Parametric geometry representation to support aircraft design

Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) plays an important role in automation and optimization of the aircraft design process. But the lack of real KBE tools limits the promise of Knowledge Based Engineering. To address this deficiency, we propose using the Python programming language to develop viable KBE application tools for aircraft design. Selecting geometric parameterization algorithms is fundamental to automation and optimization of aircraft design. Here the Class-Shape Transformation (CST) method has been selected, and is contrasted to previous research results using a commercial KBE tool called the General-Purpose Declarative Language (GDL). As a result, an application, named the Parameterized Aircraft Builder (PAB), has been developed based on the CST algorithm. With the PAB we are able to generate, visualize, and export Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft configuration geometries. In conclusion this research demonstrates that automation and optimization of the aircraft design process may be improved through development of open source KBE Tools.