Form Division for Welded Aero Components in Platform-Based Development

Abstract

In aerospace engine industry, large casted components are, because of sustainability considerations, being replaced by smaller parts that are welded together. This reduces weight because some parts can be made of lighter material. It also opens up for use of platforms. The division of a large component into smaller parts is called form division. The form division affects the geometrical robustness in the weld splitlines between the parts and thereby the weldability. By optimizing the robustness in weld splitlines, conditions for welding can be improved. A greedy algorithm for weld splitline division is described and exemplified on aerospace case studies.