Aeronautical Manufacturing Research Articles

Statistical Analysis on Practice of Human Capital Pricing within Chinese Aeronautical Manufacturers

With the economic globalization and entry’s into World Trade Organization (WTO), human capital pricing has been great strategy fulcrum of Chinese economic growth gradually. At present, sufficient theory guidance on human capital pricing can not be supplied because of studies on human capital pricing is underway stage. This paper, based on the international studies on human capital pricing, analyzes practice of human capital pricing within Chinese aeronautical manufacturers via statistical analysis by the usage of Statistic Product of Science and Society (SPSS). It aims to identify key factors of human capital pricing in China, which can provide decision support for Chinese aeronautical manufacturers.

A Finite Element Analysis for the Characteristics of Cutting Parameters in 3D Oblique Milling Process

In the field of aeronautical and astronautical manufacturing, milling is a basic machining process by which a surface is generated by progressive chip removal. Therefore, this paper reports a complete procedure of the finite element model for the 3D oblique milling process using the commercial software package ABAQUS. Effect of various parameters on cutting forces is mainly discussed. The model correctly exhibits the observed transition from small to large force with increasing cutting speed and cutting depth.

Surface temperature measurement on engine components by means of irreversible thermal coatings

Thermal paints are used by most aeronautical manufacturers in dedicated tests to record temperature profiles over the surface of engine components. The analysis of these coatings, which irreversibly change colour with temperature, is at present performed by a skilled operator who draws isothermal lines directly on the components surface. The technique suffers from a lack of accuracy and automation, as only some temperature levels can be determined and there is no convenient means to insert them in a 3D numerical description of the object. This paper first presents the characteristics and implementation of thermal paints. Two major advances are introduced regarding the image processing techniques developed to obtain temperature from colour and the use of a 3D scanner to digitize the outer shape of the components. The analysis is made quicker, more accurate and consistent than the former visual interpretation: temperature information is directly mapped on the 3D mesh and is ready for input in thermal models. The key points of the technique are discussed and illustrated by results on test pieces and turbine blades.

Cutting forces and wear in dry machining of Inconel 718 with coated carbide tools

In the machining of heat resistant super alloys used in aeronautical applications and classified as difficult-to-machine materials, the consumption of cooling lubricant during the machining operations is very important. The associated costs of coolant acquisition, use, disposal and washing the machined components are significant, up to four times the cost of consumable tooling used in the cutting operations. To reduce the costs of production and to make the processes environmentally safe, the goal of the aeronautical manufacturers is to move toward dry cutting by eliminating or minimising cutting fluids. This goal can be achieved by using coated carbide tools at high cutting speeds. To achieve this goal, different coated tools and different cutting conditions were tested in dry conditions. The elementary orthogonal cutting process was chosen, the cutting and feed cutting forces components were measured and the cutting force ratio calculated. This ratio is shown to be as an interesting indicator of tool wear. The tool wear mechanisms tool were analysed by using white light interferometer and scanning electron microscopy coupled to an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy EDS-system. The EDS was very useful to analyse the elements deposited on the cutting tool faces. The ability of the different coatings to increase the carbide tool performance were analysed, the main wear modes were depicted. An optimisation of the cutting conditions was finally proposed and the efficiency of the coatings was shown. The results coming from uncoated tools were compared with those obtained with coated tools under the same conditions of machining. At the end, a choice of coatings is proposed and an extension of this study to an industrial machining operation is presented for future developments.

A New Approach to Achieve Lean Production in Workshop-Production Preparation Package

According to idea of lean production, in order to shorten production preparation time, production preparation package is brought forward. The concept, flow and performance management about production preparation package is introduced. Production efficiency is improved and cost of production is reduced in the aeronautical manufacturing enterprises.

Numerical models of volumetric insulating cracks in eddy-current testing with experimental validation

This paper concerns fast electromagnetic modeling of volumetric cracks in conductive materials under eddy-current inspection. The underlying numerical method is described. The model is tested on cracks in aluminum structures employed in aeronautical manufacture. The computational results obtained with the method display satisfactory agreement with the respective experimental and numerical results obtained by representing cracks as nonconductive surfaces.

A review of developments towards dry and high speed machining of Inconel 718 alloy

The increasing attention to the environmental and health impacts of industry activities by governmental regulation and by the growing awareness in society is forcing manufacturers to reduce the use of lubricants. In the machining of aeronautical materials, classified as difficult-to-machine materials, the consumption of cooling lubricant during the machining operations is very important. The associated costs of coolant acquisition, use, disposal and washing the machined components are significant, up to four times the cost of consumable tooling used in the cutting operations. To reduce the costs of production and to make the processes environmentally safe, the goal of the aeronautical manufacturers is to move toward dry cutting by eliminating or minimising cutting fluids. This goal can be achieved by a clear understanding of the cutting fluid function in machining operations, in particular in high speed cutting, and by the development and the use of new materials for tools and coatings. High speed cutting is another important aspect of advanced manufacturing technology introduced to achieve high productivity and to save machining cost. The combination of high speed cutting and dry cutting for difficult-to-cut aerospace materials is the growing challenge to deal with the economic, environmental and health aspects of machining. In this paper, attention is focussed on Inconel 718 and recent work and advances concerning machining of this material are presented. In addition, some solutions to reduce the use of coolants are explored, and different coating techniques to enable a move towards dry machining are examined.

Air travel - the environmental challenge

Abstract As an example of the work of the Royal Aeronautical Society, its Director contributes this short paper giving a broad perspective on the problem of Aviation and the Environment, which is the focus of attention in this issue. The paper is based upon work done by the Society in conjunction with the aeronautical manufacturers, air transport companies and airport operators in Britain.

CJ90-06. A study of the Moiré Technique for assessing welding kinetic thermal strains—The characteristic features of welding thermal strain cycles of aluminium alloys : By Cao Yanget al. (Beijing Aeronautical Manufacturing Technology Research Institute, Beijing, China). Chinese J. Mech. Engng26, No. 1 (Feb., 1990), pp. 35–40

CJ90-06. A study of the Moiré Technique for assessing welding kinetic thermal strains—The characteristic features of welding thermal strain cycles of aluminium alloys : By Cao Yanget al. (Beijing Aeronautical Manufacturing Technology Research Institute, Beijing, China). Chinese J. Mech. Engng26, No. 1 (Feb., 1990), pp. 35–40