Modernizing the Supply Chain of Airbus by Integrating RFID and Blockchain Processes

Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, has been gaining momentum within the aviation industry for improving efficiencies in the supply chain. RFID technology is not new, with many manufacturers outside of aviation being more responsive as early adopters to the technology. Currently, many of the full-scale implementation organizations from late adopters, have strategically integrated RFID technology into the manufacturing supply chain to tag parts and for airports/airlines to track baggage and passengers throughout their airport journey. Literature remains rather sparse in the implementation and success factors within the aviation supply chain as a number of businesses have kept much of the details discreet to differentiate themselves from the competitors. In this case study, we have examined the state of the early adopters in aviation to implement RFID technology into their supply chain for tracking parts, identifying information, logistics media, and other process improvements in component maintenance management. Airbus, who was the first in the aviation industry to adopt RFID will be examined. The paper examines the increasing numbers of airports/airlines use of RFID to track baggage and passengers with technology. Using information from published secondary data, we review the early adopters of RFID in aircraft manufacturing who are employing RFID to the improve supply chain and how airports/airlines usage of RFID has transcend to passenger tracking to improve airport operational efficiency and to increase passenger satisfaction. By identifying key trends in the aviation supply chain and the value-added in manufacturing and passenger experiences, this paper presents areas in need of further empirical research in order to understand the key success factors with RFID implementation in aviation

Sustainability Best Practices : Benchmarking Results of the SUSTIS Project

This study has been conducted as part of the Sustainability and Transparency in Shipbuilding Networks (SUSTIS) project in order to benchmark sustainability practices extant in industries that share similar characteristics with shipbuilding industry. The information provided by this study is intended to be used during the mapping of sustainability arguments and eventual implementation of sustainability within the targeted company

An integrated approach to value chain analysis of end of life aircraft treatment

Dans cette thèse, on propose une approche holistique pour l’analyse, la modélisation et l’optimisation des performances de la chaîne de valeur pour le traitement des avions en fin de vie (FdV). Les recherches réalisées ont débouché sur onze importantes contributions. Dans la première contribution, on traite du contexte, de la complexité, de la diversité et des défis du recyclage d’avions en FdV. La seconde contribution traite du problème de la prédiction du nombre de retraits d’avions et propose une approche intégrée pour l’estimation de ce nombre de retraits. Le troisième et le quatrième articles visent à identifier les parties prenantes, les valeurs perçues par chaque partenaire et indiquent comment cette valeur peut affecter les décisions au stade de la conception. Les considérations relatives à la conception et à la fabrication ont donné lieu à quatre contributions importantes. La cinquième contribution traite des défis et opportunités pouvant résulter de l’application des concepts de la chaîne logistique verte, pour les manufacturiers d’avions. Dans la sixième contribution, un outil d’aide à la décision a été développé pour choisir la stratégie verte qui optimise les performances globales de de toute la chaîne de valeur en tenant compte des priorités et contraintes de chaque partenaire. Dans la septième contribution, un modèle mathématique est proposé pour analyser le choix stratégique des manufacturiers en réponse aux directives en matière de FdV de produits comme le résultat des interactions des compétiteurs dans le marché. La huitième contribution porte sur les travaux réalisés dans le cadre d’un stage chez le constructeur d’avions, Bombardier. Cette dernière traite de l’apport de « l’analyse du cycle de vie » au stade de la conception d’avions. La neuvième contribution introduit une méthodologie d’analyse de la chaîne de valeur dans un contexte de développement durable. Finalement, les dixième et onzième contributions proposent une approche holistique pour le traitement des avions en FdV en intégrant les concepts du « lean », du développement durable et des contraintes et opportunités inhérentes à la mondialisation des affaires. Un modèle d’optimisation intégrant les modèles d’affaires, les stratégies de désassemblage et les structures du réseau qui influencent l’efficacité, la stabilité et l’agilité du réseau de récupération est proposé. Les données requises pour exploiter le modèle sont indiquées dans l’article. Mots-clés: Fin de vie des avions, analyse de la chaîne de valeurs, développement durable, intervenants.The number of aircrafts at the end of life (EOL) is continuously increasing. Dealing with retired aircrafts considering the environmental, social and economic impacts is becoming an emerging problem in the aviation industry in near future. This thesis seeks to develop a holistic approach in order to analyze the value chain of EOL aircraft treatment in the context of sustainable development. The performed researches have led to eleven main contributions. In the first contribution, the complexity and diversity of the EOL aircraft recycling including the challenges and problem context are discussed. The second contribution addresses the challenges for estimation of retired aircrafts and proposes an integrated approach for prediction of EOL aircrafts. The third and fourth contributions aim to identify the players involved in EOL recycling context, values perceived by different shareholders and formulate that how such value can affect design decisions. Design stage consideration and manufacture’s issues are discussed and have led to four main contributions. The fifth contribution addresses the opportunities and challenges of applying green supply chain for aircraft manufacturers. In the sixth contribution, a decision tool is developed to aid manufactures in early stage of design for their green strategy choices. In the seventh contribution, a mathematical model is developed in order to analyze the strategic choice of manufacturers in response to EOL directives as the result of the interaction of competitors in the market. An internship project has been also performed in Bombardier and led to the eighth contribution, which addresses life cycle approach and incorporating the sustainability in early stage of design of aircraft. The ninth contribution introduces a methodology for analyzing the value chain in the context of sustainable development. Finally, the tenth and eleventh contributions propose a holistic approach to EOL aircraft treatment considering lean principals, sustainable development, and global business environment. An optimization model is developed to support decision making in both strategic and managerial level. The analytical approaches, decision tools and step by step guidelines proposed in this thesis will aid decision makers to identify appropriate strategies for the EOL aircraft treatment in the sustainable development context. Keywords: End of life aircraft, value chain analysis, sustainable development, stakeholders

