Category Archives: Aerospace & Defense

Software Tools for the Development of Embedded Code

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In today’s ultra-competitive environment, product differentiation increasingly depends on embedded software. From automobiles to airplanes to medical devices, systems architecture and embedded software are important parts of product development cycles. Being able to manage these processes effectively so that you get the desired results is becoming a differentiator.

Today, the cars that we drive have more that 10 million lines of code! Can you imagine the hours it takes to come up with the definitions of what the car should do and how it should do it — let alone implement all this correctly through software code? It’s a time-consuming process, and getting it right the first time is challenging. We’ve all seen examples of what happens when the code isn’t correct. Incorrect code can cost companies millions of dollars, and more importantly, it erodes customers’ trust in that brand.

By using model-based, production-proven software tools for the development of embedded code, products can be developed in a faster and safer manner. And, when coupled with a certified automatic code generator, compliance for standards like DO-178B/C in aerospace, ISO 26262 in automotive and EN 50128 in rail is more rapidly achieved. Continue reading →

The Physics of Split-Second Events: Explicit Dynamics

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What happens when a bird runs into a plane while the plane is soaring through the air? How do you identify exactly what happened in that split second? And since every action has a reaction, how do you determine if the plane is designed to survive a bird strike? Understanding the physics of split-second events: This is the arena of explicit dynamics analysis.

Now consider split-second impacts in golf. United States Golf Association specifications regulate the speed limit with which a golf ball leaves the face of a driver. Using a standard of approximately 109 mph clubhead speed, approved golf balls leave the face of the driver at about 180 mph on average. If you’re charged with designing balls and clubs, how do you get to the optimal design that meets specs?

Animation courtesy Advanced International Multitech Co., Ltd. Continue reading →

Passenger CARE and Aircraft Design

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A few days ago, while I was waiting to board a flight, I ran into a childhood friend who I hadn’t seen in 20 years, and he was waiting for the same flight. We talked about all the developments in our lives over the last two decades, and it was wonderful catching up. I told my friend about how I had graduated in aerospace engineering, that my specialization is in CFD, and that I get to work with aerospace customers. He was quite interested in learning more about how our software helps with aircraft design.

airplane approaching the gateWe could see our aircraft approaching the gate through the pane glass window as we started to discuss how  external aerodynamics analysis influences the design of wings, fuselage, engines and flaps. Just around that time, the announcer issued the boarding, and so we boarded the flight and managed to get seats side by side.

While we continued our discussion, the aircraft was on the tarmac and began acceleration for take off. All of a sudden, my friend grabbed my hand. I was quite surprised and looked at him, even more shocked to see his tensed face with eyes closed and ears filled with cotton. Continue reading →

Simulation for Aerospace

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image of CFD studyThe first issue of the ANSYS Advantage magazine for 2013 is now available for your reading pleasure… and it focuses on the aerospace industry. Our subject is especially timely, since the aerospace industry is poised to kick off another record year: OEMs (including Boeing and Airbus) as well as the supply chain (such as GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney)  have record backlogs of orders. I’m proud to be involved in putting this magazine together. The publication involves a huge effort from our customers and our staff, so I congratulate and thank them for an excellent job.

Next-generation technology in aerospace

One of the reasons I enjoy this work so much is that I gain insight into a breadth of applications. All too often, we get focused on a specific discipline, such as aerodynamics, composites, electronic systems or software (among others), causing us to lose sight of the bigger picture. In aerospace, the view from 20,000 feet shows us that the industry designs and manufactures some of the most complex man-made systems on earth.

Seeing it from this perspective really makes me realize the important role that the modeling and simulation community plays in aerospace product development. While we continually strive for incremental improvements in each discipline, we cannot lose sight of  coupling all these disciplines as a system — and not just hardware, but software and embedded systems. Furthermore, we must also focus on the future —  so the industry can continue to grow and contribute to developing revolutionary next-generation technology. All of these factors make the aerospace industry so exciting today! Continue reading →

Simulation for Military Aircraft Ejection Seats

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I’ve always been passionate about aircraft. When I served in the Air Force and took my pilot training, I learned a lot about how systems on military planes work. One of the most amazing components, to me, was the ejection seat, probably one of the most complex pieces of equipment on board.

image of parachute system

Drogue parachute system analysis with inset submodel of the critical area using nonlinear material properties. Courtesy CTC.

Even if the purpose of the seat is clear and simple — to provide the pilot a safe and immediate way out of the aircraft in case of accident — its job is a very tough one. The seat has to work in emergency conditions; it represents the last chance for a pilot to leave a severely damaged aircraft, maybe spiraling out of control. This system must be designed not to  fail despite the critical, varied and unpredictable conditions in which it will be used. That’s quite a challenge for designers! Let me give you an example. Continue reading →

Boeing’s Revolutionary Dreamliner Woes Will Be a Blip in Its History

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The headlines have been filled with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a revolutionary vehicle hailed as the airliner of the future. The Dreamliner uses a phenomenal amount of electricity to power many of the systems on board — and that power is supplied by huge and complex lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries. This week, aviation authorities around the world ordered airlines to stop flying their Boeing 787 Dreamliners due to the fire risk associated with battery failure.

While experts everywhere are weighing in on the possible causes, solutions and consequences, we at ANSYS have confidence that Boeing’s engineering, research and technology teams will rapidly and thoroughly resolve the issues, and history will show that this was merely a blip in the overarching aircraft development process. Continue reading →

Harnessing Energy Through Simulation

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Maybe you’ve never thought about it, but we are living on a spaceship called Earth. It’s a big one, with more than 7 billion people on board, traveling at about 108,000 Km/h (67,500 mph) in the solar system, while spinning in such a way that, if you are on the equator line, you are moving at more than 1,700 Km/h (1,000 mph). Amazing, isn’t it?

image of ozone hole NASA

The ozone hole max is on Sept. 22, 2012. Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

In our travel through the universe, we are protected from outer space by our pressurized canopy: a 12 Km-thick barrier limited by an ozone layer that acts as a shield against radiation and small asteroids. It also allows us to breathe fresh air. It’s a very complex ship, with systems designed to provide the passengers (us) with anything we need to have a very pleasant journey: food, energy, water and fun. But it was designed 4.5 billion years ago, and there were no human beings at that time asking for so much energy to cool down their houses in summer, heat them up in winter, drive a big car, fly in a plane, or produce goods.

Continue reading →

Last Minute Gift for the Holidays: How About a Robot Dragonfly Created with ANSYS Software?

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Desperately searching for a gift for my nephew Dominick, I came across this article about a flying robotic Dragonfly that the Air Force has spent more than $1 million developing.

My first thought was ‘what kid wouldn’t want a flying insect that weighs less than one AA battery equipped with a camera that can be operated with an iPhone?’

My next thought was ‘Wait, a minute, I’m not shopping for myself.’

My third thought was ‘I’ve recently read about this device being created with ANSYS software.’

The Georgia Institute of Technology submitted this story and image to our 2013 Hall of Fame competition that has concluded. (Results coming, stay tuned.)

MAV Wing CFD

Here is what they told us: Continue reading →