MechanicalandStructuralDesign

Using our experience in the design of unconventional aircraft, we can bring your idea from concept to reality.

With a strong link to manufacturing partners we design, build, and integrate anything from specialized precision parts, to major assemblies, and up to entire prototype aircraft.

Computer Aided Design

3D Modeling & Design

From metallic fittings through complex composite components and assemblies; depending on project needs we can provide the full range of design services:

  • Manufacturing drawings (2D or 3D FT&A), ISO or ASME standards

  • Full 3D models

  • Siemens NX and CATIA V5

  • Installation drawings and manuals

High Performance Structures

Lightweight Solutions

Material is weight. With good design practices, experience and numerical methods, we optimize the use of materials to carry load or provide stiffness where needed.

With a strong heritage of ultra-light weight aircraft (solar and eVTOL), our team possesses the tools and know-how to fully optimize structural solutions and save mass.

Our design expertise extends from top-level airframe design down to detailed design ready for composite fabrication, including specification of materials, ply design, and manufacturing methods. 

Manufacturing

Flexible Manufacturing Options

With our vetted network of supplier companies, we efficiently source any type of composite or metallic parts. We provide tooling and manufacturing support. Where appropriate, we do assembly, integration and testing efforts in-house. 

  • Fabricated parts (composite and metal)

  • Integrated and tested assemblies

StructuralAnalysis

Analytical methods are essential to maximize safety and minimize risk and prevent expensive failures further down the development cycle. We master the full range of analysis, from simple static part checks to mode interaction, to aeroelastic coupling, and more.

Numerical Methods

Static Analysis

Axalp Technologies' analysis team is well-versed with the required static analysis for aircraft structures, from hand calculations up through complex FEM and GFEM modeling.

  • Linear static analysis (strain, stress, deformation)

  • Non-linear static analysis for highly deformed structures or non-linear material behavior

  • Stability analysis (buckling)

  • Nominal and transient thermal analysis

Performance 

Optimization

In structural typical performance indicators are ratios such as strength to mass, stiffness to mass, mass to cost etc. With a deep understanding of material properties, options and manufacturing techniques, we can efficiently point out means to increase the indicators you need. 

Advanced Modeling

Dynamic Analysis

Including time and frequency domains, this advanced type of analysis is used for events such as: 

  • Aeroelastics (flutter, divergence, transient responses)

  • Impact analysis

  • Shock landing

  • Crash

  • Rotor-dynamics

Loads and Boundary Conditions

Loads and Requirements

We provide analysis of load cases and can support load case definitions based on industry standards, and FAR/CS regulations for aviation. 
For aerodynamic and structure loads we use tools such as:

  • FlightStream

  • ASWING

  • XFLR5/OpenVSP

  • StarCCM/OpenFoam

  • Internally developed tools

Sizing for Loads

Loads Case Selection

External loads are typically defined by standards and often rigid-body physics. Internal loads are typically derived by geometry, stiffness and inertia. At Axalp, we provide the whole loads suite: definition, load case selection, loads envelops. Were necessary, we build stiffness representing stick models or GFEM models to identify internal load distributions and interface loads. These type of tools allow load sweeps and provide an efficient way of covering and sizing for all load scenarios. 

Sizing for Vibrations and Long Life

Fatigue

Vibrational environments pose a significant risk on parts. Often these are components in proximity of propulsion systems, gears and rotating blades. We cover the full set of analysis methods:

  • Stress life method analysis

  • Strain life method analysis

  • Crack propagation analysis

  • CFRP multi-axial fatigue

Solutions Axalp can provide:

  • Service and inspection life definition

  • Consulting on best-practice and design improvements

Tools and Methods

Software:

  • General CAE Systems: NX Nastran, LS-Dyna, Ansys

  • Pre- and Postprocessor: FEMAP

  • In-house MATLAB tools

Methods:

  • Frequency and Time Domain – NASTRAN SOL103/110 (Modal Domain), SOL108/111 (Freq. Response) and SOL109/112 (Time Domain)

  • Aeroelastic analysis – NASTRAN SOL144-146 

  • Shock, Crash, and Bird Impact – LS-Dyna (explicit) or in-house tools

  • Rotor dynamics – NASTRAN, DMAP, MATLAB, and LS-Dyna