3D CAD/CAM and PDM software

Citation

(2000), "3D CAD/CAM and PDM software", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772dab.008

3D CAD/CAM and PDM software

3D CAD/CAM and PDM software

Keywords: Unigraphics Solutions, Software, CAD/CAM

Unigraphics Solutions, together with its distributor in India, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has won a contract to provide the Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with advanced 3D CAD/CAM and product data management (PDM) facilities. The contract, valued at over $1 million, calls for the supply of more than 100 "seats" of Unigraphics Solutions' integrated CAD/CAM software suite, Unigraphics, and the Web-enabled iMAN PDM software, together with system implementation and support services.

Believed to be one of the most significant investments in advanced CAD/CAM technology by HAL in recent times - and won in the face of stiff competition from other CAD/CAM software vendors serving the aerospace sector - the new system will be used for the design and development of HAL's new Intermediate Jet Trainer. The software will be used throughout the aircraft development project, from single component design, through large assembly modelling to the complete electronic mock-up of the aircraft, along with the management of all the associated product data.

Dr Murli Saletore, general manager, HAL (ARDC), said, "HAL Aircraft Research & Design Centre has recently taken up a new project on the design and development of an Intermediate Jet Trainer - also known as the Hindustan Jet Trainer-36 (HJT-36) - to replace the Kiran Trainer aircraft used by the Indian Air Force over the past two decades. For us to complete the development of this new aircraft in the scheduled three plus-years time-scale we are investing in a major enhancement of our CAD/CAM facilities. We are confident that the Unigraphics CAD/CAM and iMAN PDM software suites, together with TCS support services, will enable us to carry out the design and development of the IJT to world class standards in an efficient and cost-effective manner - within the project time-scale".

TCS chief executive officer, S. Ramadorai, added, "We are very excited that TCS has been selected by HAL ARDC for their new trainer project. Apart from being one of the largest CAD/CAM system deals in the country, it proves our superiority in the aerospace industry. I am sure that with our experience of Unigraphics and iMAN, combined with Unigraphics Solutions' fundamental product strengths, TCS will be able to deliver value to HAL".

Tim Norman, UK managing director of Unigraphics Solutions, said, "We are delighted that, through the dedication of TCS, our distributor in India for over 12 years, ARDC has selected Unigraphics Solutions' software for the new jet trainer program. Following the extensive and thorough evaluation process of all the leading CAD/CAM vendors which took place, it clearly demonstrates Unigraphics Solutions' increasing presence in the aerospace industry".

The use of the Unigraphics and iMAN software, together with TCS support services, is expected to reduce product development and production times significantly at HAL, enabling the company to design and develop new aircraft faster while maintaining the highest levels of quality assurance. Key to this is Unigraphics Solutions' Virtual Product Development (VPD) model which supports aerospace product development process threads. Implemented by leading aerospace companies around the world to reduce product development time, VPD represents an environment in which a full and exact representation of a product, together with its associated data, is created, tested, documented and then manufactured in a completely digital manner. Design, analysis, manufacturability, serviceability and marketability - all critical aspects of the product development process - are performed collaboratively and concurrently across departments, sites, divisions, partners and countries, using the "master model" concept which underlies the Unigraphics software suite.

Details available from: Unigraphics Solutions. Tel: +44 (0) 1276 702033.