New Software for Cable Harness Testing

Wm-electronics has developed a new engineering software for cable harness test programming. The software supports aircraft manufacturers and MROs from ECAD diagrams to the final cable harness test program in all critical phases.

APG Studio has been developed around three loosely coupled modules: ECAD front-end, middleware and output driver. Customers benefit from this flexible design as they can order an interface for their ECAD, a driver for their cable harness tester and additionally new functions. APG Studio has applicable for harness test programs from a few dozen to tens of thousands of pins, said Dietmar Wendl, technical director, wm-electronics.

The developer has paid special attention to assist the avionics engineers in troubleshoooting. If pins marked as FAILED (shorted or not connected) in the tester’s error report, APG Studio helps the engineers to locate these nets and pins in the wiring diagram. A new Front-End for Zuken E3 series which is coming soon, makes it even possible to auto-located and highlight those nets, pins and components.

Both features can save many hours of work if a net is distributed over hundreds of pages. It is also possible to convert an existing harness test program back to a wiring diagram, in a format readable and editable by third party software like Zuken E3 series . A stand-alone version of APG Studio with only this feature is planned for the next release to support MROs that usually have no wiring diagram for trouble shooting, confirmed Dietmar Wendl.

APG Studio comes with a set of powerful functions and is not limited in any sort of capacity. The software
can be updated at any time to include options like Jumpers, PromptEditor, Insulate on NetGrouping, Analysis,
ParallelModule and TroubleshootingAssistant.

StandardAero Talks to Airbus Over Vector Acquisition

StandardAero Aviation Holdings (StandardAero) and Airbus have entered into exclusive negotiations with respect to an acquisition by StandardAero of Vector Aerospace Holding SAS (Vector) from Airbus.

Vector is a global aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul company, providing responsive, quality support for turbine engines, components, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. A truly international company, it generated revenues of US$ 704.8 million in 2016 and employs approximately 2,200 people in 22 locations across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Kenya, South Africa, Australia and Singapore.

The proposed transaction is subject to workers’ council consultation, signing of definitive agreements and customary approvals, such as regulatory clearances.

PPG Launches Sealant Injection Tool for Channel Seals

PPG has launched a high-pressure aerospace sealant injection tool that addresses the unique application requirements of channel sealing aircraft wings for prevention of fuel leaks during flight. The SEMCO 1010 HP (high-pressure) injection tool has a pressure limiting mechanism, and it is certified for use in potentially volatile environments.

According to Dr. Wei Chen, PPG global product manager for aerospace packaging, the Semco model 1010 HP injection tool works well with the highly viscous, noncuring sealant that is forced through grooves of aircraft wings.

“Successful channel sealing requires the right equipment and highly knowledgeable operators,” Chen said. “The wing can be damaged if the sealant application pressure is too high, requiring significant rework, particularly with composite aircraft. The Semco 1010 HP dispensing tool has a pressure limiting mechanism designed to prevent this from happening.”

The tool is ATEX Class II certified, making it suitable for use in potentially volatile environments during maintenance applications, and salt fog resistant for highly corrosive theatres. It weighs 19 pounds (8.6 kilograms).

WireMasters Acquires Dannewitz

WireMasters, an international distributor of high performance and high-temperature military specification wire, cable and associated accessories has acquired Germany company, Dannewitz. This establishes WireMasters first warehouse location in Europe.

“We are excited to welcome DKG to the WireMasters family,” said David C. Hill, president, and CEO of WireMasters. “Our European customers have long expressed a desire for us to have a European location.”

The acquisition as an opportunity to enhance their product and stocking options to European based customers. Through the DKG brand, WireMasters will be able to successfully increase stocking options and cut lead times significantly to Europe and surrounding areas.

DKG is known for providing wire, cable, heat shrink tubing, braid, moulded parts, protective sleeving, and other cabling components. They hold strong relationships with companies such as TE Connectivity, PIC Wire and Cable, and Federal Mogul (formerly Bentley-Harris), all which play a significant role in the European market. DKG currently serves a variety of industries including aerospace, defense, aeronautics, space applications, motorsport, automotive among others.

Picture: Peter Ullinger, Brent Hill, Peer Dannewitz and David C. Hill after the signing

GE Aviation Moves Ahead With Bigger 3D Machine; Announces Alliance

PARIS AIRSHOW, Le Bourget: GE Additive is creating the world’s largest laser-powder additive manufacturing machine.

Tailored for the aerospace industry, the machine will be able to print in a ‘build envelop’ of one meter cubed (1000mm x 1000mm x 1000mm). The development project, announced during the airshow, will be unveiled in November.

“The machine will 3D print aviation parts that are one meter in diameter, suitable for making jet engine structural components and parts for single-aisle aircraft,” said Mohammad Ehteshami vice president and general manager of GE Additive. “The machine will also be applicable for manufacturers in the automotive, power, and oil and gas industries.”

