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Unconventional machining processes, particularly ultrasonic vibration cutting (UVC), can overcome such technical bottlenecks. However, the precise mechanism through which UVC affects the in-service functional performance of advanced aerospace materials remains obscure. This limits their industrial application and requires a deeper understanding.

The surface integrity and in-service functional performance of advanced aerospace materials are important guarantees for safety and stability in the aerospace industry. For advanced aerospace materials, which are difficult-to-machine, conventional machining processes cannot meet the requirements of high in-service functional performance owing to rapid tool wear, low processing efficiency and high cutting forces and temperatures in the cutting area during machining.

To address this literature gap, this study is focused on the quantitative evaluation of the in-service functional performance (fatigue performance, wear resistance and corrosion resistance) of advanced aerospace materials. First, the characteristics and usage background of advanced aerospace materials are elaborated in detail. Second, the improved effect of UVC on in-service functional performance is summarized. We have also explored the unique advantages of UVC during the processing of advanced aerospace materials. Finally, in response to some of the limitations of UVC, future development directions are proposed, including improvements in ultrasound systems, upgrades in ultrasound processing objects and theoretical breakthroughs in in-service functional performance.

This study provides insights into the optimization of machining processes to improve the in-service functional performance of advanced aviation materials, particularly the use of UVC and its unique process advantages.

There is little doubt that current bids now being pursued by Lucas Aerospace will provide the mainstay of work for the Company's factories in the 1990's.

STOCKSBRIDGE Engineering Steels (SES), a division of United Engineering Steels Ltd., is to invest £5 million in vacuum arc remelting (VAR) equipment that will significantly increase its capacity to produce the most specialised steels for the aerospace industry. The investment will make Stocksbridge the world's largest facility controlled entirely by the latest computerised technology.

The purpose of this paper is to establish a model‐based framework allowing the simulation, analysis and optimization of friction stir welding (FSW) processes of metallic structures using industrial robots, with a particular emphasis on the assembly of aircraft components made of aerospace aluminum alloys.

After a first part of the work dedicated to the kinetostatic and dynamical identification of the robotic mechanical system, a complete analytical model of the robotized process is developed, incorporating a dynamic model of the industrial robot, a multi‐axes macroscopic visco‐elastic model of the FSW process and a force/position control unit of the system. These different modules are subsequently implemented in a high‐fidelity multi‐rate dynamical simulation.

The developed simulation infrastructure allowed the research team to analyze and understand the dynamic interaction between the industrial robot, the control architecture and the manufacturing process involving heavy load cases in different process configurations. Several critical process‐induced perturbations such as tool oscillations and lateral/rotational deviations are observed, analyzed, and quantified during the simulated operations.

The presented simulation platform will constitute one of the key technology enablers in the major research initiative carried out by NRC Aerospace in their endeavor to develop a robust robotic FSW platform, allowing both the development of optimal workcell layouts/process parameters and the validation of advanced real‐time control laws for robust handling of critical process‐induced perturbations. These deliverables will be incorporated in the resulting robotic FSW technology packaged for deployment in production environments.

The paper establishes the first model‐based framework allowing the high‐fidelity simulation, analysis and optimization of FSW processes using serial industrial robots.

This paper aims to address the different aspects of end-of-life (EOL) aircraft problems and their effects on original manufacturer’s supply chain. Aircraft manufacturers, in the greener aviation context, need to care about the footprint of planes at the EOL. Considering the challenges in EOL aircraft recovery, the reverse logistics and green supply chain solutions in the other industrial sections cannot be applied in the aerospace industry. A conceptual framework with four elements, supply chain competency, governance policy, relationship in supply chain and aerospace industry context, provides a basis for assessing the opportunities and challenges of the green supply chain in this industry.

The basic research method utilized in this paper is the literature review. The literature review is a research methodology that includes examining books, journals, conference proceedings and dissertations for available information on the area of research. The research area regarding EOL aircraft is new. A substantial amount of literature exists in the field of end-of-life vehicle, but the main content of literature about the aircraft recycling can be obtained via relatively few literature, technical reports, news and industrial experts’ opinions. The literature is complete in some respects while inadequate in others. A considerable amount of information has been gathered through graduate student projects. The other information has been collected via contacts with professionals involved in an EOL aircraft recycling project. The basis for this methodological framework comes from a research process proposed by Mayring (2010) that emphasizes on four steps: material collection, descriptive analysis, category section and material evaluation.

