|
Original Date: 05/08/1995
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Engineering Documentation Storage System
McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA)-St. Louis uses a state-of-the-art drawing storage technology in its Engineering Documentation Storage System (EDSS). This technology is based on raster imaging technology and supports the archival and retrieval of electronically-formatted mechanical drawings. Once the drawing is released, turnaround for drawing availability is no more than 1 or 2 days, depending on the medium in which the drawing was submitted. This rate represents a substantial time savings over the previous 30 days.
The EDSS provides electronic media for mechanical drawings by scanning the originals and converting them into an electronic format with high data integrity. These electronic drawings support integrated product design and efficient data storage techniques. The EDSS alleviates the necessity for paper data centers and aperture cards, providing a single source for data integrity and accountability with remote access to the optical disk repository. Use of the EDSS has contributed to a reduction in print costs, scrap, rework, and repair.
The availability of high integrity electronic drawings has accelerated related integrated product and process design efforts in-house such as electronic commerce with suppliers and the Paperless Assembly Data Delivery System (PADDS) shop floor control program. Presently, all drawings are scheduled for electronic entry into the system with legacy requirements being updated as needed. The EDSS operates concurrently with the existing print crib system, but MDA-St. Louis has plans for closing the print cribs as the proliferation of the EDSS continues. Over 1200 devices are connected to the on-line electronic drawing system, and remote site installation for digital delivery of data per Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support, missiles programs, and electronic commerce continues. Current estimated savings from implementing EDSS is over $4.5M, attributed to the reduction of scrap and rework, blueprint and reproduction cost and, consolidation of existing print cribs.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
|
