For Boeing suppliers and sub-tier suppliers addressing Boeing Digital Product Definition (DPD) standards can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, Capvidia is a leader in Boeing DPD and is here to answer some of your important questions. Let's begin.

What is Boeing Digital Product Definition

Boeing DPD is a quality assurance standard for Boeing suppliers and sub-tier suppliers to maintain uniform specifications between Boeing and their approved suppliers.

The Boeing D6-51991 (current version: REV N) is the official document that outlines the following:

Digital Product Definition Quality Assurance Procedures and Documented Processes

Configuration Management and Media Security

Product Acceptance Software

Internal Quality Audits

Procurement Control

Control of Measurement Equipment

Inspection Media

Data Exchange Methods

Special Tooling

Training and Process Performance Why is Boeing DPD Important Uniformity and traceability.

Different CAD software, different file formats, different revisions, different departments, different personnel, and different interpretations eventually lead to discrepancies.

Ensuring that the electronic data or digital models follow a set of protocols verifying consistent data saves time and money, because fixing errors earlier in the design phase saves up to 2X in cost compared to the build phase or 3-10X compared to the testing phase.

In short, data downstream from design to manufacturing to quality must be validated.

This is part of a larger theme of digital transformation as more companies require a single source of truth generated from the CAD model called model-based definition (MBD).

Boeing D6-51991, section 3 (Product Acceptance Software), 7 (Inspection Media), and 8 (Data Exchange Methods).

Here's a highlight of the main points: Product Acceptance Software (PAS): 3.1. Commercial Off The Shelf Software - The supplier shall document and maintain documented processes for the control of Product Acceptance Software (PAS). PAS includes software used in the acceptance of special tooling and products.

3.1.4. In the event supplier is unable to obtain objective evidence or certification of the PAS from the software manufacturer, supplier is responsible for verifying PAS prior to product acceptance use. Examples of PAS functionality verification include using calibrated standards, known physical artifacts or embedded software to test feature construction and output accuracy. Examples also should include GD&T functions, temperature compensation, CAD translations and software that controls hardware.

Inspection Media: 7.5. Model Based Definition (MBD) - Suppliers who receive Engineering and/or Tooling MBD datasets must extract information from the dataset sufficient for manufacturing and inspection activity for the product. Additionally, utilizing MBD requires a capability assessment by a Boeing Supplier Quality DPD.

7.5.1. Supplier's QA must verify that all design implicit and explicit requirements (e.g., all features defined by GD&T, annotations, specifications, notes and other specified requirements in the authority MBD dataset and associated parts list including dimensional and other planned for inspection/validation.

7.6. First Article Inspection - All explicit and implicit design characteristics within the engineering shall be positively identified within the FAI plan. This shall include all engineering characteristics requiring traceability: a) All features annotated within the 3D model (explicit) b) Features of the 3D model not annotated (implicit) c) All characteristics applicable on the 2D drawings/reduced content drawings d) All applicable notes and material lists e) All feature tolerances per the standard / general notes.

Data Exchange Methods: 8.2. Translations - When suppliers with native CAD Software receive their Authority dataset in the same CAD System (native to native) and manage their process which includes manufacturing and inspection software using the same Native system and version, translation verification is not mandatory due to lower risk but recommended as an industry best practice. When suppliers translate from Native CAD format to alternate formats including CATIA V4 to CATIA V5 or Native to STEP suppliers are responsible for all dataset translations and must have a clear documented process for each. The documented process must include a method to verify the accuracy of translations. Suppliers must be able to demonstrate the CAD translation process, including verification/interrogation methods used, and the ability to identify known discrepancies.

Main Takeaways: 1.	Your derivative CAD model must be validated so that it matches the authority model from Boeing.

The software you use to validate the derivative CAD model must be a current version from an approved vendor.

Contact:

Tel: 32-16 40 27 47

(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire