Computers in engineering

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Boeing develops flight crew operation software

The Boeing Co. has introduced a new software product that optimizes airplane performance calculations, helps reduce pilot workload, and improves the efficiency and dispatch reliability of flight operations. The new Boeing Laptop Tool is a software application designed to increase operational efficiencies by optimizing takeoff and landing calculations. Used on a laptop computer, it also can provide quick access to the digital versions of paper manuals that pilots typically carry aboard airplanes. Digitized reference sources that can be loaded in the Laptop Tool include the Flight Manual, Dispatch Deviations Guide, Minimum Equipment List, Operations Manual, Quick Reference Handbook, and Flight Crew Training Manual. The Laptop Tool also provides for storing and viewing terminal area navigation charts.

"This new software streamlines flight crew procedures," said Steve Churchill, Boeing Flight Operations Engineer. "For example, it automates performance calculations for takeoff and landing, eliminating the need to search for cross-referenced information from different documents and doing the calculations manually."

Another advantage is that the Laptop Tool contains more precise, customized data for an individual airplane compared to conventional paper manuals. "The higher level of accuracy allows the flight crew to know the exact payload capacity for optimum efficiency on any runway in any weather condition," Churchill said. "In fact, any adjustment for prevailing conditions can be readily calculated with this software."

Churchill noted that the speed, accuracy, and capability of the Laptop Tool also help boost airplane schedule reliability. "If there's a temporary condition that invalidates the data in a paper manual, someone needs to recalculate the numbers," he said. "Sometimes it requires help from technical specialists back at the home base, which can be time-consuming. With the Laptop Tool, however, the flight crew or local dispatch center can make those calculations without delay."

Eight commercial operators and all customers of the Boeing Business Jet are currently using the Laptop Tool. It is available for each airframe/engine combination in an operator's fleet.

- Frank Bokulich

DNC Communication Software

RealVision, Inc., has released webDNC, a communication software system that reduces manual data entry. The system consists of three distinct modules: DNCAssist, DNCView, and RemoteDNC. DNCAssist manages all DNC files working in the background, gathering information and inputting the data into a choice of databases including ORACLE, MS SQL, and X-Base. RemoteDNC is the full-featured, robust, LAN-based 32-bit DNC server that supports up to 256 machines per PC. The webDNC handles program ID management, tool list generation, program revision control, job tracking, information distribution via the Web, and other functions.

Rapid prototyping

Materialise has released Magics RP 6.3, software applications for rapid prototyping techniques. The software contains new features, such as an EDM module, tooling upgrades, IGES wireframe export, advanced fill hole, VRML import, PLY/ZCP import/export, and rapid fit. The updated program can be used for rapid prototyping in applications such as CAM, reverse engineering, visualization, and simulation.

3-D CAD software

VISTAGY, Inc. recently released EnCapta software for 3-D CAD systems. EnCapta provides tools for capturing and communicating specialized non-geometric design data that are important for complete product definition. The captured data can be stored associatively with CAD geometry. The software is currently integrated into CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, and Unigraphics CAD systems.

Demand flow manufacturing software

LeanConfigurator, a demand flow manufacturing software system, is now available from CIMx. LeanConfigurator is used to electronically create manufacturing process information and assemble that information into Web-enabled build books that are tailored specifically to a configured product based on the product options selected for that unit. The software enables users to reduce missing, incomplete, or inaccurate build information. It also analyzes resource requirements by product families, product options, or configured products to meet configure-to-order requirements of most industries.

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