Continuous maintenance and the future – Foundations and technological challenges

TLDR

High‑value, long‑life products require continuous maintenance throughout their life cycle to achieve required performance with optimum through‑life cost. This paper presents the foundations and technologies needed to provide such maintenance services. Continuous maintenance relies on component and system‑level degradation science, assessment and modelling, life‑cycle big‑data analytics, advanced computing and visualisation technologies, and Industry 4.0 elements such as IoT, standards and cyber‑security to improve efficiency and reduce through‑life cost.

Abstract

High value and long life products require continuous maintenance throughout their life cycle to achieve required performance with optimum through-life cost. This paper presents foundations and technologies required to offer the maintenance service. Component and system level degradation science, assessment and modelling along with life cycle 'big data' analytics are the two most important knowledge and skill base required for the continuous maintenance. Advanced computing and visualisation technologies will improve efficiency of the maintenance and reduce through-life cost of the product. Future of continuous maintenance within the Industry 4.0 context also identifies the role of IoT, standards and cyber security.