Disruptive Smart Washer Improves Efficiencies Across Aircraft Maintenance

Airbus Helicopters SAS, the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer, is testing innovative and disruptive technology across its maintenance operations, leading to quantifiable efficiency gains. In some cases, this can lead to time reductions for certain activities from two days to just two hours. The company is trialing JPB Système’s proof-of-concept Smart Washer solution, which is designed to improve efficiencies within maintenance, repair, and operations by enabling touchless and wireless measurement of bolt axial load. Instead of the need to manually check the tightening torque level of traditional bolts within the helicopter, Smart Washer allows engineers to directly measure bolt tension in just a few seconds with no need for intervention on the bolted assembly.