Solid Geometric Modeling - The Key to Improved Materiel Acquisition from Concept to Deployment

摘要

At its most abstract level, the business of materiel acquisition involves a massive task of information processing which starts with a concept and, if ultimately successful, ends with a deliverable. Most system analysts as well as program managers are aware that the key to increased productivity in such a complex process lies somehow in the application of automation. Some may view automation as the use of computer-aided drafting tools in a concept phase. Others might see it as computer-based system analyses of predictive performance or processor-controlled manufacturing procedures. Yet other observers may see word processing and electronic mail as centerpieces in the automated environment of the future. However, the real key to fundamental advances in the way materiel is concepted, analyzed, manufactured and delivered rests in our ability to describe and analyze geometry. By geometry we mean the complete and unambiguous mathematical definition of a system in three-dimensional space together with its complete material and functional properties, tolerances, etc. From this single unified model of a series of engineering analyses can be exercised to judge the suitability of a concept to a set of requirements before a prototype is built. Later this file can be used to automate the manufacturing process. In this paper the key role solid modeling can play in weapons engineering is discussed; in addition, examples of engineering analyses driven by solid modeling illustrate the capability such techniques bring to the materiel acquisition process.