The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and local SME, Applied Total Control Treatment Pte Ltd (ATC) have completed a technology transfer, enabling ATC to take over the repair line for the refurbishment of Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) cabin components. The repair line allows SIA to integrate sustainable practices into its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) processes by adopting a repair and reuse strategy.
Under the joint laboratory set up by SIA, SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) and A*STAR’s Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) in 2019, A*STAR’s SIMTech developed repair process methodologies designed to recoat surface-damaged copper trims. This new technology has allowed SIA to reduce the amount of waste generated from discarded copper trims and significantly decrease the lead time for the replacement of copper trims.
Through the pilot repair line set up by A*STAR’s SIMTech, more than 2,000 repaired trims have been delivered to SIA and SIAEC. The repaired trims are 50 per cent more durable according to laboratory test results. With this repair line, the lead time for replacement has decreased from six months, for procuring Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts for replacement, to just three weeks for repairs using the new technology.
To continue and scale up the repair work for SIA and SIAEC, A*STAR’s SIMTech and ATC signed a license agreement to facilitate a technology transfer, enabling ATC to take command of the repair line. This includes moving the production line to ATC, as well as providing training to ATC’s technical team to operate the repair process and maintain the repair line.
