Communiqué de presse

AIRBUS use of Geometrical Similarity Search by CADENAS

8 octobre 2008

In order to simplify the possibility of the use of standard Airbus parts or already existing parts, Airbus introduces the CADENAS Geometrical Similarity Search.

A reuse of existing parts often fails because the right parts were unable to be found and only a limited number were available to search and the necessary tools were often too complex. As with a search engine, all available 3-D parts can be searched with the Geometrical Similarity Search. The allocation occurs automatically and no classification is necessary – existing classifications can be taken over here.

Airbus began its first investigations with geometric parts searches in 2005. An important constituent of these are master parts (fully parametric parts families) that have been successfully used for ten years with the construction of forming dies in the steel sheet fabrication. In order to avoid that the master parts create many similar or identical parts, the CADENAS Geometrical Similarity Search is applied.

GEOsearch Airbus 1 GEOsearch Airbus 2

A pilot in the A400M retainer construction was started and five master parts with 300 variations were defined. With CADENAS, an installation for the Geometrical Similarity Search was constructed that was based on the standard part library inserted by Jigs & Tools. The database contained 6,000 CATIA V5 parts. During piloting, the 25 designers that were involved, did not create a single new part while using the Geometrical Similarity Search, which saved time and money.

Based on these positive results, a pilot was prepared for the A380. A server purposely for the Geometrical Similarity Search was installed and the database was filled with 26,000 CATIA V4 parts. Currently 20,000 3-D parts can be transferred automatically into the search database on a daily basis. The rate of repeat parts has thus risen to almost 40%, the costs were cut by around 30%, and savings that amounted to the present project costs could be realized.

Based on these experiences, Business Case, which clearly showed savings, was created. This is how the CADENAS Geometrical Similarity Search was introduced. Since June 2008 the first two search servers for A380 and A400M are now available in Germany. User trainings have already been completed. The next step is the integration of Extended Enterprise and the connection with the existing PDM and ERP systems.

A propos de CADENAS

Depuis sa création en 1992 à Augsbourg (Allemagne), le groupe CADENAS développe des logiciels et services dédiés à la gestion des composants dans l'environnement CAO, PLM et ERP.
CADENAS propose trois gammes de produits :

Présent en Europe, Asie et Etats-Unis, CADENAS touche aujourd'hui environ 30% des utilisateurs de logiciels CAO dans le monde avec plus de 3.000.000 d'utilisateurs de ses logiciels et sites internet. Quelques références clients : Airbus, Alstom, ABB, Volkswagen, Philips, Braun, Liebherr etc.

Pour plus d'informations, rendez-vous sur www.cadenas.fr.

Contact presse

Mélanie Bezot-Trottet
CADENAS France
14 rue Philibert Collet
F-01400 Châtillon sur Chalaronne

Tél: +33 (0) 4 81 30 00 04
Fax: +33 (0)9 81 40 77 05
Mail : info@cadenas.fr