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