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| Arnold Engineering is an established source of supply for complex machining, aircraft parts manufacturing, CNC machinery, aircraft sheet metal, aircraft design and more. |
| Aerostructures – Just What Are Aerostructures? | Dec. 21, 2011 |
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The term “aerostructures
” may conjure up images of some type of building in the sky. The
truth, however, is slightly less fanciful. aero structures are simply
parts of an airplane or some other air craft’s body frame. I know – how
incredibly ordinary. Ordinary as it might be, if a plane is going to
stay in the air, it must have these types of components. These
components include, but are not limited to: the wings, fuselage and the
flight control deck. Basically, everything that is needed and required
for a plane to fly falls under this category.
There
are many companies that specialize in manufacturing aerostructures.
As you can probably imagine, it is a very lucrative business to be in.
Airline companies are always needing aero structures parts for their
current planes in addition to needing new planes built. No one wants to
fly in a plane that needs to have one of these parts replaced. So,
these companies cater to the airlines in order to ensure that their
planes are in tip top shape and ready to fly the skies at all times.
Of
course, not just airline companies need aerostructures parts. The
military is also a big customer do companies that specialize in aerospace manufacturing.
Military planes and helicopters have to be in working order at all
times. There is no room for any type of failure when it comes to the
wings, the flight deck, etc. So, the military needs nothing less than
the best when it comes to getting their planes and helicopters off the
ground and flying through the air. This is probably the biggest
moneymaker for these companies because the government will usually
spend more than a private airline will – plus, the contracts will
usually be for longer periods of time, so the companies will get more
business from one source.
No
matter what, companies that specialize in manufacturing aerostructures
needs to make sure that their manufacturing standards are very much up
to par. If their manufacturing standards begin to slip, then they
can’t be depended on to provide high quality aero structures for
planes and helicopters. Once they begin to get a reputation as not
providing high quality products, then orders will slow and then stop.
This is not something that any business wants so, in order to keep all
business, every company that manufactures these items needs to keep its
practices and standards up to high quality levels – not just for them,
but for us all.
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| Passivation – Getting Maximum Performance from Stainless Steel | Nov. 17, 2011 |
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Although the beauty of stainless steel on aerostructures
is that you don't generally need to put any type of coating on it,
when you are using this material in any sort of industrial process, it
may be prone to free iron contamination. With a process known as
passivation, you can remove these iron compounds with the use of a
chemical dissolution, such as a treatment with acid solution. This
helps enhance the performance level of stainless steel or other
materials, preventing premature corrosion or deterioration and
increasing the material's lifespan. cnc machinery is
a combination of a cleaning process, because it removes the iron
compounds from aero-structures, and is also a protective coating at the
same time because it prevents the buildup of any further iron compounds
or oxidation. This process begins with a thorough cleaning of the
material that is being treated, which is capable of removing coolants,
grease, oil, or any other residues that are left behind on the surface
of the steel. When steel is used in fabricating machines, they can
leave behind their mark in minute amounts. Any type of cleaning can be
used to start this process, whether it is soaking the steel in an
alkaline solution, or cleaning it with solvents that are specifically
designed for this purpose.
After these various residues are removed, the next step to passivate the
steel is to place it into a passivating solution. These are usually
based on nitric acid, although there are alternative options including
citric acid for a more environmentally friendly solution. These will
vary in terms of temperature, the concentration of the nitric acid or
other passivating agent, and the time that the steel must spend in this
immersion. In general the period will range for anywhere from 20
minutes to an hour, depending on the concentration. There are many
different variables to include in this length of time.
Another
factor to consider when passivating stainless steel is the type of
steel that you are using. Be sure to consult with an expert in this
field if you have no experience with preparing industrial materials or
using acid baths, because if you use the wrong solution or leave the
steel in for too long of a time period, there could be negative
results. This could include the entire piece of steel dissolving if you
are not careful. For this reason, it's always important to get
professional guidance or send off your mechanical parts for passivation
by professional services. For additional information, visit www.arnoldeng.com at 345 Cessna Circle, Ste. 102, Corona, CA 92880 to learn more.
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| Finding Solutions in Aircraft Manufacturing | Oct. 18, 2011 |
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“Aerostructures”
is a term usually used to describe airplanes, but it can apply to
other flying machines. Examples of other types of flying machines
include space shuttles and helicopters. The average person gives little
thought to airplanes and other flying machines unless they are
planning to travel in the near future. Unless they are responsible for
building the machines, there is little need to consider them. However,
if you do work in the industry, you likely spend a great deal of time
focusing on the manufacturing of flying machines. Whether you are
someone who purchases planes for commercial use or you work in a
manufacturing plant, there are a number of things you need to think
about in terms of safety and efficiency.
An aero structures manufacturer
is responsible for handling the building and assembly of an aircraft.
