When it comes to aircraft and aerospace equipment, no matter what type, weight is always the most critical factor that manufacturers have to consider. Since the first aircraft was ever built, engineers and designers have continued to find ways to improve lift to weight ratios. The result of many decades of research was the development of composite materials, as well as the tools and equipment necessary for composite parts machining.
What are composites?
Composites are a unique type of material that combine two or more constituent materials with different physical or chemical properties to make something entirely new. At their most basic, composites consist of a fiber mixed with a matrix, which can then be enhanced for different properties using fillers, additives, or surface finishes.
Why are composites used in aerospace parts?
Aerospace manufacturing is always looking for ways to improve the weight of the aircraft–the more lightweight, the less fuel consumption is needed to get the aircraft off the ground. Stronger, lighter weight components can also improve overall performance of various types of equipment and systems. Composite parts also provide other advantages like easy assembly, good thermal stability, versatile mechanical properties, high damage resistance and impact resistance, depending on the material, and great corrosion resistance.
The Applications of Composite Parts
Composite parts machining requires specialized tools due to the layered structure of the materials, but can be used to process many different types of aerospace components. For instance, carbon fiber, the main composite material that we work with here at Prospect Group, is used to make a wide range of structural aircraft components, fuselage sections, tail surfaces, and doors. CNC machining methods are also used to provide secondary processing of components after they’ve been manufactured or to help machine older parts back to tolerance.
Composite Parts Machining at Prospect Group
Prospect Group has all the tools necessary to machine a wide variety of carbon fiber components for our customers. Just send them over to us and we’ll process them for you!