Four Pain Points that Will Ramp up the Future of Aerospace MRO

Aerospace and Defense Review | Friday, April 21, 2023

In the upcoming years, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry is anticipated to increase significantly. The overall number of aircraft is expected to treble in the next 20 years, according to aircraft manufacturers' predictions.

FREMONT, CA: The global aircraft MRO market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.57 per cent until 2030. Right-sourcing and outsourcing are the two options that are more applicable to MRO service providers for MRO operators. To ensure reliability, aircraft safety, and availability the aerospace industry is completely dependent on maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The demand for air travel and ageing aircraft has led to an increase in the need for MRO services. Increased consumer demand, supportive regulations, and labour arbitrage are a few of the elements that could boost the industry's expansion. Redelivery maintenance agreements might also encourage the desired capacity development.

Data Analytics and 3D Tools are Crucial for the Future of Aerospace and Defense Maintenance

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Data analytics and 3D tools have the potential to revolutionise A&D maintenance in today's rapidly changing digital environment by increasing productivity, lowering costs, boosting safety, and enhancing overall equipment reliability. These instruments can help in determining when maintenance is necessary, allowing maintenance teams to take proactive measures to resolve problems before they result in equipment failure. This decreases downtime, boosts the dependability of the equipment, and ultimately saves capital. Additionally, 3D visualisation technologies can significantly lower the cost of repairs by assisting maintenance teams in visualising and troubleshooting complicated systems in three dimensions. To detect potential safety issues, departments like engineering and design can collaborate and train maintenance employees using the tools.

Applications with a 3D interface make it easier to model and simulate a system or subsystem using multi-physics. This aids in determining the maintainability in a 3D context and determining the component's remaining life through simulations. Assessing induced structural/thermal stress, fatigue, crack formation, etc. is done to achieve this.

Optimising Digital MRO to Manage the Impact of the Data Deluge to Remain Competitive

It's more apparent than ever that legacy aeroplane maintenance systems are getting older as large data sets continue to be produced quickly from several sources. To manage the effects of the data flood and maintain its competitiveness, the Aerospace and Defence sector as a whole must now optimise digital MRO. To connect diverse data and decision-makers, the entire maintenance ecosystem must be connected. In order to increase fleet availability, lower MRO costs, and maximise fleet safety and sustainability, a fully integrated digital platform with a data-driven approach is essential.

Companies in the aerospace and defence industries must now shift to a fully integrated digital platform that improves digital MRO collaboration, agility, and efficiency. To unify the ecosystem and collaborate as one, this entails a single data model with a single integrated platform, predictive analytics to lower unplanned maintenance, product lifecycle management to increase fleet availability and safety, and virtual twin technology to cut turnaround time.

Steps to Enhance and Digitally Transform Maintenance Tasks from End to End to Deliver Optimal MRO Results

Across all aspects of their operations, companies should adopt a digital-first mindset and embrace digital transformation. This includes using cutting-edge technology to enhance maintenance procedures, boost sustainability, and boost efficiencies, such as Virtual Twin, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and the Internet of Things. Sustainability has gained significance in the aerospace and defence sectors. Businesses must implement sustainable practices across all MRO processes, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and the use of eco-friendly materials.

AR for MRO Training

For MRO training, augmented reality (AR) can be a useful tool. It allows users to overlay virtual knowledge over the real world, making for a more engaging and immersive learning environment.

Technicians can receive remote assistance from professionals who are not physically present by using augmented reality (AR). This may lower travel expenses and downtime. It offers a hands-on learning experience that enables technicians to practice processes in a secure virtual setting, lowering errors and increasing productivity. Virtual twins can significantly improve the training process at operational units.

Through virtual reality/mixed reality-based training solutions that let field operators connect with console operators for realistic and immersive training experiences, operator training simulators mimic the features and activities of an industrial control room setting. According to studies, studying with AR and VR is four times faster than learning in a typical classroom, as well as 300 per cent more motivating for students. This innovative training strategy shortens technical training sessions and minimises downtime for operations. By providing simulated training in hazardous locations, AR can help improve the visualisation of complicated equipment and systems, making it simpler for professionals to comprehend and diagnose problems.

In conclusion, the decisions made by aircraft operators regarding the MRO supply chain will change as a result of the emerging markets' quick rise and rapid growth. Multiple manufacturers have been drawn to enter the after-sale industry due to the likelihood of greater profitability from MRO services and growing demand.

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