Configuration - Maintenance

Outcome

When a configuration is defined in M3 a structure, such as an engine or a gearbox, is described. The description contains all installation positions and all part numbers that may be installed in the positions.

The defined configurations contain information about:

• Physical and logical positions
• Material interchangeability regardless of configuration
• Configuration based material interchangeability.

Configurations are used for:

• Structure description
• Reliability tracking
• Updating operational usage values
• Defining services against configuration positions
• Maintaining historical configurations.

You define a configuration when you want to describe a structure. This might be the case when you have introduced a new machine in your factory or when you introduce new object that you perform maintenance on. You might also want to define configurations for machines for which you need to know what parts are installed. This is the case for aircraft engines.

Purpose

When you have defined a new configuration you have an opportunity to describe how different structures are built-up. Knowing how structures are built-up gives you a great opportunity to keep track of where specific components are installed, where they may be installed and where they have been previously installed. It also helps you to define alternative parts to install in the positions in a structure.

The configuration also gives you information about whether a structure is complete or if there are parts that are removed from it.

Model Configuration

The model configuration is the first step to take when defining a new configuration. It contains information all the basic information about the configuration and consists of the following steps.

1. Model, Model Level, Model Edition

2. Configuration Positions

3. Components/Configuration Position

The basic information to define for a model is:

• The numbering system used in the configuration. Numbering systems are used to define the installation positions in a structure.
• If the configuration is defined as a single level or multi level configuration. A single level configuration describes only one level while a multi level configuration describes a complete structure, for example an aircraft.
• The model editions and model levels that exist. Model levels and model editions describe minor differences in a configuration when compared to the baseline, the standard model configuration. A model level describes a component change. One example is if the design of the door handles on a car is changed. A model edition describes additions or reductions in the configuration. If for example a turbo charger is introduced in a car, a new installation position must be created. This can be described with a model edition. Model levels and model editions are only used for multi level configurations.
• What configuration positions are found in the configuration. A configuration position is the whole into which a component may be installed. A regular car would have one position for the engine and another for the gearbox. These would also have positions for the installable components.
• What components that might be installed into each configuration position. Each position in a configuration can be filled with a component, or with several components. It is also possible to define several different components as possible to install in a given position.

Below you will find an outline of the model configuration.

As-built Configuration

The as-built configuration is always based on the model configuration. However, the as-built configuration is a description of the model individual, the actual structure. This could be for example an aircraft or a train, an engine or a gearbox.

The as-built configuration contains information about the structure (and its parts that are fitted) and consists of the following steps:

1. Model Individual

2. Individual Configuration List

3. Complete Individual Configuration List

The as-built configuration contains information about:

• The model individual which contains information about the operational unit, for example the individual aircraft.
• The individual configuration list that describes all the units described for a model individual.

Below you will find an outline of the as-built configuration.