CDF up and running
Concurrent Engineering is a new approach to designing complex systems, which fosters a parallel (rather than sequential) progress in all the domains involved. A Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) provides the environment and the tools allowing concurrent engineering. It consists of modern communication equipment (smart boards, video and teleconferencing devices, beamers), a fast network of workstations, software regulating the exchange of data and information in a synchronous way between all computers, and specialized programs.
In a CDF, assessment studies, phases A, and reviews are performed. Such a facility allows a rapid conceptual or preliminary design and a strong interaction between participants. The CDF is an educational tool, but in addition, its output can be used to support and advise the university and its partners and sponsors (industry, government agencies) to elaborate proposals and designs.
At IPFN, we have been developing a CDF to teach the engineering of complex systems and to acquaint students with Space Engineering, benefiting from the presence of Prof. Lionel Marraffa as invited professor of the Department of Physics under the program “Distinguished Visiting Professor”.
After months of intense work (also with the help of Dr. Mário Lino da Silva, Dr. Bruno Gonçalves and Prof. Alberto Vale), the CDF for Space Engineering studies is up and running in a dedicated room of IPFN in the building adjacent to the North Tower of IST.
Presently the CDF is equipped with a network of up to 8 laptops and an APACHE-NGINX server operating under DEBIAN LINUX, with POSTGRESQL and CDP4/COMET installed. Each participant connects to the CDF server with his windows laptop using the open-source applications or EXCEL plug-in’s COMET IME and CONCORDE.
Team members develop specialized EXCEL models and space components databases, available for future studies. Though remote connections to the server are possible, the presence of the core team in the facility is a key to effective interaction and rapid progress. The facility currently hosts 5 students and 2 team leaders that concurrently work in the design of Space missions.
The contribution of the CDF is not limited to assessment studies for Space projects, but it can be expanded to other domains, such as complex instruments and facilities, aeroplanes, robotics, mechanical engineering, construction, biomedical equipment, and even systems of systems. The CDF is a valuable teaching instrument for undergraduate students in their third year of Bachelor's or for graduate students, perfectly aligned with the current goals of IST in terms of teaching techniques and pedagogical practices.
It creates a multidisciplinary environment for learning effective teamwork, facing complex engineering and science challenges, and building an understanding of system issues while applying fundamental knowledge and researching deeper on specific issues. The project will continue with the involvement of a growing group of stakeholders, promoting interdepartmental cooperation.
