Quality management tool

Citation

(2000), "Quality management tool", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 72 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2000.12772bab.019

Quality management tool

Quality management tool

Keywords: INCAT, Software, Modelling, Quality

I/CHECK, a software solution developed by INCAT to help CATIA users produce drawings and models to a consistent corporate quality standard, has received an important stamp of approval from Dassault Syste©mes with the signing of a CATIA Application Architecture (CAA) Development Agreement. As a result of this, I/CHECK will be seamlessly integrated within CATIA Version 4 and will become an integral part of all future versions of the software.

One of I/CHECK's first users is GKN Westland Helicopters, based in Yeovil, Somerset, UK. Mike Evans, Mechanical CAE Project Manager at the site, says it has now become an integral part of the aircraft producer's engineering quality management system:

Today, every CATIA model we prepare for release has to pass through I/CHECK to ensure that we maintain a consistent quality approach. It not only automates the model checking process but also saves us time and money in downstream operations. It's these kind of tools that help us to maintain our competitive advantage.

I/CHECK is now also installed in GKN Westland Helicopters' extended enterprise. In January 1999, Canadian-based Bombardier de-Havilland, which carries out design work on the Lynx Helicopter, became the latest suppler to the business to take I/CHECK on board. Warren Harris, CEO of INCAT, said:

I/CHECK has proved to be a powerful business improvement tool for GKN Westland Helicopters and several other major corporations. This CAA agreement adds further cement to what is already a strong relationship between INCAT and Dassault Syste©mes and is an important stamp of approval for I/CHECK. Most progressive companies know that, by ensuring that design quality standards are rigidly complied with early in the product definition process, they can produce higher quality products, significantly faster and at lower cost. I/CHECK is now recognised by Dassault Syste©mes as the best tool to facilitate this.

INCAT says the development strategy for I/CHECK and all its other complementary applications is now firmly locked into the company's "process optimisation" consultancy approach. Future versions of I/CHECK will be even easier to use, consistent in appearance and operation to CATIA V5, and are likely to feature the ability to automate the release mechanism to the second-generation PDM solution known as "ENOVIAvpm".

Details available from INCAT (UK). Tel: +44 (0) 1442 281297; E-mail: gberry@uk.incat.com