Design, simulate,
engineer airframes

From concept to analysis – mastering Solidworks, Fusion 360 and Creo Parametric. This major builds structural intuition through digital mock‑ups, FEA simulation, and aircraft component design, entirely driven by peer learning groups.

🧑‍🏭 this semester · design‑software deep dive Solidworks Fusion 360 Creo Parametric aircraft structures peer‑led only

Vision

To be the student hub where CAD proficiency meets aircraft structural thinking — members iteratively model, simulate and validate aircraft components using industry‑standard tools, all within self‑organised study groups and without formal instructors.

—”from extruded sketch to airworthy structure”

Mission

Empower members to gain fluency in three CAD ecosystems (Solidworks, Fusion 360, Creo) while understanding aircraft structural elements — ribs, spars, skin panels, load paths — through peer workshops, reverse‑engineering challenges, and small group design projects.

key activities · cad & airframe rhythm

Solidworks sessions

weekly peer workshops — from part modelling to advanced surfacing and weldments. Members share techniques for aerospace parts (brackets, airfoils) and create a library of aircraft components.

next: sheet metal & lofting

Fusion 360 lab

Hands‑on with simulation, generative design and mesh modelling. Teams optimise a wing rib for mass and stress, then exchange files to cross‑validate in other CAD tools.

3 study groups active

Creo & structures

Focus on top‑down design and large assembly management. Members model aircraft substructures (fuselage frames, stiffeners) and run basic FEA using Creo Simulate. Peer presentations on load paths.

past: wing box assembly

All part files, drawings, and simulation reports are stored in the major’s on‑cloud drive. Each member maintains a personal design log – peer reviewed every two weeks.

🖥️ this semester’s core

upping design skills – intensive practice in Solidworks, Fusion 360 and Creo Parametric. Each member completes a mini‑project: a structural aircraft component (rib, spar, clip) modelled and simulated in at least two different CAD platforms.

CAD intensive

Aircraft structures as our design thread

All software exercises orbit real structural elements: skin‑stringer panels, wing torque boxes, fuselage frames, and attachment fittings. We study load paths and material selection while becoming fluent in three CAD environments. No external instructors — knowledge flows through peer demos and collaborative fixes.

parametric modelling assemblies & joints surface modelling (loft/boundary) FEA: stress & displacement thin‑walled structures drawing & GD&T design for assembly

Peer‑led cells: every software has a “champion” who coordinates weekly challenges. For example, the Solidworks cell explores advanced configurations, the Fusion cell runs generative studies, and the Creo group focuses on large assembly management. Members rotate and share insights.

Reverse‑engineering nights: teams pick a legacy aircraft part (e.g. V‐22 rib, Cessna spar) and reproduce it in two different CAD packages, then compare workflows. All findings are documented in the major’s knowledge base.

explore CAD & structures major resources – part libraries, simulation tutorials, aircraft handbooks structures & CAD hub →

CAD & Aircraft Structures major – part of Aero Nova’s engineering divisions. We focus on digital design and analysis of airframes. This semester’s intensive: Solidworks, Fusion 360, Creo Parametric. There are no formal instructors; members organise into study groups, set milestones and critique each other’s models.

Thematic blocks rotate each semester: previous semesters explored composite modelling and sheet metal; upcoming will focus on multi‑body dynamics and CFD integration. This semester’s spine is aircraft structural components – all software work is anchored to realistic aerospace geometry. We keep engineering logbooks, share best practices, and gradually build a collective design repository.

Design, simulate,engineer airframes