Category: References

Technology Innovation

The space industry has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, where precision, reliability, and performance are paramount. With the increasing complexity of space missions, from satellite launches to deep space exploration, the engineering challenges are vast. One of the most critical tools for tackling these challenges is simulation, particularly Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which plays a vital role in analysing and optimizing components and systems under the extreme conditions of space.

 

Simulating Physical Behaviour using ABAQUS

Among the most popular simulation software in engineering, Abaqus stands out as a powerful tool for simulating the physical behaviour of structures and materials in a wide range of industries, including aerospace and space exploration. In this blog, we’ll explore how Abaqus is used for engineering simulations in the space industry, with a focus on its capabilities, applications, and the value it brings to space missions.

 

Simulation in Space Engineering

Engineering simulation is crucial in the space industry due to the extreme conditions spacecraft and components face. These include:

• High levels of vibration during launch,
• Thermal extremes, from freezing cold in space to extreme heat during re-entry,
• Microgravity effects, which alter the behavior of materials and structures,
• Radiation exposure, which can degrade material properties over time.

 

 

Real-World Applications of Abaqus in the Space Industry:

Abaqus has been employed in numerous applications within the space industry. Below are a few notable examples:

• Satellite Structural Analysis

Satellites, whether in low Earth orbit (LEO) or deep space, must endure high vibrations during launch and the harsh conditions of space. Using Abaqus, engineers can model the satellite’s structure, including antennas, solar panels, and propulsion systems, to evaluate their behavior under launch loads and space conditions. The software helps in optimizing structural designs for minimal mass while maintaining high strength, which is essential in space missions.

Fig:1: Simulation Driven Design Process

 

 

 

Fig 2: Linear Static FE Analysis with Rotational Body Force & Pressure Load 

 

• Rocket Propulsion Systems

The performance of rocket engines is critical to the success of space missions. Abaqus is used to simulate the structural and thermal behavior of propulsion systems, including engines, turbines, and combustion chambers. Thermal stresses, pressure loads, and the material response to extreme heat are analyzed to predict failure points, ensuring that propulsion systems can withstand the intense conditions during launch and space travel.

 

• Thermal Protection Systems (TPS)

During re-entry, spacecraft experience high levels of heat that can cause catastrophic damage if not properly managed. Abaqus is commonly used to model and simulate Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), such as the heat shields found on space capsules. By modeling the heat flow and material degradation during re-entry, engineers can ensure that the TPS will perform optimally to protect the spacecraft and its crew.

 

• Landing Gear Systems

In the design of spacecraft landing systems, such as the legs and wheels of lunar or Mars rovers, Abaqus plays an essential role in simulating the mechanical performance under landing impacts. These systems need to absorb high-impact forces while maintaining structural integrity, and Abaqus is used to optimize the design for the best balance of strength and weight.

 

• Spacecraft Docking Systems

The docking mechanisms on spacecraft must function flawlessly under varying loads and conditions. Abaqus helps simulate the structural interaction between docking systems, considering factors like docking speed, pressure forces, and misalignments. This ensures that docking mechanisms are both safe and reliable, preventing damage during the process.

 

Benefits of Using Abaqus in the Space Industry:

• Cost and Time Efficiency: By identifying potential issues early in the design process, Abaqus helps reduce the need for costly physical tests and prototypes.
• Design Optimization: Abaqus allows engineers to optimize the design of spacecraft and components to improve performance while reducing weight, which is essential for mission success.
• Risk Mitigation: Through accurate simulation, potential failure modes can be identified and addressed, reducing the risk of mission failure.
• Multi-disciplinary Analysis: The software integrates multiple physics domains, providing a holistic understanding of how different systems interact within a spacecraft or space vehicle.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

In the space industry, where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, simulation tools like Abaqus are invaluable. They provide engineers with the ability to predict how spacecraft and their components will behave under extreme conditions, enabling the design of safer, more efficient, and cost-effective space missions. As the space industry continues to evolve, tools like Abaqus will remain at the forefront, helping to push the boundaries of space exploration and technology.

