Rolls Speeds Up Using Knowledge Based Engineering

Rolls-Royce, is using ICAD to speed development of the Trent 500 series aero engine destined for the Airbus A340-500/600. The 380-seat intercontinental airliner is set for first delivery in 2002. ICAD is developed and maintained by Knowledge Technologies International, Inc. KTI, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dassault Systemes The Knowledge-based software, which was recommended by Rolls-Royce's IT services provider EDS, allows the company to capture its corporate knowledge base along with best practice and performance, manufacturing and cost criteria into a virtual model. As a result, engineers can quickly and accurately Explore multiple 'what ifs' against all known constraints. This optimizes the design in record time. The ICAD Environment is also being used in several other design areas at Rolls-Royce, resulting in dramatic savings in time and cost. For example, a turbine throat area calculation that used to be a two-week job for a skilled CAD modeler is now a two-hour ICAD task for an aerodynamicist or designer, a time and cost saving of 97.5%. Similarly, the creation of a 3D solid model of a turbine blade used to take a month on CAD; it can now be completed in a day on ICAD, a time and cost savings of 96.6%. Nor are time and cost savings the only benefits. Quality is maximized, innovation accelerated and performance optimized.