Abstract
This paper describes a scoping study that investigated the possible transfer of techniques for creation of electronic technical support documentation from the aerospace industry to the machine tool industry. Electronic maintenance manuals have been supplied by aircraft manufacturers over the past 20 years with demonstrated benefits. Despite research that indicates the likelihood of similar benefits for machine tool users, the supply of electronic technical support documentation (TSD) by machine tool manufacturers is rare, and the techniques for the creation of TSD are inefficient. This paper describes the relevant trends affecting the machine tool industry and the background of the use of electronic TSD in aerospace. Data was collected via interviews with technical authors, document users and software suppliers from both industry sectors, as well as a questionnaire and a workshop. The results were analysed to form a view of the potential for technology transfer over the next 5 years.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
AMTRI (2000) Manufacturing machinery foresight, final report for the department of trade and industry. AMTRI reference number: 3rs6049/4, http://www.amtri.co.uk. Accessed 15 October 2002
Crowder R, Hall W, Heath I, Wills G (2000) Industrial strength hypermedia: design, implementation and application. Int J Comput Integr Manuf 13(3):173–186
DTI (2000) UK manufacturing: we can make it better. Final report of manufacturing 2020 panel. Department of Trade and Industry, UK
Greenough RM, Fakun D, Kay JM (2001) Development of a digital manual for a manufacturing system—a case study. Integr Manuf Syst 12(6):387–393
Howells J (2003) Innovation and services: the combinatorial role of services in the knowledge-based economy. In: Proceedings of the conference on new trends and challenges of science and technology innovation in a critical era, Taipei, 30–31 October 2003, vol 16, pp 1–22
Litman EF (1996) CALS-a strategy for business engineering. Logist Inf Manag 9(1):18–23
Setchi R, White D (2003) The development of a hypermedia maintenance manual for an advanced manufacturing company. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 22:456–464
Somers TM, Gupta YP (1991) An examination of an engine manufacturing plant’s downtime and production standards. Int J Oper Prod Manage 11(5):22–38
Wang JF, Tse PW, He LS, Young RW (2004) Remote sensing, diagnosis and collaborative maintenance with web-enabled virtual instruments and mini-servers. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 24:764–772
Wise R, Baumgartner P (1999) Go downstream: the new profit imperative in manufacturing. Harvard Bus Rev, Sept, pp 133–141
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Greenough, R.M., Williams, D. Investigating the transfer of techniques for electronic technical support documentation from aerospace to machine tools. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 32, 774–779 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-005-0380-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-005-0380-7