Applications of Computer Graphics in the Aerospace Industry

CSE598 Presentation Yosei Sugiyama

Motivation
Computer graphics has revolutionized the aerospace industry CG is instrumental in all phases of an aircrafts development process Very wide range of applications

The Development Process

Design Implementation Integration & Manufacturing Maintenance & Sustainment

Design
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
No more 2-D illustrations and drawings All parts designed and stored on a computer Catia by Dassault Systems

Electronic mock-ups
Assemble the parts digitally Allows engineers to visually inspect and understand the design Check for the proper fit between structures, run interference checks and spatial searches, and test for load predictions Consider more design alternatives

Goal is to eliminate the need for physical mock-ups

Significant cost reductions and time savings

Visualization: FlyThru CAD

Boeings real-time visualization and interaction software Preassemble an entire aircraft on the computer Features:
Walk-through of the assembled aircraft Large-scale manufacturing illustrations Pilot/maintenance training
Source: www.boeing.com

Human Modeling
Create a virtual environment by importing CAD data, and populating it with biomechanically accurate human figures. Analysis of:
Vision & Vision Obscuration Plots Distance Analysis Collision Detection using Voxel Point Shell (VPS) Automated Population Analysis Reach Accommodation Reach Envelopes

Eliminate the need for any mock-ups Boeing Human Modeling System (BHMS) by Boeing Transom Jack by Transom Technologies, Inc.
Source: www.boeing.com

Human Modeling
Another humanmodeling technique Maintainers can use a head-mounted display and gloves to physically immerse themselves in a virtual environment and simulate a maintenance task

Source: www.boeing.com

Rapid Prototyping
Cockpit development stations allows rapid prototyping of cockpit displays
Simulates the layout and displays on each screen During reviews, change instrumentations, layouts, and displays on the fly Maximizes utility and efficiency of controls Designers Workbench by Centric Software
Source: www.boeing.com

The Development Process

Design Implementation Integration & Manufacturing Maintenance & Sustainment

Graphics in the Aircraft

One of the core components that needs to be built and implemented is the graphics system Consists of:
Displays
Cockpit displays HUD Helmet-mounted displays

Graphics processor Inputs to the graphics processor

The visual displays are the integral component in providing the pilot with situational awareness

Graphics Processing
Radar Navigation System Avionics System Fuel System

Weapons System

Graphics Processor

Digital Map System Cameras

Infrared Sensors

Source: www.rockwellcollins.com

Graphics Processor
Consists of:
General purpose processor
Processing of data from various modules Generate graphics commands

Image processing
Processes graphics commands Similar to OpenGL commands

Vector processor
Draws symbols and lines on displays

Input/Output module
Communication with other systems

Video multiplexer
Some aircrafts have over 8 displays Sends the correct video to each of the displays

Graphics Processor
Advanced features:
Overlaying graphics data from different systems
Ex. Overlay radar data (such as enemy locations) over camera footage.

Helmet-mounted display adjusts displays depending on where the pilot is looking Night mode and day mode

Redundancy and fault tolerance to increase survivability Built-in tests

The Development Process

Design Implementation Integration & Manufacturing Maintenance & Sustainment

Manufacturing & Integration

Machine the parts using CAD drawings very precise Electronic mockup means 100% fit at assembly With joint ventures & subcontracting, it is more important that everything be designed digitally, and then prototyped to ensure compatibility and fit Manufacturing participates in the design process
Evaluate how the aircraft will be serviced or how weapons will be loaded Incorporate efficiencies up front Resolve assembly issues beforehand Reduces assembly cost

Testing - Visualizations
During testing, very large amounts of data are gathered. We need a way to represent that data visually. Used to evaluate:
Material flightworthiness Structural mechanics Computational fluid dynamics Multidisciplinary design optimization

Source: www.boeing.com

Identify potential flaws that could lead to part failure under stress conditions A lot of this type of analysis can be done during the design phase, before the aircraft is even built

The Development Process

Design Implementation Integration & Manufacturing Maintenance & Sustainment

Maintenance & Sustainment

A large part of the maintenance and sustainment effort training:
Courseware & manuals Pilot training
Interim training & testing during development Formal training after the aircraft is deployed

Maintenance-crew training

Courseware & Manuals

Using the cockpit simulations and prototypes used during the design phase, courseware developers can become intimately familiar with the aircraft. All of the images and displays can be captured directly from the simulations and CAD drawings
What used to take 100 technical illustrators months to do can now be down with 6 graphics engineers in much less time. Since the aircraft was constructed from the same drawings, the images are guaranteed to be accurate.

Flight-Crew Trainers
Prototype trainers can use the cockpit simulations. The full trainers will use the actual operational flight programs (OFP) with slight modifications. Uses commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS).
Out-the-window displays use graphics techniques similar to game design AI for simulating other aircrafts Network with other trainers for combat mission rehearsal.

Source: www.boeing.com

Maintenance Trainers
VR trainers used during design phase Smart boards:
Touch-screen displays that allow you to zoom-in and perform virtual maintenance functions on the aircraft. Replaces full-scale mock-ups Updates are easy (a software change, as opposed to a hardware change). Graphics can be based off of CAD drawings Avionics simulations and cockpit displays can use the real OFP or the cockpit simulations from the design phase.

Conclusion
The use of computer graphics in the aerospace industry will continue to expand. Other industries such as the automotive industry are seeing similar trends. End result is:
Lean manufacturing Lower costs and labor Faster development time Shorter time-to-market Less problems More complete, sophisticated, and maintainable products

Leverage the initial CAD effort across all other phases