VRSI to Use DELMIA Robotics for F-35 JSF Project
 AUBURN
HILLS, MI, July 1, 2008 - Dassault Systems (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris:
#13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management
(PLM), announced today that Variation Reduction Solutions, Inc. (VRSI) has
selected DELMIA robotics solution for use in the Air Force Research
Laboratory (AFRL) Guided Robots and Robotic Applications in Confined Spaces
project. VRSI has received an AFRL Small Business Innovative Research grant
to develop a vision-guided automated solution for drilling inlet ducts in
the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) center fuselage, being
manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Currently, the air inlet duct is integrated with the fuselage by
attaching aluminum frames to the composite duct via mechanical fasteners.
Each duct is about nine feet long, yet only 20 inches in internal diameter.
Despite the ergonomically challenging space constraints, the operation is
done manually and requires the drilling and countersinking of 800 holes per
duct.
“The DELMIA robotics simulation solution will allow us to produce
feasibility studies to determine how many of the holes the robot arm can
reach,” said Brett Bordyn, director of technical development, VRSI. “Without
this simulation tool, we would not be able to properly configure and program
a robot to handle such a difficult process.”
Bordyn explained that each of the 800 drilling points has a unique
safe-radius area and that the DELMIA solution allows VRSI to create multiple
collision and near-miss queues to ensure collision free robot trajectories
within the confined duct space. It is expected that the automated drilling
solution will reduce the frame attachment process flow time by 50 percent.
Working with TechniGraphics, a global PLM services provider and a DELMIA
channel partner, VRSI selected the DELMIA robotics solution for its cable
simulation, GSL script language, and offline programming capabilities, which
save significant production floor programming time. DELMIA has also been
contracted to provide the necessary on-site training.
“We are excited to be a part of the Joint Strike Fighter program,” said
James Cleveland, vice president and general manager of PLM at TechniGraphics.
“Driving innovation in the aerospace industry through PLM solutions is one
of the hallmarks of our partnership with Dassault Systemes. We support their
cutting-edge software and by performing legacy CAD conversions, our
customers can utilize their entire engineering repository within modern
design environments.”
The prototype system, expected to be delivered mid-2008, will rely upon a
vision-guided Fanuc Series 2000/125L robot to enter the narrow duct opening.
A laser tracking system will then help locate the correct positioning within
a very narrow tolerance of each hole in order to perform the robotic
drilling operation. A laser inspection process is then performed to evaluate
the quality of each hole.
Over the following year, the prototype will then be developed into a
production inlet duct robotic drilling system. It is anticipated to receive
shop floor certification in the summer of 2009 and be complete by end of
2009 for use in the aircraft build.
About VRSI
Variation Reduction Services, Inc., (Plymouth, Mich.) specializes in
reducing variation, improving quality, and in turn minimizing the costs
associated with manufacturing errors in automotive and aerospace assembly
plants. Using advanced technologies, VRSI integrates 2D and 3D measurement
systems for applications in dimensional gauging, surface scanning, error
proofing, and robotic guidance.
For more information, visit
www.vrs-inc.com.
About TechniGraphics
TechniGraphics is a world-class information technology company
headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, with offices across the United States,
Europe, and India. As a leader in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM),
TechniGraphics strives to help its customers cut costs and drive innovation
through visualization and simulation of products, processes, and
environments. The company focuses on being a trusted advisor in your PLM
transformation efforts. This includes software implementation, design
automation, CAD format conversion, diverse training programs, and
multi-national support in the deployment of the Dassault Systemes Product
Lifecycle Management suite of products. For more information please visit
www.tgstech.com.
About DELMIA
DELMIA is a premier brand for digital manufacturing solutions, focused on
two unique software applications that can be used to streamline
manufacturing processes. DELMIA Automation provides solutions to digitally
design, test and validate the control of a machine, workcell, or entire
factory line and DELMIA PLM provides the process and resource capability to
enable continuous creation and validation of manufacturing processes as
related to the product throughout the entire product lifecycle. DELMIA
serves industries where the optimization of manufacturing processes is
critical, including automotive, aerospace, fabrication and assembly,
electrical and electronics, consumer goods, plant, and shipbuilding sectors.
Information about DELMIA is available at
http://www.delmia.com.
About Dassault Systems
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions,
Dassault Systems brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80
countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systems
develops and markets PLM application software and services that support
industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of
products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systems
portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks
for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for
virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and
3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systems is listed on the
Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more
information, visit http://www.3ds.com.
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Source: Material used in press releases is often supplied by external
sources and used as is.
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