History
CFMS can trace its roots back to 2005. The ACARE initiative (www.acare4europe.com) called for significant improvements in the performance of commercial aircraft. Specialists within Airbus recognised that meeting these ambitious targets would require considerable advances in the tools and processes used in airframe design. This requirement initiated the wider engagement process that would eventually lead to CFMS.
Discussions with other organisations in mid-2005 identified that the need for more advanced design processes was not restricted to the aerospace industry. A number of working groups established that delivering the necessary process enhancements would not be achieved through the purchase of ever-larger compute clusters. The solution would be a paradigm shift in the capability of simulation-based design processes. Only by targeting all aspects of the processes and enabling technologies could we deliver this objective. This ambition formed the basis of the “CFMS Vision”.
An initial road-mapping analysis showed that delivery of this vision would require a co-ordinated, sustainable programme of research and capability demonstration. Specialist advice led to the decision that a Not-for-Profit Company was the most suitable vehicle to oversee and co-ordinate these activities. Numerous organisations were involved in discussions on how to form such a company, and six of the interested parties (Airbus, BAE Systems, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and Williams F1) committed to make it happen. The process culminated in the formation of CFMS Ltd in January 2008. All six of the original member companies continue to be actively involved in CFMS and are represented on the Board of CFMS Ltd.
In parallel with establishing the legal framework for forming CFMS Ltd, work started on defining and launching the research activity needed to deliver the capability and technology enhancements at the centre of its vision. The FoFluSim project was launched in late 2006 as the first project within the CFMS Framework. Research was carried out into a number of enabling technologies, including the novel use of commodity IT hardware in engineering design applications. This project was jointly funded by Airbus and South West Regional Development Agency and paved the way for further research activity.
The largest research project within the CFMS Framework to date has been the CFMS Core Programme. Launched in early 2007, this £17.8M multi-partner project, supported by the Technology Strategy Board, significantly expanded CFMS’ research agenda and levels of participation. At its peak, the project involved 15 industrial participants and 12 universities. The project was successfully completed in October 2010.
The CFMS Board recognised that wider engagement was needed to ensure delivery of the CFMS Vision. Since early 2009 CFMS has been developing mechanisms to facilitate this engagement, as well as defining the infrastructure needed to support research, demonstration and collaboration. For more information, please click here.
CFMS took on the lease of Building 210, Bristol Business Park in May 2010 via its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFMS-ASRC Ltd. The building was previously used as office accommodation and has been extensively modified to support its current use as a capability laboratory. As well as developing the building, CFMS has also launched the Associates Scheme to widen the engagement of interested parties.
CFMS has now established itself as an important and growing player in the field of simulation-based design. It has remained true to its Vision, and through broader engagement will now deliver significant benefit to all participants and the wider simulation community.
