For the past few years, Solar Impulse SA has been using Dassault Systèmes software solutions to create an airplane that makes this dream a reality.

Because Solar Impulse is a new and complex aerospace invention, it was critical for engineers to be able to test a wide range of design configurations, including various combinations of solar panels and lightweight composites structures

A pioneer in the aerospace industry with the introduction of 3D to aircraft design and cutting-edge solutions that enabled the virtual rollout of Boeing’s 787, Dassault Systèmes remains true to its core values of innovation and sustainability through its partnership with Solar Impulse. Solar Impulse used Dassault Systèmes’ 3D virtual design solution, CATIA, to create a complete 3D digital model of the aircraft, including the position of the cockpit, aerodynamics specifications, all the way down to the smallest bolts. Solar Impulse also used Dassault Systèmes’ ENOVIA SmarTeam to manage the huge volume of parts associated with the design.

Because Solar Impulse is a new and complex aerospace invention, it was critical for engineers to be able to test a wide range of design configurations, including various combinations of solar panels and lightweight composites structures. For example, Solar Impulse engineers used CATIA to define the best allocation of solar cells to comply with the energy specifications. The engineers also used CATIA for ergonomics analysis to optimize the aircraft pilot’s comfort in various positions.

Dassault Systèmes is dedicated to helping innovators like Solar Impulse create products and transportation solutions for sustainable living. Building and testing concepts virtually in 3D saves resources and enables the level of experimentation necessary for true innovations. Industrials can also manage a growing range of compliance issues early-on in the design phase. We cannot change the habits of people today, but we can change the everyday products and transportation solutions we use. According to the European Union, an estimated 80 percent of a product’s environmental impact is determined in the product conception phase.

“Creating eco friendly products is a key challenge. At Dassault Systèmes, because we have the ability to completely digitalize the creation process, we are creating at the heart of our design tools the technologies that would enable users to assess the environmental impact of their products,” says Bruno Delahaye, VP, Eco Sustainability Initiatives, Dassault Systèmes.” In the near future we will be releasing platforms to help our customers understand what the impact of the product they are building is. This is key because as Software as a Service becomes the norm, this means that we will give access to a wide range of people the technologies needed to help make their products eco-friendly.”

For more information on sustainability and Green PLM, visit the 3D Perspectives blog.

For more information on Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA virtual design solutions, visit the Catia website.

Related links and articles:

SolidWorks drives innovation in wind power

Wind energy firm deploys Dassault Systèmes PLM Solutions

Solar gains in more ways than one

If you find regular news, features and product announcements useful, why not sign up to the 'Mechanical Design' weekly newsletter. Simply click HERE to register.