Long-term storage

Citation

(2007), "Long-term storage", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 79 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2007.12779fad.010

Long-term storage

Long-term storage Rolls-Royce has strengthened its partnership with IGG by awarding the company another important contract. IGG, which is already a tier one supplier to Rolls-Royce, now provides long-term storage of electronic components for the multinational giant's marine power division, ensuring that vital parts for steam generation equipment on submersible vessels will be in perfect working order when required (Figure 4).

Mick Baker, Procurement Engineer at Rolls-Royce, commented: “With the shortening lifecycle of COTS components, long-term storage is now needed on an increasing scale. Being at the forefront of best practice in long- term storage and a tier one supplier to Rolls-Royce, IGG is exceptionally well qualified to handle this important function and we are confident that our components will be in very safe hands.”

Figure 4 The Rolls-Royce long-term storage area at IGG

Manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce need to procure large quantities of components in advance and store them for later use. However, there is far more to the process than simply putting the components away and retrieving them when required. The parts must be stored in a dust-free, climate-controlled environment and microscopic inspection is required at regular intervals. Poor practice can lead to a host of potentially very costly problems, including device failure.

IGG will store and inspect Rolls-Royce components in its 400m² temperature and humidity controlled clean-room. Regular tests will be performed using a variety of techniques including scanning acoustic microscopy, which can identify crucial defects that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to pinpoint.

Having worked closely with the marine power division of Rolls-Royce since 2001 and with other divisions on an ad hoc basis, IGG was awarded tier one supplier status last year. This allows IGG to deal with the entire Rolls-Royce group of companies, including marine power and aero engines, as well as all the subcontractors in the supply chain. As a result, Rolls-Royce now benefits from IGG's wide range of services which, in addition to long-term storage, include component sourcing, last-time buy flagging and consultancy, and obsolescence management and mitigation.

IGG is accredited to BS EN 61340-5- 1:2001, for the protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena. The company's adherence to such demanding standards reflects its dedication to best practice in the highly exacting science of long-term storage.

Details available from: IGG Component Technology Ltd, Tel:+44(0) 1329 223565, E-mail: lloyd.francis@igg.co.uk