Concurrent Engineering
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 1
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
CE Definitions:
• “The application of tools, techniques,
methodologies, and behavioral initiatives
used to minimise product development
timescales by maximising the degree of
overlap of design activities.”
• “A ‘buzz-phrase’ with a limited shelf life?”
• “Optimal design.”
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 2
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Sequential Design (“over-the-fence” approach)
Centralised Design
Concurrent Design
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 3
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Concurrent Engineering
• Serial engineering: Good
– control of two parameters Quick
Cheap
• Concurrent Engineering:
– Attempt to control all three parameters
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 4
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Case Study
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 5
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Stringer Manufacturing
Early 1980’s A320 rate increase;
Severe capacity problems
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 6
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Stringer Forming
Highly labour intensive,
Long lead times,
Quality critical.
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 7
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Twisting operation
Concern over effect on
Fatigue properties !
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 8
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Manufacturing Automation
Extremely costly
capital equipment;
high maintenance
costs,
dedicated function
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 9
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Some historical
perspective…..
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 10
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
CE is not new; P51
DESIGNED + DEVELOPED
IN 102 DAYS
TECHNOLOGICALLY
ADVANCED
DESIGNED FOR
LOW COST
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 11
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Supermarine Spitfire
• Example of
CE?
– Good ?
– Cheap ?
– Quick ?
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 12
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Bf 109
7000 M/hours, much emphasis
on design for Manufacture
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 13
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
DH 98 Mosquito
Arguably a good example of CE.
Much emphasis on design for
manufacture;
Use of modular assemblies,
split fuselage halves for easy equipping,
minimal use of compound curves.
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 14
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Concorde
Design for performance?
Technical challenges huge,
little opportunity for DFM/DFA?
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 15
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
How do you “do” CE?
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 16
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Boeing
“It is in project management that Boeing
hope to gain an advantage over Airbus
in the design of the 777”*
*Sabbagh; 21st Century Jet
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 17
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
Boeing and CE
• Conscious and deliberate
• Planned size and number of DBTs
– (planned 80 ended up with 250)
• Highly structured meetings
– (scheduled down to the minute)
• Culture change
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 18
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
The Future
MULTIMEDIA WALL
Doc.’n Team
Customer and Ad-Hoc
Leader
Customer and Ad-Hoc
Systems
Cost
Experts
Experts
Config. Risks
Structure Progr.’s
Simulation Mechanisms
Instruments
AOCS Thermal
Propulsion Power
Mission GS & Ops Comms DHS
ESTEC Dh015
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 19
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences
The Future
ESA Concurrent
Design Facility
(CDF):
Module SESA3002a; Aerospace Design 20
James Scanlan; School of Engineering Sciences