A380 Wiring Issues Revisited

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 13 Oct 2006, 14:27

Recall last year's announcement by Airbus that A380 wiring harnesses were found to have been cut - sabatage was suspected. The cutting may have been done by workers in an effort to "splice in" or lengthen the wires so they would fit.

Could this be a plausable explination for the cut wires? Anyone care to comment?

RC20 · Post by **RC20** » 14 Oct 2006, 05:57

At this point anything is possible, including annoyed Aliens from Mars mucking up the software.

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 15 Oct 2006, 01:55

Actually, I like the Alien theory as well as any!

bkonner · Post by **bkonner** » 15 Oct 2006, 02:21

Howdy,

The problem appears to be software related issue of internally designed software used in the design of the aircraft where the French and British plants were using version five and the German plants were using version four. I do not recall off-hand what the software is called. I am also too lazy right now to look it up. I read this in the NY Times. As an investor in the company, I have real doubts about management. This was a major screw-up.

Bill
Boston, Massachusetts

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 16 Oct 2006, 01:50

The name of this software is "CATIA". Developed and offered by the French company, Dassault Systems, it is a 3D design and simulation system that permits a designer to design in a 3 dimensional environment and ensure that interferences (such as wire routing or mechanic serviceability) are accounted for. Boeing used this software to design the 777 and now for the 787.

Ironically, the latest version of this excellent French system was not used in all elements of the A380 design - the French used the latest version, while the Germans used an earlier (and not fully compatible) version.