Model-Based Engineering Process Automation from Design to Manufacturing of Fiber Composite Helicopter Structures Using Graph-Based Design Languages

The design and manufacturing of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures in aerospace require balancing high structural performance with cost-efficient, reproducible production. Conventional design and planning methods are often fragmented across disciplines, causing data discontinuities and limited traceability. This paper introduces a graph-based design language (GBDL) information architecture that integrates CFRP design and manufacturing within a unified, model-based framework. The approach formalizes engineering knowledge through process ontologies and graph-based data models linking geometry, material, tooling, and process parameters in a consistent, machine-interpretable form. Each step, from geometry derivation and structural design to prepreg hand lay-up and automated fiber placement, is represented within a shared design graph to ensure data consistency, transparency, and automated assessment of lead time, labor, cost, waste, and energy consumption. Although current implementations address selected use cases with partially automated interfaces, the architecture establishes a scalable foundation for full interoperability. A helicopter-frame case study demonstrates the applicability and adaptability of the method.