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New aircraft programme sets rapid development timescale using CATIA Version 5 from INCAT
Added: (Mon Mar 25 2002)
New aircraft programme sets rapid development timescale using CATIA Version 5 from INCAT
Hemel Hempstead, UK, 25 March 2002.
Designers of a new type of seaplane, currently in detailed design, have set themselves an ambitious target of moving from ‘drawing board’ to first test-flights in the first quarter of 2003, using concurrent engineering processes and CATIA Solutions Version 5 CAD/CAM software from technology consultancy INCAT.
The aircraft, named Centaur, is being built by Salisbury, UK-based Warrior (Aero Marine) Ltd in conjunction with both Maine Composites of Maine, USA and UK aero-design specialists Chichester-Miles Consultants (CMC), designers of the 500 mph Leopard jet, known as the ultimate "Ferrari" of light aviation.
The Centaur features several design innovations that Warrior believes will ensure the aircraft’s success. Managing director of Warrior, James Labouchere explains:
“Original concepts for Centaur arose from combining methods used in the development and testing of racing multi-hull yachts with straightforward aircraft design principles. As a result, Centaur is the first seaplane that really marries aviation with marine design. It will have folding wings and water-thrust propulsion, allowing it to be easily manoeuvred into a standard 40ft marina mooring. This will make the aircraft much more attractive to recreational, commercial and business users,” he says.
However, it is the programme’s ambitious timescale, rather than the aircraft’s design innovations, that presents the greatest engineering challenge. Currently at detailed design stage, the new aircraft’s team is using CATIA Version 5, the world's leading business process automation solution for product creation and product development, and INCAT expertise to meet this challenge.
INCAT worked both remotely and on site with Warrior’s design team in CMC. This has allowed tooling manufacture at Maine Composites to begin in parallel with other design aspects of the programme. INCAT has also provided rapid CATIA training and education too.
Warrior (Aero Marine) Ltd has received around one thousand purchase enquires and has already taken its first orders for the Centaur. The company is aiming to produce at least three hundred aircraft per year to meet market forecasts. For further information and to view images of Centaur, visit: www.centaurseaplane.com
Note to editors
Images for reproduction are available at the above website or by calling David Dorman below.
Media enquiries only:
INCAT: Ned Jolic, marketing manager, Tel. +44 (0)1442 281200, mailto:njolic@uk.incat.com
Warrior (Aero Marine): David Dorman, Dorway PR, Tel. +44 (0)1582 488336, ddaviddorman@cs.com
About INCAT
INCAT is the world’s largest IBM business partner for CATIA Solutions, and also provides other leading engineering design solutions. The business provides software, IT infrastructure, consulting, professional services and training to the global engineering community. By building long-term partnerships with its customers, INCAT’s aim is to facilitate competitive advantage through intelligently applied process improvements and technologies. The business has over 800 employees based in nine countries around the world. For more information, visit: www.incat.com
Andy Turner
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www.sixsigma-pr.co.uk