Case Study
Learning aircraft engine development with the best
Samara State Aerospace University
NX enhances the training of Russia’s future aerospace engineers
Advanced aerospace education
The Samara region of Russia is a significant industrial center, home to many aerospace, aviation, engine, metallurgy and engineering companies. Samara State Aerospace University, one of Russia’s leading research and academic institutions, maintains long-term relations with these industries and engages in joint research and academic projects with them. The university’s student body exceeds 12,000 and includes students from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), western Europe, USA, China, southeast Asia and Africa. A total of 48 programs of study are offered. The university regularly updates its scientific and research facilities with modern equipment and software.
One of its highly valued software programs is the NX™ digital product development solution from Siemens PLM Software, which the university uses to enhance the education of students in the aircraft engine design, engine manufacturing and aircraft design programs. In all the university has 110 NX workstations. The most significant successes so far have been achieved in the programs for aircraft engine design and metal forming.
Aircraft engine design
The Aircraft Engine Design department began implementing digital design software in 1996. Since then, the number of workstations has grown tenfold to completely meet students’ need for classes and independent study. Prior to NX, the department used the AutoCAD, ADEM and KOMPASS CAD programs. When they wanted to upgrade to a more comprehensive system, faculty considered Pro/Engineer and Catia but decided that NX was the most suitable, industry-oriented solution. Another winning point is the fact that NX is used by all the major Russian engine makers, such as JSC Saturn (Rybinsk), JSC Motorostroitel, CSKB-Progress, JSC SNTK Kuznetsov.
The department integrates the use of real and digital mockups of aircraft engines in the curriculum. Digital mockups created in NX are used to model engine behavior under various conditions. NX models also play a role in the Aircraft Engines History Center (AEHC), which possesses Russia’s largest archive of domestic and foreign aircraft engines. The center will eventually have 25 workstations equipped with a unique text and graphics aircraft engine database that includes 3D NX models of major components.
The use of NX has helped the department modernize instruction in a number of ways. For example, there has been significant growth in the design courses’ coverage based on productivity gains made possible by the software. Course quality is now higher, as are the graduation projects, which now include 3D modeling and parametric design. Students work on real-world problems and the university is becoming a competence center for several stages of the aircraft engine design process including conceptual design and the design of major components and systems.
Metal forming and manufacturing
The departments of Engineering Manufacturing and Metal Forming work in the areas of metallurgy, materials science and metal forming machinery, and their graduates are in demand at most industrial companies in the region including the automaker, JSC AutoVAZ. To maintain the integrity of the rather long academic process, the leaders of these departments wanted to teach within a unified CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM environment.
Their choice of a CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM system was based on the following criteria: the system’s popularity in modern industry, its applicability to every step of the five-year academic process, applicability to both general education and elective courses, the hardware and software requirements, and a short learning curve. NX was the only system to meet their requirements in all these categories. Another significant advantage of NX was the availability of comprehensive technical support.
NX is the primary software used in the metal forming curriculum, which includes courses such as Sheet Punching, Die Forging and Forming Tools. The curriculum takes advantage of the following NX functionality: modeling, assemblies, drafting, sheet metal, advanced simulation, motion simulation, die engineering, die design and the progressive die wizard. Students learn modeling and assembly creation in their second and third years, providing the foundation for more advanced course projects in sheet punching and die forging. NX is required for all graduation projects.
In the future the university plans to develop syllabi and tutorials on CAD/CAM/CAE basics for faculty members; to organize faculty training and advanced certification in cooperation with Siemens PLM Software’s experts; to publish textbooks on aircraft engine manufacturing based on CAD, visualization and modeling; and to implement Siemens’ Teamcenter® software for data management. The Teamcenter digital lifecycle management solution powers innovation and productivity by connecting people and processes with a single source of product and process knowledge.
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Samara State Aerospace University
Challenges:
- Give future aerospace engineers real-world experience
- Serve as a center of competence for local industry
Keys To Success:
- Students use industry standard design software
- 3D modeling and assembly taught early in curriculum
- NX use required for all graduation projects
Results:
- Reputation as a leading university
- Advanced curricula with real-world significance
- Respect from local industries for students’ education
Industry:
- Aerospace & Defense
- Education
Client's Primary Business:
Samara State Aerospace University is one of the leading Russian research and academic institutions.
Business Initiatives:
- New Product Development
Solutions/Services:
- NX
Client Location:
Samara
Russia