Document
Computer Technology
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Aircraft Design Software
esigning new civil air transportation has been software technology to a focused design engineering made far easier thanks to aircraft design software market.
that inspects, modifies, and integrates the ACSYNT has become a top-notch conceptual level engineering analysis process. aircraft design tool that provides a 3D computer-aided In the 1970s, Ames Research Center initiated an design (CAD) environment coupled with detailed endeavor to greatly improve the conceptual design analysis capabilities. An aircraft concept can be quickly process. A software tool was developed to give aircraft modeled in the CAD interface, and then analyzed using builders the information they needed to rapidly and a suite of multidisciplinary modules representing accurately forecast during early design phases an aerodynamic, propulsion, and mission performance aircraft's performance and cost, even the noise it would parameters. ACSYNT has been successfully applied to generate. high-speed civil transport configurations, subsonic transports, and supersonic fighters.
Working closely with airframe and engine manufac- Phoenix Integration is now marketing, distributing, turers, Ames formulated the Aircraft SYNThesis (ACSYNT) tool. In 1987, Ames and the Virginia enhancing and maintaining ACSYNT The start-up firm has already pioneered Dynamic Integration Systemm Polytechnic Institute (Tech) CAD Laboratory in Blacksburg, Virginia, began to design and code a (DIS) technology, as well as an extensive set of easy-to- computer-aided design system for ACSYNT. In 1990, use, motif-based tools that interact with any analysis using a Joint Sponsored Research Agreement (JSRA), that supports the DIS interface.
Ames formed an industry-government-university It is a Phoenix Integration credo that streamlining alliance to improve and foster research and development the engineering process through more advanced design for the ACSYNT software. This ACSYNT Institute tools is critical in today's demanding and competitive allowed NASA and Virginia Tech to develop and world. However, improve computer-aided aircraft design while receiving recent trends in immediate feedback from industry users of ACSYNT down-sizing have software. American Technology Initiative (AmTech) of meant many Menlo Park, California served as the organizing body for engineering firms the JSRA, administrating contractual and licensing cannot afford to agreements. pay engineers to The result? ACSYNT is becoming a predominant spend time software tool for aircraft conceptual design. Moreover, developing this historical connection with the "customer" provided software. Phoenix the foundation for commercializingACSYNT. Integration has ACSYNT Institute members included NASA's tackled this Ames, Lewis and Langley Research Centers and the dilemma by Naval Weapons Center, as well as major U.S. airframe offering software and engine manufacturers such as Boeing Commercial specifically
Airplane, Boeing Helicopter, General Electric Aircraft designed for W
Engine, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas, Northrop and engineers and at
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u s i n g ACSY~TT by Cessna. This alliance lets NASA pool funds and other costs far below that if the software was created from Phoenk Integration, resources with industry members to support strengthen- inside a comvanv.
1 , ing of the software's capabilities.These enhancements Research and development of ACSYNT which, in
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were performed by the space agency and VirginiaTech turn, led to this successful commercialization story, is a o~,om,o,,, and J 1 have surjiies created CAD Laboratory. blend of innovative technology, a viable market, and automaticauy.
From 1987 into 1995, the resulting ACSYNT leadership to direct the effort.
research and development helped to shape and energize IM a market for a commercialization effort and the spawn- Dynamic Integration System is a tcldernarkof Phoenix Integration, Inc ing of a new company.
Successful commercialization of ACSYNT has manifested itself in the creation of Phoenix Integration, Inc. of Blacksburg, Virginia. ACSYNT has been exclusively licensed to Phoenix Integration, an outcome of a seven year, $3 million effort to provide unique Commercial Benefits-Spinoffs