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Deneb's Interactive Graphic Robot Instruction Progam (IGRIP) and Envision software packages with the Ergonomic analysis option enabled were used for manufacturing process analysis and maintainability / human factors design evaluation in the Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems - Fort Worth facility. The initial objective of both the manufacturing and maintainability engineering community was to validate the use of ergonomic modeling and simulation tools in an effort to gain acceptance of this new technology. Each discipline selected an existing operation to baseline the validation. Manufacturing selected the F-16 vertical fin as it is assembled from detail parts into a complete assembly, ready to be mated to the aircraft. Maintainability selected the removal of the Expanded Data Entry Electronics Unit (EXDEEU) located behind the ejection seat of the F-16 aircraft.

A dynamic simulation of the ISS CDRA hardware was created using the Aspen Custom Modeler software platform. The dynamic model calculates the material and energy balances that describe the system properties. The model was calibrated by comparison to test data results from a flight-like CDRA at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. While other FORTRAN models of the CDRA already exist, developing an ACM simulation is the first step towards creating a generic tool to simulate larger collections of life support hardware. The ACM tool should make it possible to be very flexible when rearranging these models to simulate possible configurations of the life support subsystems that could be used in the future, especially for advanced life support applications.

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) on board the International Space Station (ISS) has experienced periodic check valve and selector valve failures as a result of a gradual build-up of contamination from particles that have breeched the adsorbent bed seals. The current software that controls CDRA has limitations that make troubleshooting the unit difficult in these situations, in large part due to the fact that valve position telemetry is only available during certain times. There are also situations where it is required to perform operations manually that would benefit from added code logic and commands to facilitate these operations. The software has been reviewed for possible upgrades and changes that will allow engineers to better troubleshoot the unit in the event of various failures and also allow for better operability in degraded states.