How to Choose Aerospace Machined Parts?

One of the drivers in our success is through experience and rigorous development of digital manufacturing tools. We have found the right blend of working with autonomous digital tools and hands-on application engineers to meet aerospace demands.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Qisheng.

When starting the digital manufacturing process with many manufacturers, it can be easy to upload a CAD file into multiple online quoting tools.

Unfortunately, some manufacturers' online quoting tools don’t take into account all of the back-end requirements, or offer all of a manufacturer’s processes. This is where we choose to be upfront so that each step required for the part or project is reflected in the initial quote.

When using online digital tools, quoting software can greatly accelerate development and production cycles.

However, to get the most out of these tools, make sure you are working with software (and a manufacturer) that includes the following: 

• Takes into account all requirements and steps of the build or project
• Offers all available processes and materials 
• Offers trained and experienced staff with years of manufacturing experience 

A major challenge in the aerospace and defense industry is on-time delivery and quality. Industry sources say around 80% of orders generally show up on time. Yet, when those orders do show up on time, about 25% of parts do not meet the required quality. A common complaint from aerospace companies is when vendors promise a lead time with a cheaper price but could not deliver within the timeline quoted. Delays have led to missed deadlines and greater costs to fix than if they would have just started with the higher-priced vendor.

Our online, interactive quoting system turns your CAD model into a quote with immediate design analysis and feedback. Your design can be reworked to determine the ideal balance of processes, materials, time, and cost. This greatly increases efficiency as it isn’t necessary to talk with someone every time a part is needed. But when you need a knowledgeable person on your side, we have a team of applications engineers ready to back up our automated tools. All contacts, customer or not, get free access to our responsive team that understands how to design for our processes, reduce cost, and answer a myriad of other technical questions.

2. Reduce Components to Benefit Product Design

You may want to reduce overall components in a part or product design for several reasons.

First, lightweighting is crucial in aerospace. Companies know just how many ounces of fuel it takes to fly a gram of weight in flight, for example, so slight reductions drive major gains. The choice of materials, and sometimes the method of manufacturing, also factor into this lightweighting equation. But trimming part count helps, too.

Second, cutting costs is important. Plastics and metals can be expensive, and so can assembly time. Accordingly, if designs can lessen the number of components or parts, this can reduce materials and assembly time.

With these lightweighting and cost considerations in mind, which materials work best for aerospace components? Titanium is often a go-to choice, available through machining and 3D printing services. This lightweight and strong material offers excellent corrosion and temperature resistance. Aluminum, and its high strength-to-weight ratio makes it a good candidate for housing and brackets that must support high loading. Aluminum also is available for both machined and 3D-printed parts. Inconel, a 3D-printed metal, is a nickel chromium superalloy ideal for rocket engine components and other applications that require high-temperature resistance. Stainless steel also is a frequent materials choice. For example, SS 17-4 PH is used in the aerospace industry due to its high strength, good corrosion resistance, and good mechanical properties at temperatures up to 600 degrees F. Like titanium, it can be machined or 3D printed. Liquid silicone rubber is also widely used in the industry. This elastic fluorosilicone material is specifically geared toward fuel and oil resistance while optical silicone rubber is a good PC/PMMA alternative. Common applications in aerospace include soft-touch surfaces, gaskets, seals, and O-rings.

Finally, beyond lightweighting and cost cutting issues, the aerospace industry faces unique benefits and challenges with high risks and rewards. Companies are concerned with development cycles, prototyping, hot-fire testing, and production. So, while component reduction can help reduce part weight and assembly time, the real savings are in the reduction of the headaches and overhead associated with the supply chain and paper trail for each part. In aerospace, each component that goes into the final product has a tremendous amount of validation behind it such as material traceability, shock and vibe tests, rigorous inspections, and much more. In such a regulated industry, reducing parts can provide great value by reducing inventory, having fewer documents to track, and streamlining your supply chain.

3. Deploy a Range of Manufacturing Methods, Materials

If you have an internal machine shop but have to deal with a lot of different types of manufacturing in a small space, you might have taken projects to outside vendors for development work. It is important to find the right vendor with the capacity to meet your high demands for quality and speed. You may know but it bears repeating that there are no universal processes or materials. You need all the tools in your arsenal to find the best solutions to stay on the cutting edge. Therefore, work with companies that are able to offer a range of manufacturing processes and materials. We offer CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and six different industrial-grade 3D printing (additive manufacturing) methods. Additionally, you can choose from hundreds of commercial-grade plastics, metals, and elastomers that are suitable for both prototyping and production. See our Materials Comparison Guide for a complete list.

