A rigid RFID tag (dark rectangle) can track common assets such as pallets.
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Radio frequency identification (RFID) aerospace applications have attracted interest since the introduction of inexpensive passive tags. The driving factors are reducing inventory time and improving accuracy. Implementation differs, but the technology accurately and rapidly gathers identification data from individual items to determine their state. Tags can uniquely identify articles as they move along a chain of custody, cataloging a time stamp for each read event.
Tool tracking
A compelling application for RFID is tool tracking. Aircraft maintenance providers must automatically identify the appropriate tools to take to each job and account for all tools following task completion. Rugged, mount-on-metal tags can be permanently epoxied in place. Used with a smart toolbox or tool-crib, tags can be added to or subtracted from inventory almost instantaneously. Applying real-time tool inventories aids in compliance and reduces the paperwork burden associated with mandated routine maintenance.
Check-in/check-out data for specific tools can also spot deficiencies in the operation. For example, if a high-value tool is used repeatedly in one type of operation and rarely in another, that item could be pre-positioned closer to where it’s needed. Similarly, pre-packaged job kits can be assembled and verified, reducing the churn of returning to a tool area to pick up a forgotten item.
Flyable assets
There are largely diverse types of assets in and on an airframe: life vests, oxygen generators, seat belt airbags, avionics, electro-mechanical system components, communication equipment, and food/beverage carts. That diversity requires a range of tags from large labels (4.0" x 2.0") to small mount-on-metal tags (0.6" x 0.4").
Tagging can greatly speed documentation of routine maintenance tasks. For example, oxygen generators can be inventoried without having to open the overhead panels, saving significant time and labor.
Flyable assets represent a special challenge for RFID tagging because of the rigor of the certification. Flyable tags are regulated subject to SAE AS5678 2006-12, RTCA DO-160, and ATA Spec 2000 Ch 9 Rev 2916.1. Depending on the tag’s application, it may need to be immune to various materials and conditions such as decompression, overpressure, humidity cycling, shock and vibration, electrostatic discharge, flammability, fluid (hydraulic and deicing) immersion, solvent exposure, and temperature rating. In addition, there’s the typical read range and data retention capacity of the tag itself to consider.
Rigid tags are for applications where high performance is required and the physical footprint is compact. They perform well under extreme conditions and are available in dual-record and multi-record memory configurations. Handheld encoding is supported with ATA Tag Commander software.
Photo credit: Vizinex RFID
Flyable tags must have an expanded memory capacity compared to standard passive RFID tags, such as those used for baggage. Aerospace tags need 2kb to 64kb, significantly more than standard RFID labels. Extended memory allows users to access maintenance or inspection data locally, without a data link to a centralized database.
Adoption of RFID technology in aerospace applications has been gradual as the technology isn’t plug-and-play. Successful implementation requires careful planning and understanding of the use case, however, deployed systems have demonstrated considerable return on investment (ROI) for users stemming from improved speed and accurate data acquisition.
About the author: Robert Oberle, Ph.D. is co-founder and chief technology officer of Vizinex RFID. Oberle can be reached at roberle@vizinexrfid.com or 215.529.9440.
The author thanks Wesley Columbia, Brady Corp., for the helpful discussion regarding this article.
Cloud-based extended reality platform provider Grid Raster Inc.’s recent survey reveals how manufacturers are leveraging visual experience technology to address COVID-19 social distancing, staffing shortfalls, and the need for production efficiency.
Aerospace Manufacturing and Design welcomes all aircraft enthusiasts to join the fun and NAME THAT PLANE! Each issue, a new aircraft will be featured. Given a photo and a clue box, readers are encouraged to guess what plane is being described and submit their answers to www.AerospaceManufacturingAndDesign.com/Form/NameThatPlane.
Don Schmidt CMM Programmer/Inspector WGI Inc. Southwick, Massachusetts
How long have you been in the aerospace business? 26 years
How did you become interested in aircraft? I played around a bit with model rocketry and joined an Airplane Model Builders Club in the 5th grade.
What is your favorite aircraft and why? The Gee Bee Model R Sportsters because they are the pride of the city in which I was born, Springfield, Massachusetts.
Runners-up
Andrew J. Zawisza Materials & QA Manager DIT-MCO Int’l Kansas City, Missouri
Michael Nicoletti Quality Engineer Spectralux Avionics Redmond, Washington
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“The free flight achieved by the VSR700 is a major step leading up to the sea trials that will be performed at the end of 2021 as part of the de-risking studies for the French Navy’s future drone,” Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even says.
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Spirit AeroSystems, Belcan partner
Departments - Checking In
NAM recognizes Boeing sustainability leadership; Jorgensen boosts sales, management teams; Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group Inc. appointments; FAA certifies GE9X engine; Index Corp. names new president, CEO.
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Dr. Sean Black, Spirit vice president and chief engineer of programs and Keith Matthews, president of Belcan’s international operations, formalized the agreement with leaders from both companies in February, pre-social distancing requirements.
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“Boeing is demonstrating that you can be environmentally sustainable in a cost-effective way,” says Bryan Scott, vice president of Environment, Health, & Safety at Boeing.
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“Creating commercially viable solutions for recycling carbon fiber composites is good for the industry and good for the environment,” says Tia Benson Tolle, director of Advanced Materials and Product Development at Boeing.
Karl Kleppek hired as director of sales and marketing
Dustin Krueger promoted to manager of engineering
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Larry Megan, Ph.D.Joe Veranese
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Megan brings more than two decades of smart manufacturing knowledge. Prior to joining AMI, he held senior positions at Linde (formerly Praxair). At the University of Buffalo (New York), he serves on the Industrial Engineering Department Advisory Council and is an industrial lead for the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership.
MTDG is the not-for-profit holding company of the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and new subsidiary AMI.
Veranse named VP, CIO
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Veranese previously served NCDMM as CIO, corporate services director, and business systems manager. Before that, he spent 20 years in the financial sector and served as the operations manager of a bank services organization.
GE Aviation
FAA certifies GE9X engine
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Cris Taylor
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Taylor has more than 30 years of experience in the machine tool industry, in Europe and the United States, including 27 years at Chiron. Most recently, he served eight years as managing director of Stama, Chiron’s sister company.