The Boeing Company
Optimization of Cross-Sectional Profile Shapes for Manufacture of Structural Parts

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a structural part includes accessing memory storing code for a software tool to determine a template profile for the structural part. The method includes executing the code to cause an apparatus to execute the software tool for accessing a 3D model of the structural part. The method also includes generating a profile from the 3D model and dimensioning the profile, and accessing and searching a database for stock profiles that match search criteria that include the dimension measurements of the profile set as lower bounds of the corresponding dimension measurements. The method also includes performing a decision analysis to evaluate attributes of the matching stock profiles and identify a selected stock profile. The method also includes outputting an indication of the selected stock profile for manufacturing the structural part from a stock structural part having a cross-sectional profile corresponding to the selected stock profile.