Industry Tools

Computers and Computer Graphics
Aerospace design would be virtually impossible today without the use of computers. Engineers develop 3-D models and utilize techniques such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) methods. Models of varying degrees of resolution can be made and used to analyze designs – and then contribute to the iterative process between design and analysis. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools can be used to reduce the amount of wind tunnel testing while the FEA can be used to reduce the amount of full-scale fatigue and damage tolerance testing.

Engineers also use computers to perform a variety of analyses used to predict the coupled response (e.g. fluid-structure interaction) of complex vehicles and systems to a wide variety of mechanical and environmental conditions. The performance modeling tools are critical to establishing an accurate "state of health" of the complex systems and for providing a prognosis for its future capabilities. The technical area of Prognostics and Health Monitoring (PHM) is an emerging area.

Computational tools are also used to develop flight simulators that mimic the actual flight performance of a vehicle, allowing engineers to eliminate design bugs and enabling pilots to train. These computer simulations can verify design concepts long before the need to actually produce expensive hardware.

3-D Solid Modeling Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems allow engineers to develop complete system installation drawings, eliminating the need for mock-ups that were previously necessary to verify fit and function. The most widely used CAD packages in the aerospace industry are: Unigraphics, CATIA, CADDS and Pro/ENGINEER.