New Aftermarket Product and Service Debuts at MRO Americas 2021

Following its acquisition of AutoCrib in September 2020, Snap-on is displaying a variety of smart products aimed at making MRO workshop tool and asset control more transparent. The RoboCrib TX750 is an upgraded version of a tool and asset vending machine, which holds up to 987 bins and can be configured and reconfigured in the field as needed. The design can accept square packaging so customers do not need to repackage materials, and Snap-on says it been designed to increase machine capacity without wasting space.

Available as a complement to the RoboCrib, AutoLocker FX can capture real time inventory levels remotely. It has more than 40 modules available so customers can customize its configuration. Meanwhile, IntelliPort is what Snap-on calls a smart solution to essentially convert a storeroom or tool room into a giant vending machine. The caged product features an RFID doorway to control access and keep track of tools and assets inside.

FACC is displaying product samples of its new Pure Cabin antimicrobial surface coating for aircraft cabins. It says the permanent photocatalytic surface solution can free surfaces from all types of viruses, bacteria and fungi without being toxic or biocide-based. It can be applied to all materials, including laminate, leather, metal, injection molding or fabric and FACC says it eliminates microbes within 10 mins. of application, with results lasting for up to a year.

Following its first announcement at MRO Europe 2019, the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) MRO SmartHub platform is making its official marketplace debut through a virtual aircraft parts auction being held by launch customer Lufthansa Technik (LHT) at MRO Americas. LHT is auctioning components from its surplus inventory, including commercial assets from Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer and De Havilland airframes. IATA’s MRO SmartHub platform provides access to real-time fair market values for aircraft parts, statistics and guidance for users on how to reduce costs and maximize availability of on-hand inventory. LHT’s auction is the platform’s first implementation of its e-Auction functionality.

Credit: Lufthansa Technik

LHT is also exhibiting its Technical Logbook solution for the first time. As a part of LHT’s Aviatar platform, Technical Logbook is aimed at improving maintenance efficiency and reducing manual effort for cockpit and cabin crews. The solution offers prefilled text blocks and automated input masks that capture technical issues of the aircraft during flight and on-ground, replacing manual entries into paper books. LHT says its real-time data availability can ensure maintenance on arrival and seamless pilot-to-maintenance collaboration, which it says results in decreased turnaround times and costs. Wizz Air became the first customer of Technical Logbook in March 2021.

Component manufacturer Wall Colmonoy is displaying several new products, including a CRJ-900 heat exchanger core used in the aircraft environmental control system to provide cooling to the cabin, a Turbomachinery LOX Bore Tube used in a high pressure turbo pump, and a Cold Plate used to cool electronic components in radar systems for military aircraft such as the F-16 and F-35.

Rapid Fire Protection is exhibiting at MRO Americas for the first time to show off its assortment of fire protection systems and services for industrial facilities such as aircraft hangars. In addition to its design, engineering, installation and inspection services for fire protection systems, Rapid Fire Protection sells and maintains fire alarm and detection systems from Gentex, Siemens, TekTone, Viscount, Crest, Mircom, Bosch, Potter/Harrington, Hochiki, Protectowire and more.