Design Process and Design of Structures

Introduction

The mechanism of making and technique of work of Helicopters have changed over the span of 30 years. Well, there can be two reasons behind this change in helicopters. The First reason- Great improvisation and modernization in the field of Helicopter research. The second reason- Development Costs and scientific advances, which have led to scientific specialization.

But in today's scenario, we observe that most helicopter types consist of the touch of their ancestorial model and Innovation in their make and design. Therefore, rather than inventing an entirely new design of helicopters, an increased amount of focus is given to innovating, reshaping, remodeling, and reworking the already existing helicopters, which proves to be beneficial and productive in the long run. But now, the question may arise, in what way does Innovation helps?

When we talk about helicopters' design structures and design process, let's discuss one more thing.

At this point in time, what is more critical- Innovation or invention of designing Helicopters?

At this point in time, Innovation is much more required than invention. This is so because Inventions had their time.

Once upon a time ( many years ago), there was a massive invention of Helicopters models in terms of its structural design, component design, component tightening, and various other aspects. But right now, the technology calls for Innovation. So let's shift the focus from invention to Innovation of designing helicopters.

Innovation adds value to the product line. It makes the product Commercially Viable! So Innovation enhances the construction and foundation of the Helicopter with every component and system's improved and proper functioning.

Design of Helicopter

The design process plans to upgrade the mission effectiveness of the design product. There are mainly two groups of factors that ensure the product's proper working.

A. Operational Factors

This factor consists of Mission readiness, Survivability, and Overall performance.

i. Mission readiness

The means through which the product or the item is made practicable and feasible at the start of a randomly selected mission is what Mission Readiness is all about. The parameters which construct this factor are- Item's Availability, Reliability, and Maintainability.

Item's Availability refers to the mean time between maintenance actions and maintenance downtime.

Item's Reliability refers to the product or item's failure rate.

Item's Maintainability can be computed by the product's mean time to repair.

ii. Survivability

The means through which the item manifests its ability to withstand against a hostile or abdominal man-made environment and still be absolutely good to go for mission is what Survivability is all about.

iii. Overall Performance

The means through which an item proceeds towards performing its designated mission.

B. Economic Factors

Time cost plays the most integral role when it comes to the economy and its related concepts. Therefore, the cost is the deciding mechanism in Economic factors. Cost forms a measure in the critical currency of the amount required to design, produce, test, and operate an item during its life cycle.

A well-formed economic design process study should have the following elements:-

i. A statement of the design aim and the effectiveness measures

ii. Specifications of the design choices (alternatives)

iii. Cost connected with each design choice

iv. Set of relationships that forms a connection between each design choice and effectiveness measures

v. The criteria based on which the design choice will be finalized.