Abstract: A method for automatically generating an optimized maintenance plan for a fleet of aircraft engines, includes the steps of: acquiring input data on a plurality of engines and providing an existing initial maintenance plan or creating an initial maintenance plan based on the acquired input data. A total maintenance effort for the fleet resulting in an application of the initial maintenance plan is then determined. Next, the engines are sorted into a defined order according to at least one criterion and at least one optimization strategy or heuristic stored as an algorithm in a computer program is applied to each of the engines in the defined order. Next, an optimized maintenance plan for the engines or output data comprising an estimated total maintenance effort of the optimized maintenance plan is output.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) for a rolling (13, 14, 16) or sliding bearing (19), wherein the bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) is one of an inner ring (Ia, 1), an outer ring (Ib, 7), a rolling element (9), a cage, or a guide ring. The bearing component (Ia, Ib, 1, 7, 9) comprises a first material (2), and a second material (3) joined to the first material (2), wherein the second material (3) and the first material (2) having been joined by a semi-solid metal process.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for forming a steel component, incorporating the steps of—providing a blank having substantially the volume of the component to be formed,—heating the blank to a semi solid state with a specific liquid fraction,—forming the blank with a forging technique to a component of near net shape dimensions,—subjecting the formed, near net shape component, to a normalization combined with a hardening,—subjecting the normalized and hardened near net shape component to machining to give the component net shape.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process for forming a steel component, incorporating the steps of—providing a blank having substantially the volume of the component to be formed,—heating the blank to a semi solid state with a specific liquid fraction,—forming the blank with a forging technique to a component of near net shape dimensions,—subjecting the formed, near net shape component, to a normalization combined with a hardening,—subjecting the normalized and hardened near net shape component to machining to give the component net shape.