March, 1998 Feature Article Lockheed Martin Implements New Data Exchange Standard Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems (LMTAS) (Fort Worth, Tex.; www.lockheed.com ) has implemented STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data), an international data exchange standard, on its F-16, F-22, Joint Strike Fighter, F-2 and KTX-2 programs. The standard provides a universal format to share product data between companies, their suppliers and customers, which can lead to cost savings through direct use of the engineering digital data model. At LMTAS, STEP has realized significant savings and process improvements. For example, within engineering design, pilot programs have shown a 10% improvement in reliability of data exchange, a 10% process savings for noncomposite parts, and a 50% process savings for composites. For manufacturing, the projected savings for tool design on CAD/CAM systems is 27%, and 38% for NC CAM systems due to elimination of data re-entry. Prior to implementing STEP, the process for exchanging data between companies and vendors was considerably slower and more expensive. Custom software for data exchange had to be developed, and data re-entry added to the overall expense of building fighter aircraft. STEP, on the other hand, captures the complexities of fighter aircraft design, manufacture and support in a digital format that is customized for the fighter aircraft industry. To achieve this capability, Lockheed Martin has been an active participant in the PDES consortium, formed to accelerate the development and deployment of the STEP standard for digital product data. "The principle driver behind standardizations like STEP is the increasing emphasis on affordability by the customer, which in turn is driven by reduced defense budgets in the U.S. and abroad. Therefore, the entire industry has to strive to become a leaner manufacturer," said Mike Jahadi, engineering chief of CAD/CAM Systems at LMTAS. The STEP standard is also playing an important role in advancing Lockheed Martin's Virtual Product Development Initiative, or VPDI, which will be critical to managing life cycle costs of future weapons systems like the Joint Strike Fighter. To supplement the consortium's efforts, Lockheed Martin has developed strategic partnerships with companies like IBM, Dassault Systemes and MacNeal-Schwendler who have been instrumental in implementing the STEP standard within VPDI. The Manufacturing Report © Copyright 1997, 1998 by Lionheart Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. E-mail Editorial Dept: tmr-editorial@lionhrtpub.com Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 2555 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 299, Atlanta, GA 30339 USA Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969 E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com Web Design by Premier Web Designs E-mail: lionwebmaster@preweb.com