Indian Aircraft Manufacturer Innovates with Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Platform

Dassault Systèmes reports that Raphe mPhibr, an India-based aircraft manufacturing company specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles, has adopted its 3DEXPERIENCE platform to enhance how it builds and validates its aircraft systems.

Raphe mPhibr sought out an advanced approach to integrate technology and advanced scientific principles into its design process for the engineering of next-generation UAVs with strength-to-weight performance and increased payload capacity.

From metals to composites and electronics, Raphe mPhibr designs and builds everything under one roof, according to Dassault. Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform reduced its product development cycle while integrating physics and design for manufacturing within the design phase.  One use case of note for the 3DEXPERIENCE platform at Raphe mPhibr was during the development of its engine. Often a multi-year effort, the engine development process was shortened to 3 months. The platform enabled the team to redesign parts optimized for 3D manufacturing. 

Raphe mPhibr created complex composite parts through an integrated design and simulation workflow.  It reduced the weight of its 4kW 2-stroke engine, and made a shift toward 3D-centric design thinking. 

“Designing and manufacturing a drone is nothing less than designing and manufacturing a whole aircraft. The kind of drones we are manufacturing have 20,000 to 30,000 parts,” says Vikash Mishra, chairman, Raphe mPhibr. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows us to think in 3D—not in straight lines, circles or squares.  Biological systems that have evolved in nature—such as plants, anatomical structures and geological formations—are not made up of geometrical shapes. So, using this platform, we can design more organically and without limitations. It’s the best software to create our vision.”

“Raphe mPhibr’s adoption of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform shows how innovators are building tomorrow’s advanced air mobility solutions with virtual twin experiences. Its focus on in-house design sets a new benchmark for engineering excellence,” says David Ziegler, vice president, Aerospace and Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes.  “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform combines all aspects of design, simulation and collaboration in a single environment for innovation and operational efficiency.”

Raphe mPhibr has closed $100 million in funding in a round led by General Catalyst.  Raphe mPhibr has a team of over 500 people and more than 100 intellectual property assets.  Its products have logged over 1 million kilometers (621,371 miles) with the security forces of India. Raphe mPhibr’s future roadmap includes growing its workforce, expanding its research, development and manufacturing facility, and using virtual twin experiences for lifecycle management, according to Dassault.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.