Abstract

ABSTRACT
Investigating the Use of RFID Technology in the Reverse Logistics of End-of-Service-Life Helicopters: A Hybrid Approach Based On Design for Six Sigma and Discrete-event Simulation

James S. Corrigan

Concordia University and Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd embarked upon a study to investigate the potential for using RFID technology in the reverse logistics of aircraft components, specifically those of end-of-service-life commercial helicopters. This study necessitated the consideration of the way in which contemporary commercial aircraft components (specifically those of helicopters) are handled during the reverse logistics process and the consideration of the peculiarities of the value proposition of end-of-service-life commercial helicopters that differentiate them in certain key respects from their fixed-wing counterparts.

The research presented in this thesis presents a proposed implementation framework for the use of RFID technology in the reverse logistics of end-of-service-life helicopters and provides a quantitative assessment (using discrete event simulation modelling) of the role which RFID technology can play in the ‘leaning out’ that reverse logistics process. The research uses a real-life case study of an actual helicopter commercial remanufacturing operation as a basis for the simulation modelling framework. The simulation modelling considers various, and increasingly complex, means of RFID implementation as part of a Return-On-Investment (ROI) analysis. One of the means of RFID implementation makes use of a novel RFID process for aircraft part identification which has been developed as part of this study: this innovative process makes use of a form of low-cost/low-weight RFID labels for identifying the component parts. This thesis also presents the results of the actual laboratory testing of these novel RFID labels which has been carried out as part of this study to assess the feasibility of implementing this innovative RFID process technology on helicopter structural components.