From design to production, aerospace technology has proven time and time again to be a complex, intricate and ever-evolving field of study, development and deployment. Designers and manufacturers rely on detailed information to ensure the effective production of mission-critical products.

The Technical Data Package (TDP) plays a vital role in the aerospace industry by facilitating communication, collaboration and quality control across all stages of the product lifecycle. 

What is a Technical Data Package?

A TDP is a comprehensive set of documents and specifications that provides all the necessary information for the design, production and maintenance of a particular aerospace system or component. 

Viewed as a “catch-all” of important information, the Technical Data Package often consists of 3D models as well as product information (PMI) and a bill of characteristics. Typically, TDPs contain elements such as engineering specifications, CAD models, 3D data and the required design configuration, alongside the standards and procedures that go into a product’s optimal creation. In other words, a TDP is an authoritative technical description and collection of all the information needed to manufacture a component. These electronic files are critical for the downstream teams in the supply chain and are relied upon at every step of development. 

With all the information that makes a TDP, it’s very difficult to organize and manage, especially to fit the unique contract specifications of different products, situations and customers.

 

The Importance of an Accurate TDP

If a product has a flaw or malfunction — or a necessary change is observed in either the product design or the manufacturing process after production begins — all output created up to that point is rendered useless. 

In the aerospace industry, TDPs are crucial for ensuring that all stakeholders involved in the lifecycle of an aerospace product have access to accurate and up-to-date information. However, it’s not just the engineers and manufacturers responsible for the design who rely upon the information within. Suppliers, quality assurance personnel, maintenance technicians and even board executives have a direct line-of-sight into its contents.

Essentially, a TDP serves as the “single source of truth” or authoritative technical description to help maintain consistency and quality throughout the product’s lifecycle. This is important because the slightest production error could result in the malfunction of an individual part, which could in turn create a catastrophic chain of events. If a TDP — utilized as a component of the larger First Article Inspection (FAI) process — is not carefully completed, these flawed components could be installed in the end product.

How the TDP Addresses Challenges in the Aerospace Industry

  • Information consistency: By providing a centralized source of technical information and instructions, all parties have access to the latest standards, drawings and specifications. This helps to minimize errors and ensure consistency from all downstream teams.

  • Design integrity: The complexity of aerospace design demands detailed documents to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. By housing detailed engineering guidelines alongside product component information and regulatory standards, designers have line-of-sight into all essential information.

  • Quality assurance: TDPs facilitate quality assurance by inspecting manufacturing components against established guidelines, which reduces the chance of defects and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations.

  • Lifecycle management: Aerospace systems have long operational lifecycles and undergo maintenance, repairs and upgrades over time. TDPs serve as a comprehensive record of the product’s design, enabling efficient lifecycle management by guiding maintenance procedures and facilitating component replacements

  • Supplier coordination: Aerospace projects often involve multiple suppliers and subcontractors. TDPs help coordinate these efforts by providing clear instructions and specifications, ensuring that all parties contribute components and services that integrate seamlessly into the final product.

Overall, TDPs streamline processes, reduce errors and ensure compliance throughout the lifecycle of aerospace systems, addressing key challenges faced in the industry.

The Three Main Sections of a TDP

The components of a technical data package combine to provide a comprehensive analysis of the product to be manufactured. Each element of the TDP process offers unique insights designed to aid the efficiency of the construction. By offering end-to-end visibility of the performance requirements associated with the required design components of a particular product, management and laborers alike can manage the workflow.

The three components of a technical data package are drawings, specifications and a bill of characteristics. 

  • Drawings show the images of the product being made, as well as its dimensions, revisions and features. This applicable technical data allows complete insight into the creation process from every possible angle and with every element of the manufacturing process considered.

  • Specifications deal with references, materials, processes, MIL standards, packaging details and part documents.

  • The bill of characteristics combines the information from the drawings and specifications to fit a format that can be exported to First Article Inspection forms as well other forms related to the AS9102 standard as required by the International Aerospace Quality Group.

Without a tool like DISCUS, creating a proper technical data package is often confusing, repetitive and time-consuming. The automation of documentation processes — handled thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) solutions — supports increased efficiency and reduces the chance of human error. In addition to faster and more accurate TDP creation, the platform harnesses the learning capabilities of AI integration to continually enhance the processing tools of the software itself. 

Create a Smart TDP with DISCUS

Manufacturing and quality in the aviation, space and defense industries are regulated by the AS9100 Quality Management System.

One portion of the AS9100 process inspection plan — AS9102 — plays an important role in describing the details of FAI requirements in the aerospace industry. Creating accurate TDP elements with the assistance of an automated AI platform can ensure you’re observing the manufacturing process with the precision and quality of care this critical stage demands, in accordance with strict architecture and verification parameters. 

DISCUS is a tool that allows you to better assemble a smart and complete technical data package, which means you do so in less time and with more efficiency. When you’re ready to begin, use our free AS9102 forms to ensure you’re providing everything your downstream teams need to begin production.

Need Help With Your Technical Data Package? Start Here

With DISCUS, you have the ability to collect data product drawings, manage specifications and identify characteristic data at a detail level. DISCUS does not require specialized data reformatting to get started, which means you can start effectively using it to enter spec information within an hour.

Our TDP software tool helps you seamlessly export software documentation and data elements to AS9102 spreadsheets, which greatly decreases the time spent creating these reports. DISCUS does this by “snapping” requirements from drawings and specifications, so you never have to re-enter information. 

Now you can link from your bill of characteristics to the specific drawing and product documents from which you retrieved the data. Also, you can integrate your bill of characteristics with a variety of formats and systems, such as Excel, Net-inspect and Adobe. 

DISCUS gives you these advantages to help simplify data entry while organizing data presentation. Customize your information to meet the needs of your customer without worrying about whether or not you will change its original properties.

By deploying a DISCUS solution, you’ll not only gain access to our efficiency-boosting software, but you’ll also have access to a wealth of resources designed to facilitate your manufacturing processes. From technical information regarding the adequacy of your manufacturing efforts to the item performance capabilities that exceed supplier and customer needs, your models will allow the design and production of products that meet stringent standards.

Looking for a detailed “how to” in regards to removing a drawing from your TDP? Our complimentary tips archive provides valuable insight into processes designed to enhance the productivity of your workforce. From implementation

to execution, your critical manufacturing outcomes are in good hands with a DISCUS solution.

Click here If you’re interested in learning more about smart TDP.