Ramco Systems, Air France KLM open MRO IT lab

Global aviation software specialist Ramco Systems, together with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) as the first anchor partner, has opened the first engineering lab of its kind in Asia to develop advanced aviation IT solutions.

Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the MRO lab combines engineering and research talent from Ramco with AFI KLM E&M to work on next-generation applications such as wearables for ground engineers, unmanned aerial vehicles to inspect aircraft on the apron, Internet of Things embedded sensors for aviation components, and machine learning equipment.

The formation of the lab comes amid rising concerns that the global maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry is trailing in innovation and could face major bottlenecks from continued growth in international air traffic and airport expansions.

The lab will gradually scale up to employ more than 50 global innovators. www.ramco.com; www.afiklmem.com

8", 10" reversible wire twisters

Snap-on Industrial’s reversible wire twisters feature one-handed operation of both locking and reversing functions, and are engineered for more than 60,000 cycles in industrial applications. Two versions are available: WTG8 – 8" reversible wire twister left/right with wire capacity of 0.015" to 0.031"; and the WTG10 – 10" version, with wire capacity of 0.024" to 0.047". www.snapon.com/industrial

Commsoft celebrates 40 years of MRO IT

The developer of Open Aviation Strategic Engineering System (OASES) software, Commsoft, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its MRO IT system this year.

Communications Software (Airline Systems) Ltd. won its first airline contract in 1975 with Laker Airways in the U.K., leading to the launch of OASES the following year. Today, the OASES community includes more than 90 aviation customers around the world, ranging from national carriers and large third-party maintenance providers to small independent operators.

OASES’ functional modules manage continuing airworthiness, planning, production, line maintenance, material and commercial management, and warranty – any or all can be added depending on client requirements. Launch of the OASES mobile apps allows information to be accessed anywhere, anytime. www.oases.aero

Masking resin

SpeedMask 718 is formulated to provide surface and cavity protection during air plasma spraying and high velocity oxy-fuel coating processes, aiding in the manufacturing, overhaul, repair, and rework of turbine engine blades, vanes, and other components. The masking resin cures quickly when exposed to UV/visible light, forming a hard, durable, protective covering on surfaces including nickel alloys and high-temperature steel. It can be cleanly removed from the protected substrate by incineration above 650°C. www.dymax.com

Civil aviation engine MRO solution

Global enterprise applications company IFS has introduced an integrated enterprise asset management (EAM) and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) solution for the civil aviation industry. The Engine MRO solution enables aircraft operators to combine strategy management, intelligent business operations, and effective MRO process functionality in one solution.

The Enterprise Operational Intelligence module graphically maps the value chain, providing end-to-end visibility and controls across personal areas of responsibility, the capability to analyze key performance indicators using predictive analytics on overall engine MRO business operations in real time. www.ifsworld.com