Citation
(2007), "User conference highlights latest estimating methods within defence and aerospace sectors", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779fac.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
User conference highlights latest estimating methods within defence and aerospace sectors
User conference highlights latest estimating methods within defence and aerospace sectors
More than 70 delegates at Galorath International's Third SEER User Conference – held recently at Warwick Castle – heard how the latest estimating methods within the defence and aerospace sectors could be applied to their own organisations.
In his keynote address, Dave Baggley, team leader with the Pricing and Forecasting Group at the UK MOD's recently-formed Defence Equipment and Support Unit, focused on the importance of achieving a coherent approach in the relationship between Through Life Capability Management and Whole Life Costing. He also detailed changes to the MOD's Approvals and Scrutiny Mandate, which covers the independent review, support cost approval and methodology used to ensure that realistic estimates are generated for defence contracts – from their earliest planning stages through to completion.
The packed agenda included a joint presentation by Philip Wardle and Edward Butchart of BAE Systems on the implementation of parametric estimating methods, followed by an overview on using SEER-SEM to simplify the estimation of software development projects from Galorath's Andy Robinson.
Dan White of Agusta Westland highlighted how parametric estimating techniques using SEER-H have enabled bid cycle times to be radically reduced within the helicopter manufacturer's operations, while Richard Winterbottom of W & J Tod Ltd continued the theme by outlining the collaboration between his company and Agusta Westland in reducing costs and lead times on structural composite components using the SEER-DFM platform.
During the afternoon session, Dan Galorath, President of Galorath Inc. gave delegates an insight into future SEER product developments and Paul Holt of GKN revealed how SEER estimating tools are being used within GKN Aerospace to replace older software and manual methods to achieve faster and more accurate estimates. In addition, a joint presentation by Dr Frèdèric Lani and Xavier Mencaglia of Belgium-based applied research centre, Cenaero, detailed the use of SEER-DFM in the optimisation of composite structure designs for maximum in- service performance and minimum manufacturing costs. Following their presentation, Dan Galorath presented Frederic and Xavier with Galorath's Academic Award for Innovation for their excellent work. The Industry Innovation award was presented to Hamilton Sundstrand Marston, represented by Tony Daniel and Phil Bucknall for their work on customising and automating their estimating process using SEER-DFM.
The user group event concluded with Ricky Curran of Queen's University, Belfast discussing the integration of SEER-DFM with Dassault Systemes' DELMIA digital manufacturing platform in the context of the £2.5 million DTI-backed Premade Technology Programme – in particular, focusing on the automated generation of piece past costs using product definitions held within the digital manufacturing system's Bill of Material.