Airbus A350 RFID programme Questions & Answers
Posted by Luke Waidmann on Mon, Jan 11, 2010
By Luke Waidmann -- ODIN expert at Airbus
In 2009, Airbus announced requirements for high memory Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency IDentifictation (RFID) and Contact Memory Button (CMB) tags use in parts tracking of all serialized, replaceable, and repairable part of the A350. To go along with these requirements, this month Airbus announced preferred pricing on high memory tags through further contract. These two developments have raised a number of questions from parts suppliers, so I will try to answer the most repeated questions.
Why Use RFID and CMB for Aerospace?
The respective RFID and CMB tags will be used to store maintenance and manufacturer information of up to 3,000 parts on the A350. Airbus will use these tags to keep maintenance records and part history. By storing records on the parts, a repair facility will not need network connection get relevant maintenance information.With the click of a hand-held RFID reader the full component history of an A350 part will be available. Likewise fixed readers in tables or portals will read the part information .This will save MROs significant time and expense when a part needs repair, and it increases the overall safety of the aircraft.
What do the Airbus RFID Requirements actually say?
Airbus will require the tagging of all replaceable, repairable and serialized parts on the A350. Parts inside the pressurized areas of the plane can use either RFID or CMB (however RFID significantly speeds up the business process because it does not need to be touched and many tags can be read at once). technology, while parts in unpressurized areas should use contact memory buttons (this part of the requirements may change as more robust RFID tags are developed). The full specifications stipulate requirements for the performance characteristics, locations, and sizes of the tags. The contract signed this month allows external parts suppliers to benefit from the pricing negotiated by Airbus by providing the same price to contractors. Neither document, however, requires the use of a specific vendor; parts manufacturers may be able to obtain better value from other tag providers.
Ok great... What's in it for the part supplier to Airbus?
RFID mandates in other industries, such as retail, have floundered because they lacked buy-in from the companies responsible for the tagging (the suppliers). This time, the manufacturer can implement RFID tracking technology to obtain similar ROI in their processes. In addition, Airbus is offering pre-negotiated RFID prices. Two primary use cases come to mind: process tracking and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) tracking. The memory in tags can be re-written any number of times or locked forever. This means that the manufacturer can apply the tags early in the process and track the build status of the part automatically. The tag can be used similarly to the Airbus use case by adding information to the part as it goes through each build phase. Prior to delivery, the tag can be erased of information used by the manufacturer, and the information needed by Airbus can be written and locked.
Summing it Up
ODIN can help if you are interested in tagging parts with RFID and CMB.ODIN’s team has been on the ground at Airbus HQ in Toulouse since 2006, and we have the best team in the industry for solving the challenges in tagging LRUs and other Aersopace use cases like tool and jig tracking. Our team of experts can quickly identify which tag to use and where to place it. If you’d like to learn more, please contact Kevin MacDonald at Kevin@odintechnologies.com