We use multiple additive processes: stereolithography, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), selective laser sintering, Multi Jet Fusion, Carbon DLS, and PolyJet. DMLS has proven to be a desirable process in the aerospace industry because it offers:

• large range of materials
• increased functionality
• ability to accommodate complexity and organic designs

DMLS does have a limited build space. However, we also offer large-format metal parts. We can build production-grade metal parts as large as 31.5 in. x 15.7 in. x 19.7 in. (800mm x 398mm x 500mm). We are initially focusing on Inconel 718 as a material to use to better serve the demand for larger complex parts in the aerospace industry. This large-format metal 3D printing, from our GE Additive Concept Laser X-Line machine, also is an example of how our company is technology agnostic, using machines, equipment, and processes sourced from a variety of companies.

Beyond the manufacturing methods referenced (subtractive and additive), we also offer a number of secondary or finishing options, if your design calls for these applications:

• Post-process machining - for 3D-printed metal parts
• Heat treatment - including HIP for 3D printed parts
• Additional plating
• Anodizing
• Basic assembly
• Chromate plating
• Cleaning
• Electroless nickel plating
• Part marking
• Passivation
• Powder coating
• Press fit and hardware
• Silkscreening

If you need several vendors for different processes or secondary processes, remember the benefits mentioned earlier about using one supplier with multiple processes. We offer many processes and materials while operating as a local vendor to reduce time and costs.

In addition, as we recently noted in our trend report on aerospace manufacturing, often the best solutions for aerospace and defense will involve a hybrid approach using multiple technologies in concert. Just as a traditional toolbox contains both hammer and pliers, so too do today’s advanced manufacturing operations house both additive and subtractive manufacturing systems and know-how.

4. Rely on Quality and Compliance Assurance

Finally, aerospace product designers and developers need to carefully navigate government and safety policy and compliance issues. Working in such a highly regulated industry, it is important to find vendors familiar with aerospace requirements. Traceability, documentation, testing, and certified parts that are USA/ITAR compliant in an ISO environment can decrease much of the work needed to be done, tested, or verified in house. 

Governing bodies are continuously working on standards for additive manufacturing, so knowing exactly what is needed may be difficult to find for non-traditional processes. However, standards or certifications for finished parts apply no matter how it was manufactured. You will want to make sure vendors have certified materials, powder analysis, material traceability, and more depending on your needs.   

We have already invested heavily in digital manufacturing methods to provide you with automated tools, documentation, testing, and traceability, all supported by our applications engineers, delivering you a streamlined and efficient digital thread. We offer the following quality documentations and report options in an ISO , AS certified, USA/ITAR compliant environment: 

• Material certifications and heat lot numbers
• Certificate of conformance (CoC) 
• First article inspections (FAI) - including AS FAI for 3D-printed parts
• Various other inspection requests such as CMM, X-Ray or CT scanning

Ultimately, we will work with you to find the best solution and consider all steps of your project. If you would like more information, contact our applications engineers at 877-479-, us at [ protected], or start your design today by uploading your 3D CAD model to receive an interactive quote within hours. 

Aerospace engineering is a highly specialized field that demands precision, reliability, and safety in every aspect of the design and manufacturing process. Among the most critical components in aerospace manufacturing are the instruments, machines, and devices used to shape, fabricate, and assemble aircraft parts.

The correct aerospace tooling is critical to ensuring efficient and accurate production while maintaining the highest quality standards. Carr Lane Mfg. will explore the key considerations engineers should consider when choosing aerospace tooling.

Understanding Aerospace Tooling

Aerospace tooling refers to the equipment, tools, jigs, fixtures, and molds used in the aerospace industry to fabricate and assemble various aircraft and spacecraft components.

These tools are designed to meet the exacting standards and specifications required by aerospace engineering, often involving cutting-edge technology and materials. Aerospace tooling includes CNC machines, inspection gauges, composite molding forms, assembly jigs, and precision measurement devices.

High-quality tooling is essential for several reasons:

• Precision and accuracy: Parts must be fabricated to exact specifications, reducing the likelihood of misalignments, poor fits, and operational issues.
• Consistency: You must maintain consistent shapes, sizes, and dimensions to reduce variations between parts.
• Safety: Aircraft safety is the most essential element. Flaws or inconsistencies in aircraft components because of subpar tooling can compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft.
• Durability and reliability: Quality tooling ensures that aircraft parts are robust enough to withstand extreme conditions.

How to Choose Your Tooling Components

Material Compatibility and Durability

Each material has unique properties and requires specific tools and techniques for machining and shaping. Using the wrong tooling material can result in excessive wear, tool failure, and compromised part quality.

