KLM Engine Services is one of the largest aircraft engine maintainers in Europe. However, the process of maintaining aircraft engines can certainly be improved. Currently, fully servicing an engine will take about 80 days. The initial inspection of an incoming engine can take upwards of two shifts, taking the time and energy of two mechanics.Exploring new technological solution to existing problem will help KLM ES remain a forerunner within the industry. Successfully analyzing the current maintenance process and successfully integration of new technologies into the process can teach very valuable lessons about what the future for aircraft engine maintenance could look like.
KLM ES has tasked the team of n Focus to develop a robot that can autonomously perform the initial inspection of a new type of aircraft engine. Their fresh view from the outside will give KLM ES a new perspective about the topic of robotics. The students, each with a different background are experienced in solving problems on their part of the complex problem. Not only taking the technical aspects into account, but also how a robot should be integrated in the current and future process of the engine servicing.
The team:
Frank Vollebregt - Computer science
Micheal Tran - Computer science
Nick van der Lee - Mechanical engineering
Mirza Mrahorovic - Electrical engineering
Tim Geukers - Mechanical engineering
Pepijn Huis in ‘t Veld - Industrial Design