In the fast-paced and technologically advanced aerospace industry, reliable and efficient testing solutions play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of aircraft systems. SPHEREA, a renowned leader in the field of testing solutions, has been at the forefront of innovation for over 50 years. With a focus on critical systems in aeronautics, defense, transport, and energy, SPHEREA has earned a reputation for its expertise in enhancing operational efficiency and cost savings in the production, maintenance, and repair processes. Through their comprehensive range of services, advanced technology integration, and commitment to excellence, SPHEREA continues to drive advancements in the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) sectors, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance in the aerospace industry. More in the interview where MRO Business Today is in conversation with Mr. Sanjeev Bedi, Director and Country Head-India, SPHEREA. READ ON………
Q – How does SPHEREA’s expertise in testing contribute to enhanced operational efficiency and cost savings in the production, maintenance, and repair processes?
Ans – The expertise gained in more than 50 years as an innovative designer of the testing solutions of critical systems in aeronautics, defense, transport, and energy, SPHEREA supports throughout the world from the start to the end of projects life cycle and in obsolescence management.
SPHEREA’s innovation in its design and agile support at proximity, through remote monitoring, on-site Customer Service Request saves time and extra stock of spares and in-turn improves financial efficiency. SPHEREA’s RFDI technology help in selection of accurate TPS (Test Program Set) and also saves time.
SPHEREA’s wide-ranging expertise can support in launching laboratory tests at the production and maintenance phases to expedite roll-out of the system in production.
All the above contribute to enhance the operational efficiency and cost saving in the production, maintenance, and repair processes.
Q – Could you elaborate on the concept of digital twins and their role in improving the integration, validation, and verification of systems within the MRO and OEM sectors?
Ans – A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical object. It spans the object’s lifecycle and uses real-time data sent from sensors on the object to simulate the behavior and monitor operations.
SPHEREA’s driver of innovation in testing, integration, validation and verification of systems, equipment, in synergy with OEM’s innovation in digital twin’s models will certainly help in substantial and faster improvement in designs of the products. It will also help MROs in managing greater efficiency in terms of saving maintenance cost and time.
Q – In what ways does SPHEREA support the production process and ecosystem to ensure seamless integration of testing, resulting in streamlined operations and optimized efficiency?
Ans – SPHEREA stands out an internationally renowned expert in providing test solutions, obsolescence management, and life expansion in electronics, microwave technology, optronics and provide support and repair throughout the life cycle at your proximity in synergy with innovations and echo-systems.
Latest products compliant with standard RoHS ITAR-free, and ready for integration with new standard aeronautical signal.
Q – Could you highlight the advantages of employing a generic testing solution that encompasses a wide range of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for comprehensive fleet support and improved maintenance practices?
Ans – Generic testing solution is very cost effective, fast and space saving, for MROs, as a single test bench can be customized to test/repair of variety of LRU’s. SPHEREA has many types of ATEC benches solutions for testing of LRUs related to civil and defense aircraft.
Q – How does SPHEREA prioritize quality assurance and ensure the reliability of its testing solutions, particularly in response to the evolving demands of the dynamic MRO and OEM industries?
Ans – There is comprehensive machine validation, periodic test & calibration of resources at world standard, latest TPS upload & validation and periodic test schedules of the test benches ensures the reliability of its testing solutions. TPS updates are scheduled and readily available on the site to ensure the evolving demands of the dynamic MRO and OEM industries.
SPHEREA relies on the procedures and verifications in accordance with the following certifications.
NF EN ISO 9100:2015 – Quality Management Systems, AQAP 2110:2016 – NATO Quality Assurance Requirements, EN 9100 EN: 2018 – Quality Management Systems, NF EN ISO 14001: 2015 – Environmental Management System.
Q – Can you shed light on any ongoing research and development initiatives undertaken by SPHEREA that are aimed at further enhancing its offerings, addressing industry challenges, and staying at the forefront of technological advancements?
Ans – The specialist in generic but also specific test solutions, SPHEREA has just developed two innovative products.
On the one hand, “Atmos”, for Automatic Tester Modular and Open System, is a new test bench “which makes it possible to develop programs and operate in many software environment”. It combines compatibility with all the products in the range while being open to other development and test environments. “Because it is generic and modular, it adapts to the exact needs of the client”.
The objective is to broaden the target by addressing not only major equipment manufacturers and maintenance companies but also smaller players, while offering maintenance in operational conditions for decades.
On the other hand, the company is also betting on “Pluton“, the fruit of cutting-edge innovation in power electronics. “It’s a solution that makes it possible to support the rise in maturity of the electrical systems of the aircraft of the future. An innovation that makes it possible to simulate and test key elements of electric or hybrid propulsion chains: battery, fuel cell, high-voltage HVDC bus, etc.
SPHEREA has acquired several companies to strengthen its position in optronics, mechatronics, mechanics and robotics and thus open up to new markets in particular that of rail transport and energy as well as to boost the skills that are now at the heart of the civil and defense aircraft systems.
Q – Finally, what message would you like to convey to potential customers and stakeholders regarding SPHEREA’s extensive experience, comprehensive range of solutions, and unwavering commitment to excellence in serving the MRO and OEM sectors?
Ans – SPHEREA is recognized for the quality of support and services provided to its customers for decades. Our priority is the performance and satisfaction of our customers through an offer adapted to each need.
With a large international team of people, we provide long-term services not only for our products but also for third-party products.
We guarantee our customers a performance with high availability rates and high responsiveness thanks to our stocks spread around the world, a dedicated logistics team, and experts always available worldwide, 24/7.
We provide evolutionary, preventive, and corrective maintenance of products and treat obsolescence while maintaining backward compatibility so that our customers can use our products for decades.
When necessary, we take full responsibility for the maintenance and management of our customers’ fleet of resources and systems with several levels of commitment, which allows us to offer a suitable solution, economically advantageous and controlled, guaranteeing a very high availability of products and thus an optimization of industrial resources.
Our services
- On-site customer maintenance (more than 1000 benches and 4000 test programs maintained worldwide).
- Maintenance of non-SPHEREA (third party) products with continuous improvement of maintenance levels.
- Calibration and repair by standard exchange to increase availability rates.
- Integration of maintenance team at our customers.
- Expert technical assistance worldwide, expertise, audits.
- Customized training sessions on our products, on our customer site or on our premises.
