Feature sponsored by Test & measurement


Test and measurement departments are reviewing their equipment requirements to keep pace with increasing aircraft build schedules


strategies, making it possible to replace component parts before there is any danger of failure, thereby ensuring ongoing safety. Simultaneously, there seems to be a great deal of scope for smaller firms in relation to private planes. One area where interest is growing is electrically propelled aircraft, which will call for advanced battery management and detailed powertrain analysis. Due to the increasing integration of electronic content, more in-depth EMI testing procedures will also be required. If companies are going to address these emerging market opportunities at pace, there is a need to formulate more responsive test equipment sourcing strategies that facilitate quick adaption to ever-changing dynamics.


RAMPING UP PRODUCTION Following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the aerospace sector is racing back to full throttle, with companies keen to capitalise on the opportunities ahead. Flight services are ramping up again and passenger numbers increasing dramatically, all of which is happening at pace. In line with demand, OEMs are once more upgrading their aircraft build schedules. Associated test and measurement programmes are getting back to full capacity, with many companies looking at what has changed since early 2020 and reflecting on how this will impact their test equipment investment decisions. Arguably the most pressing challenge for


aerospace companies at present in terms of test and measurement is ever-increasing lead-times for purchasing equipment. The need to react quickly to contract opportunities and get on board with fast-moving projects set against short deadlines means that the long lead time associated with purchasing new test equipment - many months being the current norm - is not a practical solution. In contrast, rental test equipment is generally available off-the-shelf, helping aerospace companies to optimise their test operations, break down barriers and get to market faster. Furthermore, leading suppliers in this market take a consultative approach to understand the test equipment needs of the aerospace industry and, if required, quickly tailor technical solutions that meet specific requirements. Some aerospace projects, particularly at


present, involve a temporary ramp-up of production. Ongoing world events are currently driving the military aircraft sector, for instance, but these build programmes could ramp down as quickly as they ramp up if situations change.


Instrumentation Monthly October 2022


Again, opting for a rental test equipment solution provides flexibility without the risk that large capital purchases bring. Rental terms can be from as short as a week to many months or longer with a regular fixed rental payment agreed in advance so there are no additional costs. This eliminates the often hidden costs associated with equipment purchase, such as maintenance, calibration, logistics and financing costs. These rental terms are fully flexible, with options to extend, upgrade, change or end the rental at any time. The best test equipment rental equipment suppliers consistently invest in their inventories so they can offer access to best-in-class test instruments from all major brands, providing a single source that simplifies procurement for aerospace companies. Moreover, those renting can change their test equipment whenever necessary, providing the flexibility to support an ever- evolving aerospace landscape. Put simply, within the aerospace industry there is a heightened need to invest in R&D to stay ahead of the competition, but this must not present financial risk. Careful management of investment strategies is therefore essential. With the right mix of procurement solutions, including rental, companies can preserve Capex by shifting to an Opex model while ensuring they have the testing capability to drive innovation and growth. Importantly, leading suppliers of rental solutions have a deep understanding of test equipment life cycles and utilisation and can offer comprehensive solutions that lower the overall cost of test.


VERSATILE AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE Across all industries, another issue is the rising costs associated with testing, so companies need to maintain control of investment levels. Ingenuity is required to minimise both capital and operational expenditure. This presents a further reason why increasing numbers of aerospace companies are moving from the costly and inflexible practice of procuring new test equipment, to a more versatile and economically viable methodology based on rental or the acquisition of top-quality pre-owned equipment. In so doing, companies can better align with the


need for greater technological versatility, ensuring their readiness for scenarios such as the arrival of new standards. This strategy also supports faster turnaround times, while respecting the current imposition of acute budgetary constraints. Furthermore, aerospace companies can future- proof their operations against any unforeseen problems ahead, with the agility necessary to make quick adjustments. For these reasons, companies in the aerospace sector are now looking for multifaceted support on test equipment sourcing, covering both their engineering and logistical requirements. This demand has led to Electro Rent becoming the leading test equipment solution provider to many of the industry’s major manufacturers and upcoming enterprises. By using Electro Rent, customers can attend to their wireless communication, GNSS positioning, EMI


A Rohde & Schwarz RTP164 four-channel, high- frequency oscilloscope available via Electro Rent


conformance, and radar and powertrain test requirements, in the most convenient and cost-effective manner. The extensive portfolio of test equipment


stocked by Electro Rent includes a wide variety of items that are highly applicable for aerospace testing procedures. Within the range are relevant models from all the leading vendors, including Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu and Tektronix. Electro Rent can also assist with inventory management, so that test equipment assets are utilised with the highest degree of efficiency, redundant items are identified (so they can be sold) and unnecessary purchases are avoided.


A 40GHz-rated 8990B peak-power analyser from Keysight


CONCLUSION The aerospace industry is fast recovering from what has been an unprecedented and difficult period in its history. The time is now right for associated companies to re-evaluate their test policies, ensuring they have the resilience needed to deal with all future scenarios and avoid sourcing decisions that later prove costly. Faced with an increasingly competitive


landscape, both large-scale companies and SMEs in this sector must keep pace with advances in testing to ensure that any newly developed hardware complies with the latest standards and protocols. With the ramp-up in commercial aircraft manufacturing, many aerospace companies are looking to expand and grasp new opportunities. However, wary of the risks that come with major investment in test equipment, a mix of rental and other financial solutions can optimise budgets and provide the required levels of flexibility to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. Here, partnering with a recognised expert in test equipment sourcing, supply and inventory management represents a prudent way forward.


Electro Rent www.electrorent.com 63


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