SYNCOMECS - Synthesis of Aeronautical Compliant Mechanical Systems
Overview
Background & policy context:
The activities of the SYNCOMECS project were based on pre-existing software technologies owned by the partners, and on the results of the 5th Framework Programme project SYNAMEC (focused on synthesis of aeronautical mechanisms, from a rigid kinematic point of view). This was to guarantee a stable foundation and reduce the risk in R&D activities.
Objectives:
The objective of SYNCOMECS was to build an integrated software suite, using inverse methods, for the design of aeronautical compliant mechanical systems from industrial specifications of functional requirements. The design of these innovative systems posed unique challenges and necessitated the support of advanced prediction software tools, since they should have adequate flexibility to undergo desired deformations under the action of applied forces and adequate stiffness to withstand external loading.
The main focus was on generating the topology and dimensions of a compliant mechanical system, starting from input/output force/displacement functional requirements and design constraints. This is a non-linear optimisation problem of a non-linear mechanical system, which may involve one or several flexible components. It involved Optimisation, Multi-Body Simulation and Non-linear Finite Element Analysis. The solution may be non-existent and, if it exists, not necessarily unique. The software that was developed was destined to be applied to aeronautical industrial problems.
Methodology:
R&D activities were executed in four steps. Firstly, a full specification of the system was made. The results of this step were presented in Milestone 1. The second step was the development of separate modules and the simultaneous preparation of benchmarking models. The results, as standalone software tools and associated benchmarks, were validated in Milestone 2. The third step was the integration of the separate modules within the SYNCOMECS system.
The results were validated in Milestone 3. The fourth step was the integration of the outcome of evaluations from the end-users. At this level, Milestone 4, the interaction between developers and end-users led to the final validation of an integrated environment for synthesis and analysis of compliant mechanical systems.
Share this page