Understanding the Role of Composites in Drone Engineering

Composites have emerged as a game-changer in the design and development of drones, offering unparalleled benefits in weight reduction, structural strength, and durability. These materials enable engineers to craft lightweight airframes without compromising on performance, which is critical for extending flight time, improving payload capacity, and enhancing overall efficiency. The use of advanced composites, such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP), allows for innovative designs that can withstand demanding operational conditions, making them the preferred choice for drone manufacturers across industries. 

 

 

Challenges in Designing Composite Structures for Drones

Despite their advantages, designing composite structures for drones presents unique challenges. The anisotropic nature of composites requires precise analysis of material behavior under various load conditions, including aerodynamic forces, thermal stresses, and impact resistance. Additionally, achieving optimal ply orientations and layups demands advanced design and simulation tools. These challenges necessitate a robust platform that can accurately model and simulate composite performance under real-world scenarios. 

 

 

Leveraging SIMULIA for Composite Drone Simulation

SIMULIA, part of the Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE platform, is at the forefront of advanced simulation technologies for composite structures. It offers an integrated suite of tools that enable engineers to design, analyze, and optimize drone components with unmatched accuracy and efficiency.

 

• Advanced Composite Analysis:

  SIMULIA’s Abaqus/CAE provides comprehensive tools for modeling composite materials, including ply-level analysis, progressive damage modeling, and delamination prediction. These capabilities are essential for evaluating the structural integrity and performance of drone components under various flight conditions. 

 

• Lightweighting and Optimization:

  Using SIMULIA’s TOSCA Structure, engineers can perform topology optimization to design lightweight yet robust composite structures. This is critical for maximizing flight efficiency and payload capacity. 

 

• Multiphysics Simulation:

  The platform allows for coupled multiphysics analysis, enabling the assessment of how thermal, structural, and aerodynamic forces interact with composite components during operation. This holistic approach ensures that drones perform reliably in diverse environments. 

 

• Producibility Analysis:

  SIMULIA’s composite simulation tools include producibility analysis, allowing engineers to evaluate manufacturability early in the design phase. By predicting potential defects such as wrinkles or gaps during ply layup, the platform ensures cost-effective and high-quality production. 

 

• Fatigue and Impact Testing:

  For drones subjected to repetitive loading or potential collisions, SIMULIA’s fatigue and impact simulation capabilities provide insights into material behavior over time. This helps in designing components that can withstand real-world operational stresses. 

 

Enhancing Drone Design with Virtual Twin Technology

The integration of SIMULIA with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables the creation of virtual twins, digital replicas of drone systems that simulate real-world performance. Virtual twins empower engineers to test various design iterations, optimize configurations, and validate performance before physical prototyping, significantly reducing development time and costs. 

 

Conclusion

The combination of composites and SIMULIA’s advanced simulation tools is transforming drone engineering, allowing for the development of lightweight, durable, and high-performance drones. By leveraging SIMULIA’s comprehensive capabilities—from composite modeling and optimization to producibility and fatigue analysis—engineers can address the challenges of drone design with precision and efficiency. As the drone industry continues to expand across sectors, SIMULIA ensures that manufacturers remain at the cutting edge of innovation, delivering systems that meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. 