The larger manufacturers are few in number. Typically, most of the
airplanes you see in the sky were manufactured by one of the just a
handful of companies. There are smaller companies that make parts and
even produce full-size planes. However, those are rarely used by the
large commercial companies or the military. When you see jets, small
privately owned planes, or fighter planes, they usually have the stamp
of one of the best known companies on them. The designers and builders
at these companies have high levels of knowledge and plenty of
experience, ensuring the planes manufactured by the companies are the
best in the world.
The aerostructures manufacturing industry
has changed a great deal over time. It has happened fairly quickly,
too. If you think about it, the airplane is roughly 100 years old. That
makes it a relatively new invention that is still evolving and
developing. This makes aircraft manufacturing a relatively new field.
Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to maintain quality and
safety standards, while making the design and production less
expensive. Airplane building has become a global industry. However,
airplane building companies must take into account what risks they are
taking by outsourcing important safety jobs when building their planes.
Each
step of building an airplane is just as important as the one before it
and the one right after it. People who understand one aspect of the aero structures
building process might be experts concerning their step, but know
little about the other steps. The goal of the manufacturer should be to
have the safest materials and procedures possible, no matter the cost.
However, they must still take into account the final cost of
purchasing the airplane. If no expense if spared during the building
process, commercial airline companies will need to pay more for their
fleet. This drives up the cost of flying for the consumer. The
businesses also need to consider their bottom line to remain solvent and
building planes. An experienced aircraft manufacturer is able to
balance all of these concerns and still provide a safe flying machine.
For additional information, visit www.arnoldeng.com at 345 Cessna Circle, Ste. 102, Corona, CA 92880 to learn more.
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| Aerospace Structures- Aircraft Manufacturing Solutions | Sep. 21, 2011 |
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Aerospace structures
are simply machines that are designed to fly. Planes are the most
common types of these structures that people think about, but
helicopters and even space shuttles are included in this class. When it
comes to the solutions offered by an aircraft manufacturer, it all
depends on what they specialize in. For some companies, it's about
creating a specific brand like Cessna or Airbus. For others, it's about
offering the best manufacturing solutions for parts and products that
can be sold to different companies for their use. The United States
currently dominates the aircraft manufacturing industry, followed by
Europe.
Many
of the larger aerospace structures that you find in the world today
are made by a small group of companies that rule the industry. Of
course, there are also smaller companies that have their own status as
an aircraft manufacturer,
providing people with everything that they need in terms of commercial
jets, parts, business jets, private planes, small planes, and more.
When it comes to creating great aerospace machinery, however, it takes
great skill and precision because these structures have to be
completely perfect in order to be safe to take to the skies.
Today's aircraft manufacturing
industry is very different from what it used to be. Countries like the
U.S. and Europe are looking to places like Mexico to outsource cheaper
labor expenses and compete with the global industry as a whole. While
outsourcing is a great solution for the business because it helps them
save money and gives them more productivity for a lower cost, it can
prove to be damaging to the industry and economy of each country as a
whole. Nonetheless, the quality remains the same for a lower cost, and
that's all that really matters to aircraft manufacturers.
The
aerospace manufacturing industry is a unique one that has a lot of
different elements involved in its operations. People really have to
take the time to learn about this industry and how it works in order to
understand it effectively. Ultimately, the goal for anyone in this
business is to get the best, highest quality products and services
because there is nothing more important than safety in aircraft
manufacture and plane operation. So many different solutions are out
there, from global companies to small local manufacturers, providing
something for anyone who is looking for the best aerospace
manufacturing in the industry today.
For additional information, visit www.arnoldeng.com at 345 Cessna Circle, Ste. 102, Corona, CA 92880 to learn more.
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| Aircraft Manufacturer – Making Aircraft | Aug. 12, 2011 |
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There
are many roles that go into the making of an aircraft. It must be
designed, engineered, built, tested, etc. Each person on the job is
necessary. Without all these players a failure might happen and that is
usually always a very serious if not fatal problem. The aircraft manufacturer
is the entity that actually takes the plans and builds the craft.
There are several companies in America that take care of this element.
Many of these also have in house engineers and designers as well. There
are companies that do only manufacturing, however. Many craft
manufacturers only manufacture certain parts of the planes and then
supply those to larger manufacturers or designers of craft. Aircraft design
is one of the most important elements of building a plane. Plenty of
training and sound science is needed in order to make a successful
plane. There is not too much room for creativity in aircraft. Design
elements of aircraft always include the airframe, or the basic
structure of the plane. They also include the engine and mechanical
equipment. The body is an important part of the design as well. Lastly,
the interior design is included. For larger aircraft this can be quite
involved with kitchens, bars, and specialty seats. Safety design is
part of every step of the design process. Aerospace manufacturing
is any craft that is going to be taking to the skies. Sometimes this
also includes design and manufacturing of spacecraft. Aerospace is a
word that means a craft that will move through air space rather than
ground space. It is more difficult to design and manufacture because
there are more dimensions to consider than there are on the ground. A
car can only move forward and backward, and can change directions in
its forward and backward movement. A plane or aircraft adds to that up
and down movement as well as the ability to spin.
