Imaginestics: Research and Development

Problem / Purpose

Parts obsolescence due to expiration of OEM support of aging systems
Defense procurement agencies are forced to rely on a handful of suppliers
Analysis of lifecycle cost of ownership of Warfighter systems reveals that logistics support cost is 60% of lifecycle costs as compared to 28% acquisition cost
Castings and forgings, with their very long lead time cycles, are a significant problem

Solution

VizAdvise, an engineering process and cost advisory system that evaluates part geometry, extracts key manufacturing cost drivers from the geometry, and then maps them to the production process

Customers / Stakeholders

Defense Logistics Agency
Lockheed Martin
Ogden ALC
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
American Foundry Society
Hab Pattern Works, Inc.
Purdue University

Benefits / Milestones

Predicted “Should-Cost” within 82% of the actual cost
Reduced procurement cost of cast parts by 25%
Helped avoid design changes after release that cost $5K per drawing
Reduced procurement cycle time for aging weapon systems leading to reduction in flow-days for maintenance

Research & Development

Casting Knowledge-Reuse-Based Cost Advisor