PRODUCTS & S ER V ICES
DIGITISATION IN AVIATION
Patrick Schrot, general manager of TQ Aviation, discusses
the challenges that await digitisation in aviation
In this era of digitisation, the need for a
comprehensive infrastructure of cabin
systems and cabin electronics is growing
tremendously. This requirement applies
to both air and ground operations. As the
entire aviation industry is engaged in a
battle for data supremacy of all systems
related to the aircraft, crew and
passengers, there is a perception that the
reliability, availability and compatibility
of the components needed to succeed
in this effort are self-evident. However,
this is the area that will in fact pose the
greatest challenge.
The difficulty is that the standard for
competitiveness – in terms of function,
weight, capacity, availability, service life
and total cost of ownership – continues
to grow, along with the demand for the
greatest possible customisation or
STRIVING FOR THE SAME GOAL
Ebco has reduced the weight of a tray table design by 23%
ai r c raf t inter iorsinternat ional . com 127
SEPTEMBER 2019
EBCO specialises in manufacturing
components for aircraft seating and
cabins, with a well-established reputation
for supplying tray tables and leathercovered
armrests to many aircraft
seating manufacturers.
In 2018, Acro Aircraft Seating, a leading
UK supplier of economy and premium
economy class aircraft seats, entered into
a partnership with Ebco with the
objective of achieving weight and cost
reductions, whilst maintaining Acro’s high
quality standards and robust tray table.
The original table was manufactured
using injection moulding and there
was a requirement to keep the present
design, in order to be able to retrofit
the tables.
flexibility in customerspecific
designs and
options. There is as
yet no end in sight.
These
requirements can only
be fulfilled based on
consumer and
industry standards. The
answer lies in what are
known as ‘smart’ modular
solutions. In their basic form,
smart modular solutions have already
been tested in a lot of applications and
solutions.
Their modularity enables a broad
range of applications in many industries,
with the production volumes needed for
suitable pricing, and the required
robustness.
TQ Systems is taking precisely this
approach. As an electronics service
provider and technology partner for
many businesses in a wide variety of
industries, the company is able to
offer its customers a broad range of
experience and extensive
competencies.
In the process, TQ can call upon proven
in-house embedded solutions to deliver
electronic systems for communications,
drive control, HMI, electrical supply,
electrical distribution, sensors, and the
interplay of complex mechanical and
electronic components.
“We take a different approach to
finding new ideas” says Ebco sales
manager, Michael Graf.
Graf reports that a swift
implementation of the table design was
achieved by teaming up with Acro’s team
of friendly, straightforward and motivated
employees, who work independently and
are willing to compromise.
The table has been made from Ebco’s
lightweight and dimensionally stable yet
hard PUR filler foam, with the result that
a 23% weight reduction was achieved
while retaining the design of tray table.
The table also fulfils the aviation
standards ABD0031 and FAR256.853b
(12 sec. vertical, toxicity and smoke
density test) and passes HIC tests.
FREE READER ENQUIRY SERVICE
To request more details from TQ Systems,
visit www.magupdate.co.uk/paii
FREE READER ENQUIRY SERVICE
To request more details from Ebco,
visit www.magupdate.co.uk/paii
/paii
/paii
