Click Aerospace Blog

When it comes to aerospace engineering and aircraft design, lightweight and durable components are always the most desirable option for their ability to drive down fuel costs, increase performance, and maintain integrity under the various stressors of operation. One effective method of achieving this balance of strength and weight is through the use of aerospace forging processes for manufacturing and assembling various parts. This blog will serve to explore the fundamentals of popular forging techniques and their prevalence in the aerospace industry, uncovering the significant role they play in reducing the weight of aircraft parts without compromising durability.

In the vast world of electronics, trimmer potentiometers play an indispensable role, serving as adjustable resistors to fine-tune circuits to achieve optimal performance. Commonly referred to as trim pots, these components are crucial for the initial calibration of equipment during manufacturing or in repair work, allowing for adjustments in resistance that affect various functions within electronic devices. This blog delves into the different types of trimmer potentiometers and their functions, providing a clearer understanding of their significance in electronics.

In the intricate realm of electronics, diode arrays serve as indispensable components in various applications, from digital signal processing to power supply units. These arrays are a confluence of multiple diodes integrated onto a single semiconductor substrate, offering a compact and efficient solution for electronic circuitry. In this blog, we will discuss diode arrays in more detail, allowing you to understand their use in digital signal processing.

Hydraulic jacks often rely on a complex system of cables and hydraulic fluid to lift heavy objects or vehicles effortlessly. As hydraulic jacks are pivotal to conducting various ground operations, having an understanding of the various elements of such equipment can be beneficial for use and maintenance. In this blog, we will cover the inner workings of hydraulic jacks with a focus on the crucial role played by cable assemblies, including ribbon cables, cable harnesses, power cords, and even the lesser-known throttle cables.

Hydraulic jacks are incredible devices that have become a staple in various industries and applications. Whether you are lifting heavy machinery, working on a car, or supporting structures during construction, hydraulic jacks provide an efficient and reliable solution. However, when it comes to how these tools actually work, it is important to understand that they require an intricate assembly capable of generating powerful amounts of energy through a medium.

Known as a pin spring tension , slotted spring pin, sellock pin, and other various names, the spring pin is a versatile fastener that can be used in many projects to link different components together. Notable for their durability and strength, spring pins are able to withstand side loads and rotational friction because of their unique design. Moreover, spring pins are easy to insert and remove, making them a popular choice in areas where fasteners may need to be regularly removed. Though the name does give some indication as to how these pins work, there is more to these fasteners than you might expect.

For an aircraft design to be suitable for flight operations, it must be able to achieve ample lift while maintaining stability across surfaces. Lateral stability is extremely important for aircraft, ensuring that they do not easily roll while in the air. Additionally, lateral stability also keeps the aircraft moving in a straight direction instead of being forced into a turn whenever turbulence is experienced. In order to uphold such stability, aircraft designs take advantage of the keel effect which is achieved with the use of a keel beam.

With almost ten thousand flights happening on an average day, aircraft manufacturers have gone to great lengths to optimize their products for fuel efficiency. Fuel nozzles are essential components for distributing just the right amount of fuel to be ignited in the combustion chamber. As such, the overall fuel efficiency and power of an aircraft are dependent primarily on the perfect distribution of fuel. To suit a number of different applications, several varieties exist which include varying nozzle shapes among other characteristics. In this article, we will be discussing the various options of fuel nozzle design and how they typically function in tandem with a burner so you can best choose the correct nozzle for your combustion engine.

In the world of aviation, safety is the number one priority for aerospace engineers and aspiring pilots. While air travel is generally safe, all aircraft are equipped with evacuation and safety components in the case of an accident. Some of these components include systems, equipment, and gadgets that ensure the safety of all crew members and passengers on board.

For a majority of modern aircraft operating today, flight is made possible through the combustion of fuel-air-mixtures within the engine. With combustion, rapidly-expanding exhaust gasses can be generated and harnessed to drive systems, generate thrust, and more depending on the particular type of engine that is being used. While exhaust is highly important for the standard functionality of an aircraft engine, such gasses can be extremely pressurized and hot, presenting a danger to individuals and surrounding components if processes are not well controlled with safety mechanisms in place. To guarantee safety, it is paramount that pilots do their best to keep the aircraft exhaust system well maintained and healthy. Any issue can quickly lead to poor performance and a loss of safety, necessitating one having a basic understanding of the dangers surrounding aircraft exhaust and the exhaust system.

