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Original Date: 07/13/1992
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Producibility Enhancements Through CAD Tools
Benet Laboratories, Design and Development (D&D) Division, has assembled a complete CAD analysis capability that allows exploration of new design concepts. The networked computer system also quantifies fit, form, and functional requirements of new gun and turret designs. This capability was demonstrated by fitting an existing turret with a new gun design.
D&D developed expertise in finite element analysis, gas dynamics, gun dynamics, and CAD from previous work efforts. These areas were linked through a LAN where geometric information was forwarded from one group to another until design optimization was achieved. D&D has developed a capability for working with two solid modeling CAD systems, I-Deas and Pro/Engineer, to allow the designer to complete a number of tasks not possible with previous design software.
The improved capabilities include:
Complex requirements such as compound interference angles of one assembly component to another can be determined easily,
Mass properties can be generated of all individual or combined components; shaded imaging is available for visual conceptualization of design progress,
Finite element preprocessing capabilities are also available,
A capability to generate a stereolithographic file for overnight generation of a design model, and
Assemblies of components can be generated to check static and dynamic interfaces.
With the design concept generated in solids, a finite element file is preprocessed and sent over the LAN for other groups to begin their analyses. All groups access the common finite element analysis geometric file and process the information over the internetwork on supercomputers (both in-house and others). With the analysis complete, the post-processed engineering modifications are made to the geometric model for final optimization. It is at this stage that a full-scale or a model prototype can be generated, ensuring that form, fit, and function will be met.
This implementation has reduced the design cycle, increased accuracy, extended the life and reliability of designs, and has allowed new areas of design optimization to be explored through an enhanced understanding of the design process. There has also been a cost benefit realized from the implementation of this comprehensive computerized design system.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
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