CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

30 November 2004

Implementation Investments

Boeing Selects Intercim and Delmia to Provide 7E7 Shop Floor Information System

Boeing will use software from Delmia Corporation and Intercim, Inc., to digitally define how its all-new 7E7 Dreamliner commercial airplane will be built and maintained. The combination of their software products -- DELMIA V5 DPM Shop and Intercim Velocity -- will create a three-dimensional shop-floor information system. Those software tools will integrate with the program's digital definition tool -- Dassault Systemes' product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions -- using a single 7E7 database.

"The integration of definition, assembly and maintenance tools with a single database is helping us reduce redundancies, eliminate mistakes and create a better airplane," said Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the 7E7 program. "We are more efficient as a result of these tools."

The DELMIA software defines the assembly and maintenance processes. Planners will use the software to define and validate the content and sequence of assembly and maintenance operations. Shop-floor personnel will use the data to view three-dimensional standard work instructions.

"Boeing wants to provide every shop-floor worker with accurate, up-to-date production information customized to a specific job and configuration change," said Philippe Charles, chief executive officer of Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Delmia Corp. "That drove us to an innovative solution combining our powerful planning and viewing tools to meet the 7E7 program's needs."

The Velocity software from Minneapolis-based Intercim delivers plans to the shop floor. The 7E7 program is also integrating Velocity with other software tools to provide key production information and metrics that ensure the design and production of every 7E7 is fully documented in accordance with requirements.

John Todd, Intercim president and chief executive officer, said "There was a clear objective to collapse the walls between design and manufacturing. Our product helps provide the 7E7 team with a way to achieve that."

The 7E7 is a family of three super-efficient airplanes that will provide passengers with a better flying experience. The 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in three classes of seating with a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 kilometers). The 7E7-3, a model of the 7E7-8 optimized for shorter flights, will carry 289 passengers in two-class seating on ranges up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 kilometers). The 7E7-9, a longer version of the 7E7-8, will carry 257 passengers in three classes with a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 kilometers).

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