Product Development

Product development at ACES brings engineering, testing, and certification support together to move ideas from early concept through final product readiness. The process can include feasibility evaluation, detailed design and 3D modeling, prototype development, performance testing, design refinement, and preparation of the technical documentation needed for certification and production. By coordinating these activities within a single engineering workflow, ACES helps customers identify problems earlier, reduce unnecessary rework, and develop practical aviation products with a clearer path from initial idea to completed solution.

Product development begins by defining what the product needs to accomplish, how it will be used, and what design, installation, manufacturing, and certification constraints may affect the project.

ACES can work with customers during the early stages of a project to evaluate concepts, identify technical challenges, and determine whether a proposed product can be developed into a practical aviation solution.

Early Development Activities

Requirements Definition Identification of functional, dimensional, installation, performance, and project requirements.
Concept Evaluation Review and refinement of initial ideas to determine practical design approaches and potential limitations.
Feasibility Review Evaluation of technical, manufacturing, testing, and certification considerations before detailed design begins.
Development Planning Establishment of a coordinated path from initial design through prototyping, testing, documentation, and final product development.

Once a concept has been defined, ACES can support the detailed engineering required to transform it into a complete product design.

Development activities can include 3D modeling, component and assembly design, material selection, structural evaluation, interface definition, drawing development, and preparation of supporting technical documentation.

Engineering Development Capabilities

3D Modeling Development of detailed digital models used to define product geometry, interfaces, clearances, and configuration.
Component Design Engineering of individual parts, mechanisms, and assemblies required to create the finished product.
Structural Evaluation Analysis and design support used to evaluate strength, loads, deformation, and structural performance.
Technical Documentation Preparation of drawings, specifications, engineering data, and other documentation needed to support fabrication and evaluation.

Prototype development and testing allow a new product to be evaluated before final configuration and production. Physical evaluation can help identify fit, function, performance, manufacturing, or durability issues while design changes are still relatively easy to implement.

ACES can coordinate prototype development with its engineering and testing capabilities so test results can be evaluated directly against the design and incorporated into subsequent revisions when necessary.

Development Support

Prototype Evaluation Review of prototype fit, function, interfaces, and overall product performance.
Test Planning Development and coordination of appropriate test programs based on product objectives and requirements.
Design Refinement Incorporation of test findings, manufacturing feedback, and performance observations into revised designs.
Verification Support Engineering review of test data and product performance to support final development decisions.

Aviation product development does not end when the design is complete. Final engineering data, testing, certification activities, and production considerations may all need to be coordinated before a product is ready for its intended application.

ACES can integrate product-development work with its engineering, testing, DER, and certification resources, allowing technical issues to be addressed within a coordinated project rather than passed between multiple organizations.

Bringing design, analysis, testing, and certification resources together can help reduce duplicated effort and maintain continuity as a product progresses from concept through final development.