By: Buffalo Manufacturing Works Team | June 12th, 2019

Maintenance, repair, and
overhaul (MRO) operations are essential to sustain and extend the life of
numerous systems including aerospace, energy, defense, heavy equipment, and
railroad. Aircraft engine MRO alone is a $30B global industry, projected to grow
beyond $40B within five years. Overall, global aircraft MRO will exceed $100B
annually within the next few years.  As
the value of high-performance components increases, there is a strong and
growing financial incentive to find ways to repair rather than replace them.
Legacy repair methods are often not appropriate for newer designs, which
incorporate new materials and/or manufacturing methods, necessitating the
development of novel repair solutions.

On May 30^th, EWI hosted a day-long workshop to explore the need for a new Aerospace Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul Center of Excellence (AMRO CoE). The event attracted manufacturers, MRO service providers, and asset owners from across the country to discuss commercial industry and national defense needs. Afternoon breakout sessions identified priorities for the emergent center, which included technology development, maturation, and demonstration, as well as developing the new workforce needed to implement these solutions. The workshop included presentations from diverse stakeholders including industry (NetJets, GE Aviation), tech start-up (VeriTx), non-profits (Ohio Aerospace Institute, Wright State Research Institute), and three major university programs (University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, The Ohio State University).The workshop concluded with a roundtable discussion on findings and next steps.

AMRO CoE will
leverage resources from industry and government to build unmatched innovation
capabilities for both military and commercial MRO applications. It will be the first vertically integrated center
focused on repair technology and commercialization. By conducting translational development to advance the readiness of new
MRO technologies, the CoE will bridge the gap between academic research and
commercial applications, while helping to develop the workforce skills needed
to successfuly implement new MRO technologies. Ongoing activities will
include needs analysis, precompetitive research, applied development, supply
chain assistance, and workforce training. All AMRO CoE partners will have
access to the broad range of technical capabilities available through the
center.

The new center will be operated
as an initiative of EWI, with partners from the R&D and education
communities. The center is actively seeking additional partners.

For more information about AMRO CoE, contact Chris Conrardy at [email protected].

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