What is Product Data Quality and Why it Matters the Most 

Product Data Quality: The What’s and Why’s 

Product Data Quality comprises of creating, ensuring, distributing acceptable quality of CAD designs across the organisations and in upstream or downstream uses as well.e.g. Tier-1 Suppliers and or Original Equipment Manufacturers, OEMs. Correct part specifications pertaining to ensuring if material, coatings, thickness, GD&T annotations has been added to the designs or they are missed due to Human errors. Ensuring product data Quality despite of all the traditional methods like ‘Release check lists’, ‘Pre-delivery Check list’, ‘Drawing check list’, adherence to CAD standards of company is not enough and they have many drawbacks as mentioned below. The business risk arising due to bad data quality is enormous since bad data quality can significantly delay the entire product development Milestone-Releases, and as a company there must be a robust solution in place to factor this risk well in advance. CAD data either in PLM/PDM systems or in central servers is a master-print that all the stake holders in a development cycle refer-to, work-upon and rely upon. In all matters of engineering disputes, CAD data is a master that all refers to always and hence there are many organisations that count data quality as a risk factor project risks document. this clearly describes the importance of data quality. 

 

Fig 1: list of Stake holders using product data in a typical development cycle. 

Emphasising fro figure 1 how multiple stake holders has to-and-fro communications with the Product data. Any discrepancy in cad arising out from mediocre CAD modelling, missing specifications, unwanted geometries showing up, GD&T callouts and datums incorrectly specified will create these stake holders hold up their work. 

 

Fig 2: Traditional methods to ensure product data quality (PDQ) in organisation and drawbacks of it.

 

Benefits of Q-checker in Product Data Quality:

• Save Time Spent Fixing Models: Fixing geometry problems constitutes a significant design cost, not only in terms of time and quality, but also in wasted human and material resources. The repairs that are not made at the outset are often compounded when users of different downstream applications use different methods to “fix” the original model. With Q-Checker, critical defects can be identified and repaired before faulty features lead to additional geometric problems. 

 

• Pro-Active Learning: The learning curve can be steep and tedious at times, particularly for new and part-time designers who need to conform to specific customer CAD standards. Q-Checker can assist by identifying common design process mistakes and inefficient practices. Like supporting each designer with the experience and advice of an expert user. 

 

• Promotes Design Reuse: Because defects have traditionally been so common in models, most users prefer to rebuild their own, instead of reusing existing ones. This is another costly part of designing that Q-Checker can help to eliminate. 

 

• Enforcing Internal CATIA Standards: Q-Checker helps to ensure that corporate design standards and specifications for using CATIA are adhered to, allowing the design and production teams to become more productive, efficient, thereby supporting higher product quality. 

 

• Supplier Confidence: OEMs working with Q-Checker have the confidence that they are sending their suppliers good quality data. At the same time, they can insist that their suppliers use a specific checking profile. Suppliers who use Q-Checker can assure their customers and partners that they are delivering accurate models that are based on a consistent and disciplined CAD modelling practices. 

 

• Check Files Transferred from Other CAD Software: CATIA users frequently need to use multiple CAD systems and data, a practice that can lead to problems with data translation. This usually calls for significant reworking and redesigning. Q-Checker helps to catch errors and adjust standards quickly and effectively, allowing for speedy recovery. 

 

• Check Seal: Q-Checker allows users to store the model results in a check seal. This provides still greater security and helps to save time since the receiving part does not have to be rechecked against the specified Profile. 

 

• Designer Awareness: Q-Checker anticipates and captures requirements of all downstream applications, even where they may not be evident to the designer. When operated already from the early beginning in the design process, Q-Checker will support and enhance cross-engineering as well as model reuse. The key to a successful implementation is the integration and adaptation to companies PLM processes. 

 

 

Q-Checker: Interactive checking of CAD Data 

Q-checker interactively checks the CAD designs i.e. parts, drawings, assemblies right in CATIA workbench and qualify immediately if the data meets the quality requirements as per company CAD standard or as mentioned in Q-checker profile. Q-checker can be run in a batch mode. There are more than 400 Data Quality checks already in-place in shipped licenses of Q-checker out of that 200+ checks have auto-healing function. Auto-healing function of Q-checker resolve the CAD concerns right automatically.

Figure 3: Q-Checker Interactive check user interface.

