Aerospace Technology News

The adage says 'you can't manage what you don't measure.' Perhaps because it's part of their core, engineers apply the concept widely. One result: more parts than ever are monitored continuously for mechanical stress in-situ or during operation. Typically, engineers embed or glue sensors onto structures like turbine blades or aircraft wings. But that route measures only small areas or requires linked-sensor networks. Now, German researchers have introduced a conductive polymer-metal composite that can make large-scale components self-monitoring. Its sensory properties can be manufactured directly into synthetic components — and from many plastics. Additionally, the material can be used in conventional extruders and injection-molding equipment.

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GlobalSpec's Aerospace Technology Event — March 2, 2011

Join your peers and leading manufacturers for this free, informative, and interactive ONLINE conference and trade show — right from the convenience of your desktop. Participate in any or all of the educational sessions, network with peers, and meet with manufacturers eager to showcase their latest products, services, and new technology offerings. Learn more about the educational sessions offered to meet your information needs, and register today!

Nearly unlimited configuration possibilities: Multi-Contact's modular connector system CombiTac. For aeronautic applications, MC provides custom ultra lightweight and miniature connectors. With MC Multilam Technology for outstanding performance: Over 5000 mating cycles, constant contact force, low contact resistance, vibration and shock resistant. For more details get in touch with Multi-Contact USA.

10 Gb/s+: Extreme mechanical and electrical performance for the most demanding bandwidth applications. Reliability: M55302 heritage Mini-Box separable interface provides four points of contact on all sides of the pin. Versatility: Three shell varieties for application versatility, including plastic, shielded and machined metal shell. Tyco Fortis ZD from Powell Electronics

If you are coming across recurring in-process defects, manufacturing bottlenecks, or excessive rework in your electronic product designs, a manufacturability design review can make a serious change to your manufacturing costs and defect rates. Read our list of the most neglected manufacturability design concepts for reducing costs and eliminating rework.

Terra Universal Desiccators automate control of relative humidity (ambient to 0%RH) to protect moisture-sensitive materials. Cabinets come in stainless steel and static-dissipative or chemical-resistant plastics. Nitrogen purge system provides set-point control. Static- and particle-control features provide additional product protection. More on Terra...

Aircraft noise in today's airports has dropped markedly from just a few decades ago and conditions in coming years will only improve further. Advances in noise abatement have spun off research by government agencies like NASA. See how the space agency has painstakingly researched not only noise reduction techniques but the complicated task of measuring and analyzing in-flight noise as well.

Ever wonder what it would be like to sit at the controls of the world's largest commercial airliner? The Airbus A380 Superjumbo can carry 853 people for 9,400 miles (15,200 km). This 360 degree image lets you sit in the cockpit and look in every direction, zooming in wherever you want to have a closer look.

In an effort to prevent faulty wiring from igniting airplane fuel and causing an explosion, researchers at the University of Dayton are testing smart sensors. Currently, the sensors are used in clamps that hold airplane wiring. These RFID-based sensors send a signal to maintenance personnel, alerting them to broken wires amid miles of wiring. Researchers believe this could help reduce maintenance costs, lower operating costs, and improve airplane safety.

Those who tried have failed, but Lightsquared says this time will be different. The company has launched a U.S. satellite with what is called "the biggest commercial antenna reflector ever put into space." The satellite will relay signals for a new 4G-LTE mobile phone and data system for North America. The FCC is mandating that Lightsquared, which launched the satellite from Kazakhstan, be able to serve 90% of the U.S. population by the end of 2015.

ARAMIS 3D DIC provides full-field measurement of materials and structures that directly link with your CAD/FEA to verify 3D shape, and validate 3D deformations and strains. From simple materials to complex structures, our optical metrology systems measure everything, including the seemingly impossible. Please visit us at SAMPE11 at Anaheim.

The SAE Digital Library is the preeminent source for advancing mobility engineering worldwide.

