Object-oriented aero-engine assembly models

In order to provide effective support for digital assembly design of complicated products, previous studies on product assembly modeling were firstly summarized and analyzed. It was pointed out that object-oriented modeling was the appropriate product modeling approach at present. Subsequently, a meta-model of product assembly was constructed by using the class diagram. Major assembly object classes and their relationships were described. In the meta-model, all product information such as structure, assembly feature, assembly relationship and process scheme were integrated to support digital assembly design. Finally, the class-diagram based product assembly model was converted into a generic object model for gas turbine engine aero-engine assembly through object mapping method. An example of turbine rotor was provided to specify the assembly structure, data evolution relationship and modeling method. Furthermore, these assembly models served as kernel requirement specifications for the development of a digital product assembly planning system.