MILITARY, AEROSPACE & DEFENCE INDUSTRY FOCUS A carrier board was designed to meet the
customer's requirements, with two quad-port Intel Ethernet controllers integrated onto this (in addition to the single GbE coming from the type 6 COMe module) to provide the nine Ethernet ports. Two eight-port serial UART ICs were integrated
along the appropriate level shifters to provide the serial I/O required. GPS was realised through a Trimble surface-mount GPS receiver. Three miniPCIe slots (each with SIM slot) were also provided for expansion. Everything connected through standard IDC pin headers to the customer could make their own cables.
LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE Recab UK predicts an upswing in demand for PCBs driven by requirements surrounding the Internet of Things (IoT) and the need to mechanically support and electrically connect components. This is expected in military applications, but less-so in aerospace. Britain’s exit from the European Union may
also help in driving more inward investment towards UK companies. For now, our support continues in varied applications where PCBs can prove so crucial — and ensure that extraordinary circumstances are equipped with electronic components that are up to the challenges.
Recab UK
https://recabuk.com/
REDUCING LEAD TIME WITH 3D PRINTING
BAE Systems is now using four Stratasys F900 3D Printers at its Samlesbury, UK, manufacturing site. These will run around the clock, the company explains, as an integral part of its transformative ‘Factory of the Future’ initiative. Stratasys industrial-grade FDM additive manufacturing is used across aircraft ground
equipment operations for a wide range of applications spanning space models and design verification prototypes, manufacturing tools such as jigs and fixtures, and final end-use parts. The result is that production is more flexible, faster and lower in cost. In fact, when using its F900 3D Printers to manufacture production tools, the company says that it is witnessing ‘significant cost and lead time reductions’ against those of traditional manufacturing methods. The latest F900 installation will not only increase 3D printing capacity, but also help
exploit new 3D printing materials for tooling applications. This includes carbon-fibre-filled FDM Nylon 12CF material, which is used to create robust yet lightweight repair and development tools for the production line. Greg Flanagan, Additive Manufacturing operations lead, BAE Systems Air, commented:
“We can rapidly 3D print one-off parts for new products, replace tools more easily and cost- effectively, and maintain production operations when hardware is delayed. If supply chains become disrupted, having this production power in-house also enables us to be more agile as a business and continue to best serve the needs of our customers.” BAE Systems has also found great success in identifying traditionally manufactured applications
that can be enhanced, or in some cases replaced, with high-performance 3D printing materials. This includes utilising durable ABS and ASA materials for a range of aircraft ground equipment, such as cockpit floor covers for the Typhoon fighter aircraft. Flanagan added: “With our F900, the thermoplastic covers can
be made much faster than traditionally manufactured versions and are a lot lighter and easier to move for the ground crew, so it improves efficiencies within the maintenance, repair and overhaul process. An added bonus is that they can be printed in red – the colour of all ‘remove before flight’ components.”
Stratasys
www.stratasys.com Corrosion protection sprays for
aircraft and military components The aerospace industry is facing a turbulent time this year, with many fleets grounded for extended periods as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. To ensure that maintenance repair costs are minimised, ROCOL has introduced its AEROSPEC Protect Spray, a heavy-duty waxy film spray for long-term corrosion protection. Airbus approved, this is said to be perfect for landing gear, axle sleeves, hinges and gearbox casings. The spray is temperature resistant from -40˚C to +120˚C, resistant to fuel, oil, de-icer fluids and water, and creates a tenacious highly-adhesive long-lasting film for corrosion protection. Complementing AEROSPEC Protect Spray is PX32 military-grade
corrosion preventative that preserves structural members and airframes, and interior surfaces such as skins, components and bare-metal features. Ideal for outdoor corrosion protection, PX32 solution provides outdoor protection for up to two years in temperatures from -40˚C to +110˚C. Resistant to anti-icing and de-icing solutions, PX32 is resistant to removal by exterior aircraft cleaner and it does not contain silicones or chlorinated solvents. With properties similar to PX32, PX28 corrosion preventative has been adapted for the preservation of interior sections of artillery components and the underbody of military vehicles. Like PX32, PX28 gives users the confidence that surfaces are protected for up to two years.
ROCOL
www.rocol.com DESIGN SOLUTIONS | SEPTEMBER 2020 35
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