This collection of intellectual property from mobility experts around the world focuses on current and historical technology advancements. It provides thousands of ways to power new product development, facilitate project planning, and support compliance of globalization programs.

QED's new Electronic/Analog Accelerometer uses solid state electronics and is designed to respond accurately to all levels of acceleration input. The new system drives the dynamic pointer smoothly through the entire range, moving the tell-tale pointers with an authority not found in prior instruments. Backed by a three-year warranty.

For tough and demanding metalcutting needs, look to the innovative solutions of Greenleaf cutting tools. Increase your productivity and cost savings in high-speed roughing of high-strength alloys to extremely precise finishing on wall thicknesses as low as .050 in. — and every critical cut in between. Find out how!

Under a U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research project, QuesTek will develop a Ferrium C61 steel rotor shaft for CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Replacing the current 9310 alloy shaft cuts component weight 15-25% thanks to greater fatigue and static strength. Made with modern vacuum carburizing technology, the Ferrium production process eliminates many manufacturing steps.

A titanium "vault" is at the heart of NASA's Juno spacecraft scheduled for launch to Jupiter in August. Metal walls will help protect electronic systems from intense radiation during the planned five-year mission. Lead could have been used but was deemed too soft in such a large assembly to withstand liftoff vibrations.

Is it an airship? Is it a plane? A helicopter? A hovercraft? Well, yes and no. It is the Hybrid Air Vehicle — a new type of flying machine which combines all four of those different concepts. A bbc.co.uk video reveals a 50 ft prototype has already taken to the air, and a version 20x as long is scheduled for flight by mid-2011. Its potential to stay aloft for as long as three weeks continuously has already attracted the interest of the U.S. military.

The more uniform and lower temperatures produced by General Electric's TAPS II Combustor translates to "drastically reduced" NOx emissions. The combustor technology is developed for a new engine core that will be part of GE's next generation business jet engines. These engines will offer 16% better fuel efficiency than GE's best engines in service today.

Tungsten Alloy is the answer.
The inherent density, low-thermal expansion and resistance to breakage, you can rely on tungsten alloy to be stable, precise, and durable — even under the most extreme conditions.
Tungsten alloy is currently used in:

• Aircraft rotor blades
• Guidance platforms
• Balancing of fly wheels and turbines
• Vibration dampening governors

Ameripack supplies quality Sat-com rack cases to the Aerospace, Defense and Communication markets offering them reliable, affordable and mobile protection for their valuable electronic equipment (standard and custom)

Ameripack is the smart choice and safe choice for OEM's for all their Case, Container, and Rack requirements See what we can do for you...

CHR® tapes avl for demanding accessory applications, masking for stripping and painting, lining/seaming of cargo and bulkhead compartments, general purpose sliding applications in cargo pits, etc.

In addition, manufacturing of structural components and engine repair in aircraft/aerospace requires a variety of tapes to protect and mask valuable and indispensable on-board systems.

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Pyroid® HT Pyrolytic Graphite heat spreader material offers thermal conductivity up to 5x (1700 W/m°K) that of copper at only 25% of the weight!

This "diamond like" conduction without the "diamond" price means less heat and smaller, lighter electronic packaging. Samples available.

Every company wants to implement lean manufacturing. By definition that means having processes that are targeted and efficient — hence profitable. For a metalworking company the foundation of that is having machining processes that are predictable, repeatable, and capable of producing conforming parts. Set about achieving those goals with this guide from productionmachining.com. A four stage process to realization of predictable machining starts with operating conditions and moves through process setting, in-process control, and post-process monitoring. None make fundamental changes to machining processes, but taken together they can make a big change to company performance.

Pilotless drones have been much in the news lately — mostly for their exploits in the Middle East. Well, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) might soon be circling a location near you. A new breed of inexpensive miniature drones is drawing attention from private investigators (for discrete surveillance) to paparazzi (to eavesdrop on celebrities).

India's Solar Panel Plans

Will solar panels in the sky help solve the world's energy needs?