Industry 4.0 for Aerospace Manufacturing: Condition Based Maintenance Methodology, Implementation and Challenges

Abstract

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is the fourth industrial revolution where operations are linked through data generated by machines. I4.0 involves production ecosystems where operations are monitored, recorded, and analyzed for use in widely interconnected and automated activities. This can be performed at Edge or Cloud1 levels. In the industrial big data era, with ever maturing sensor technologies, data capture, communication, and storage technologies, utilizing machine data for operational insights provides companies with competitive advantage. These can increase cost savings for operation and maintenance, reduce or even eliminate unscheduled downtime and / or ensure on-time delivery of products. In this work, we will cover a methodology for condition-based maintenance (CBM) at aerospace manufacturing facilities. The methodology includes sensor selection, data collection, transmission, storage, return on investment for CBM, and building CBM models for detection. We will delve into challenges of implementing this methodology in industrial settings by covering planning, technology insertion, logistics, and decision-making.