1480. Design-To-Cost in the Application of Advanced Composite Technology

Paper

Abstract

A major consideration in the application of advanced composite material to aircraft design is the potential for recurring cost savings. In order to evaluate this potential, cost techniques are required which are consistent and reliable. Furthermore, cost predictions must be available in the conceptual stages of design so that the cost effectiveness of the application of advanced composite material can be evaluated.
An integral component of any composite development program is the Design-to-Cost (DTC) effort. The Advanced Cost Technology Group at Bell directs the interdisciplinary DTC task, integrating techniques developed an applied by Advanced Cost Technology, Finance, Industrial Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering. During the initial phase of a program, designs are analyzed to project the production cost of composite components. In light of established ground rules, predictions are made using both parametric techniques and analytical methods based on historical data During production, actual cost incurred during fabrication of prototype components are tracked against earlier predictions.
This paper describes DTC in action at Bell. Special attention is given to the cost prediction techniques which are used by an interdisciplinary cost tracking team to assess the cost of applying advanced composite material to helicopter design.