Aerospace

With a global commercial aircraft order backlog recently valued at $920 billion, jetliner and jet-engine builders are placing volumes of part orders not seen for many years -- if ever.

All metals are not created equal. Therefore, neither are the machine tools for cutting them. Parts for extreme aerospace applications, such as in engines, landing gear and flap tracks, must be made of a heat- and corrosion-resistant metal, which typically has a high Young's modulus of elasticity and is difficult to machine.

END USER: PDQ Corp., (860) 529-9051, www.pdqcorp.com. CHALLENGE: Find a more efficient method for machining complex, tight-tolerance parts primarily for the aerospace industry. SOLUTION: Two 6-axis mill/turn machine tools.

From simple bushings to critical engine components, producing replacement aircraft parts requires unwavering commitment.

One of the Look Ahead features in this month's Cutting Tool Engineering magazine covers a new CBN superabrasive for grinding wheels that extends wheel life and lowers grinding forces.

Manufacturing was a star in 2011 and looks to shine brightly in 2012.

Courtesy of Lockheed MartinThe Lockheed Martin Hercules transport, one of many aircraft to use actuator systems manufactured by Triumph Activation Systems.Making the systems that keep 'big birds' flying straight.Boeing's 787 Dreamliner generated positive news in October when its first commercial flight, by All Nippon Airlines, landed in Hong Kong.

CTE Editorial Director Alan Rooks laments the long and winding road to economic recovery in this Lead Angle editorial in the September 2011 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

With a substantial portion of the U.S. manufacturing base in earthquake-prone California, we would be wise to study how Japan orchestrates this recovery, suggests CTE Editorial Director Alan Rooks in his April 2011 Lead Angle editorial.