 

Q-Checker: Check Profile Creation 

In any organisation, there can be many departments that have varying needs from the CAD designs. e.g. CAE team requires material specs, thickness, fixing locations etc, electrical team might not need these. So, Q-checker facilitates creating Check profiles individually for various departments in a organisation. Figure 4 showcases how to create check profiles in Q-checker and save according to the department name e.g. Electrical profile, Chassis profile, interior trims profile etc. 

Fig 4: Q-Checker Profile creation UI. 

We’ll discuss in detail some of the standard checks in the upcoming series. 

Rail vehicle dynamics is the study of the forces and motions that affect trains and other rail vehicles as they travel along tracks. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, stability, and efficiency of rail systems. Whether it’s for passenger trains, freight trains, or high-speed rail, understanding rail vehicle dynamics is essential for designing and operating trains that perform well under varying conditions.

Multi-Body Simulation (MBS) has become a powerful method for studying and analysing rail vehicle dynamics. This approach has significantly transformed the way engineers design, optimize, and test rail vehicles, offering deep insights into their behaviour under real-world conditions. It allows engineers to create a virtual prototype, facilitating virtual testing early in the development process. This approach enables an extensive exploration of the design space, considering multiple key performance indicators (KPIs), to quickly and cost-effectively identify the optimal design among competing alternatives, all while reducing the need for physical testing.

 

Rail Wheel Interaction and Its Effects on Vehicle Performance

The interaction between rail wheels and rails is fundamental to the performance, safety, and efficiency of rail vehicles. This interaction dictates how forces are transferred between the wheels of the train and the track, and it impacts a wide range of factors, including ride quality, vehicle stability, track maintenance, energy efficiency, and safety.

 

Major Impacts of Rail Wheel Interaction:

• Safety: Proper wheel-rail interaction ensures stability and reduces the risk of derailment and accidents
• Ride Quality: A smooth, stable interaction minimizes vibrations, noise, and discomfort for passengers.
• Efficiency: Minimizing wheel-rail wear and rolling resistance helps improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Maintenance: Understanding wheel-rail interaction helps in reducing wear and tear on both vehicles and track, lowering long-term maintenance costs.

 

Optimizing Rail Vehicle Performance through Multi-Body Simulation Capabilities

• Ensuring Safety, Reliability, and Comfort: Simulation tools enable the analysis of rail vehicle dynamics to ensure safe, reliable, and comfortable transportation for passengers.
• Reducing Development Costs: By leveraging simulation, costly physical testing can be minimized, allowing for more efficient development processes and reducing overall project costs.
• Designing Environmentally Friendly Solutions: Simulations help in developing rail vehicles with energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact, supporting sustainable transport solutions.
• Innovating for Competitive Advantage: Using advanced simulations fosters innovation, allowing manufacturers to design vehicles that outperform competitors in key areas such as performance, comfort, and sustainability.
• One Model for multiple analysis: A single rail vehicle model supports a variety of analyses, including critical speed analysis, derailment simulations, Roll coefficient, comfort analysis, rail wheel wear, flexible track modelling, and gauging analysis, making it an all-in-one solution for comprehensive vehicle performance studies.
• High-Fidelity Element Modelling: The ability to model complex systems such as air suspensions with gas equations allows for detailed and accurate simulations of vehicle behaviour under varying conditions.
• Advanced Rail-Wheel Contact Algorithms: Simpack features sophisticated algorithms to precisely calculate the forces between wheels and rails, improving the accuracy of simulations for dynamic vehicle performance.
• Design of Experiments (DOE) Studies: Incorporating DOE allows for systematic testing of design variables, enabling engineers to optimize vehicle components and performance through data-driven decision-making.

 

Simpack – MBS Application for All Types of Rail System 

Multibody system simulation (MBS) is a powerful tool for analysing and designing a wide range of rail-based or guided vehicles and mechanisms, including everything from tram cars to fully articulated high-speed trains. It is also applicable to specialized systems like roller coasters, material handling equipment, and even maglev trains. Simpack, the leading MBS software for railway system dynamics, is widely utilized by manufacturers and operators around the globe.

