Applications of Computer Graphics in the Aerospace Industry CSE598 Presentation Yosei Sugiyama

Applications of Computer Applications of Computer Graphics in the Aerospace Graphics in the Aerospace

IndustryIndustry

CSE598 PresentationCSE598 PresentationYosei SugiyamaYosei Sugiyama

MotivationMotivation

Computer graphics has revolutionized the Computer graphics has revolutionized the aerospace industryaerospace industry

CG is instrumental in all phases of an CG is instrumental in all phases of an aircraft’s development processaircraft’s development process

Very wide range of applicationsVery wide range of applications

The Development ProcessThe Development Process

DesignDesign ImplementationImplementation Integration & ManufacturingIntegration & Manufacturing Maintenance & SustainmentMaintenance & Sustainment

DesignDesign

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

Electronic mock-ups Electronic mock-ups – Assemble the parts digitallyAssemble the parts digitally– Allows engineers to visually inspect and understand the designAllows engineers to visually inspect and understand the design– Check for the proper fit between structures, run interference checks Check for the proper fit between structures, run interference checks

and spatial searches, and test for load predictions and spatial searches, and test for load predictions – Consider more design alternatives Consider more design alternatives

Goal is to eliminate the need for physical mock-upsGoal is to eliminate the need for physical mock-ups– Significant cost reductions and time savingsSignificant cost reductions and time savings

Visualization: FlyThru CADVisualization: FlyThru CAD

Boeing’s real-time visualization Boeing’s real-time visualization and interaction softwareand interaction software

““Preassemble” an entire Preassemble” an entire aircraft on the computeraircraft on the computer

Features:Features:– Walk-through of the assembled Walk-through of the assembled

aircraftaircraft– Large-scale manufacturing Large-scale manufacturing

illustrationsillustrations– Pilot/maintenance trainingPilot/maintenance training

Source: www.boeing.com

Human ModelingHuman Modeling Create a virtual environment by importing Create a virtual environment by importing

CAD data, and populating it with CAD data, and populating it with biomechanically accurate human figures.biomechanically accurate human figures.

Analysis of:Analysis of:– Vision & Vision Obscuration Plots Vision & Vision Obscuration Plots – Distance Analysis Distance Analysis – Collision Detection using Voxel Point Collision Detection using Voxel Point

Shell (VPS) Shell (VPS) – Automated Population Analysis Automated Population Analysis – Reach Accommodation Reach Accommodation – Reach Envelopes Reach Envelopes

Eliminate the need for any mock-upsEliminate the need for any mock-ups Boeing Human Modeling System Boeing Human Modeling System

(BHMS) by Boeing(BHMS) by Boeing Transom Jack by Transom Transom Jack by Transom

Technologies, Inc.Technologies, Inc.


Human ModelingHuman Modeling

Another human-Another human-modeling techniquemodeling technique

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


Rapid PrototypingRapid Prototyping

Cockpit development Cockpit development stations allows rapid stations allows rapid prototyping of cockpit prototyping of cockpit displaysdisplays– Simulates the layout and Simulates the layout and

displays on each screendisplays on each screen– During reviews, change During reviews, change

instrumentations, layouts, instrumentations, layouts, and displays on the flyand displays on the fly

– Maximizes utility and Maximizes utility and efficiency of controls efficiency of controls

– Designer’s Workbench by Designer’s Workbench by Centric SoftwareCentric Software



DesignDesign Implementation Implementation Integration & ManufacturingIntegration & Manufacturing Maintenance & SustainmentMaintenance & Sustainment

Graphics in the AircraftGraphics in the Aircraft

One of the core components that needs to be built One of the core components that needs to be built and implemented is the graphics systemand implemented is the graphics system

Consists of:Consists of:– DisplaysDisplays

Cockpit displaysCockpit displays HUDHUD Helmet-mounted displaysHelmet-mounted displays

– Graphics processorGraphics processor– Inputs to the graphics processorInputs to the graphics processor

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

Graphics ProcessingGraphics Processing

Graphics Processor

Radar Fuel System

Navigation System

Weapons System

Digital Map System

Cameras

Infrared Sensors

Avionics System

Source: www.rockwellcollins.com

Graphics ProcessorGraphics Processor

Consists of:Consists of:– General purpose processorGeneral purpose processor

Processing of data from various modulesProcessing of data from various modules Generate graphics commandsGenerate graphics commands

– Image processingImage processing Processes graphics commandsProcesses graphics commands Similar to OpenGL commandsSimilar to OpenGL commands

– Vector processorVector processor Draws symbols and lines on displaysDraws symbols and lines on displays

– Input/Output moduleInput/Output module Communication with other systemsCommunication with other systems

– Video multiplexerVideo multiplexer Some aircrafts have over 8 displaysSome aircrafts have over 8 displays Sends the correct video to each of the displaysSends the correct video to each of the displays

Graphics ProcessorGraphics Processor

Advanced features:Advanced features:– Overlaying graphics data from different systemsOverlaying graphics data from different systems

Ex. Overlay radar data (such as enemy locations) over camera Ex. Overlay radar data (such as enemy locations) over camera footage.footage.

