In response to the industry wide evolution to MBD, Votaw Precision made a significant investment by purchasing and installing the latest Dell Windows server technology, networking hardware, and Dell & IBM workstations. Each of our six plants is connected to the server via high speed multi-fiber optic backbone. From estimating to manufacturing engineering; production control to shipping, every department is connected to the server.
Our Estimators, Manufacturing Engineers, Tool Makers, and Quality Assurance technicians are experienced in using CAD model viewers and CATIA V5 to analyze customer provided data obtaining the necessary information to support their job functions. With CATIA V5, our staff is knowledgeable in retrieving job critical information, such as dimensions and tolerances contained in Functional Tolerancing & Annotation (FTA), from customer provided models. Shop level sketches are created from CAD models by the tool makers or by CAD draftsmen, under the direction of the tool maker, providing the needed information for machining, welding, and assembly.
Votaw Precision has gained recent experience creating and working with Model Based Definition tooling projects. Votaw Precision received a significant Design & Build contract from Northrop Grumman in early 2003 on the Joint Strike Fighter Program. September 2003, Votaw received a Design & Build contract for tooling in support of the Blackhawk tooling upgrade program. The tooling family included steel and aluminum layup molds along with NC vacuum trim and drill fixtures for complex carbon graphite panels in the inlet area. Since the tools were non-design, Votaw Engineers implemented MBD techniques to communicate key criteria to shop floor personnel.
Working with our customers, Boeing, Goodrich Aerostructures, and Northrop Grumman, Votaw Engineers are shaping the future of Model Based Definition by developing new and creative ways to communicate manufacturing requirements to shop floor personnel.
