Civil Aerospace Industry Research Articles

Adaptation of an Eddy Current Model for Characterizing Subsurface Defects in CFRP Plates Using FEM Analysis Based on Energy Functional

In this work, a known Eddy Current (EC) model is adapted to characterize subsurface defects in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) plates intended for the civil aerospace industry. The considered defects include delaminations, microcracks, porosity, fiber breakage, and the simultaneous presence of these defects. Each defect is modeled as an additive variation in the material’s electrical conductivity tensor, allowing for a detailed mathematical representation of the defect’s influence on the CFRP’s electromagnetic behavior. The additivity of the variations in the conductivity tensor is justified by the assumption that the defects are not visible to the naked eye, implying that the material does not require non-destructive testing. The adapted EC model admits a unique and stable solution by verifying that all analytical steps are satisfied. To reconstruct 2D maps of the magnetic flux density amplitude, a FEM formulation is adopted, based on the energy functional because it ensures a stable and consistent numerical formulation given its coercivity. Moreover, the numerical approach allows precise and reliable numerical solutions, enhancing the capability to detect and quantify defects. The numerical results show that the obtained 2D maps are entirely superimposable on those highlighting the distribution of mechanical stress states known in the literature, offering a clear advantage in terms of detection costs. This approach provides an effective and economical solution for the non-destructive inspection of CFRP, ensuring accurate and timely defect diagnosis for maintaining structural integrity.

Strategic and operational considerations for the Extended Enterprise: insights from the aerospace industry

The extended enterprise (EE) paradigm has been adopted in the civil aerospace industry to enhance collaboration and product innovation among supply chain partners. Nevertheless, key aspects of this collaborative form remain poorly understood. In particular, the interrelation of strategic and operational considerations has received little attention in the literature. Our study aimed to investigate this area, using two dyads as case studies, where three companies were involved in an EE form of collaboration. The primary case company was a leading manufacturer in the civil aerospace industry that employs EE principles on both upstream and downstream sides of its supply chain. The other two case companies were key suppliers embedded in the EE. This paper aimed to develop a more complete understanding of how sharing risks and rewards results in effective collaboration among EE partners with key strategic and operational results.

Aerospace Cluster of Bangalore: Can the SMEs Take up the Challenges?

As per estimates made by leading experts global civil aerospace industry is expected to touch revenue of US $45 billion. The industry is witnessing emergence of developing countries such as India, Brazil and China as players pivoted to play major role in future. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME) in India have the potential to garner a major share in Tier-3 and Tier-4 sectors of aerospace value chain. Overseas aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing have recognized the competencies and skills India has in areas such as engineering, production, maintenance & service, etc. In this backdrop, this paper explores the global scenario of SMEs in some of the successful clusters. Some of the prominent clusters discussed in this paper include the clusters at California & Seattle, Toulouse, Hamburg and Chengdu. This would help us in drawing useful lessons for the Bangalore cluster, which is highlighted in the paper. An analysis is done to identify major challenges that influence the future growth prospects of aerospace industry in Bangalore namely Infrastructure, Finance, Technology and Manpower. A summary and discussion of the opportunities and challenges faced by the Bangalore aerospace cluster and draws conclusions, which have a bearing on policy measures.

Building the extended enterprise: key collaboration factors

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore supply chain collaboration issues in the extended enterprise (EE) to develop a more complete understanding of the nature and effectiveness of collaboration in the transition towards, but also within, the EE paradigm.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents results from a three‐company case study focusing on the civil aerospace industry, with all companies taking part in an EE. The research involved obtaining and systematically analysing a diversity of interview data and company documents to assist in the development of theory, which was subject to a systematic validation process.FindingsThe authors propose a taxonomy, which, first, assists in understanding the transition towards the EE and supports a distinction between sets of factors that affect the effectiveness of collaboration, termed the “contractual” and “engaging” factors. Second, it assists in understanding the dynamic, complex nature of the EE paradigm and suggests a further breakdown of the “engaging” factors into “enabling” and “enhancing” sub‐sets.Practical implicationsThe taxonomy assists in comprehending the EE concept and can also help to provide a road map in the transition towards and development within this paradigm. The description of the factors and their interrelationships suggest key areas that managers may wish to consider to enhance the effectiveness of collaboration among participant organisations.Originality/valueThis is an empirically‐based paper that presents new understanding about the EE paradigm, focussing especially on the effectiveness of collaboration among members, and using a multidisciplinary approach which draws upon strategic, operations and knowledge management fields.

