been successfully applied and validated to two different aerospace ME processes. Based on a data-driven approach, it proposes a reliable evaluation of potential improvements for MBE. Successful implementation of the MBE concept relies on maximising its potential benefits. Hence, this industrial research project and its key findings contribute to the development of a strategy for implementing MBE within the aerospace manufacturing company to enable a lean and efficient consumption of product definition.