Aircraft engineers
require specialized training and practice to master their work. They
design aircraft based on more movement than can be accomplished on the
ground. They usually work in groups of engineers to ensure that nothing
can go wrong with the design. Flaws in a design can easily be fatal
and that is simply not an option. The engineer's designs are tested
thoroughly so this can be avoided. Some designs go back to the drawing
board for revisions, while others are solid and traditional and can go
on the next stage of development.
View Larger MapFor additional information, visit www.arnoldeng.com at 345 Cessna Circle, Ste. 102, Corona, CA 92880 to learn more.
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| Advances in Aircraft Manufacturing | Jul. 19, 2011 |
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 It’s no secret that aircraft manufacturing
has taken a hit along with the rest of the economy since 2008. However
despite economic disadvantages, aircraft manufacturing companies
continue to push the bar when it comes to engineering new and improved
technologies and coming up with safer, more efficient equipment. The
aerospace manufacturing industry is under more pressure than most
industries, because one faulty piece of equipment or improper
manufacture and installation, can have catastrophic results. In order
to produce stellar aero-structures,the
elements that reputable manufacturing companies devote significant
attention to include: weight of the materials, durability of structure,
overall safety, cost effectiveness versus value. Generally,
a single aircraft manufacture company will have an area of focus that
they thoroughly research and excel at. Things that vary amongst
aerospace manufacturing companies are size and target market. While a
company like Air Bus focuses on compact crafts that will be used by the
general public, other companies may cater specifically to large,
cargo-carrying crafts. Of course there are also military aircrafts, and
a growing field of technology for aerospace manufacturing
is unmanned aircrafts. No matter the specific focus of an aircraft
manufacturing company, each company’s products are subject to rigid,
strenuous inspections.
Inspections and regulations are in
place because there is a zero percent margin of error in the field of
aircraft manufacturing. The highly skilled nature of conceptualizing,
engineering, building, and testing an aircraft means that professionals
must have extensive schooling and training in order to obtain a job.
Automobiles and other vehicles are of course subject to stringent safety
regulations, however, while car accidents are not always deadly, it is
much more rare to have survivors from an aerocraft accident.
Aerospace structures
have come a long way since the very first plane was ever built and
today's companies are on the cutting edge of creating some of the best
aero-structures available on the market yet. You can find out a lot of
information about these companies by doing a little research and even
get a behind-the-scenes look at how airplanes and other crafts are
manufactured today. The companies that work in aerospace manufacturing
understand their role and level of responsibility and are doing
everything in their power to make more affordable, safer, and more
technologically-advanced aircraft so that everyone can enjoy flying a
little more. For additional information, please visit www.arnoldeng.com to learn more.
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| 5 Axis Machining: A Triumph In Modern Technology | Jun. 13, 2011 |
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We
live in an incredible age of technology. Thanks to advances in science
and the innovative minds of different people, there are machines that
can help us with everyday tasks like cooking food, cleaning our homes,
and getting around town. But there are also much more complicated
machines that can perform complicated, delicate tasks with much more
ease and speed than even the most skilled aircraft engineers can accomplish by hand. 5 axis machining
is an example of this. A 5 axis milling machine works not only on the
traditional three-dimensional XYZ axes, but also works on a C or Q
axis, which allows for rotation of the object, as well as a B axis,
which controls the tilt of the machining tool itself. A 5 axis machine is of particular use in aerospace manufacturing.
Many of the parts required in the aerospace industry are much more
complicated than a standard milling machine can pump out. It may seem a
bit extreme to construct or purchase an entire 5 axis milling machine
just to pump out a few really intricate parts, but it's really not as
impractical as it sounds. Because the cost of these machines is
steadily dropping and the software used to program these machines is
open-sourced, it's becoming more and more cost efficient to use 5 axis
milling machines.
It can be extremely difficult to program a 5 axis milling machine if you don't really understand how to do it. Even amongst aircraft engineers,
only a select few have the necessary skills and knowledge to be able
to correctly program a 5 axis machine. But correct programming is of
utmost importance, since even the tiniest flaw or deviation in the part
could cause the entire mechanism to break down. Aerospace engineering
is a precise craft, and it requires minute attention to detail.
When
it comes to aircraft parts manufacturing, it's not just about wanting
your parts to last as long as possible for cost efficiency. More
importantly, a properly milled part can prevent accidents from happening
that could endanger the lives and safety of pilots and even of
passengers. It's really easy to see why it's so important to be precise
in the manufacturing of aircraft parts. But, fortunately, the rise in
use of 5 axis milling machines can help to eliminate error and to
ensure the safety of passengers, pilots, and cargo. Modern technology
truly is amazing. For additional information, visit www.arnoldeng.com to learn more.
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