MRO Data Systems
DLR/Aswin-Mathews-Thampan
The research area MRO Data Systems focusses on the digital transformation in maintenance. Methods for data handling in future MRO scenarios are being developed. This includes digital twins of assets, processes and stakeholders, their interaction as well as considerations regarding safety and security to assure a high level of resiliance. With close links to related research, such as the development of MRO technology, condition-monitoring and prediction, process simulation and the development of new maintenance concepts, the research on data systems aims at a comprehensive integration of these activities and technologies.
Current stakeholder interactions are mainly based on human actions. A big potential is seen in advanced digitial solutions using Industry 4.0 (I4.0) approaches. They assure a digital continuity, increased efficiency and can partially automate transactions and processes. These approaches range from simple data sharing to automated negotiations and are closely coupled to process simulation and optimisation in prescriptive maintenance. Asset administration shells (AAS) are particularly addressed as means to connect physical assets to the digital world.
A fully digitalized maintenace requires a complex data management. Digital twin concepts are being investigated as a link between any asset-related information along the entire lifecycle. Data, models and knowledge is distributed across different stakeholders. Further research focusses on how such information can be shared considering different conditions and limitations regarding accessibility and usage rights. Methods for data fusion from such distributed sources are being developed and the involved risks and implications of data-based services relying on multi-skakeholder data are being investigated. Sharing and combining data requires standards for the digital representation of information. In this context research focuses on specific data standards, such as Digital Imaging and Communication for Nondestructive Evaluation (DICONDE) for non-destructive testing data and the digital product passport (DPP) as an I4.0-based condensed representation of key parameters of an asset.
Key Topics
Digital MRO Concepts
- Digital Transformation in MRO - Development of visions for future MRO scenarions with a high level of digitalisation as well as feasible transition approaches from current practices towards these visions
- Stakeholder Interaction - Development of means for an automated digital interaction of MRO stakeholders based on I4.0 standards
- Digital Services - Be it a specific form of data analysis or the physical execution of maintenance tasks - these activities need to be represented and offered digitally as a key element of stakeholder interaction
Maintenance Data Management
- Digital Twin Concepts - Development of concepts for digital representations of real assets and associated data along their entire lifecycle
- Data and Model Provisioning - Making data and models accessible across multiple stakeholders
- Data Standards - Investigation of suitable open standards for harmonizing data formats and avoiding barriers by reducing dependencies from proprietary formats