Applications of CNC Machining for Aerospace
Over the years, Intrex Aerospace has produced parts for many different applications. Most have been applications for CNC machining for aerospace. We have provided precision parts in an assortment of complex shapes and materials. One of our areas of expertise is thin-walled machined parts. The primary application for the thin-wall parts are couplers used in aerospace for transporting water, air, hydraulics, and fuel.
Because these couplers are attached to different sizes of tubing for transporting (air/water/hydraulics/fuel) within the aircraft, they require precise and consistent wall thickness. In aerospace, weight reduction considerations is significant. In part design weight is always a factor, therefore thin-walled is usually required.
Thin-walled components may vary in size, shapes, and material. Many require both machine turning and milling. With our state-of-the-art machine tools, many of these machining operations can be performed on a single machine, thus eliminating the need for multiple setups. This greatly reduces error stack up and improves manufacturing efficiencies.
5-Axis Simultaneous Machining
More and more of our parts require multiple axis machining functions to perform the metal removal required. In the last few years, we have made significant investments in machine tools capable of performing multiple machining tasks within the frame of a single machine.
Our latest machine addition is a Mori Seiki NTX 2500. This machine has both a main and sub-spindle, and also a milling head with an automatic tool changer. It can perform full 5-axis machining, simultaneously. The twin spindle design is ideal for reducing the need for extra setups, which greatly enhances part quality and machine efficiencies.
Our experience and CNC equipment give us a leg up in producing complex thin-walled machined parts. Depending on demand and volume, we can efficiently produce these types of parts on a number of different machining platforms.
Intrex Means Quality Assurance
An important aspect to being able to produce precision machined parts is having the ability to properly measure them. We have years of experience in machining and measuring.
Producing machined components for aerospace, space, and defense requires a high degree of quality control. At Intrex Aerospace, we have in place quality assurance processes that guarantee quality parts. We also provide our customers with detailed documented information on the steps we take to ensure the quality throughout production.
We’ve invested in a quality management software package which is integrated with our Epicor system. This software allows us to track a range of quality control metrics, such as CPk and SPCs. We can also use it to generate reports that allow our customers to see how we’ve improved quality and reduced waste throughout the production of their precision components.
Our entire shop is flowed through our AS 9100 quality system. Internal to our flow process, we utilize CNC CMMs in work cells on our shop floor, as well as in our climate-controlled quality lab. We use multiple quality metrics (IQS, TQM, SPC) to monitor and measure our parts as they flow through our shop. Our PPMs average less than 100 PPMs. All quality and production are monitored through our Epicor ERP/MRP system.
All of the above are applications of CNC Machining for aerospace. For more information on our CNC milling and turning services, contact Intrex Aerospace today.
