The Cessna Aircraft Company

Textron Innovations Inc.

Pravin Kulkarni

Subhrangshu Datta

Prabhakar Shashikiran

Mark Virginia

Amit Deshpande

Gregory Frye

Kareem Syed

Ashwini Shashikiran

Nishad S Prabhu

Shashikiran Prabhaker Mysur

Dhananjay Joshi

Aniruddha Deo

Parag Konde

A method for determining an optimized structure for skin stretch form blocks. An optimized stretch form block design is generated by performing a finite element analysis on a stretch form block design selected from a target group of the stretch form blocks which have been classified into a plurality of groups based on similar topology of the blocks. The finite element analysis includes specifying a suggested design and generating the optimized stretch form block design by iteratively modifying the suggested design until the suggested design has a predetermined sufficient structural strength. An interpolation model is generated from the optimized stretch form block design, and an optimized stretch form block structure is determined for any stretch form block having size and weight parameters within an envelope defined by the target group of the stretch form blocks, by performing a weighted nearest neighbor interpolation using specified geometric parameters and material parameters.

Method for optimization of sheet metal forming tool topology

A method for optimizing machining parameters for a cutting process performed on a work piece. Finite element analysis of cutting tool and work material interaction is initially performed. Mechanistic modeling of the cutting process, using results of the finite element analysis, is then performed to provide optimized machining parameters for improved rate of material removal and tool life. Optionally, a two-stage artificial neural network may be supplementally employed, wherein a first stage of the network provides output parameters including peak tool temperature and cutting forces in X and Y directions, for a combination of input reference parameters including tool rake angle, material cutting speed, and feed rate.

Method for analyzing and optimizing a machining process

Disclosed is a system and process which is a computer aided application using artificial intelligence modeling. This artificial intelligence model is able to predict the propensity for sheet metal parts to wrinkle when manufactured using a hydro forming process. The model uses geometric and material parameters to predict defects and facilitates defect predictions certainty into the ordinarily arduous redesign process directed at eliminating defects.

Wrinkle-predicting process for hydroforming

A method and apparatus for draw forming a flat sheet blank into a 3-dimensional-nacelle nose cap for an aircraft engine in two stages; the blank having an outer annular portion and an inner annular portion. Draw forming the inner annular portion into a shape of an arcuate circular inner wall and then draw forming the outer annular portion into an arcuate outer wall adjacent the inner wall with the combination of walls being U-shaped in cross section.

Nacelle nose cap forming method and apparatus

A method of determining springback in metal forming with a fluid cell press through establishing a computational formulation to determine bend angle and compensated die radius based on factors of geometry of the part being formed, material properties of the sheet material and the forming process, and computing additional iterations of springback until a specific tolerance between the formed part angle and the desired part angle are reached.

Method of predicting springback in hydroforming

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Wichita, KS, United States of America

Pravin Kulkarni