Integrated Design Engineering and CAD/CAM Applications

In October 1986, the trainer version of the AV-8B jump jet, the TAV-8B, made its first flight. The event concluded a significant CAD/CAM milestone in the history of McDonnell Aircraft (MCAIR), since the forward fuselage and canopies were designed and manufactured using CAD/CAM. This major pilot program applied the MCAIR computer graphics system with wire frame and surface technology to the integration of all design and supplied Manufacturing with digital data for CAM applications. The presentation will focus on the Engineering management of the design integration effort, the computer graphics applications with a CAM interface, the savings associated with this large scale pilot program and the lessons learned.