The digital research and development of aero engines requires breaking down the information barriers between the lifecycle development processes, constructing authoritative data sources and unified communication platforms for the product, and linking information from all stages of engine development to achieve digital decision-making. This paper takes an aero engine as the research object and proposes a digital thread construction method that is based on a central semantic model. It develops a unified metadata definition standard that is based on the concepts, knowledge, behavior, intentions, logic, and relationships of aero engines, as well as an engine feature semantic standard component library for different scenarios. Through the method of component assembly, a semantic mapping model of models at various stages and disciplines is established, thus forming an authoritative data source on the basis of the central semantic model. By using an automated mapping universal interface for heterogeneous models, bidirectional seamless integration with the semantic model is achieved, thus maintaining the consistency and traceability of information and supporting the automated construction and complete expression of digital prototypes. Finally, with the specific application scenario of CAD structural data penetration as an example, application research is carried out, which provides a theoretical and technical reference for the promotion of digital transformation in industry.