Fujitsu Launches Automated Identification Technology Solution for Aircraft Parts Suppliers Worldwide

MARCH 21, 2013, Tokyo – Fujitsu today announced that it has expanded and enhanced its automated identification technology (AIT) (*1) solution for aircraft parts suppliers worldwide, offering management of individual parts and accurate traceability of RFID and other AIT tags that are affixed to aircraft parts.

Fujitsu’s solution is comprised of AIT tags, readers/writers, middleware, and applications, and complies with the aviation industry’s rigorous environmental resistance standards as well as with ATA Spec 2000 Chapter 9-5 (*2), a standard data format in the aviation industry.

By affixing tags to parts during the manufacturing process, aircraft parts suppliers can capture data about parts, such as manufacture date, configuration, and even maintenance service records, using the standards-compliant format demanded by the industry. This makes it possible to accurately trace a part’s lifecycle from manufacture to maintenance.

The solution results in more accurate and more efficient management of parts in the safety-oriented aviation industry, as well as a faster delivery cycle and reduced stock shortages thanks to greater visibility of the parts supply chain. It can also help maximize cash flow by reducing inventory – including channel inventory – and work-in-process.

Since the development in 2008 of a 64KB RFID tag – the world’s highest capacity, reflecting the demands of aerospace customers – Fujitsu has been leading the way in RFID technology in the aviation industry. AIT is increasingly being used throughout the industry for traceability and maintenance log management. Major air framers have started using RFID for maintenance operations and parts management.

Fujitsu has been providing a major air framer with a solution utilizing AIT, and is now expanding the solution to aircraft parts suppliers by affixing AIT tags during production to record and store part information and maintenance logs. The solution delivers enhanced management of individual parts and accurate traceability throughout each part’s lifecycle.

Key Features

1. One-stop solution

Fujitsu provides everything needed to roll out the system, including AIT tags, AIT readers/writers, middleware, and other products, as well as application development, system integration, and deployment services. This greatly reduces the customer’s workload in getting the solution up and running.

2. Compliant with international standards specific to the aviation industry

This solution complies with the specific international standards demanded by the aviation industry. Deployment of this service enables aircraft parts management in compliance with the standards demanded by the industry, ensuring that it can be used with confidence.

Since the aviation industry by its nature places such a strong emphasis on safety, RFID tags must satisfy stringent strength and security standards when used in aircraft. For example, an environmental standard and testing protocol has been established for aircraft RFID tags, SAE AS5678 (*3), while the data format is defined by the standards document ATA Spec 2000 Chapter 9-5. Fujitsu is a full member of Airlines for America (A4A), the standards-setting body for the data format used in aviation formerly known as Air Transport Association of America (ATA), and is steadily adding support for the recently announced 2013 edition of the standard data format, ATA Spec 2000 Chapter 9-5 ver. 2013.

3. Consolidation and analysis of parts information in the cloud