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The Importance of High Precision Machining in the Aerospace Industry

At peak operational times, there are as many as 5,400 aircraft in the skies under the control of the FAA. Every day, over 2.9 million passengers fly in and out of US airports. 

The safety record of the aerospace industry is fantastic. It’s the safest mode of long-distance transportation. But it’s only that way because of high-precision machining.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the role high-precision machining plays in allowing us to explore our planet and beyond.

What Is High Precision Machining?

High-precision machining is the process of manufacturing parts that are highly accurate and meet the required specifications every time. A computer numerical control (CNC) machine controls the movements of the tooling machine that creates the parts. 

The aerospace industry, which creates craft capable of travel within the earth’s atmosphere and beyond, requires total precision. Unfortunately, traditional tooling systems may not be able to produce the ultra-precise, replicable results that the aerospace industry needs. However, recent advances in flexible tooling technology mean that parts can be manufactured to the required levels of precision time and time again.

High-precision machining creates parts that are accurate down to the micrometer or micron. This is one-thousandth of a millimeter or one-eightieth the width of a human hair.

The Capabilities of High Precision Machining

The aerospace and other precision engineering fields require lightweight, strong, durable, and precise parts. Often titanium and aluminum are used to produce these components. CAD allows parts to be designed and prototyped, identifying and addressing any errors before physical production begins. 

The latest flexible tooling technology translates these complex designs into precision parts, manufacturing them to the highest standards every time. This level of precision also cuts down on waste in terms of both time and materials, as operators make fewer mistakes and very few parts have to be discarded.

Benefits for the Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry is one of the most demanding in terms of safety. Given the extreme pressures in terms of stress, temperature, and atmospheric pressure exerted on aircraft, machined parts must be highly accurate and consistent. 

All parts manufactured for the aerospace industry must meet rigorous standards. They are set out in the AS9100 industry standards and are accepted internationally. This global standard for high-precision machining guarantees consistency and helps prevent failures while aircraft are operational, which could be disastrous.

As well as producing highly accurate parts, high-precision machining also creates intricate and complex components. They may be much smaller than could be made by other methods. High-precision machining can also achieve the surface finish required to ensure the parts function as designed.

Choose AccuLoc6 for Aerospace Applications

Traditional high-precision machining tools require a lot of checks and measurements. This raises the likelihood of human error creeping in. For accurate, replicable machining results, choose the AccuLoc6 system. 

Learn more about what AccuLoc6 can do for your business by filling out our online form or calling us at (918) 884-3750.

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