Contacts and contracts: Cross-level network dynamics in the development of an aircraft material

In this paper, we investigate how interorganizational networks and interpersonal networks interact over time. We present a retrospective longitudinal case study of the network system that developed a novel aircraft material and analyze changeepisodes from a structurationist perspective. We identify five types of episodes in which interpersonal and interorganizational networks interact (persistence, prospecting, consolidation, reconfiguration, and dissolution) and analyze conditionsfor these episodes and sequences among them. Our findings advance a cross-level perspective on embeddedness and show how individuals may draw on relational and structural embeddedness as distributed resources. The multiple levels of embeddedness impact network dynamics by introducing converging and diverging dialectics, thereby limiting path dependence and proactive network orchestration

Innovation ou Financiarisation ? : L’Évolution du Business Model basé sur l’Intégration de Systèmes chez Airbus et Boeing.

This dissertation analyzes the dynamics of long-term success in commercial aircraft manufacturing in the US and Europe performed through a historical-comparative methodology employed for firm level analysis. The firm-level case studies are Airbus and Boeing, the two biggest firms in the commercial aircraft manufacturing industry. Through an analytical framework concentrated on business/productive models of corporate activity, the study identifies the social conditions that influence the competitive capabilities of these two companies and their practices in upgrading, or downgrading, the productive capabilities of their respective industries. The three main elements of firm-level productive activity under modern capitalism, namely corporate strategy, organizational structure and financial commitment are analyzed through the lens of the systems-integration business/productive model framework. The results of the research show that there is a strong correlation between extensive outsourcing, financialization of business strategies and conflicting employment relations. Distinct constructive and destructive processes of corporate strategies of Airbus and Boeing are strongly linked to the role of the transformations of finance and work organization/industrial relations in the last three decades in Western economies. The consequences of corporate action on the promotion of secure jobs with positive prospects for their respective economies are questioned and relevant implications are drawn for business and government policy.S’appuyant sur une approche comparative et historique au niveau de la firme, cette thèse étudie les dynamiques de la réussite économique à long terme de la construction d'avions civils aux Etats-Unis et en Europe. Cette analyse est menée à partir de l’étude d’Airbus et de Boeing qui sont les deux plus grandes firmes du secteur aéronautique au niveau mondial. La thèse identifie les conditions sociales qui influencent les capacités concurrentielles des deux firmes et les pratiques qui jouent un rôle sur l’amélioration ou la dégradation des capacités productives de leur secteur à travers un cadre analytique basé sur les modèles productifs / les modèles d’affaires (productive/business models). Les trois éléments majeurs de l’activité productive au niveau de la firme, à savoir la stratégie d’entreprise, la structure organisationnelle et le degré d’engagement financier sont analysés dans ce cadre appliqué à l’intégration de systèmes. Les résultats de cette recherche montrent qu’il existe une forte corrélation entre la sous-traitance massive, la financiarisation des stratégies d’entreprise et les relations conflictuelles de travail. L’évolution des stratégies d’Airbus et de Boeing et leur influence sur l’amélioration ou la dégradation de leurs capacités productives sont fortement liées aux transformations dans le domaine financier et dans l’organisation productive / les relations industrielles qui caractérisent les économies occidentales depuis les trois dernières décennies. Les conséquences des actions menées par les entreprises sur la promotion de l’emploi dans leur(s) pays d’origine sont questionnées et des implications en termes de stratégies d’entreprise et de politiques publiques sont tirées de cette thèse

APPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENT-BASED DESIGN (EBD) METHODOLOGY

A product’s environments play a significant role in its development. In other words, any alteration in the environment surrounding a product leads to changes in its features. Hence, having a systematic procedure to analyze the product’s environments is a crucial need for industries. Environment-Based Design (EBD) methodology describes the environment of the product (excluding the product itself) and presents a rational approach to analyze it. In order to achieve an efficient product design and development process, EBD utilizes different tools. Recursive Object Model (ROM) diagram, Cause and Effect Analysis, Life Cycle Analysis, Asking Right Question and Answering are EBD’s major tools and technics. In this research, we aim to represent EBD’s capabilities for product evolution analysis, complex products development and human-centered products development. In order to demonstrate EBD’s competences for product evolution analysis, we conduct a case study of braking systems evolution analysis through analyzing the environments around them. Afterward, we perform environment analysis for aerospace design methodology in order to propose a novel design methodology for the aerospace industries. Finally, we propose a course scheduling model based on environment analysis of the academic schedules and we verify our model using Concordia University’s courses

A multi-agent approach for design consistency checking

The last decade has seen an explosion of interest to advanced product development methods, such as Computer Integrated Manufacture, Extended Enterprise and Concurrent Engineering. As a result of the globalization and future distribution of design and manufacturing facilities, the cooperation amongst partners is becoming more challenging due to the fact that the design process tends to be sequential and requires communication networks for planning design activities and/or a great deal of travel to/from designers' workplaces. In a virtual environment, teams of designers work together and use the Internet/Intranet for communication. The design is a multi-disciplinary task that involves several stages. These stages include input data analysis, conceptual design, basic structural design, detail design, production design, manufacturing processes analysis, and documentation. As a result, the virtual team, normally, is very changeable in term of designers' participation. Moreover, the environment itself changes over time. This leads to a potential increase in the number of design. A methodology of Intelligent Distributed Mismatch Control (IDMC) is proposed to alleviate some of the related difficulties. This thesis looks at the Intelligent Distributed Mismatch Control, in the context of the European Aerospace Industry, and suggests a methodology for a conceptual framework based on a multi-agent architecture. This multi-agent architecture is a kernel of an Intelligent Distributed Mismatch Control System (IDMCS) that aims at ensuring that the overall design is consistent and acceptable to all participating partners. A Methodology of Intelligent Distributed Mismatch Control is introduced and successfully implemented to detect design mismatches in complex design environments. A description of the research models and methods for intelligent mismatch control, a taxonomy of design mismatches, and an investigation into potential applications, such as aerospace design, are presented. The Multi-agent framework for mismatch control is developed and described. Based on the methodology used for the IDMC application, a formal framework for a multi-agent system is developed. The Methods and Principles are trialed out using an Aerospace Distributed Design application, namely the design of an A340 wing box. The ontology of knowledge for agent-based Intelligent Distributed Mismatch Control System is introduced, as well as the distributed collaborative environment for consortium based projects

