We have developed the concept of FACT(ory): the combination of new multi-station tribometers (MST) infrastructure with data management to digitize Data Driven Decisions to customers. Only such a ‘factory’ approach will allow the necessary cost reduction, the quality of data and the delivery speed that industry needs.
Technical and commercial feasibility study findings revealed that:
-Wear test data are the main commercial output of the FACTory, emphasis lies on producing, collecting and formatting data for further processing, analysis and visualization in reports;
-Optimum MST should have 10-stations for testing, instead of current 50-stations;
-Coefficient of friction data could be recorded;
-Human resources (data scientists) needed for executing the FACT project and then to support Falex’s operations, have been identified;
-Falex’s personnel studied the big data principles, became familiar with the terminology and available technologies for further advancing with the MDB construction;
-Key subcontractors have been identified to assist Falex with the MST and MDB manufacturing;
-Marketing and communication channels have been further considered for effective commercialization of FACT innovative services, which is foreseen sooner than initially planned. Falex activities, currently offered in BENELUX and France, would expand in Europe after only
one year of operations (2022) and further in Eastern Europe, Russia and Middle East after 2 years of operation (2023).
Dissemination actions of the FACT innovative services included:
- Presentation of FACT at the 18th Nordic Symposium on Tribology, NORDTRIB 2018, held in 18-21 June 2018, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Presentation of FACT idea and capabilities to key customer contacts that provided specimens to be tested by MST and/or letters of intent for FACT innovative services:
o Wing slat coating (BE)
o Shock Absorbers (BE)
o Ceramic coated printer rolls (NL)
o Implant materials (USA)
o Off shore mooring system materials (IT)