Typical applications include:

• Critical speed calculations
• Derailment safety
• Passenger comfort
• Curving and on-track simulations
• Profile and track optimization, wear and rail-contact-fatigue
• Gauging
• Switches and crossings
• Suspension modelling

 

Analysis of Wheel and Rail Wear

The rail industry faces significant challenges in managing the wear and tear of its infrastructure, with maintenance costs accounting for over 50% of total expenditure on railway operations and infrastructure in the EU alone, amounting to over 20 billion euros annually (Seventh Rail Market Monitoring Report, European Commission). To address these issues, simulation tools like Simpack—a powerful Multibody Simulation (MBS) software—are increasingly being used for simulation-aided maintenance. This approach not only helps optimize the design of rail vehicles but also offers significant cost-saving opportunities throughout the lifecycle of the rail system. 

 

Understanding the Impact of Wheel and Rail Wear 

Wear between the wheels of rail vehicles and the tracks is an inevitable phenomenon driven by several factors, including friction, contact forces, and operational conditions. As this wear progresses, it leads to the deterioration of both wheel and rail profiles, contributing to safety concerns, increased maintenance costs, and potential operational disruptions.

Wheels and rails are particularly susceptible to Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF), a form of wear that can cause cracks and material degradation, leading to significant repair needs. Managing these issues is vital for the safe and cost-effective operation of railway systems, and this is where Simpack plays a critical role. 

 

Flexible Track Simulation 

The dynamic behaviour of a rail vehicle can be significantly influenced by the flexibility of the track and its supporting structure. With track systems such as ballasted tracks or diverging crossings with flexible blade rails, the relationship between the vehicle and the track is not one-sided; the vehicle dynamically responds to the track, while the track also reacts to the vehicle’s movements. Including the track’s flexibility in simulations allows for a comprehensive analysis of the coupled dynamic responses of both the rail vehicle and the track due to their material flexibility. This interaction can range from observing the deflection of a switch blade rail as a vehicle passes over it to assessing the vibrations throughout an entire bridge. Additionally, the loads acting on specific track sections can be extracted and used for further analysis in finite element software or specialized tools for fatigue and durability studies. 

Simpack technology facilitates the modelling of flexible track sections based on finite element principles, enabling in-depth investigation of advanced train/track interactions. Multiple flexible track segments can be modelled simultaneously, making it possible to analyse the dynamic behaviour of various track structures comprehensively. Simpack offers two modelling options to cover different levels of fidelity. The standard method models linear deformation, providing a fast calculation workflow that is accurate enough for large and complex systems like bridges. The higher-fidelity approach captures more detailed aspects of track behaviour, including the compliance of the track and ballast, and accounts for geometric nonlinearities, such as the coupling between the vertical and lateral flexibility of the track. 

Flexible track simulation plays a vital role in the dynamic analysis of various components, including: 

• Sleeper foundations 

• Rail joints 

• Rail pads 

• Hanging sleepers 

• Coupled effects of leading and trailing wheelsets 

• Loads within the track structure 

• Switches and crossings 

• Bridges 

 

By simulating flexible track behaviour, Simpack enables a more detailed understanding of how track and vehicle dynamics interact, ultimately helping to optimize track design and improve the overall safety and performance of rail systems. 

Understanding Post-Flight Review and Visualization  

Post-flight visualizers (also known as flight data emulators, flight data analysis, or flight replay systems) are essential tools in modern aviation training, designed to analyse and replay real-world flight data within a controlled simulation environment. These simulators enable pilots and instructors to scrutinize flight dynamics, decision-making processes, and overall performance. By recreating flight scenarios, they offer a comprehensive understanding of both routine operations and critical incidents, providing insights that are crucial for continuous improvement in pilot training and safety. 

