Aircraft Manufacturing Flies High

Demand for new aircraft is pushing technological innovation throughout the tiered supply chain, with OEMs and their suppliers pressured to be more pioneering and flexible in order to keep up with design and development of more complex parts and systems, delivered in shorter lead times at a competitive cost. Manufacturers are taking measures to upgrade production capabilities, manage growth and cope with accelerating production ramp-up while integrating new technologies such as composites, electrification, and new generation engines into the mix. In this fast-changing environment, here are some of the latest metal cutting systems that can help them meet these demands:

Advanced Precision Machining of Complex Aerospace Components
The 5-axis Liechti go-Mill 350, Mikron MILL P 800 U ST and FORM 200 die-sinking EDM from GF Machining Solutions generate flawless surface finishes on complex part shapes found in turbines and cell components for avionics.

Moving Head CNC EDM Drilling Machines for Aerospace Parts
Easy automatic drilling of holes of different depths, smooth motion and stability, and long unattended operations make the Yougar YGS CNC Moving Head EDM from Absolute Machine Tools superior to fixed-head, moving-table style EDM drills.

Advanced Aerospace Tool Grinding
Perfect for grinding PCD tools used in machining composite materials for aerospace applications, the EDGe-Spark Erosion Power Generator from ANCA achieves an eroded finish with a surface roughness less than 0.2 µm Ra.

Advancing Additive in Aviation
By integrating VERICUT software from CGTech with metal printing technology on a CNC machine tool, 3D-Hybrid Solutions can apply powdered metal or wire feedstock at rates up to 20 lb per hour, then machine the part to precise dimensions on the same machine with no need for secondary fixtures.

Vertical Cylindrical Grinder with Pallet Changer for Aerospace Applications
The Taiyo Koki CVG Series Vertical Universal Cylindrical Grinding machine with pallet changer from DMG MORI grinds OD, ID and faces all in one part chucking with guaranteed machine roundness accuracy of less than .00004 in.

High Productivity Horizontal and Vertical Machining of Aerospace Parts
NHP 4000 and 5000 horizontal machining centers and the compact DNM 4000 vertical machining center from Doosan take more aggressive cuts and are ideal for processing complex parts made of tough-to-machine materials used in aerospace applications.

High Laser Power for Robust Part Marking of Aerospace Components
For long-term legibility, reliable part traceability and protection against product forgery throughout the entire product life cycle of aerospace components, the 100 watt FOBA Y.1000 fiber laser from Alltec makes fast, precise and robust engraved marks.

Horizontal Machining of Aerospace Aluminum Structural Components
The next-generation MAG3.EX 5-axis horizontal machining center from Makino has expanded capabilities for processing complex aluminum structural parts for the aerospace industry up to approximately 13 ft long, including wing ribs, bulk heads and beam-type components.

High Speed Machining of Small to Mid-Sized Aluminum Aerospace Parts
The HCR-5000S single-table horizontal machining center from Mazak offers 60 m/min rapid traverse rates, 1G acceleration/deceleration rates in the X and Y-axes and 0.8 G in its Z-axis to significantly shorten overall machining cycle times.

Compact, High Precision Milling of Blisks for Aircraft Engines
For high precision milling of blisks for aircraft engines and other large parts, the compact Vertex 100 5-axis vertical machining center from Mitsui Seiki USA can machine workpieces 1,250 mm diameter and 850 mm tall while occupying only 3 m x 4.2 m of shop floor space.

Aerospace Shafts Microfinished for Improved Surface Quality
The single-station Microteq CNC microfinishing system from IMPCO can process a family of 68 aerospace control surface actuation shafts to better than 0.1 Ra while creating a functional surface for the component.