Taylor-Deal Aviation, LLC
Taylor-Deal Aviation (TDA), LLC, provides aviation design and engineering services, and specializes in the modification of aircraft interiors for corporate jet, VIP/head-of-state aircraft, and military applications. SolidWorks Enterprise PDM enables Taylor-Deal Aviation to accelerate development of its modifications for VIP aircraft through improved management of project design data.
“We had SolidWorks Enterprise PDM software installed and connected to our SQL server in a couple of hours.”
– Edmund Lively, Senior Design Engineer
THE CHALLENGE
Taylor-Deal Aviation (TDA), LLC, provides aviation design and engineering services, and specializes in the modification of aircraft interiors for corporate jet, VIP/head-of-state aircraft, and military applications. The company uses SolidWorks 3D CAD software to develop custom aircraft interiors. Because TDA was growing at a rapid pace, the company needed a PDM solution to manage the increased volume of project design data.
THE SOLUTION
TDA selected SolidWorks Enterprise PDM software because it is easy to install and simple to use, administer, and maintain. Flexibility was also a key factor, as the company needed to customize the system to its unique processes, without the added cost of reseller support, training, and customization services. By choosing SolidWorks Enterprise PDM, TDA has reduced its development cycle time, improved document management and revision control, established automated workflows, and advanced the production of technical publications.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Reduced development cycle time
- Improved document management and revision control
- Established automated workflows
- Advanced the production of technical publications
BAE Systems
Whether developing a safety system for CH-47 helicopters or new satellite communications for C-130 military transports, BAE Systems-Cresview uses SolidWorks software to quickly deliver systems to the field.
“We had a high confidence level that the concept would work because we had run motion simulations in SolidWorks, it functioned exactly as we had envisioned.”
– Craig Yort, Engineering Manager
THE CHALLENGE
BAE Systems’ Intelligence, Electronics & Support operation in Crestview, Florida, develops defensive and communications systems for retrofitting on military aircraft. The group was an early adopter of 3D CAD technology in 1997, when it transitioned from AutoCAD 2D CAD software to 3D technology in order to respond to defense contracts more quickly, control costs more effectively, and grow operations more efficiently.
THE SOLUTION
The company selected the SolidWorks 3D mechanical design system because it is easy to use, includes robust 3D visualization tools, and comes with the SolidWorks eDrawings design communications package. By deploying SolidWorks software, BAE Systems-Crestview was able to deliver a safety system to the field within three months, eliminate costly prototyping cycles, increase the level of confidence in its designs, and support tenfold growth in its number of defense contracts.
SUCCESS METRICS
Delivered aircraft safety system to field in less than three months
Eliminated costly prototyping cycles
Increased level of confidence in designs
Supported ten-fold growth in defense contracts
Terrafugia, Inc.
Using SolidWorks software, Terrafugia was able to innovate the first practical, integrated, roadable aircraft within a compressed design cycle.
“The more time we save, the better. SolidWorks software has proven to be a good tool for helping us do that.”
– Gregor Cadman, Engineer
THE CHALLENGE
Terrafugia, Inc. has turned the drivable plane into a reality. Established in 2006 by award-winning, MIT-trained aeronautical engineers and MBAs, the company has developed the Transition® aircraft, a personal airplane that converts into an automobile. In selecting a design package for the project, the company’s founders realized that the nature of the project – with two sets of safety and performance standards – would require a robust, flexible 3D design platform.
THE SOLUTION
The company chose SolidWorks software because it is easy to use, provides advanced surfacing tools, offers robust large-assembly capabilities, and includes integrated applications, such as SolidWorks Simulation and SolidWorks Routing software. By implementing SolidWorks, Terrafugia accelerated its development process, minimized component weight while maintaining strength, saved time through automated routing, and innovated the first practical integrated roadable aircraft.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Accelerated development process
- Minimized weight while maintaining strength
- Saved time with automated routing applications
- Innovated the first practical, integrated, roadable aircraft
NTE-SENER
NTE-SENER used SolidWorks design software to develop the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES), which astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) use to offset the debilitating effects of zero gravity on muscle mass.
“SolidWorks has been a great change from our previous CAD software. It helped us to quickly create concepts, review them in vivid 3D detail with NASA, and develop a very sophisticated design.”
– Albert, Catalan
THE CHALLENGE
As the main contractor for the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES), NTE-SENER developed a sophisticated system to help astronauts exercise while onboard the International Space Station and to enable researchers to study the negative impacts of zero gravity on human muscles, and the effectiveness of the counter measures on board. Working on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), and in tandem with the NASA Human Research Facility (HRF), NTE-SENER faced significant engineering and communications challenges on the development of the MARES system, which required 3D tools.
THE SOLUTION
NTE-SENER chose the SolidWorks® 3D design platform to develop the MARES system because it’s easy to use, could import 3D models of existing space station designs, and included 3D design and visualization tools. By using SolidWorks on the project, NTE-SENER shortened its development cycle by 25 to 30 percent, automated design through the use of configurations, reduced the number of design errors, and supported a modular approach to design for ease of assembly.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Shortened development cycle by 25 to 30 percent.
- Automated design through use with configurations.
- Reduced number of design errors.
- Supported modular design for ease of assembly.
Mirror Image Aerospace
Skywalker Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) technology is aimed at providing affordable point-to-point commuter aircraft.
“We chose SolidWorks CAD software for its ability to design complex surfaces for the fuselage, support legs, and wings. We also enjoyed the software’s stability, the breadth of the Solution Partner Program, and the number of local companies and universities that use SolidWorks.”
– Kent Crookston, CEO
THE CHALLENGE
Mirror Image’s primary focus is to develop an affordable point-to-point commuter aircraft that will allow people to bypass crowded surface traffic and fly to their destinations using Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) technology. Prior to utilizing SolidWorks CAD software, the company faced the enormous task of just defining the concept. We had a good, sound functional design for the duct housing, but the rest of the aircraft had very little definition. We used clay, wood, and fiberglass to sculpt small-scale concepts and design variations which took an enormous amount of time, materials, and effort.
THE SOLUTION
We chose SolidWorks CAD software for its ability to design complex surfaces for the fuselage, support legs, and wings. We also enjoyed the software’s stability, the breadth of the Solution Partner Program, and the number of local companies and universities that use SolidWorks. The surfacing functionality provided the means to define new fuselage shapes quickly, while PhotoWorks rendering allowed us to view the finished product in photorealism to evaluate surfaces, showing color options and reflections which highlighted any inconsistencies. PhotoWorks also allowed us to present the Skywalker on our website to potential investors and end users.
SUCCESS METRICS
- Cut more than a year from the development cycle
- Reduced tooling costs by tens of thousands of dollars
- Utilized surfacing capabilities to design complex surfaces for fuselage, support legs, and wings.
- Improved photorealistic rendering capabilities
