Siemens today announced that Mentor, Siemens' design automation business, has introduced Capital Load Analyzer software to help simplify aircraft electrical design compliance and certification. Modern aircraft systems, such as electric flight control and in-flight entertainment, require more power, more electrical content and greater compliance risk due to greater complexity.
According to market research firm Bishop & Associates Inc., the 2019 commercial aerial cableway assembly market is projected to be approximately $2,4 billion, growing to $3,3 billion by 2024 at a CAGR ( compound annual growth rate) just above 6,5%.
The new Capital Load Analyzer is the industry's first electrical systems technology that leverages automation and digital data continuity to facilitate regulatory compliance
Current verification and analysis methods rely on piecemeal data and are typically conducted manually via drawings and spreadsheets after major electrical design work is completed. Discovery of issues during this late phase of the program forces costly design iterations and missed critical milestones, such as customer acceptance and type certification, impacting aircraft revenue recognition.
To make these risks less intense, the new Capital Load Analyzer software is based on the electrical digital twin, generated from the overall design of the power system and subsystems, to predict the aircraft's electrical energy demand.
The digital twin, native to Capital, is an accurate and updated version of the electrical system as it evolves during the development process. The electrical digital twin provides an automated view of the entire power system, allowing engineers to design for compliance from the beginning of the project.
Analysis and simulation are performed using primary design data rather than using traditional disconnected approaches. Rules-based verification and analysis helps enable accurate and complete verification of aircraft power system efficiency for each phase of flight – even under load release for emergency conditions.
“By leveraging the new Capital Load Analyzer, we anticipate that engineers will be able to reduce risk across multiple certification types to meet airline safety requirements”, according to Dick Slansky, senior analyst at ARC Advisory Group. “Electrical systems for new aircraft have become much more complex to meet the increasing demands of advanced electronics applied to aviation and extensive cabin equipment. Creating an electric digital twin using Capital Load Analyzer at all stages of the aircraft product lifecycle can result in considerable time and cost savings while achieving higher performance electrification of today's aircraft."
Data management for comprehensive analysis and reporting
Capital Load Analyzer automatically extracts all electrical load analysis data into the 's own report template for easy and efficient reporting. This technology extracts data directly from the digital twin so the can see the impact of design changes at any time and at any stage of the design process.
The ability to quickly generate real-time reports allows s to monitor design tasks and identify potential issues early in the design process, thereby lowering program risk. The Capital Load Analyzer product reports compliance analysis results for each design configuration and variant.
“Capital Load Analyzer is a true electrical collaboration platform that provides the digital continuity needed across a wide range of critical tasks for compliance and certification of electrical systems”, said Martin O'Brien, senior vice president, Integrated Electrical Systems, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “Capital’s digital segment enables aerospace electrical system designers to implement an automated design methodology for compliance with greater efficiency, better product quality and a competitive advantage”
Siemens is further expanding the Capital product line to include two additional technologies. A new wire derating product optimizes the size of aircraft wires to reduce weight while maintaining integrity against hazards such as overheating. And the new 3D signal separation tool evaluates electrical design against critical safety design considerations such as power routing requirements and cable spacing for redundant systems. These products are launched in the second half of 2019.
All of these new technologies will be showcased at the Siemens Detroit Realize Live conference (June 10-13, 2019) and the International Paris Air Show in Le Bourget (June 17-23, 2019) at the Siemens Chalet. For more information, visit the product website: www.mentor.com/aerospace .
