In a separate announcement, VISTAGY reported that Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), a developer of launch vehicles and spacecraft for government and commercial use, recently purchased VISTAGY’s FiberSIM® software to reduce the design time and enhance the efficiency of the composites development process for the Dragon spacecraft. NASA selected the Dragon spacecraft in conjunction with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle to provide reliable and efficient transport of cargo and, potentially, crew to the International Space Station (ISS) and other low Earth orbit (LEO) destinations.
FiberSIM is being used to develop production fiber placement diagrams and laser projection files. It will be used to assist with actual fiber placement for the spacecraft’s thermal protection system, including the heat shield, exterior panels, and insulating layers on the rocket and spacecraft, and several panels around the engines. The software is used from the outset on all new composites projects and has reportedly enabled SpaceX to reduce the design-to-manufacturing time on composite parts—such as the 5-meter fairing boat-tail panel—from seven to two days.
“Time is always of the essence, so FiberSIM’s proven ability to take us from art to part so rapidly was a critical consideration in our decision to purchase the software,” said Chris Thompson, vice president of structures engineering for SpaceX, in a statement. “But it is about more than just speed. FiberSIM improves product quality by providing accurate engineering information to the manufacturing floor, which also helps the repeatability of the manufacturing process. This assures that parts fit when they come off the tool. It also provides a great tie-in with our laser projection system.”
VISTAGY, Inc. (www.vistagy.com), headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a provider of industry-specific engineering software and consulting services that are said to optimize product development processes by enhancing the functionality of commercial 3D CAD systems. The company’s customers include major manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, transportation interiors, and wind energy industries.
“We’re pleased to partner with SpaceX to apply FiberSIM to cutting-edge composite design and manufacturing techniques for space travel,” said John O’Connor, VISTAGY’s director of product and market strategy for space. “Working together, we can help SpaceX achieve its objectives of reducing the cost and enhancing the reliability of space access by improving the efficiency and productivity of the overall composites development process.”
VISTAGY and FiberSIM are registered trademarks of VISTAGY, Inc.
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