This paper addresses the opportunities and challenges of applying a green supply chain for aircraft manufacturers and analyzes the different aspects of aircraft at the EOL in the context of green supply chain.

This study enriches the literature by identifying EOL aircraft value chain analysis in the sustainable development context. It provides an introduction to a fresh research theme and sheds some light on green supply challenges in the aerospace industry.

The proposed conceptual framework in this paper helps practitioners to realize the opportunities and challenges of aircraft manufacturers in applying long-term strategies with respect to EOL aircrafts. The proposed framework helps manufacturers to evaluate different perspectives of the EOL aircraft problem. Moreover, the current contribution of aircraft manufacturers into EOL projects is not in a systematic structure and performed through several managerial and professional meetings. The proposed framework in this study is a valuable tool to evaluate the different opportunities and challenges in an organized way.

This work provides a valuable framework for future research related to green supply chains in the aerospace context. It also aids practitioners to realize the EOL aircraft problem in the context of the green supply chain, considering the opportunities and challenges.

Aircraft designers require materials which offer features and benefits that are specifically tailored to the aerospace industry. Much time, with huge expenditure, has been devoted since the Second World War by many special alloy producers to the development of alloys which provide high strength and corrosion resistance — often with low density — for aircraft components.

Airplane technology is undergoing several exciting developments, particularly in avionics, material composites, and design tool capabilities, and, though there are many studies conducted on subsets of airplane technology, market, and economic parameters, few exist in forecasting new commercial aircraft model introduction. In fact, existing research indicates the difficulty in quantitatively forecasting commercial airplanes due in part to the complexity and quantity of exogenous factors which feed into commercial airplane introduction decisions. This paper seeks to address this gap.

The analysis is based on a literature review, supplemented by a collection of secondary data. The study then focuses on applying three technology forecasting techniques: multiple regression; linear regression; and the Pearl growth curve.

The results provide a valid model for multiple regression and linear regression on range and composite material percentage for use in commercial airplane forecasting. However, growth curve analysis, comparatively, appears to provide the most intriguing and flexible forecast outlook in alignment with industry dynamics.

Research implications include a caution for forecasters in support of the difficulty of commercial aircraft forecasting due in part to the quantity of exogenous factors, particularly compared with a related industry, military aircraft. Future work could include: utilizing other forecasting techniques that allow for greater numbers of forecast factors, additional future models, additional range aircraft and/or analyzing the impact that competing transportation modes in mid‐range aircraft could have on long‐range aircraft introduction.

The study provides value in extending a previous descriptive paper on airplane parameters. Additionally, it appears to be one of the first quantitative examples supporting previous research indicating the complexity of forecasting airplane new product introduction, but it overcomes some of this complexity by providing a valid model for forecasting with range and composite material percentage as inputs.

FOSTER Wheeler Energy and Air Products, in a joint venture, have been awarded a contract for the Nitrogen and Dry Air systems for the European Transonic Windtunnel (ETW), now under construction in Cologne. The total cost of the Nitrogen and Dry Air systems is anticipated to be around DM.55 million (£18.9m.).

Fiber reinforced additive manufacturing (FRAM) is an emerging technology that combines additive manufacturing and composite materials. As a result, design freedom offered by the manufacturing process can be leveraged in design optimization. The purpose of the study is to propose a novel method that improves structural performance by optimizing 3D print orientation of FRAM components.

This work proposes a two-part design optimization method that optimizes 3D global print orientation and topology of a component to improve a structural objective function. The method considers two classes of design variables: (1) print orientation design variables and (2) density-based topology design variables. Print orientation design variables determine a unique 3D print orientation to influence anisotropic material properties. Topology optimization determines an optimal distribution of material within the optimized print orientation.

Two academic examples are used to demonstrate basic behavior of the method in tension and shear. Print orientation and sequential topology optimization improve structural compliance by 90% and 58%, respectively. An industry-level example, an aerospace component, is optimized. The proposed method is used to achieve an 11% and 15% reduction of structural compliance compared to alternative FRAM designs. In addition, compliance is reduced by 43% compared to an equal-mass aluminum design.

Current research surrounding FRAM focuses on the manufacturing process and neglects opportunities to leverage design freedom provided by FRAM. Previous FRAM optimization methods only optimize fiber orientation within a 2D plane and do not establish an optimized 3D print orientation, neglecting exploration of the entire orientation design space.