Chapter 14: Life Cycle Engineering

Title: An integrated life cycle cost tool for aero-engines

Author(s): James S. Wong, James P. Scanlan, Murat H. Eres

Address: Computational Engineering Design Group, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Building 25, Room 2029, S017 1BJ, UK | Computational Engineering Design Group, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Building 25, Room 2029, S017 1BJ, UK | Computational Engineering Design Group, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Building 25, Room 2029, S017 1BJ, UK

Reference: International Conference on Product Lifecycle Management 2009 pp. 669 - 678

Abstract/Summary: The shift of aero-engine manufacturers to provide services rather than products has made the consideration of life cycle performance increasingly vital. This work looks into the practical aspects of developing design tools to predict life cycle costs (LCC). As the calculation of LCC involves a highly diverse set of representations and processes, it is undesirable to use a single software tool to undertake this task. This work seeks to demonstrate how different modelling paradigms should be used in tandem to produce an elegant solution. An integrated tool which links engine component unit costs and probabilistic deterioration mechanism lives to maintenance costs is presented. Finally, the need for a framework which supports easy construction of specific rather than generic LCC models is identified and discussed.

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