Project aims to transform composites repair with digital twins

A new project will see University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Centre for Future Materials researchers, Dassault Systemes software reseller MEMKO and Boeing work together on the use of digital twins for repairing composite structures.

Lead researcher Dr Tristan Shelley from UniSQ said in a statement on Thursday that the ultimate goal was increased digitalisation of production for composites.

“The digital workflows we develop will be used for a Boeing case study focused on the repair of composite components to eliminate both engineering and laborious processes, leading to more efficient and effective maintenance, repair, and operations of future aircraft and spacecraft fleets,” said Shelley.

He added that the work would also cover identification of filament winding pathway developments, particularly for complex components not easily supported by existing software.

“The linkage of vision tools in-situ during filament winding into the digital twin is key to optimised manufacturing processes,” said Shelley.

The project is supported through the Innovative Launch, Automation, Novel Materials, Communications and Hypersonics (iLAuNCH) Trailblazer.

iLAuNCH Trailblazer Executive Director Darin Lovett described the aim as  “digitally transform[ing] the repair process for aircraft and spacecraft” made of composites.

“MEMKO brings to UniSQ access to the Dassault Systèmes virtual twin software which enables the virtual replication of a product along its whole lifecycle – from digital design through to manufacturing requirements or, in this case, structural repair,” added Lovett.

Dassault is a French-headquartered multinational specialising in industrial software including for 3D product design, simulation, and manufacturing.

ILAuNCH is a $180 million, four-year program dedicated to commercialising university research through partnerships with industry. 

It was awarded $50 million in funding over four years in May 2022 from the federal government, with a further $130 million pledged from industry partners, including Hypersonix Launch Systems, Electro Optic Systems, Motherson and Northrop Grumman.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

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