Made Smarter Technology Accelerator – Jetsoft X Babcock International Group

Using digital twin technology to improve inspection processes

Babcock International Group’s challenge for the Made Smarter Technology Accelerator (MSTA) programme was to develop and deliver a digital twin to feed into the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles Overhaul. This would be used to help ensure the integrity of vehicle hulls, using FaroArm technology and stringent non-destructive testing (NDT).

The solution needed to include 3D measurements and collate and assess NDT data as a digital twin feed. Although software is available for the FaroArm and also for NDT, it wasn’t yet possible to bring measurements and assessments together for the Babcock system.

Easier inspections, richer data

The JetSoft team were excited to be joining the Made Smarter Technology Accelerator programme to work with Babcock International Group. Their aim was to develop an innovative solution, that would solve the immediate challenge for integrated hull inspections, would also create a product that would benefit the wider manufacturing sector.

The resulting solution uses existing equipment and the combined data output to automatically generate a 3D dataset for evaluation. Capturing the data digitally means that it can be used by the latest AI algorithms to reduce the likelihood of defects by optimising process flow and directing manufacturing processes in real time.

The MSTA as a catalyst for innovation

The JetSoft team sees challenges as opportunities. They found that one of their biggest learnings from the programme was how to listen, and be agile and dynamic. For example, they went into the process with preconceived ideas that were challenged early on, enabling them to adapt, pivot slightly and ultimately develop a better solution.

5 minutes with Tom Martin, CEO of Jetsoft

Talk us through an average day in the life of a Jetsoft employee?

Every day is exciting at JetSoft. We’re a small team that works with a diverse set of clients worldwide.

So, a day might start with an early morning meeting with a potential mining client in Australia and end with discussing some new potential features with an existing aerospace manufacturer client in the U.S.

No two days are the same, so at any one time, as a team we may be working on some new machine learning models, developing some new information management features, integrating some new data source, sitting on regulatory committee meetings, visiting a customer site, working with partners on some new ideas, or just trying to communicate the power of inspection data to the industry.

What’s the best thing about startup life for you?

Seeing your ideas come to life, feeling part of a dynamic team and developing cutting edge technology.

What’s it been like working with Babcock International Group?

Working with Babcock has been amazing. The team has really bought into the project, devoted their time to it and backed it; their input has been a large contributor in enabling us to get to this stage.

How do you think digital technologies are going to impact the defence industry?

Digital technologies have the potential to revolutionise manufacturing, not least because we’re coming from such low base.

There is still such a heavy reliance on physical, paper-based reporting which is slow, lacks traceability, is next to impossible to utilise, and makes the process exceptionally inefficient.

If we can capture this data digitally it can be utilised for continuous improvement, to guide operations, be used by the latest AI algorithms to automatically direct process flow and operations for maximum commercial benefit, and direct manufacturing processes in real time to reduce the likelihood of defects.

I believe companies must digitise to survive, which poses challenges but also should be seen as a huge commercial opportunity.

What are your hopes for the future of your solution?

For Babcock I’m confident that we’ll get the solution off the ground, working and delivering significant benefit. Beyond that, I’m hoping we can get to the stage of having a fully packaged solution that we can take to market.

Several existing clients have expressed an interest in the project and so we have an initial route to market which I hope to exploit.

What are your biggest learnings from the programme to date?

To listen and be agile and dynamic. Ultimately, the challenge owner is a typical customer who is looking to us to develop a solution that not only benefits them but solves a challenge that affects the industry.

We went into this process with preconceived ideas, that were challenged early on. We were able to use this to adapt, pivot slightly and ultimately develop a better solution.

What are you most excited about heading into the minimum viable product phase of the programme?

Getting to continue the great work we have been doing, but ultimately getting the ideas to a production phase, where our challenge owner starts to realise the benefits of our work.

About JetSoft

JetSoft develops and supplies solutions to improve the capture, management and use of inspection and quality control information, unlocking NDT data. This helps manufacturers to drive operations, reduce waste, maximise quality and increase productivity. JetSoft works with some of the world’s largest companies and has a track record of delivering solutions that produce significant commercial benefits.

Website: www.jetsoft.co.uk

LinkedIn: JetSoft Ltd

About the Made Smarter Technology Accelerator

The Made Smarter Technology Accelerator (MSTA) was designed to create opportunities for collaborative change that would deliver impact for industry. The programme enabled four innovative startups to produce a minimal viable product to address a specific industry challenge. As well as support from Digital Catapult, tech sponsors and the industry challenge owners, the programme provided funding of £100,000 per project.

Part of the national Made Smarter movement, the MSTA was delivered by Digital Catapult and funded by UKRI through the Industrial Strategy Challenge fund.