Explain how the Boeing 787 project was diff erent from any other and why it is signifi cant. As needed, use the Web to research articles on the Boeing 787.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The approach taken with the 787 is in contrast to earlier efforts, where Boeing designed 70 percent of its aircraft and produced 30 percent. In the past, Boeing would bring suppliers and partners to Bellevue, Washington, during the design phase. But that approach had become too expensive and impractical for a project of this global scale. Boeing’s first foray into virtual development was the 777 aircraft. Using 3-D computer-aided design (CAD) software, Boeing created a digital model for each of the aircraft’s nearly 10,000 parts, as opposed to building 10,000 physical prototypes. With a full 3-D product definition, Boeing was able to improve quality and reduce the cost of assembling the aircraft. With the 787, Boeing leveraged a common digital environment to help a dispersed global design team more eff ectively collaborate and leverage a single 3-D product defi nition throughout all phases of the 787’s 20-year to 30-year lifecycle. The approach has allowed Boeing to design and manufacture a product with the highest quality and more effi ciency. The approach has reduced the amount of data translations and manual processes required. With the 787, much of the design responsibility fell to the partners, with Boeing focused on system integration and confi guration. This large paradigm shift addresses a key problem from past eff orts— manufacturers were disconnected from the design, limiting Boeing’s ability to make improvements to the product.