Bombardier Aerospace has implemented Mentor Graphics' complete digital development process for the Learjet 85 aircraft's electrical distribution system. Adherence to the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 25 Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) mandate is now necessary for certification of new civil aircraft. With the FAA's and Canadian Transportation Agency's (CTA) EWIS mandate as a goal, Bombardier achieved very significant process and quality improvement objectives. Bombardier Aerospace accomplished these by adopting innovative technology delivered by the Mentor Graphics Capital product family.

The Capital product is an advanced software suite for the electrical systems and wire harness domain. Used by leading aerospace OEMs, the Capital product is built to support the complex demands of integrated processes from initial aircraft definition through electrical system and design, harness manufacture and aircraft maintenance.

The Capital software used at Bombardier includes applications to address electrical systems definition and integration, integration with mechanical CAD systems, culminating with products that address the harness planning and manufacturing tasks. Along the entire process, data verification constantly occurs which ensures that the manufactured wire harnesses meet design intent. For example, EWIS wire routing constraints defined early in the Capital environment are maintained throughout the flow and ensure that the as-built wire routing meets the EWIS mandate objectives.

Bombardier Aerospace used the Mentor Capital Logic, Capital HarnessXC and Capital FormboardXC software, supplemented by Capital's CATIA V5 MCAD integration applications. Since all the applications are data-centric, design data defined in one application is shared between all tools ensuring digital continuity throughout the development process.

"Bombardier Aerospace is a great example of an innovative company leveraging Capital's Platform Level Engineering Capabilities to achieve quantifiable business benefits. These tools help customers to realize their quality goals and position themselves strongly for the future," said Martin O'Brien, general manager of the Integrated Electrical Systems Division of Mentor Graphics.