787 Development Enhanced by Software

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Boeing's reliance on Catia computer-aided design software was a much heralded part of the 777's development in the early 1990s. Now the airframe maker is betting that upgrades to the Dassault Systemes toolset will ease development, fielding and support of the 787.

Boeing is the first to deploy updates to the Catia V5 digital suite that includes Enovia--which 787 General Manager Mike Bair describes as a "well-educated data depository"--and the Delmia manufacturing definition tool. Enovia provides the data platform from which Boeing will manage the customer and supplier side of the 787's life cycle. Delmia should help the company define its assembly processes.

Although Dassault's products are aimed across industry, they are being refined to meet Boeing's needs for the 787. Of the three, Delmia is the least mature system, but that isn't a major issue because its task is less critical at this early point in the 200-300-seat long-range aircraft's development, says Bair.

In the 777 days, Bair recalls, engineers were initially reluctant to switch from paper drafting to computer-aided design. The digital definition of the earlier Catia V4 was relatively tedious to use and still required Boeing to rely on paper printouts for its supply base.

The V5's "relational-ship" 3D design means a change to any part is automatically reflected in every associated part or design feature. This can be a critical factor as designs are refined.