Printed Circuit Boards are instrumental components found in nearly every electronic device, from handheld equipment to large appliances. Serving as an electrical insulator and mechanical base for board-level elements, a PCB provides a lightweight, compact, and functional architecture on which to build devices. Since the scope and capability of PCBs show no sign of slowing down, it is important for anybody interested in such technology to gain a basic understanding of their design and function. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about printed circuit boards, including their composition, variants, and associated components.

The engine oil pan is a seemingly insignificant component of a standard automobile when considering the entire assembly of the vehicle, yet it serves a vital function for operations. From the material chosen for the construction of the oil pan to the design and placement, various characteristics will have an effect on the overall properties and performance of the pan. In this blog, we will discuss the engine oil pan in more detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of its use and importance.

Pilots are often faced with extreme weather patterns, such as thunder, lightning, wind, and more. While such flying conditions place fear in passengers, pilots are trained to act promptly, making quick maneuvers or abrupt touchdowns, if necessary. In this blog, we will cover lightning strikes in particular, diverting the fear and misconceptions associated with them.

Bearings are common machine elements found in a large number of applications and assemblies, generally serving to bear loads and forces while facilitating the movement between surfaces with friction reduction. While bearings are useful elements that many vehicles and machinery could not do without, they still face standard wear and tear over time and will need to eventually be replaced. To guarantee an easy and safe removal of any bearing, one will generally want to use a bearing puller, which is a tool that can remove a bearing from a recess with ease. As there are various types of bearing pullers that one may take advantage of, it can be useful to have a general understanding of each.

Printed circuit boards are now very frequently used and have become a backbone of electrical appliances, ranging in implementation from computers to printers or television. However, to keep the electrical circuit functioning, you must ensure that each wire has secure connections. In addition, you need a connector and pin header that works as a bridge between two PCBs for current or signal transmission. Generally, there are various types of connectors available in the market. However, we will further discuss pin header connectors in this blog.

An actuator is a highly commonplace device found in many assemblies, allowing for physical movements to be created through the conversion of energy. Utilizing electrical, air, or hydraulic energy to generate mechanical force, actuators are found in machinery, automated systems, motors, processing plants, and so much more. Due to their role in countless assemblies, actuators are faced with typical wear and tear over time. When they begin to show signs of an impending failure, it is crucial that they are efficiently replaced before major issues arise. In this blog, we will discuss the selection process for actuators, allowing you to better manage your existing systems with replacement components.

In any application where automation is implemented to increase precision and efficiency, many components generally work together to provide feedback to machinery. One such component is the encoder, which is a precision sensing device that can provide positional and motion feedback to a control system, which can then make adjustments based on that data. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about encoders so that you have a better understanding of one of the most important components used in automation.

An oscilloscope system is beneficial for testing varying signal voltages, allowing for a two-dimensional plot of one or more signals to be generated. Generally, the waveform created by the oscilloscope assembly will allow for properties such as amplitude, rise time, frequency, time interval, distortion, and more to be analyzed with ease. While older instruments required the use of scales for comparing calculated values, modern oscilloscopes directly calculate and display properties on a screen for ease of use. As more manufacturers are pushing to create entry-level oscilloscope systems that are low-price and easy to use, there is no better time to learn about such instruments and the options that you may have.

A thrust bearing is a variation of the rotary bearing, capable of rotating between two components while supporting a primarily axial load. Thrust bearings come in multiple types, tilting pad thrust bearings being one that is capable of transferring high axial loads sourcing from rotating shafts while exhibiting low power loss. Additionally, such bearing types allow for an ease of installation and maintenance, making them advantageous for various applications. In this blog, we will discuss tilting pad thrust bearings, their design, and applications.

When assembling varying surfaces with fastener parts such as bolts and nuts, washers are common components that can aid in load distribution, spacing, vibration reduction, and much more. In general, a washer will come in the form of a thin, disk-shaped component that has a hole in the middle, though there are multiple types that vary in construction to cater towards different needs and applications. The flat washer and spring washer are both widely used types, set apart from one another in terms of their construction and uses. In this blog, we will discuss the design and applications of flat and spring washers, ensuring that you find what is best for your particular needs.

When it comes to electronic components, parts are either categorized as active or passive based on their ability to control or amplify power flow in a circuit. Since active components are used to manipulate the flow of electricity, they require a source of energy such as a direct current to perform their function. This article will focus on passive components, explain their function, and describe the different types: resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transducers.