Are you interested in learning more about Aerospace Machined Parts? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Precision and Tolerance Requirements

Precision and tolerance requirements for aerospace tooling are crucial because even the slightest deviations can significantly impact aircraft safety, performance, and reliability.

Some things to consider are the materials you’ll need to use, environmental factors, and dimensional tolerances.

Weight

Aerospace components must be lightweight yet structurally robust to withstand the stresses and forces experienced during operation. Tooling materials must have the right balance between strength, durability, and weight.

The weight of aerospace tooling is all about structural integrity, material selection, manufacturing processes, ergonomics, logistics, and cost.

Safety and Ergonomics

Design tools with ergonomics in mind to minimize physical strain on operators. Consider the design, weight distribution, grip comfort, and adjustable components.

Choose materials that are durable, corrosion-resistant, and non-conductive. You should also select coatings or surface treatments that enhance grip and reduce the risk of slipping. It’s also essential to consider guards and shields to protect operators from moving parts, components, and high-energy systems.

Environmental Concerns

Choose environmentally friendly materials, such as those with a lower carbon footprint, recyclable content, and low toxicity. Use materials that have been certified by environmental standards or organizations.

You’ll also want to consider using components that require less when manufactured and used. Energy-efficient processes contribute to reduced environmental impact.

Types of Aerospace Tooling Components

Carr Lane Mfg. offers a variety of hand tools, cutting tools, assembly tools, and specialized tools for aerospace companies worldwide.

Floating Clamps are an innovative addition to our catalog, designed to provide adjustable clamping that prevents workpiece deformation. These clamps are handy for handling ribbed or flanged castings and larger parts, offering additional support points to reduce machining vibrations.

The DropZero Modular Zero-Point System is another cutting-edge tooling component to streamline manufacturing. It allows the complete machining of a workpiece in a single setup, thus reducing setup time and fixturing costs. This system offers full machining access to five sides of a workpiece. It can easily integrate into existing modular tooling plates and blocks.

Captive Jig Pins are a robust solution for secure, precise alignment, featuring a locking mechanism that positively retains the pin body in a bushing. This type of pin is vital for applications requiring high levels of alignment and positioning accuracy.

Captive Locating Screws featuring a hand knob allow for manual tightening and can be used for locating, clamping, or both. They offer an intuitive, human-centric design while maintaining high standards for precision and reliability.

Headed Slotted Locator Bushings serve to align two holes without binding, featuring a tight tolerance in one direction and complete perpendicular relief to resist axial loads. These are commonly used in situations requiring precise alignment without sacrificing mechanical strength.

ON-SIZE® Bushings are designed for high thermal stability, made from a unique Invar 36 material that minimizes thermal expansion. These bushings are particularly useful in aerospace applications where components are exposed to various temperatures.

Our range of aerospace tooling components serves diverse needs within the industry, from the need for precision in alignment and clamping to the requirements for thermal stability and adaptability in machining setups. Each component has its specialized function, designed to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace applications.

Material Selection for Aerospace Tooling

Material selection is a crucial aspect of aerospace tooling, and Carr Lane Mfg. offers various options to meet diverse needs.

High-strength alloys are often chosen for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand high stress, making them ideal for critical load-bearing components.

Composite materials bring the advantage of being lightweight yet strong, perfect for applications where weight reduction without sacrificing strength is paramount.

Titanium is another favored material known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. It is ideal for components exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Steel and other metals remain a reliable choice, offering a balanced mix of durability and cost-effectiveness.

Each material has advantages, enabling engineers to optimize for strength, weight, and resistance to environmental conditions.

Tool Maintenance and Life Cycle Management

Regular maintenance of aerospace equipment is essential to ensure safety, precision, efficiency, compliance, cost savings, and the overall success of aerospace manufacturing.

It’s crucial to visually inspect and functionally test all aerospace equipment thoroughly by trying out different functions. This may involve manual operation, power-on testing, or simulating real-world usage scenarios. Ensure that all safety features are operational and effectively protect the user.

When considering replacing parts, there are a few things you should consider. Look out for wear and tear, performance degradation, regulatory requirements, and the importance of the equipment. While replacing parts can be costly, the safety of the equipment and operators is more important.

Get the Aerospace Parts You Need at Carr Lane Mfg.

Regarding aerospace tooling components, Carr Lane Mfg. is your one-stop shop for quality, precision, and reliability.

Our experienced team is always on hand to provide in-depth information and guidance. From understanding the unique properties of each material we offer to customizing components for specific applications, our experts are ready to assist you in making the best choices for your aerospace projects.

Please get in touch with our team to discover the difference that quality and expertise can make in your aerospace applications.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website High Precision Components.