Aerospace technology has always been a fascinating story. From aviation pioneers to the International Space Station and the next generation of spacecraft, the space race has been going on for many years. However, one part of this story is unknown: in order for us to marvel at these magnificent planes and spacecraft that conquered the final border, someone must first build the hardware that makes this happen.
Five axis machining of aviation precision parts
Although high precision is required for any type of manufacturing, the aerospace sector needs parts that are machined as accurately as possible. After all, space flight can put incredible pressure on aircraft. The high performance of the spacecraft itself, coupled with the rapidly changing environment that the spacecraft has gone through, requires that each component be carefully manufactured according to its specifications.
Without this level of accuracy, these components may fail. The following are the challenges faced by aerospace companies and details of the manufacturing of precision aerospace parts by skilled CNC machining workshops that are critical to success.
Parts Challenges for Aerospace Companies
There are many challenges related to the manufacture of parts for aerospace applications, but the top challenge revolves around quality.
Material quality
Aviation parts may require the use of materials not commonly used in conventional manufacturing. According to their applications in aircraft and spacecraft, the metals used to manufacture aerospace components require different tempering temperatures. These materials must meet certain certifications and not all machining shops have the expertise required to use them. For example, 6061 aluminum has a difference between the certified grade and the canned material. Not all machining shops are capable of using the aluminum grades required for aerospace applications.
Manufacturing quality
The design of aerospace parts can also be very complex, and precise tolerances must be observed in the manufacturing process. This requires a high level of precision manufacturing, which not all companies can do. For example, 3D printing will produce high-quality parts, but they may not have the durability required for flight. On the other hand, CNC machining uses automated tools to accurately manufacture parts from solid materials, giving them the strength required for application.
Quality in manufacturing
Another important aspect of aerospace parts manufacturing is the process used in the manufacturing process. Many do not pay attention to the details required for manufacturing precision parts, and may even produce parts that are not 100% complete. This will not only cause problems in the final product of the part,
For precision parts that meet the requirements of aerospace industry, it is important to cooperate with machining workshops with the following conditions to ensure their work quality:
Materials: The first step in making aerospace parts is to ensure that the best materials are used for the parts. The machining workshop set up for aviation parts manufacturing should have a network of suppliers from which they can purchase the best quality materials.
Certification: The workshop shall also have experience in using materials that have been certified and can be used in aerospace, and have a deep understanding of its certification requirements. They should also know how to apply these certifications in the production of industry products and be able to obtain any certification materials required for your project. In addition, the workshop should hold a wide range of other certifications to cover processes, such as ISO9001 for quality management and first article inspection.
Process: Another important aspect of becoming an aviation parts manufacturer is to have a clearly defined workflow, which can repeat the manufacturing of precision parts. In order to ensure the strength required for aerospace applications, parts shall be processed by CNC through milling, turning and other processes, so that they can adapt to complex geometric shapes and strict tolerances, and strict parts can be manufactured with solid materials.
Engineering: Precision parts in the aerospace industry must be produced according to detailed CAD/CAM information to achieve the highest quality level. The best machining workshops use your CAD data and drawings you provide to capture every specific detail of the part, including unique finishing or other key requirements. This requires the workshop to have an experienced engineering team working with the manufacturing department to produce the required level of accuracy for aviation parts.