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 and Overview – Greg Kilchenstein (OSD-MPP)
1309-1310: Administrative Notes – Debbie Lilu (NCMS)
1310-1330: Voice-enabled Inspection System (VIMS) – Frank Zahiri (AFSC)
1330-1345: Electronic Technical Work Document (eTWD) – Troy Kaichen (NAVSEA)
1345-1400: Common PEMA and Thin APP Approach – Jeff Allen (NAVAIR)
1400-1415: Maintenance Digital Data Viewer (MDDV) – Shawn Driscoll (AFLCMC/EZPR)
1415-1430: Virtual Logistics Assistance Representative (VLAR) – David Aebischer (CECOM)
1430-1445: Field Level Thermography – Maria Beemer (Thermalwave)
1445-1500: Intelligent Asset Management – Randy Garner (The DEI Group)
1500: Wrap-Up
Minutes:
Event: On 31 October 2017, the Joint Technology Exchange Group (JTEG), in coordination with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), hosted a virtual forum on “Point of Maintenance Aids”.
Purpose: The purpose of this forum was to discuss multiple Point of Maintenance Aids, novel applications, and emerging trends.
Welcome: Greg Kilchenstein (OSD) welcomed everyone to the forum, thanked the presenters and all the listeners for their attendance, and briefly previewed the agenda.
Administrative: This was an open forum. The presentations, along with questions and answers, were conducted through Adobe Connect. A separate audio line was used. Approximately 60 participants from across DOD and industry joined in the forum.
Voice-enabled Inspection System (VIMS) – Frank Zahiri (AFSC) described the voice directed system that provides step-by-step verbal instructions and captures inspection data in a hands-free, eyes-free mode. Voice inspection plans are created with built in tools and provided to the maintainer via headset. Phase 1 was a proof of concept funded through CTMA and completed in 2016. Phase 2 is a Bluetooth with 128-bit encryption funded through AFSC. The test plan is in progress. Phase 3, data available in PDMSS/ROCIT, needs leadership support for funding and to complete cybersecurity requirements. The BCA projected reduction of inspection time is 30% (PD04 Common PEMA & Thin App_Jeff AllenM line only) with projected cost avoidance of ~$12.5M/year at WR-ALC (C-5, C-130, and F-15).
Electronic Technical Work Document (eTWD) – Robert Burns (NAVSEA) explained that eTWD content management system will provide engineering with an automated information repository with all routing and concurrence automated. All documentation required for the mechanic is included in the electronic work package, and eTWD software will automatically verify material, tooling, system de-energization, and re-entry controls prior to work package release to the execution supervisor. Validation and certification of the work is automatic at the time of completion, and errors will be identified and addressed at entry during execution and problem resolution. All routing is automated.
Common PEMA and ThinAPP Approach – Jeff Allen (NAVAIR) described SPECS as a standardized hardware and software solution provided by PMA-260. The aim is to support and sustain a common image that aligns with current DOD/DON IA policies and mandates. Jeff explained the Thin APP approach as converting existing applications to virtual applications using commercial tools like VMWare’s ThinApp. Programs will get Application ATOs with well-defined accreditation boundaries. Host systems will get Type accreditations and serve all Virtual Applications (Vapp) running on host hardware. The benefits include reduced sustainment costs as operating systems change, isolation from hardware obsolescence, improved configuration management, and reduced cyber risk.
Maintenance Digital Data Viewer (MDDV) – Shawn Driscoll (AFLCMC/EZPR) stated that MDDV is a commercially available product developed by American Data Solutions (ADS). It is an agnostic Solution that runs on Android, iOS, and Windows, and is compatible with any type of hardware. MDDV is CAC-enabled and user-customizable for controlled access and TO Management (TOMA). Benefits include expediting training by enabling interactive hands-in job training, provides an ability to connect direct with Supply Chain/ Inventory, expedites maintainer and engineer communications, and TOMA and E-Tools POCs job effectiveness and efficiencies.
Virtual Logistics Assistance Representative (VLAR) – David Aebischer (CECOM) explained that VLAR codifies expert knowledge and makes it accessible. Using VLAR as an operator and maintainer tool reduces soldier dependency on FSR/LAR support in the field and decreases weapon system downtime. Based on test analysis and operations analysis, VLAR has proven the following: experienced a 30% improvement in operational availability, documented over 50% decrease in troubleshooting time and 50% increase in troubleshooting accuracy, realized a 90% decrease in no evidence of failure (NEOF) returns, and showed dramatic improvements in training and soldier knowledge retention.
Field Level Thermography – Maria Beemer (Thermalwave) briefed thermographic NDI at the point of maintenance using portable systems to provide objective diagnostic data to the inspector to prescribe next step/corrective action. She described qualitative thermography using water entrapment and discussed some examples.
Intelligent Asset Management – Randy Garner (The DEI Group) explained that with this maintenance approach, you can recognize an upcoming failure, estimate the remaining time to failure, and pre-plan required repairs to minimize the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and associated downtime, to maximize equipment effectiveness and optimize resource constraints. Portable data analyzers serve not only as maintenance process improvement tools supporting execution at the point of maintenance, but are also a key element for a CBM strategy, enabling efficient and repeatable maintenance actions. CBM provides future health awareness enabling better long term planning which enables optimization of your key performance indicators and resources.
Closing Comments: Greg Kilchenstein thanked the presenters for their contributions and the audience for their participation. He suggested continuing the information exchange beyond the forum and the importance of teaming/partnership to the DoD maintenance community.
Action Items:
- Obtain “public release” versions of the presentations and post to the JTEG website. These meeting minutes, the Q&A, and those briefing slides approved for public release, will be posted on the JTEG website at https://jteg.ncms.org/ . (All presenters, LMI, NCMS)
Next JTEG Meeting: The next JTEG virtual forum is 28 November, 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST. The topic is “Big Data Analytics”.
POC this action is Ray Langlais, rlanglais@lmi.org , (571) 633-8019