Machine-Readable Labels for Aircraft Part Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance data systems for aircraft are inefficient, leading to excessive time spent identifying and documenting parts, resulting in increased repair times and costs due to difficulties in accurately collecting and recording part information, often with incorrect or missing data.
Innovation Solution
A data acquisition and encoding process that links physical objects with virtual data using a digital 3D model viewer, allowing users to generate machine-readable labels with part information, which can be affixed to the parts, enabling quick retrieval of necessary data and reducing transcription errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians manually search engineering documentation to identify part numbers, then they can obtain part information, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates and stores part information, labels, and documentation in a digital database before maintenance is needed. When a part is removed or inspected, the system automatically retrieves pre-prepared information including part numbers, service bulletins, and maintenance records, eliminating the need for technicians to manually search engineering documentation during critical maintenance windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of physical part information and maintenance records, storing them in an accessible database. Instead of requiring technicians to locate and transcribe information from physical manuals or hidden identification tags, the system provides accurate digital copies of part data, service bulletins, and maintenance history that can be instantly retrieved and viewed on portable devices.
2Loss of information
If technicians leave the work area to access manuals and data records, then they can retrieve necessary information, but workflow continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal portable computing device that consolidates multiple functions into one tool: accessing digital manuals, viewing part information, retrieving maintenance records, and documenting work all in a single device. This eliminates the need for technicians to move between multiple locations (manuals library, computer terminals, part locations) and maintains workflow continuity by providing all information needs at the point of work.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computing device acts as an intermediary between the technician and the central database system. It wirelessly connects to the database, allowing technicians to access and interact with maintenance information locally without leaving the work area. The device mediates between the need for immediate information access and the centralized storage of data, providing real-time access to manuals, part information, and maintenance records on-demand.
3Reliability
If extensive engineering documentation is required to identify parts, then complete information can be obtained, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential part information needed for maintenance from the extensive engineering documentation database. Instead of requiring technicians to navigate through complete engineering definitions and large volumes of documentation, the system automatically retrieves and displays only the relevant part numbers, service bulletins, and maintenance records specific to the identified part, simplifying the information presentation while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback when a part is identified by displaying relevant information directly on the portable device. The system automatically cross-references part identification with the database, providing real-time confirmation of part numbers, associated service bulletins, and maintenance procedures. This feedback mechanism ensures information completeness while guiding technicians through a simplified process with automatic validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided that includes rendering for display, a digital three-dimensional (3D) model of a structural product composed of a plurality of parts, with the digital 3D model being observed from a home viewpoint. Input is received to navigate the digital 3D model to a part of the plurality of parts, observation of the digital 3D model being moved from the home viewpoint to a navigated viewpoint. A digital label is generated that includes information specifying the navigated viewpoint and includes information for the part. The digital label may be output to a label recorder configured to record the digital label on a physical medium and thereby produce a corresponding physical label. At least the navigated viewpoint of the digital 3D model in the digital label and corresponding physical label are in a machine-readable format and capable of being machine-read to automatically restore the digital 3D model at the navigated viewpoint.