Challenges of residual stress and part distortion in the civil airframe industry

This paper aims to highlight challenges of residual stress and part distortion in civil airframe manufacture as this is a recurring expensive problem as significant costs have been spent to correct part distortion at various stages of the manufacturing life cycle. It is our long term commitment and aspirations to understand and if possible, eliminate part distortion in order to remain competitive. The paper briefly outlines current trends in civil aerospace industry and discussed the fundamental of residual stress and part distortion in high strength aluminium alloys. An insight into industrial state-of-the-art in managing residual stress and part distortion, learning obtained and long-term industrial aspirations are also discussed. Our recent participation in a European-funded collaborative project – COMPACT is also detailed here.

Trade disputes in the commercial aircraft industry: A background note

AbstractThe long-running debate between the US and the EU over government supports for large commercial aircraft has recently boiled over into a major dispute involving the World Trade Organisation (WTO). While the two sides have currently backed off from what could be a very damaging WTO outcome, there are still wide differences over the legitimacy of government supports (direct or indirect) for Airbus and Boeing airliners. This paper: •Describes the background to the current dispute.•Analyses the 1992 US–EU Agreement on Large Aircraft Subsidies.•Outlines the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the decision by the US to mount an action under the WTO complaints procedures against launch investment for Airbus and the EU’s counter claim against Boeing.•Considers the precedents set by the WTO rulings on the Brazilian–Canadian dispute over regional jet supports.•Summarises the US–EU complaints to the WTO.•Considers potential outcomes and the implications for the civil aerospace industry on both sides of the Atlantic.•Analyses the wider issues surrounding government intervention in the aerospace sector.The paper views the dispute as a reflection of fundamental differences, based primarily on divergent economic doctrines and values, between the US and the EU states. There could be especially damaging consequences for the EU should the WTO rule against the systems of repayable launch investment used by the Airbus governments. But both sides could lose heavily from the affair and there is a good case for maintaining some form of direct government intervention in civil aerospace technology acquisition, even near market research, in support of environmental sustainability objectives.

A French revolution: technology management in the aerospace industry. The case of Toulouse

The recent evolutions implemented in the French aerospace industry have been labelled as a French Revolution in the paper. They illustrate the shift from a national–regional logic towards a global–local one as nexus of economic and technological development. The case of Toulouse, in the south west of France, which can be considered today as the European capital of the civil aerospace industry, will allow to grasp the different dimensions involved in this process: technology management, organisation, territories. In Toulouse, the transition from a regional system of production to a local system of innovation exemplifies the dynamics raised by the globalisation of the contemporaneous economies.

Sectoral Innovation Patterns And The Rise Of New Competitors: The Case Of Civil Aerospace In Asia*

This paper examines the internationalization of the civil aerospace industry, and particularly the rise of the industry in the Asia-Pacific region. The argument developed is that aerospace has been treated uncritically as yet another “high technology” sector, and susceptible to the same public policy effects is other high technology industries like IT. The paper argues, by contrast, that the aerospace sector has particular economic and political characteristics, which suggest that European and American firms enjoy considerable, and possibly persistent advantages over new competitors.

Is lean manufacture universally relevant? An investigative methodology

Observes that although the concept of lean manufacture is well understood, little work has been carried out to determine its applicability to high‐value, low‐volume complex products. Proposes a methodology for enabling an examination of the degree of relevance of lean manufacturing to such products, using a model of a typical lean high‐volume automotive producer as a base, comparing the drivers faced, the practices adopted to respond and the type of measures used to assess effectiveness. Provides an explanation as to how this approach was applied to the civil aerospace industry as an example of those products the authors have chosen to define as “super value goods”, together with some initial first line results.