Product category:
Simulation, modelling and validation software
News Release from: Delmia | Subject: Envision Ergo
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 28 March 2005
Simulation predicts JSF maintenance
routines
BAE Systems is using Delmia digital manufacturing tools to assist in the design-for-maintenance requisite of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme.
BAE Systems is using Delmia digital manufacturing tools to assist in the design-for-maintenance requisite of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme With the stated four criteria of the JSF programme being that the three variant aircraft are "lethal, survivable, supportable and affordable", maintainability becomes extremely important
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 8 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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BAE Systems has applied Delmia Envision Ergo software to ensure that 90% of all the selected maintenance tasks on the aft fuselage can be carried out by all of the predetermined maintenance personnel.
Ahmed Rawat, Reliability and Maintainability (R and M) Specialist at BAE Systems, explained: "The simulation toolset has been used to ascertain clearances for maintenance of the fuselage once the aircraft is in use".
"We have been exploring whether there is adequate access to the fasteners and equipment using collision detection by simulating the maintenance bays that have minimised access".
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"Our simulations for maintenance items, such as hand tooling, have taken the form of quick simulations rather than detailed studies".
"These are then used by manufacturing engineers to further confirm their concepts and also to give greater confidence to the maintenance engineers".
"Maintenance specialists have helped design support equipment", continued Rawat, "defining clearances and sizes of lifting components".
"One prime example includes a component jack used to attach batteries and actuators.
Initial calculations showed that just 15% of tilting movement was necessary".
"However, the simulation using Delmia Envision identified that a 27% tilt angle was actually required".
Envision has also been used to create and analyse the entire aft fuselage assembly line at a very early stage in the design process, allowing iterative improvements along the way.
Simulations have been created to examine clearances for the manufacture of the fuselage, the installation of equipment and the final assembly of the structure, which will occur at Fort Worth.
The F-35 will be the first modern jet fighter built on a moving production line, with a planned production run of more than 2500 aircraft for the USA and the UK.
Delmia solutions are being used throughout the JSF programme in collaboration with BAE Systems' US partner, Lockheed Martin Company.
"We find that simulation is the perfect method of conveying any difficulties we might have and proving out a solution", concluded Rawat, "especially as the engineering team behind the F-35 is international".
Our final step will be the creation of detailed simulations for the different F-35 variants once the design is fully mature".
"However, our early involvement is a testament to the success of concurrent engineering on this project".
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