RuAviation

Engine-building enterprise ODK-Saturn implements a strategy of digital certification, which involves the use of technologies for creating a digital twin and computer modelling to reduce the number of required real tests and accelerate the certification process of the aircraft engine PD-8. This was reported in the press service of the United Engine Corporation.

The list of documents required for engine certification includes the results of computer modelling obtained during virtual tests of both individual components of the powerplant and the system as a whole.

The digital tests can be used to confirm compliance with the engine’s cooling and fire safety requirements, as well as its performance in harsh atmospheric conditions, including rain, hail and icing. In addition, computer modelling makes it possible to assess the reliability of the propulsion system in cases of collision with foreign objects, such as birds.

The PD-8 aircraft engine is being developed under extremely tight deadlines, and its digital certification helps meet them. Testing on a digital twin cannot completely replace physical tests, but it provides a reduction in their volume. Initially, a new engine is tested using digital twins and virtual tests. Only then, when all the details have been fine-tuned, are physical tests carried out.

“The validation basis for certification is formed taking into account the results of computer modelling. In the future, this will also make it possible to significantly reduce the volume of bench tests when creating new modifications of the PD-8 engine,” said Kirill Vinogradov, deputy head of OKB-1 for design and research at ODK-Saturn.

The development and integration of digital twin technology at Rybinsk-based ODK-Saturn is carried out in co-operation with leading engineering schools and Russian software solution developers. Thanks to the participation of domestic companies specialising in the CML-Bench® and pSeven Enterprise digital platforms, digital twin technology significantly increases the efficiency of the calculation justification of compliance of the PD-8 engine type design with certification requirements.