German firm Lufthansa Technik has started an equally owned joint venture (JV) with Pepperl+Fuchs to cater to the aviation industry.

The new 3D.aero JV will research, develop and sell automation solutions, as well as work to digitise workshops.

The JV will be based at the ZAL TechCenter in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, which will enable it to network with other aviation companies.

“This will enable us to keep pursuing our Industry 4.0 strategy and use this know-how for our processes and products.”

Lufthansa Technik engine services senior vice-president Bernhard Krueger-Sprengel said: “We are delighted to have won Pepperl+Fuchs, a leading manufacturer of electronic components and sensors for factory and process automation, as a partner.

“This will enable us to keep pursuing our Industry 4.0 strategy and use this know-how for our processes and products.”

The new JV will be composed of mainly Pepperl+Fuchs employees and graduates of the Institute for Aircraft Production Technology at the Hamburg University of Technology.

It will also provide the application of optical measuring devices, digital inspection and image processing applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs CEO Dr Gunther Kegel said: “Thanks to this joint venture, we are now able to apply our long-term expertise in industrial automation in the aviation industry as well.”

In another development, Lufthansa Technik has signed an exclusive contract to supply components for EVA Air’s new Boeing 777F fleet.

The contract encompasses the repair, overhaul and supply of line replaceable units.