When operating a hydraulic or pressurized system that is enclosed, it can often be useful to have a method in place for relieving substances for the means of reducing pressure and density differences. This is often achieved through the use of a component known as a bleed screw, that of which is a screw that may be turned to create an outlet within a given system. When the screw is turned to make an opening, it is known as “bleeding” the system as pressurized substances escape. As a component that is found in various industries and applications for system pressure control, understanding the functionalities of bleed screws and their use can be very beneficial.

When conducting a flight operation, it is paramount that the correct amount of fuel is supplied for the means of efficiency and safety. With the use of a fuel management system, fuel calculations may be conducted to find the proper amount of fuel required for a particular route, stop, or diversion. On top of general calculations, a fuel system may also provide high precision by accommodating for time, wind, distance, and fuel flow. In this blog, we will discuss the fuel management system and its functionality, allowing you to better understand its uses and importance to flight.

In order to move liquids or compress gases within an assembly or fluid application, pumps are one of the most commonly used equipment pieces across varying industries. Piston pumps in particular are a type of positive displacement pump, capable of utilizing a reciprocating piston and high-pressure seal to create large amounts of pressure. While an old device that has long been used in countless industries, the piston pump continues to be a standard component for a wide range of applications. In this blog, we will discuss the design and functionality of piston pumps, as well as common types seen in various setting.

The airspeed indicator (ASI) is a standard flight instrument of aircraft that enables pilots to monitor their airspeed in the form of knots, kilometers per hour, miles per hour, or meters per second. Determining forward speed is crucial for many flight procedures such as maintaining a set speed for optimal fuel burning or ensuring speed is safely reduced for a turn or landing. As the airspeed indicator is paramount for the safe operation of an aircraft, having a basic understanding of its functionality and how to read one is important for any pilot or aircraft engineer.

An internal combustion engine (ICE) is a type of heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer, typically air, in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an ICE, the expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine. ICEs are highly efficient and easy to start & disengage. There are five main parts of an ICE: the fuel system, lubrication system, air intake system, exhaust system, and electrical system. In this blog, we will discuss each part and its functions.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the electronics market was experiencing steady growth around the world. However, following the pandemic, the global electronics market has seen two major impacts. For one, the production facilities of electronics have been halted due to the logistical stoppages and lack of available workforce across the globe. Second, the majority of e-commerce companies around the world have limited the delivery of non-essential items (among which are electronics), effectively bringing the industry to a standstill. In this blog, we will take a deep look at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the electronics industry.

When constructing an aircraft and installing the various airframe components needed for performance, safety, and stability, rigging serves as the installation and adjustment method for such components. Whether attaching wings, tail surfaces, ailerons, or similar airframe structures, a number of procedures are carried out to ensure proper travel stops, cable tension, and more. Beyond airframe components, rigging and rigging gear can also be used for the attachment of flight deck controls, landing gear, engine controls, and other such components.

While electricity has highly benefited our endeavors as a society, it remains a volatile force that must be controlled for the safety of sensitive appliances and the individuals operating them. To control the forces of electricity and minimize its presented hazards, insulating materials are used to provide Resistance Assembly. Depending on the type of electrical insulators and insulating materials that are used within an electronic assembly, current may be slowed down or stopped completely as needed.

An electrical cable is an assembly of one or more wires running side by side or in a bundle used to carry electric current. The composition of one or more electrical cables and their corresponding connectors is known as a cable assembly. While a cable assembly is not necessarily suitable for connecting two devices, it can be a partial product. For example, a cable assembly can be soldered onto a printed circuit board with a connector mounted to the housing. Cable assemblies are also able to take the form of a cable tree or cable harness, when needed to connect many terminals together. For their myriad applications, there is a broad range of types of electrical cables. This blog will cover some of the most common types and provide details about each.

Aircraft refueling is one of the most crucial facets of flight operations, ensuring that there is always enough fuel for reaching a destination safely. Typically conducted at the gate of an airport or outside of an aircraft hanger, refueling is carried out by aviation refueler mechanics who are specifically trained in the process. As there are multiple hazards and dangers to aviation refueling, it is important that personnel enact rigorous safety management and proper procedures while carrying out the process. In this blog, we will discuss the steps of aircraft refueling, allowing you to better understand the role that aviation refueler mechanics play for flight operations.