– Helmet-mounted display adjusts displays depending on Helmet-mounted display adjusts displays depending on where the pilot is lookingwhere the pilot is looking

– Night mode and day modeNight mode and day mode

Redundancy and fault tolerance to increase Redundancy and fault tolerance to increase survivabilitysurvivability

Built-in testsBuilt-in tests



Manufacturing & IntegrationManufacturing & Integration

Machine the parts using CAD drawings – very Machine the parts using CAD drawings – very preciseprecise

Electronic mockup means 100% fit at assemblyElectronic mockup means 100% fit at assembly With joint ventures & subcontracting, it is more With joint ventures & subcontracting, it is more

important that everything be designed digitally, important that everything be designed digitally, and then prototyped to ensure compatibility and fitand then prototyped to ensure compatibility and fit

Manufacturing participates in the design processManufacturing participates in the design process– Evaluate how the aircraft will be serviced or how Evaluate how the aircraft will be serviced or how

weapons will be loadedweapons will be loaded– Incorporate efficiencies up frontIncorporate efficiencies up front– Resolve assembly issues beforehandResolve assembly issues beforehand– Reduces assembly costReduces assembly cost

Testing - VisualizationsTesting - Visualizations

During testing, very large amounts of data are gathered. During testing, very large amounts of data are gathered. We need a way to represent that data visually.We need a way to represent that data visually.

Used to evaluate:Used to evaluate:– Material flightworthiness Material flightworthiness – Structural mechanics Structural mechanics – Computational fluid dynamicsComputational fluid dynamics– Multidisciplinary design optimization Multidisciplinary design optimization

Identify potential flaws that could lead to part failure under Identify potential flaws that could lead to part failure under stress conditionsstress conditions

A lot of this type of analysis can be done during the design A lot of this type of analysis can be done during the design phase, before the aircraft is even builtphase, before the aircraft is even built




Maintenance & SustainmentMaintenance & Sustainment

A large part of the maintenance and A large part of the maintenance and sustainment effort training:sustainment effort training:– Courseware & manualsCourseware & manuals– Pilot trainingPilot training

Interim training & testing during developmentInterim training & testing during development Formal training after the aircraft is deployedFormal training after the aircraft is deployed

– Maintenance-crew trainingMaintenance-crew training

Courseware & ManualsCourseware & Manuals

Using the cockpit simulations and prototypes used Using the cockpit simulations and prototypes used during the design phase, courseware developers during the design phase, courseware developers can become intimately familiar with the aircraft.can become intimately familiar with the aircraft.

All of the images and displays can be captured All of the images and displays can be captured directly from the simulations and CAD drawingsdirectly from the simulations and CAD drawings– What used to take 100 technical illustrators months to What used to take 100 technical illustrators months to

do can now be down with 6 graphics engineers in much do can now be down with 6 graphics engineers in much less time. less time.

– Since the aircraft was constructed from the same Since the aircraft was constructed from the same drawings, the images are guaranteed to be accurate.drawings, the images are guaranteed to be accurate.

Flight-Crew TrainersFlight-Crew Trainers

Prototype trainers can use the Prototype trainers can use the cockpit simulations.cockpit simulations.

The full trainers will use the The full trainers will use the actual operational flight programs actual operational flight programs (OFP) with slight modifications.(OFP) with slight modifications.

Uses commercial off-the-shelf Uses commercial off-the-shelf products (COTS).products (COTS).– Out-the-window displays use Out-the-window displays use

graphics techniques similar to game graphics techniques similar to game designdesign

– AI for simulating other aircraftsAI for simulating other aircrafts– Network with other trainers for Network with other trainers for

combat mission rehearsal.combat mission rehearsal.


Maintenance TrainersMaintenance Trainers

VR trainers used during design phaseVR trainers used during design phase Smart boards:Smart boards:

– Touch-screen displays that allow you to zoom-in and Touch-screen displays that allow you to zoom-in and perform virtual maintenance functions on the aircraft.perform virtual maintenance functions on the aircraft.

– Replaces full-scale mock-upsReplaces full-scale mock-ups– Updates are easy (a software change, as opposed to a Updates are easy (a software change, as opposed to a

hardware change).hardware change).– Graphics can be based off of CAD drawingsGraphics can be based off of CAD drawings– Avionics simulations and cockpit displays can use the Avionics simulations and cockpit displays can use the

real OFP or the cockpit simulations from the design real OFP or the cockpit simulations from the design phase.phase.

ConclusionConclusion

The use of computer graphics in the aerospace The use of computer graphics in the aerospace industry will continue to expand.industry will continue to expand.

Other industries such as the automotive industry Other industries such as the automotive industry are seeing similar trends.are seeing similar trends.

End result is:End result is:– Lean manufacturingLean manufacturing– Lower costs and laborLower costs and labor– Faster development timeFaster development time– Shorter time-to-marketShorter time-to-market– Less problems Less problems – More complete, sophisticated, and maintainable productsMore complete, sophisticated, and maintainable products

Leverage the initial CAD effort across all other Leverage the initial CAD effort across all other phasesphases

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Applications of Computer Graphics in the Aerospace Industry CSE598 Presentation Yosei Sugiyama