Applus, within the project FormPlanet, researched the development of a common laboratory methodology to ensure the quality and traceability of the data generated in the advanced techniques developed in the FormPlanet project. It has interacted with the different laboratories integrated in this consortium to evaluate, test method by test method and propose a common certification methodology to ensure a quality level of the test results following as a guidance EN ISO 17025.
Moreover, it also registered the requirements to develop taking advantage of the material data generated by FormPlanet Test Bed, a traceability procedure to support final end-users of the FormPlanet hub to purchase the materials ensuring the conformity with Product Certification requirements and safety and regulatory standards
Hololens and Microsoft TEAMS remote solution
Remote audit methodology
In the framework of FormPlanet project, Applus compromised to develop a new standard laboratory methodology to ensure the quality of the data generated by the advanced techniques developed in this project. Applus has interacted with the different laboratories integrated in this project consortium to evaluate test method by test method and propose a common certification methodology to ensure a quality level of the test results following a guidance EN ISO 17025.
For generating a quality audit methodology, several requirements were to be met, including general, technical and tool requirements. The tools proposed by Applus for the remote quality audit are two:
- A questionnaire based on an Applus developed software for the audit documentation
- E-testing and standard video conferencing systems for a real-time operative audit
This audit methodology was tested in three different laboratories: a laboratory at Eurecat Technology Center and two Applus laboratories (the documental part was carried out in Applus facilities in Shanghai (China), 10000km away from Barcelona, and the operative part of the audit in Illescas, central Spain, 600km away from Barcelona). All audits were performed from Barcelona.
In the audit of Eurecat facilities, some critical aspects were detected to improve the operability and efficiency of a remote audit, and recommendations were made to improve it. The second and third audit, done in Shanghai and Illescas, was carried out to assess all the knowledge acquired and prove its feasibility.
Both the documentation audit and the laboratory audit were performed remotely using R-Audit (the software developed by Applus) and systems such as hololenses and videoconferencing for the real-time audit.
The audit was a success, proving the feasibility of performing a complete vertical audit of a laboratory remotely, without the need to travel to its location.
Traceability solution methodology
In order to certify a product, it is necessary to comply with a series of requirements that are determined by an international standard or defined in national or international regulations. Among the characteristics that must be fulfilled, they define – explicitly or implicitly through product requirements – requirements for the materials of which it is composed. When changing a material of a product, this has to be re-certificated. The re-certification proposed methodology is called by Applus Smart Contract Traceability.
In FormPlanet project, Applus studied strategies for a Smart Contract traceability solution to exploit the FormPlanet materials information management platform. This solution can be implemented to provide services that will help end-users manufacture products in compliance with Product Certification and Safety regulations by improving the material sourcing traceability and enabling the validation of material certificates.
An outline describing the most general part of this methodology is defined below:
Proposed traceability solution methodology for quickest certification
The research developed by Applus in FormPlanet has proved the viability of an advanced service provision on material traceability for product certification services. Both methodologies can be implemented in the future if customers require these services.
Applus+ Laboratories
Applus+ Laboratories is a strategic provider of testing and engineering services to the main aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers. Our network of laboratories and engineering departments across Europe, Asia and North America enables us to meet the challenging delivery times of aerospace programs. We also collaborate with the aerospace industry in research and technology programs to develop a range of innovative solutions.
