Propulsion Aero-Engine Coating Digital Thread

Thermal spray coating operating for engines in both OEM and maintenance/repair/overhaul (MRO) involves many sub-steps and sub-processes from preparatory to processing to qualifications. Typically, most coating operators (internal or external to the OEM/MRO) follow established procedural specifications to achieve the required outcome. However, many of these specifications were developed several decades ago during emergence of TS coatings in engines but have not kept pace with process sensor and advanced total quality management technologies. Furthermore, the outcome of coating manufacturing in terms of defining a particular coating characteristic can largely be subjective and not rigorous from design point of view. ReliaCoat Technologies is proposing to develop thermal spray digital thread platform in propulsion aero-engine applications with close collaboration with AF Air Logistics Center and aero-engine OEMs. The propulsion aero-engine digital thread platform through ReliaCoat’s Intellispray TS knowledge management dashboard system includes fully integrated advanced diagnostic sensor systems to the current manufacturing hardware and production database. The goal of this multiphase open-call SBIR would be connect coating manufacturing data with engine performance specifications and operations information to provide a seamless connectivity of the various data and integrated information.