Page 6 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016 Online Magazine

tu
R
e
ea
FEATURE MRO
MRO
F

Transformational Change

Big Data has the potential to fundamentally change the MRO industry and 3D printing
technology has now matured to a point where it is adding concrete value
By Atul Chandra

What next? is a question that is next industrial revolution.” 3D printing and these factors to improve the predictability
often heard in the aerospace world and additive manufacturing on the other hand are of average time between maintenance shop
often enough the answer is hard to find. delivering on the promise to deliver tangible visits. Predicting when an engine needs to
It is now abundantly clear, however, savings in manufacture of aircraft parts. be removed in exact terms has thus far been
that two technologies that will drive a Pratt & Whitney is now using predictive extremely difficult, even for airline’s that
transformational change in the industry analytics to monitor engine performance, manage their data well. As an example; Japan
are Big Data and 3D printing (additive layer which uses sophisticated software Airlines (JAL), which has an approximate
manufacturing). Aero-engine manufacturers algorithms to deliver data or ‘intelligence’ fleet size of 170 aircraft and an inventory of
have been quick to seize on the potential that can greatly help operators optimise 500 engines, performs an estimated 60-70
offered of predictive analytics to monitor engine reliability, fleet operations and reduce engine removals annually. A large portion
engine performance, and are now investing maintenance costs. More importantly, the of its engine maintenance costs each year,
millions of dollars along with the time and information is being used in an increasingly are the result of unpredictable engine
resources necessary to leverage the power proactive approach towards planning of maintenance costs. These costs are the
of ‘Big Data’. According to General Electric, maintenance requirements for an airline. result of operational events such in-flight
“The Industrial Internet is poised to outpace This can deliver real benefits in terms of engine shutdowns and unscheduled engine
the consumer internet by 2020 – weighing savings. Leveraging its deep engine design removals. Advanced predictive modelling
in at US$ 225 billion in potential market understanding with a depth of operational, when combined with innovative maintenance
size – bringing the world’s biggest machines maintenance and environmental data, Pratt practices, will now allow Pratt & Whitney
online and helping them communicate is the & Whitney is using the combined impact of to help operators reduce unplanned engine
6 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA