Case Studies > Solar Ship Inc. - Commercializing the First Solar-Powered Hybrid Airship with Solidworks Solutions

Solar Ship Inc. - Commercializing the First Solar-Powered Hybrid Airship with Solidworks Solutions

Customer Company Size
SME
Region
  • America
Country
  • Canada
Product
  • SOLIDWORKS Standard
  • SOLIDWORKS Professional
  • SOLIDWORKS Premium
  • SOLIDWORKS Simulation
  • SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
Tech Stack
  • SOLIDWORKS Simulation
  • SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
  • SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM
  • SOLIDWORKS Sustainability
  • SOLIDWORKS Composer
Implementation Scale
  • Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
  • Cost Savings
  • Employee Satisfaction
  • Innovation Output
  • Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
  • Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
  • Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
  • Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
  • Functional Applications - Product Lifecycle Management Systems (PLM)
Applicable Industries
  • Healthcare & Hospitals
  • National Security & Defense
  • Transportation
Applicable Functions
  • Business Operation
  • Product Research & Development
  • Quality Assurance
Use Cases
  • Digital Twin
  • Fleet Management
  • Predictive Maintenance
  • Process Control & Optimization
  • Remote Asset Management
Services
  • Software Design & Engineering Services
  • System Integration
  • Training
About The Customer
Solar Ship Inc. is a Toronto-based company that has developed the first solar-powered hybrid airship, known as the solarship. This innovative aircraft combines the characteristics of airplanes and dirigibles, utilizing both buoyant gas and aerodynamics for lift. The solarship's wing-ship design provides a large surface area for solar cells, enabling short takeoffs and landings, and long, self-sufficient flights. The company aims to commercialize this technology for various applications, including delivering medical supplies and serving the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) markets. Solar Ship Inc. is driven by a team of passionate engineers and global partners who collaborate using SOLIDWORKS solutions to bring this groundbreaking technology to market.
The Challenge
Accelerate development of the first piloted hybrid airplane/airship that meets governmental safety requirements for commercial use to transport people and freight to remote locations.
The Solution
Solar Ship Inc. implemented a suite of SOLIDWORKS solutions to accelerate the development of their solar-powered hybrid airship. The company utilized SOLIDWORKS Standard, Professional, and Premium for design, along with SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Simulation Premium, and Flow Simulation for analysis. Additionally, they employed SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM for product data management, SOLIDWORKS Sustainability for environmental impact assessment, and SOLIDWORKS Composer for technical communication. These integrated tools provided a robust platform for design, simulation, visualization, communication, and data management, enabling efficient and collaborative development. The use of SOLIDWORKS Simulation and Flow Simulation allowed the engineers to conduct structural and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, ensuring the safety and performance of the aircraft. This comprehensive approach facilitated rapid innovation and adherence to safety standards, ultimately leading to the successful piloting and regulatory approval of the first hybrid airship.
Operational Impact
  • Accelerated development process: The use of SOLIDWORKS solutions enabled Solar Ship to speed up the development of their hybrid airship, allowing for quicker iterations and innovations.
  • Reduced number of prototypes required: By leveraging simulation tools, the company minimized the need for physical prototypes, saving time and resources.
  • Fostered collaboration among global partners: The integrated SOLIDWORKS platform facilitated seamless collaboration among engineers and partners worldwide, enhancing the collective intelligence and efficiency of the development process.
  • Piloted first hybrid airship to obtain regulatory approval: The successful use of SOLIDWORKS solutions led to the piloting and regulatory approval of the first solar-powered hybrid airship, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Reduced number of prototypes required, leading to cost savings.
  • Accelerated development process, shortening the time to market.
  • Minimized destructive testing, saving time and money.

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