REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE COPY OF AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING BY VISITING: WWW.AERO-MAG.COM 36 AEROSPACEMANUFACTURING | SEPTEMBER 2011


SUPPLY CHAIN I PARTNERSHIPS


and keep passengers safe. Although an aircraft’s emergency


oxygen supply rarely needs to be deployed, carriers must be sure that the bags and tubing will function as required at a moment’s notice. Tubing, in particular, can still deteriorate over time, losing its flexibility and tending to kink rather than bending smoothly – leading to reduced or irregular airflow – and taking on an aged and unpleasant yellow tinge that looks unsafe. Manufacturers and design engineers


Interior components and fittings surround and interact with an aircraft’s environment: High performance silicone is claimed to guarantee interior components are watertight, airtight and light-tight


order to improve seal performance. Unlike single material solutions that


are limited in their performance range, engineered solutions can be customised for different applications in order to provide the precise characteristics required. Wing seals for example, need to be resistant to corrosion, so coatings or protective materials can be added to the composites that safeguard the seals. Other layers may be added to provide extra protection against wear and abrasion from airflow. In addition to safety, modern aircraft


are required to maintain a pleasant ambient environment while in flight – despite extreme external temperatures and pressures. Windows must still be able to show the view and door hatches must still be able to open and close quickly and easily. Given the danger of fast


decompression if the aircraft’s integrity is not maintained, manufacturers need to employ a wide portfolio of high performance technologies, each tailored in response to specific uses and need to ensure that windows, and windshields, as well as the cabin and emergency doors perform as expected


need to specify some of the more recently-developed tubing lines which use materials that retain their clarity over the years. These lines also feature unique designs that prevent kinking and ensure a smooth regular flow of oxygen, reducing risks to passengers and supporting the manufacturer’s reputation as a responsible and safety-conscious organisation. Interior components and fittings surround and interact with an aircraft’s avionic, electrical and fluid systems, as well as with passengers’ environment. From the convenient – preventing light from filtering in to disturb sleeping passengers – to the vital – ensuring that moisture from condensation does not reach and interfere with the aircraft’s electronics – interior fittings must be customised to meet the exact specifications required for safe and reliable aircraft performance. Optimal solutions incorporate a wide


range of high performance technologies for interior and floor-to-floor applications. Manufacturers should look for individual solutions that are tailor- made for each application and can offer abrasion and friction resistance where necessary in order to guarantee that components are watertight, airtight, and light-tight.


Finding the right partner When considering the right partner to manufacture any of these components, it is critical for an OEM to choose a supplier whose capabilities meet three


clear requirements. First, the partner needs to have


a global presence. The aerospace industry is truly global in its reach, and compounds need to be developed with global aerospace standards in mind. While partners need to be able to assign a dedicated team to local projects, working closely with the manufacturer, they must also have a strong international presence in order to understand the global environment. Second, prospective partners must


have strong R&D capabilities in order to meet the need for customised solutions that fulfil myriad technical requirements. As the global aviation industry faces increasing pressures to create more fuel- efficient ‘green’ designs, manufacturers need their suppliers to respond nimbly. This means a supplier must innovate constantly, researching the right materials that will best meet a specific design application. Finally, given the scale of aviation projects, it’s necessary to identify a partner with considerable financial resources. Specifying parts for an aviation project can take up to five years from an initial sales enquiry to final production. Such ventures require a risk-sharing partnership between the manufacturer


and vendor. ❙ www.plastics.saint-gobain.com


Nicolas Poussineau: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44