Aerospace Exchange Blog

Of the several components that make up reciprocating aircraft engines, the crankshaft is the backbone as it is the part that converts linear motion into rotational motion. Crankshafts and piston engines are found on the majority of all business class and general aviation aircraft, and understanding their function is a crucial part of owning and operating such aircraft. This blog will discuss the different components of a crankshaft, its function, and common types.

Within the realm of hydraulics, hydraulic fluids allow for power to be efficiently transferred throughout a system for the means of actuating and carrying out processes. Hydraulic fluids can  come in various forms, all of which feature zero compressibility for the means of providing ample power transfer capabilities. With their ability to transfer power, a hydraulic fluid can provide the energy needed to drive various systems including hydraulic brakes, aircraft flight control systems, lifts, excavators, garbage trucks, and much more. To better understand how hydraulic and hydraulic fluids are used for various common operations, we will discuss their types and applications in more detail.

Oscilloscopes are electronic test equipment that are commonly used in a number of industries, allowing for varying signal voltages to be graphically displayed as a waveform. Found in applications ranging from medical devices to instrument control software, oscilloscopes are an important component for countless devices and industries. To better understand what an oscilloscope is and how it may benefit varying systems, we will discuss their basic construction and operating principles.

Bearings are a common component for numerous types of machinery, regularly implemented within assemblies for the means of minimizing the amount of friction generated between two moving surfaces. There are many types of bearings that one may use for friction reduction, and each may provide its own unique abilities to benefit certain applications. Jewel bearings in particular are a form of plain bearing that features a hard gem for their design. Due to their construction and design, such bearing types are well suited for surviving some of the most extreme environments, all while remaining accurate and reliable. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the jewel bearing, allowing you to better understand their functionality, advantages, and common uses. 

Thermal grease, also known as thermal paste or thermal interface material, is a thermally conductive material used to connect a heat source to a thermal spreading device. Thanks to their diversity and performance, thermal grease can be found in many thermal settings, such as heat sinks. Thermal grease can greatly improve a system’s overall thermal conductivity and effectiveness. In this blog, we will discuss the use of thermal grease, what it does, and its chemical properties.

Both reciprocating and turbine aircraft engines operate on the basic principle of igniting fuel and air mixtures. While combustion can provide sufficient propulsive force and mechanical energy for aircraft to fly, it also causes a large amount of heat generation that must be mitigated for the integrity of engine components and surrounding structures. The cooling system of an aircraft may vary depending on the type of engine and its design, often relying on methods such as liquid cooling and air cooling to protect assemblies.

Machines and tools are critical to the optimal performance of countless industrial applications. Critical to these machines and tools themselves are pins, the fasteners that hold them together and prevent them from falling apart. Industrial pins are a type of fastening hardware used for several purposes, among which are aligning, mounting, coupling, assembling, and penetrating two different machines or pieces of hardware. Industrial pins are used for different purposes and employed based on the operation or function they are expected to carry out. In this blog, we will look at the eight most common types of industrial pins and their defining characteristics.

A lathe machine is a type of machine used to shape and machine many types of workpiece. Depending on the size and material of the workpiece, there are many different types of lathe machines to choose from. While lathe machines were typically only used for metal machining, modern technological advancements have broadened their functionality to work with a range of various materials. The main purpose of a lathe machine is to remove extra or unwanted material from a workpiece to create a product. Lathes are capable of producing many different shapes and forms in very little time and with high accuracy. This blog will cover the six most common types of lathe machines: the speed/wood lathe, engine lathe, tool-room lathe, capstan and turret lathe, special purpose lathe, and CNC lathe.

Flared and flareless fittings are both commonly used throughout the aerospace industry in many applications. For example, the Army-Navy (AN) military standards require tighter tolerances and define all fittings types, wherein the joint intelligence center utilizes AN specifications as a basis to form their own standards covering fewer sizes. This blog will discuss both flared and flareless fittings and their specific types.

Within the realm of piping and fluid transportation, pipe flanges serve as a useful method for connecting components to one another for establishing a system. By bolting together two flange components with a gasket in between, a variety of assemblies can be made. Second to only welding, utilizing the flange method of piping attachment is useful for the ability to separate and disassemble systems with ease, ensuring that maintenance and replacement of parts is much simpler. As such, flanges can create a more flexible approach to piping systems for an ease of access.