The Aircraft and Its Manufacturing System: From Early Requirements to Global Design

Abstract

The design of an aircraft manufacturing system depends highly on the design of the aircraft itself. In this work, we propose an approach based on conceptual modelling and optimization methods that allows to take into account the impact of an aircraft design on its assembly line design. We start by eliciting early requirements in a real industrial use case context. Using Goal Oriented Requirements Engineering, we highlight the dependencies between the systems as well as the key elements that must be optimized to obtain an optimal global system. Then, based on a conceptual model and operational research, we present the tool that we have developed to support the development of an optimal overall system. We analyse the experiments realized on different aircraft designs, and we identify and summarize the lessons learned from this experience.