{"id":25447,"date":"2017-11-15T19:57:26","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T00:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/digitization-at-boeing-printed-parts-and-just-in-time-maintenance\/"},"modified":"2017-11-15T19:57:26","modified_gmt":"2017-11-16T00:57:26","slug":"digitization-at-boeing-printed-parts-and-just-in-time-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/digitization-at-boeing-printed-parts-and-just-in-time-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"Digitization at Boeing: Printed Parts and Just in Time Maintenance"},"content":{"rendered":"

The supply chain in the aviation industry is arguably one of the most complex and highly regulated in the world.\u00a0 Stringent quality requirements paired with an intricate ecosystem of suppliers makes aircraft production uniquely complicated.\u00a0 Additionally, the relatively low production volumes associated with aerospace parts keep suppliers from maintaining high inventories on hand both for building new aircraft and replacing broken parts.[1] Supply chain innovation in the aviation industry is now more important than ever because with increased demand; having even one aircraft down for maintenance can be detrimental to an airline\u2019s bottom line. \u00a0According to The Economist<\/em>, while demand for aircraft production in 2015 was on the rise, there was concern that even if Airbus and Boeing had the capacity to assemble enough planes, their suppliers would struggle to deliver the parts.[2] \u00a0Boeing is seeking to solve the supply problem in two ways: with the use of 3D printing to reduce lead times in production, and the use of RFID technology to increase replacement part predictability.<\/p>\n

Boeing was a relatively early adopter in the space of 3D print technology.\u00a0 The advent of 3D printing allowed Boeing to not only reduce the cost and weight of aircraft structures, but also order less individual parts from its suppliers because the print assemblies generally allowed several structures to be converted into one piece. [3]\u00a0 As early as 2014, Boeing used tens of thousands of 3D printed parts on its aircraft.[4]\u00a0 The 787 Dreamliner had 30 x 3D printed parts, including air ducts and hinges.[5] Until 2017, Boeing\u2019s use of 3D printed parts was limited to non-load bearing components.\u00a0 Due to increased innovation, however, the Federal Aviation Authority will now allow Boeing to use 3D print technology to produce titanium load-bearing parts for its newest 787 Dreamliners.\u00a0 This new opportunity makes aircraft production not only more cost effective, but also more efficient because it cuts down on both raw material costs and energy usage.[6]\u00a0 In the next two years, Boeing hopes to get more 3D printed load bearing parts approved by the FAA and increase the number of suppliers willing to invest in the technology.[7]\u00a0 Boeing even made a prototype of an entire printed cabin and perhaps sees a future in printing an entire airplane.[8]<\/p>\n

Boeing is also investing in technology to tackle the issue of replacement parts for its aircraft that are already in the fleet.\u00a0 Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFIDs) that are added to aircraft components during the production process allows data about each individual part to be tracked and analyzed.\u00a0 This information is particularly useful for parts that are not stocked in large quantities by suppliers.\u00a0 The tags can record conditions such as leaks, noise and extreme temperatures as well as maintenance information as to when the part was installed, removed or modified.[9]\u00a0 Analyzing this information can then be useful to suppliers as a \u201cheads up\u201d that the part may soon be ordered for replacement.\u00a0 The re-engineered process has allowed Boeing to reduce the lead time for certain parts through the supply chain by 97%.[10]\u00a0 This may be increasingly useful in military applications in the coming years where lead times are longer due to remote delivery locations.<\/p>\n

With digital technology in its production and supply chains, Boeing seeks deliver to deliver a higher quality products to its customers in a shorter period of time.\u00a0 In the short term, I would recommend to Boeing\u2019s management to keep a close eye on aircraft demand and ensure the supply chain can keep up. In the medium term, continue to invest in 3D print and RFID technology to make the supply chain process as streamlined as possible.\u00a0 There still remains a host of questions while analyzing this complex industry. Is there a limit to 3D printing and will consumers be willing to fly in planes with printed wings?\u00a0 Are there more efficient ways to cut costs and increase predictability in aircraft production?<\/p>\n

Words: 789<\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

[1] Dietrich, David and Elizabeth A Cudney, \u201cMethods and considerations for the development of emerging manufacturing technologies into a global aerospace supply chain,\u201d International Journal of Production Research<\/em> Vol. 49, No. 10, (2011) via ProQuest accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[2] The Economist: \u201cAerospace manufacturers: Good, in parts,\u201d Oct 4th 2014 https:\/\/www.economist.com\/news\/business\/21621851-fixing-one-supply-chain-problem-planemakers-may-be-creating-another-good-parts<\/a> accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[3] Nathan, Stuart, \u201cAerospace takes to additive manufacturing\u201d October 2015 https:\/\/www.theengineer.co.uk\/aerospace-takes-to-additive-manufacturing\/<\/a> accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[4] Ibid.<\/p>\n

[5] Gilpin, Lyndsey, \u201c3D printing: 10 companies using it in ground-breaking ways\u201d Tech Republic <\/em>March 26, 2014,<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.techrepublic.com\/article\/3d-printing-10-companies-using-it-in-ground-breaking-ways\/<\/a> Accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[6] Vincent, James, \u201c3D-printed titanium parts could save Boeing up to $3 million per plane,\u201d The Verge Magazine<\/em> Apr 11, 2017, < https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2017\/4\/11\/15256008\/3d-printed-titanium-parts-boeing-dreamliner-787<\/a>> accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[7] Ibid.<\/p>\n

[8] Gilpin, Lyndsey, \u201c3D printing: 10 companies using it in ground-breaking ways\u201d Tech Republic <\/em>March 26, 2014,<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.techrepublic.com\/article\/3d-printing-10-companies-using-it-in-ground-breaking-ways\/<\/a> Accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[9] Coop, Phil. \u201cRFID Intergrated Solutions System Optimizes Maintenance Efficiencies\u201d Aero Magazine<\/em> http:\/\/www.boeing.com\/commercial\/aeromagazine\/articles\/2012_q1\/pdfs\/AERO_2012q1_article2.pdf <\/a>\u00a0Accessed Nov 2017.<\/p>\n

[10] Ibid.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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