Abstract
Accurate data is the cornerstone of maintenance. Whether it is in the form of the technical data necessary to execute inspection and repair, or it is collected by maintainers during inspection and repair processes, data is the focal point by which the maintenance enterprise navigates. Rapid access to multi-media tech data enables maintainers to improve the quality of repairs and reduce cycle time. Accurate, timely and standard data collection from maintainers helps ensure supply availability, maintenance planning, and reliability assessment. In today’s fiscal environment, the collection and use of maintenance data is more important than ever. This JTEG forum will examine point of maintenance data viewing and collection technologies which enable both field-level and depot maintenance improvement.
Agenda
1300-1309: Welcome – Greg Kilchenstein (OSD-MR) Presentation
1309-1310: Administrative Notes – Debbie Lilu (NCMS)
1310-1340: B-1 Digital Twin- Lt Col Joseph Lay (B-1 PM) and Melinda Hock (NIAR)
1340-1410: NAVAIR – Gabe Draguicevich (FRC-SW)
– FRC-SW SBIR incl Digital Tools Presentation
– MBE Across the Sites Update
1410-1435: Connected Vehicle Platform – Raj Paul (Microsoft)
1435-1455: Shipyard Modernization Effort – Steve Lagana (NAVSEA PMS-555), Robert Tye and Aaron Jones (Siemens)
1455-1500: Wrap-Up
Minutes
Event: On 30 June 2020, the Joint Technology Exchange Group (JTEG), in coordination with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), hosted a virtual forum on “Digital Maintenance”.
Purpose: The purpose of this forum was to examine and share information on the collection and use of maintenance data to improve maintenance operations in the DoD community to include a B-1 Digital Twin, digital tools to help maintainers, connected vehicle platforms, and the modeling and simulation of shipyard modernization efforts.
Welcome: Greg Kilchenstein (OSD-MR) welcomed everyone to the forum and thanked the presenters and all the listeners for their attendance. He also stated how important digital maintenance capabilities are to maintain readiness and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD equipment.
Administrative: This was an open forum. The presentations, along with questions and answers, were conducted through Adobe Connect. Only one of the four presentations were also available online at the JTEG website at https://jteg.ncms.org/ due to proprietary considerations. A separate audio line was used. We had 105 participants from across DOD, industry, and academia join in the forum.
B-1 Digital Twin:- Lt Col Joseph Lay (B-1 PM) and Melinda Hock (NIAR) provided an overview of the US Air Force Rapid Sustainment Ideology and described the vision/intent of the B-1 Digital Twin Program to include the ability to proactively manage the fleet, enable organic engineering capability, address spare part replacement/obsolescence with digital maintenance spares and create technical data for advanced technologies. They described several digital repair examples and finished with an updated on the program status. (The briefing slides are not posted)
NAVAIR: Gabe Draguicevich (FRC-SW) presented some Fleet Readiness Center-Southwest (FRC-SW) led Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) technology projects to include digital tools. Amongst those discussed were KM Equip for Dimensionally Restoring Bores of ACFT Components, Dimensional Restoration of Damaged Aircraft Components, FRCSW -ITAMCO CRADA Exploring Blockchain for Supply Support, and a number of proposed industrial led projects. He then described efforts to enhance the digital depot through factory automation systems and described the vision to enable next generation Digital Sustainment capabilities that enhance the Navy’s competitive advantage and dramatically improve Naval Aviation readiness. (These slides are posted)
Connected Vehicle Platform: – Raj Paul (Microsoft) described how the automotive industry is undergoing a digital transformation. He explained Microsoft’s approach and automotive solution portfolio. The Microsoft Connected Vehicle Platform combines advanced cloud and edge computing services with a strong partner network to empower automotive companies to build connected driving experiences. (Slides not posted…awaiting a new version)
Shipyard Modernization Effort: – Steve Lagana (NAVSEA PMS-555), Robert Tye and Aaron Jones (Siemens) provided an overview of a plant simulation effort that includes the creation of digital twin models of four public shipyards. Siemens uses digital threads to connect the digital twins. The model can be run under various scenarios to test the effect on a given variable. It also allows resources to be constrained such as certification and required skillsets. They ran through a simulation and described how it could be used to compare “as-is” with “what-if” scenarios to optimize production systems and logistics processes. (Slides not posted…awaiting a new version)
Q&A – A Q&A occurred after each briefer finished their presentation. Questions and answers will be posted on the JTEG website with these minutes.
Closing Comments: Greg Kilchenstein thanked the presenters for their contributions and all the work being done to support digital maintenance capabilities efforts across DoD sustainment. He suggested continuing the information exchange beyond the forum and the importance of collaboration within the DoD maintenance community.
Action Items:
- All cleared briefing slides were posted to the JTEG website at https://jteg.ncms.org/ prior to the forum start.
- Obtain Distribution “A” level slides for the three remaining briefs.
Next JTEG Meeting: The next scheduled JTEG virtual forum is 28 July 2020, 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST. The topic is “Expeditionary Repair”.
POC this action is Ray Langlais, rlanglais@lmi.org, (571) 633-8019
Q&A
Digital Twin: LtCol Lay (B-1 PM) and Melinda Hock (NIAR)
Q1. How is the B1 CBM+ efforts integrated with the digital twin effort?
A1. Currently, the B-1 doesn’t use CBM+.
Q2. Are you using the 2D data to generate the 3D tech data? Do you have any IP issues with the OEM?
A2. No issues with the OEM. We are matching the two and looking for the differences.
Q3. Is the BI leveraging the previous A-10 effort and lessons learned? and has this helped to streamline the B-1 effort?
A3. They will partner with us in reviewing the efforts. We have a list of lessons learned.
Q4. What is your confidence level for how representative your scanned model is for the remainder of the fleet? Was production variability a consideration?
A4. Production variability is a consideration. However, we don’t believe variability is enough to not make it worthwhile. It is definitely still beneficial and can be used to compare to other aircraft.
Connected Vehicle Platform – Raj Paul (Microsoft)
Q1. How is Microsoft leveraging AI and Machine learning to advance prognostics maintenance?
A1. The holy grail is from the data we essentially create. You can do analysis using the data including predictive analysis.
NAVAIR: Gabe Draguicevich
Q1. What has been your biggest challenge in getting your MBE/ALE/IDRN off the ground and working?
A1. The IT infrastructure. Permissions to put together the network, data stand-up, cyber, hardware, and certification for use can take years.
Q2. If you had to provide advice to another large engineering and sustainment enterprise regarding where to start this journey, what would it be?
A2. There is little that I would change of what we did. I recommend breaking it up into fundamental elements, i.e. manufacturing efforts, engineering efforts, etc. Quality, logistics, production, and other groups need to be involved early on in the process.
Shipyard Modernization Effort – Steve Lagana (NAVSEA PMS-555), Robert Tye and Aaron Jones (Siemens)
Comment: The digital twin of how maintenance and sustainment occur in a Naval Shipyard allows users to analysis, conduct what-if scenarios, and use as a tool to determine how to modernize / recapitalize.
Q1. In your next move, how do you plan to put the models together?
A1. The long-term plan: Once all the modules are complete, we can create “standardized shipyards” that integrate sensors and create smart shipyards where the system has the ability to monitor itself. Once that’s done, we plan to establish a centralized control center which can check schedules and status’. The end state envisioned is a completely integrated shipyard infrastructure and management.