Modelling for data management & exchange in Concurrent Engineering - A case study of civil aircraft assembly line

This research aims to improve the dataflow performance of the Concurrent Engineering (CE) practice in the detail design stage of the aircraft Assembly Line (AL) in the C919 aircraft project. As the final integrator of the aircraft, Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company Ltd. (SAMC) is responsible for developing the AL with global suppliers. Although CE has been implemented in AL projects to shorten lead time, reduce development cost and improve design quality, the lack of experience and insufficient infrastructure may lead to many challenges in cooperation with distributed suppliers, especially regarding data management/exchange and workflow control. In this research, the particular CE environment and activities in SAMC AL projects were investigated. By assessing the CE performance and benchmarking, the improvement opportunities are identified, and then an activity-oriented workflow and dataflow model is established by decomposing the work process to detail levels. Based on this model, a Product Data Management (PDM) based support platform is proposed to facilitate data management/exchange in dynamic workflow to improve work efficiency and interoperability. This solution is mocked-up on the Siemens Teamcenter 8.1 PLM(Product Lifecycle Management) software and its feasibility is checked. The mock-up is evaluated by SAMC experts and suppliers. The feedback shows the acceptance of the model by experts and the urgency of improving data/work flow design before PLM implementing. The result of this research is useful for enterprises in similar environments transiting from pre-PLM to implementing PLM and who wanting to strengthen CE in the new product development

Toward a strategic approach to end-of-life aircraft recycling projects : a research agenda in transdisciplinary context

The number of planes at the end of life is increasing. Innovative management practice of aircraft at the end of life can be considered as a transdisciplinary context. Moreover, regarding dynamics and multidimensionality of aircraft recycling projects, conventional management systems cannot be sufficient and responsive. The purpose of this paper is to address a research agenda that support various aspects of dynamics and transdisciplinarity of end of life aircraft recycling projects (EOLARP) by a strategic conceptual framework. Four sections of the framework including business model, market and industry, knowledge management and performance measurement make a basis for addressing the essential issues in EOLARP business ecosystem, which needs an incorporated approach of different disciplines and players. Further studies and works on each arena in this framework are valuable in overcoming difficulties facing managers and strategic partners in EOLARP

Transforming commercial aerospace supply chain management practices by utilizing Toyota production system principles, practices, and methodologies

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-133).This thesis examines The Toyota Motor Corporation's core precepts, management principles, supply chain architecture, product development methods, leveraged practice of supplier partnerships and procurement practices, all of which are integral elements associated with the Toyota Production System, and assesses the scalability these elements for application in the commercial aerospace industry.The methodology used in this study includes an examination of basic concepts and practices that Toyota employs throughout its extended enterprise and which are being widely adopted throughout the automotive industry as well as other industries worldwide, based on a review of the open literature. The research also draws upon the author's first-hand exposure to Toyota's production system through field research involving benchmarking site-visits to Toyota plants, and makes use of extensive interviews conducted with both automotive and aerospace industry experts.The research reported in this thesis reveals that Toyota's Production System, as a mutually reinforcing set of principles, methods and practices, are indeed scalable to the aerospace industry and that one of the two commercial aerospace behemoths, Boeing and Airbus, has an opportunity to leverage them in order to obtain a clear and sustainable competitive advantage in the industry. This is possible, however, with an important caveat: the end-to-end enterprise transformation process would need to be based on adopting a long-term approach to renovating the current system, working closely with the supply chain partners, owning the change process, and holding steady over the longer-haul.by Steven M. Patneaude.S.M