NASA
High Performance Computing
and Communications Program

Computational AeroSciences Project

Feasibility Demonstration for Integration of Pro/ENGINEER™ into FIDO

Objective: Demonstrate the feasibility of using the Pro/ENGINEER™ computer aided design system as the geometry builder integrated into the Framework for Interdisciplinary Design Optimization (FIDO), as shown in the figure

Approach: Integration of Pro/ENGINEER™ into FIDO is being done in three phases: (1) feasibility study, (2) code development, and (3) integration into FIDO. The feasibility demonstration consists of performing separately the critical steps of generating a parametric airplane configuration within Pro/ENGINEER™ and then providing the output as a nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) geometry, which is the form desired for full integration into FIDO. One method for the first step of incorporating the design variables (DVs) to be optimized is to use a "wave drag deck" conversion already in FIDO. An alternative method is to design the aircraft model within Pro/ENGINEER™ directly using the DVs as controlling parameters in the model; this has been accomplished already by other organizations at NASA Langley. The step of converting these entities into NURBS geometry is an output option of Pro/ENGINEER™. The final step is the use of the NURBS surface to generate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or computational structural mechanics (CSM) grids for analysis.

Accomplishments: Each of the critical steps has been tested successfully. Tools were developed to create NURBS geometry based on a wavedrag geometry. These tools convert wavedrag input specifications to Pro/ENGINEER™ compatible format (import blend format) to facilitate automatic creation of the aircraft model. By swapping the splining directions, it was possible to overcome a problem that Pro/ENGINEER™ has with singularities, with no effect the final geometry. These tools will be very useful in other areas as well.

Significance: This study has demonstrated that it is possible to create a NURBS geometry automatically, based on a wavedrag definition or direct design within Pro/ENGINEER™. Thus, the feasibility of integrating Pro/ENGINEER™ into the FIDO system is assured.

Status/Plans: Code will be developed to automate the entire process shown in the figure, using Pro/DEVELOP™, which is part of Pro/ENGINEER™ family of tools. After testing, the process can then be integrated into the FIDO system.

James C. Townsend

NASA Langley Research Center

(804) 864-2299

email : j.c.townsend@larc.nasa.gov

Jamshid S. Abolhassani

Computer Sciences Corporation

(804) 864-5776

email : j.s.abolhassani@larc.nasa.gov

Note: Pro/ENGINEER™ and Pro/DEVELOP™ are registered trademarks for products of Parametric Technology Corporation.