The application of knowledge based engineering to design for Wire+Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM)

Lockett, Helen; Emms, Robert; Williams, Stewart; Ding, Jialuo and Martina, Filomeno (2018). The application of knowledge based engineering to design for Wire+Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM). In: 6th Aircraft Structural Design Conference, 9-11 Oct 2018, Bristol, UK.

Abstract

Wire+Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM) is well suited to Aerospace applications, due to its ability to produce medium to large structural parts with good structural integrity, and lower manufacturing cost/ waste material than conventional manufacturing processes. However, designers of WAAM parts need expert knowledge of WAAM to maximise the benefits, and substantial modelling effort is required to develop the digital models that are needed for design assessment and manufacturing. This paper introduces Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) as an approach to automate WAAM design assessment and manufacturing planning for aircraft structural parts. A prototype KBE tool for WAAM has been developed that can check adherence to WAAM design guidelines, perform cost estimations and automatically generate the CAD models that are required for design assessment and manufacturing planning. The paper also includes a case study design assessment for an aircraft structural part.