Project description
Aerospace manufacturing meets Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is transforming the aircraft industry by increasing automation and data-driven processes in manufacturing. For instance, it is becoming possible to improve manufacturing processes and operational availability by embedding sensor technology into engine components. In this context, the EU-funded MORPHO project proposes to embed printed and fibre-optical sensors in aircraft engine fan blades. This will provide them with already established cognitive capabilities while they are being manufactured. The project’s overall aim is to set the cornerstones of future standards for sustainable, agile and cost-effective industrialisation. Particular focus lies on the efficient, profitable and environment-friendly manufacturing, maintenance and recycling of these next-generation smart engine fan blades.
Objective
In the framework of the transition to an industry 4.0 connected objects deployment is reinventing manufacturing and maintenance processes enabling tighter integration of the value chain. Adding native connectivity to aircraft parts is the key technology to unlock this transformation. This goes through embedding sensor technology into engine components and providing them with cognitive capabilities to improve manufacturing processes and operational availability without compromising safety. MORPHO is the joint effort of European experts in smart manufacturing, sensor integration, structural health monitoring, recycling of aerospace structural parts, and SAFRAN (a major OEM) to face this tremendous challenge. Modern and future fan blades are designed and manufactured using a hybrid metal and advanced composite configuration. In the case of the LEAP engine, the core body of the fan blades is built up with 3D-woven composite, while the leading edge is made of titanium. These hybrid blades allow for mass gain and exhibit high strength and fracture toughness. Yet they remain vulnerable to an unexpected foreign object impact and to the initiation of damage mechanisms. Moreover, their environmentally friendly recycling is still a challenge.
MORPHO proposes to embed printed and fiber-optical sensors in aircraft engine fan blades, thus providing them with cognitive capabilities already while they are manufactured. The parallel development of a digital/hybrid twin models will drastically improve the blades' Life Cycle Management (LCM). Particular focus lies on the efficient, profitable and environmental-friendly manufacturing, maintenance, and recycling of these next-generation smart engine fan blades.
MORPHO’s ambition is also to set the cornerstones of future standards for a reliable, sustainable, agile and cost-effective industrialization of these new intelligent and multifunctional parts as well as of their associated manufacturing, maintenance, and recycling processes.
Fields of science
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- social sciencespsychologycognitive psychology
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
75013 Paris
France