Influence of additive manufacturing technology development on aircraft structure design teaching

Additive manufacturing technology is changing aircraft design concept and method by breaking through traditional manufacturing constrains. It plays an important role in airframe properties enhancement and cost reduction. Aircraft structure design is the core course of aircraft design major. Training in aircraft structural design for additive manufacture is essential for improving the students design ability of aviation equipment. Novel design concept and multiple-discipline collaborative design are fundamental qualities of aircraft structure designer for additive manufacture. The novel structure form, topology optimization method, integration of design and manufacturing, validation and verification of structure fabricated by additive manufacture technology are introduced in aircraft structure design course at Beihang University by case and object teaching method. The main goal of these activities is training students new design concept for additive manufacture. The basic knowledge and design tooling are also instructed to support students achieving innovative structural design for additive manufacture.