Challenges in Implementing Post-Flight Visualization 

Despite their significant benefits, implementing post-flight simulators comes with inherent challenges. Basic 2D simulators, while effective for initial data analysis, often lack the depth required for understanding complex manoeuvres and spatial relationships. Transitioning to 3D simulation environments introduces a higher level of detail and realism but demands more sophisticated hardware, software, and user training. Furthermore, high-fidelity 3D simulators, which offer the most realistic and detailed recreations, require substantial computational power and specialized equipment, making them less accessible for smaller training programs.

2D vs 3D Post-Flight Visualization  

2D post-flight simulators provide a straightforward, two-dimensional view of flight data, focusing on key elements such as flight paths, altitude changes, and control inputs. These are highly effective for quick debriefs and basic flight analysis. 

On the other hand, 3D post-flight simulators offer a more immersive experience by recreating the flight in a three-dimensional space. This level of simulation allows for a more accurate representation of flight dynamics and spatial relationships, making them ideal for advanced training scenarios that require a deeper understanding of flight mechanics and situational awareness. While transitioning to 3D simulators may require greater technological investment and resources, the benefits of a richer, more detailed training environment are undeniable. 

_{Top Left: Ownship view for pilot | Top Mid: Stealth view for IOS | Top Right: Cockpit view 
Bottom Left: Exaggerated view for scenario overview | Bottom Mid: Sensor view | Bottom Right: 2D view in MAK’s VR Vantage}  

Proposed Tiered Approach  

Recognizing the diverse needs of aviation training programs, our approach offers a tiered solution for post-flight simulation. We provide a range of simulators: 2D visualization for basic analysis, generic 3D visualization for enhanced spatial visualization, and advanced, high-fidelity 3D simulators for the most detailed and realistic training experiences. This approach allows training programs to choose the level of simulation that best aligns with their objectives, resources, and training requirements, ensuring both flexibility and scalability. 

_{Scenario development for enhanced visualization in MAK’s VR Forces} 

_{Multiple panels representation for enhanced analysis and control}

Conclusion  

Post-flight simulators are indispensable in the field of aviation training, offering detailed insights that are crucial for refining pilot skills and enhancing safety protocols. By selecting the appropriate level of simulation—whether it be 2D for basic analysis or high-fidelity 3D for advanced training—aviation programs can effectively tailor their training environments to meet specific needs. Our tiered approach ensures that all training programs, regardless of size or complexity, can access the tools necessary to elevate their training outcomes and prepare pilots for the demands of real-world flight operations. 

Customer expectations are growing with the need for lower costs, higher quality, increased capabilities and the ever-growing complexity making it even more challenging for manufacturers. Complex system requirements challenges OEMs and suppliers to amplify their creativity, collaboration and innovation by upgrading to the factory of the future focused on improved efficiency and production agility. New approaches towards conception, designing, manufacturing, validation and sustenance are required for new air, space and defense vehicles.

Aerospace & Defense companies face a spectrum of challenges as well as growth opportunities with the continued growth of commercial aviation and an increase in the defense budget. With the increasing number of projects, there is an increase in Request for Proposals’ (RFPs) but manufacturers have less time to respond to complex RFPs for multiple components in a competitive environment for better customer experience.

Dassault Systèmes provides a portfolio of industry-specific solutions through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform for Aerospace & Defense manufacturers and suppliers to transform the traditional process with new and latest technologies.

Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, EDS Technologies provides industry solution experiences to transform your business processes with enhanced efficiency and digital continuity:

• Engineered to Fly accelerates A&D supplier process from idea to delivery with enhanced margins
• Co-Design to Target delivers aerospace programs ‘On specification’, ‘On- time’ and ‘On-Budget’

 

These solutions enable:

• Driven & Controlled Execution: Displays the status of current proposals and KPIs regarding costs and risks to enable process visibility. Project execution is driven in a connected process. The intellectual property is secured with traceability for authorities to manage collaborative efforts with multiple customers in a single source environment to ensure OEM certifications.
• Operational Efficiency: Predefined proposal templates, automated routing and tracking, clear view of projects to implement, accessibility to design and manufacturing components and collaboration with OEMs help streamline the whole process.
• Digital Continuity: From design engineering to manufacturing, best in class engineering tools are in place with quality and efficiency in a controlled environment to maintain digital continuity.

 

Engineered to Fly

Engineered to Fly is tailored to the aerospace industry with essential features and functionalities. It includes robust tools to help A&D businesses ‘Built-to-print’ or ‘Design-and-build’ to manage their whole business process. Some of the capabilities include addressing RFPs promptly, executing the projects with APQP and quickly adapting new changes in the current manufacturing process.

Project execution is driven and controlled with real-time status tracking throughout the stages of a proposal to product delivery. Validation and quality assurance are integrated for certification to meet the OEM standards. The value chain maintains digital continuity to deliver products with enhanced process efficiency and business profitability.

For instance, an aircraft’s frame is composed of sheet metal parts comprising 4,700 rivets. With engineered to fly, the sheet metal is designed in 3D to position the rivet holes so the part assembly process is error-free and done right the first time. Also, each part is versioned and tracked for easy access to real-time product data as required to relevant stakeholders through digital continuity.

Digital continuity enables improvements in the holistic process for up to:

• 30% error reduction
• 40% productivity boost
• 40% process changes requested

 

Benefits

• Win more business: Significant cut down of the proposal response and turnaround time has helped in the business growth with improved bid quality for up to 25% without additional stakeholders.
• Stay in control: Execution across multiple organizations through real-time KPIs with full traceability for stakeholders or OEM certifications.
• Drive design & production efficiency: Digital continuity across all value streams from engineering to manufacturing to eliminate inefficiencies in the design process and ensure product quality.
• Higher margins: 40% increased productivity with 30% reduce in change process requests and errors with strong controls, rules-based optimization and seamless collaboration

 

Co-Design to Target

Over 50% of projects miss out on their delivery data due to issues in the later stages that are discovered in the manufacturing process. Designing right the first time can prevent these issues in the first stage with the automated validation and quality assurance against the OEM standards.

Co-Design to Target enables OEMs with disparate tools and processes in a single stream to optimize the form, fit and function within an integrated Digital Mock-Up system (DMU). This system eliminates many integration issues that majorly affect  cost and schedule.

Digital Continuity allows driving projects with a real-time view of KPIs across the organization with multiple stakeholders, sites and suppliers to proactively sustain the project as per the timeline.

For instance, hundreds of engineers work on  detailed product development in the design phase. Thousands of specifications cascade to sub-systems and components based on top-level requirements. Project targets are met with lean development through efficient integration of engineering teams. With Co-Design to Target, these teams work with parallel timelines and collaborate in real-time for quick and easy detailed definitions of each component and system within the finished product.

Benefits

• Manage programs in real-time: Stakeholders can review the real-time status of projects with a quick view of all KPIs with full traceability until delivery. The works-in process is consolidated with various different tools for program controls, systems engineering, design engineering, contracts management, subcontract administrations, configuration management, and data management. Comprehensive management and real-time process visibility improve the success, profitability and value to customers.
• Achieve manufacturing excellence by design: Design, engineering and manufacturing processes are efficiently integrated and validated with the digital mock-up function to evade costly issues in the later stages. This solution simplifies the product development process by integrating value streams. Transformation in the development phase significantly lowers the cost and time of projects with Co-Design to Target.
• Reduce costs and improve quality: Program execution is enhanced with multi-discipline simulations to guarantee the delivery of performance, reliability and cost targets. Reducing the complexity in product development stage enables organizations to reap the profits at a lower recurring and non-recurring costs. Co-Design to Target industry-specific solution transforms the product development phase to ensure significant reduction in cost with improved quality.

To know more about our aerospace & defense industry-specific solutions,submit an inquiry to speak to our senior technical experts.