Andrew Doyle/PARIS
LUCAS AEROSPACE plans to adopt Computervision's range of software tools as the basis for a common product-development platform across the company's operations worldwide.
Bedford, Massachusetts-based Computervision says that Lucas is expected to deploy "over 200 user licences" of its electronic product-definition (EPD) software, which includes the computer-aided-design package CADDS 5, Pelorus Powered applications for product modelling, and the new Optegra, for product data management (PDM).
The deal is understood to be worth more than $3 million, and follows hard on the heels of Airbus Industrie's decision to standardise on the CADDS 5 for its computer-aided-design activities (Flight International, 2-8 August).
Lucas is the first major Airbus supplier to follow the consortium's lead in selecting the CADDS 5. The UK aerospace company's decision is understood to have been expedited by IBM/Dassault's decision to pull out of the competition following the loss of the $25 million Airbus contract, having offered the rival CATIA system to both concerns.
Dr John Garside, programme director of Lucas Aerospace, says that the company was "...driven very much by its prime customers" in selecting the CADDS 5. "That meant things were very much loaded in favour of Computervision," he adds. Lucas is also a major supplier to Rolls-Royce, which uses the CADDS 5.
EPD allows a company to develop, analyse and simulate a product within a "virtual" environment before the start of the manufacturing phase, reducing the likelihood of expensive modifications having to be made at a later stage. Garside says: "By implementing EPD, we will have one consistent product-development environment throughout our 14 sites spread around the globe. We will become the first 'EPD-ready' supplier."
Computervision announced the deal with Lucas on 10 October at the Paris launch of its Optegra modular family of PDM products. The new software is designed to provide "one cohesive solution" for managing information associated with a product's development- and in-service life-cycle.
Ian Barnes, Computervision's Optegra marketing manager, says: "Optegra will enable Airbus and Lucas to support EPD implementation in terms of securing design data, ensuring that complex assemblies can be worked on by a number of designers, and being able to secure and store all of the data types [design, analysis and manufacturing] that they are working with."
Source: Flight International
