Boeing’s Dreamliner Delay Raises Questions About PLM
Using Dassault Systems PLM software Boeing developed a program, the first of its kind, which uses 3D models and simulation from the product’s inception through to its production and product support. Boeing used exact 3D models of parts and assembly tooling to plan and layout its production lines – a process that would, the company said, massively reduce rework on the 787 and dramatically increase time to market. When Boeing did its first virtual rollout of the Dreamliner, company officials marked it as the beginning of a new era in aerospace engineering. “This first-ever virtual rollout, and the PLM technology underlying it, is not simply an animation of the completed airline, but a virtual simulation and validation of the entire manufacturing process,” read the company’s press release.
But earlier this month, on Oct. 10, Boeing announced a six month delay in the initial deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner due to “continued challenges” completing assembly of the first airplanes, according to a company statement. Boeing chalked the issues up to supply shortages – it turns out composite materials, which comprise much of the airliner, are actually hard to come by. The month prior Boeing announced another delay in the planned first flight of the 787, citing ongoing challenges out-of-sequence production work, including parts shortages and remaining software and system integrations issues.
While analysts believe that Boeing’s PLM implementation had little to do with the Dreamliner’s delayed delivery – Boeing is considered to be one of the most sophisticated users of PLM in the world – the issues bring up a major question about PLM software – or its implementation, at least. That is, when will the promise of PLM really be fulfilled? For years the whole point of PLM has been to prevent the kinds of supply shortages experienced by Boeing from impacting the manufacturing process through the ability to red-flag issues early on. But the promise of PLM requires an implementation that takes into account not only supplier’s parts on hand, but supplier’s capabilities and strategies. The promise, while understood by PLM vendors, has yet to be fulfilled by manufacturers.
