The Boeing 777 is the first jetliner to be 100 percent digitally designed using three-dimensional solids technology. Throughout the design process, the airplane was "preassembled" on the computer, eliminating the need for a costly, full-scale mock-up.

Workstations and Mainframes
In the Puget Sound area, approximately 1,700 individual computer workstations are linked to the largest mainframe installation of its kind in the world, consisting of four IBM mainframe computers. This mainframe cluster also is linked to mainframes and workstation installations in Japan; Philadelphia; Wichita, Kansas; and other locations.

Software Systems
The 777 Division is using CATIA (Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application) and ELFINI (Finite Element Analysis System), both developed by Dassault Systemes of France and licensed in the United States through IBM. Designers also use EPIC (Electronic Preassembly Integration on CATIA) and other digital preassembly applications developed by Boeing.

System Benefits
The use of these systems improves the quality of work; reduces changes, errors and rework; and results in lower costs.

Design/Build Teams
At the peak of the design effort, there were 238 teams using computing technology to design the 777. Design engineers and manufacturing engineers worked concurrently on the design of parts to decrease later change orders and to increase efficiency in building and installing those parts. Outside suppliers and airline customers also are represented on some teams.