Simulation modeling in `front end´ support analysis

Verification of design supportability characteristics is required early in the design process in order to ensure cost-effective integration of performance and supportability characteristics. Simulation of the maintenance environment and of the performance of maintenance tasks, using three-dimensional computer mockups of development hardware and the maintenance technician, is a powerful methodology for this analysis. It provides a means of communication between the maintainability engineer and the designer in the designer´s media, and allows rapid assessment of the design and proposed changes for supportability enhancement. The author addresses the development and application of a supportability analysis workstation system integrating CAD and robotic simulation techniques with attendant network communications, database management, and graphics capabilities. Principal elements are robotics surface-shaded software, a relational database management system, network communications, and application software which runs on a high-speed graphics workstation