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19 Jul 2006  -  United States

New software application from VISTAGY

VISTAGY, a provider of specialized engineering software, has announced the release of the Airframe Design Environment (ADE), the latest member of VISTAGY's family of commercial-off-the-shelf specialized engineering environments powered by EnCapta. The software is the first-ever application integrated into commercial CAD systems that is specifically tailored to designing and manufacturing airframes. 

The Airframe Design Environment enables aerospace engineers to capture all essential non-geometric information related to parts or fasteners, as well as automate airframe-specific design and manufacturing processes, in order to create truly complete 3D digital product definitions of airframe components and assemblies. As a result,  manufacturers in the aerospace industry can more efficiently, quickly and cost-effectively develop aerostructures for commercial airliners and military aircraft. 
 
"Airframe design involves a set of very specific challenges, and calls for the highest standards of precision. The ADE supports and extends the unique vocabulary and specific, complex processes required to develop airframes that meet these standards and challenges," said Bob Flory, vice president of product development at VISTAGY. "For the first time, aerospace manufacturers can automate airframe design and manufacturing processes and tasks to more quickly and efficiently  develop groundbreaking aerostructures that offer a competitive
advantage." 

The Airframe Design Environment supports model-based definition (MBD) initiatives and offers complete functionality for capturing all types of data, materials and methodologies specific to airframe design including: 

Assembly hardware models - Engineers create these models to capture assembly, installation, and other detailed requirements that are not readily called out in other CAD models. The ADE stores this information with the associated geometry of the CAD model and communicates it downstream to product development and manufacturing. 

Joints - The ADE captures all non-geometric information related to the logical definition of the assembly of two or more parts in an airframe in context with the associated 3D geometry. This includes the characteristics of the interface-like electrical conductivity, material compatibility, loads and joining processes-as well as processes applied-like the use of adhesives. 

Fasteners - Airframes consume tens of thousands of fasteners. Each one must be defined by location and by special characteristics, such as thread or clench length. The ADE automates fastener definition through access to a fastener library, evaluates part stack, edge distance, and other characteristics to validate that design criteria are met, automatically generates hardware reports and computes consumption figures for tracking.

Process Requirements - The ADE enables engineers to rapidly define process requirements such as hole specifications and manufacturing instructions-like the application of sealants-linked associatively to the geometry of the 3D model. The software feeds all this information to downstream applications by generating data for ERP, procurement, manufacturing and quality
directly from the 3D definition, enabling clear and accurate communication throughout engineering.

All software applications powered by EnCapta, including the Airframe Design Environment, operate within CATIA V5, Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, and NX CAD systems. The ADE is currently available to all global customers.

Source : VISTAGY