The initial technology demonstrator machine, called Atlas, is a laser/powder machine and will be ‘meter-class’ (1000 mm) in at least two directions. The GE team has been developing the machine over the past two years and several proof-of-concept machines have been built.

In the machine’s production version (1000 mm x 1000 mm x 1000 mm), the build geometry will be customizable and scalable for an individual customer’s project. Its feature resolution and build-rate speeds will equal or better today’s additive machines. It is also designed to be used with multiple materials, including non-reactive and reactive materials (such as aluminium and titanium).

“We have customers collaborating with us and they will receive beta versions of the machine by year’s end,” Ehteshami said. “The production version (yet to be named) will be available for purchase next year.” GE is targeting first deliveries of the machine in late 2018.

The technology demonstrator builds upon GE technology, combined with Concept Laser’s expertise in laser additive machines. Concept Laser (a German-based company which GE Additive has controlling ownership) currently has the largest laser-powder bed additive machine on the market with a build envelope of 800 mm x 400 mm x 500 mm.

Additive Alliance

Concept Laser and French company Lauak have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to launch an alliance between the two entities. Lauak will invest in Concept Laser’s additive machines to be a reference customer for Concept Laser technology and Concept Laser will work closely with Lauak to implement additive processes and design new products. Lauak is a manufacturer of aircraft parts and structures, holding a Part 21 subpart G approval.

“Lauak see the potential of additive manufacturing and I’m delighted they’ve chosen Concept Laser equipment to help them on their journey,” said CEO of Concept Laser, Frank Herzog. “We will support them with equipment, processes and people to allow them to fulfil their objectives.”

Concept Laser will support Lauak during the implementation phase of the equipment into their manufacturing process. Lauak will also present the Concept Laser machine to reference customers in their showroom, including the presentation of test objects for demonstration purposes. Concept Laser and Lauak will collaborate to redesign components from the Lauak portfolio.

Mikel Charritton, CEO of Lauak said: “We see the huge potential in additive manufacturing and we want to use this technology to complete and improve our current manufacturing processes, as well as the manufacture of new components for the aviation industry.”

 

AF KLM E&M and Sabena Sign JV to Support A320 and ATR in Singapore

AFI KLM E&M and Sabena technics have signed a partnership agreement to set up a joint venture to support A320 and ATR component repairs in Singapore’s new Seletar aviation cluster. South East Asia is seeing the world’s fastest growth in aircraft maintenance, according to AFI KLM E&M. Both organisations already support large numbers of A320 family and ATR operators throughout the region.

Setting up the joint venture will help both partners meet growing demand for MRO services throughout the region. This local entity will help curb costs and shorten TAT for client airlines.

Anne Brachet, executive vice president AF KLM E&M said the agreement progressed the “development of a global MRO network that combines a strong industrial home base in Europe and a growing local presence for our clients.” He said the it would operate with other Group service centres, comprising Barfield in the United States, Max MRO Services in India, AFI KLM E&M Components China in Shanghai, or AMES in Dubai.”

A 50/50 Joint Venture
The 50/50 joint venture will begin operations in Sabena technics’ Singapore component repair shop, which is already operational at Seletar. The shop will support its mother companies on their PBH contracts and it will also offer Time & Material component repair services on A320 and ATR fleets to third party regional customers.

Rodolphe Marchais, Sabena technics’ chairman and CEO, said: “Our Singapore shop is experiencing very rapid growth and is gradually broadening the spectrum of its repair capabilities to meet operator needs across the region. The alliance with AFI KLM E&M is a new step in the development of our presence in the heart of South East Asia and its extremely dynamic aviation sector. Adding state-of-the art technologies on the latest generation of aircraft will strengthen our position as a leading MRO in the region, with the highest levels of performance and quality.”

GKN / Saab Move Ahead on Additive Manufacturing

PARIS AIRSHOW, Le Bourget: GKN Aerospace and Saab are celebrating one year of collaboration in additive manufacturing. The partnership between GKN and Saab has already resulted in the delivery and certification of AM components now flying on Saab aircraft. The partnership with Saab has focused on metallic powder bed technology, delivered from GKN’s centre of excellence in Filton, in the UK. Further developments will push the boundaries of the AM processes by introducing new materials and designs whilst simultaneously continuing to reduce the production lead times and costs.

GKN Aerospace has seven global centres of excellence providing expertise from fine-scale deposition to large-scale laser wire capabilities. GKN has polymer and metallic AM parts flying on seven major platforms across multiple markets: commercial, military, rotorcraft and space. It produces these components from AM centres of excellence in the UK, the US, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.

John Pritchard, GKN Aerospace’s CEO of Aerostructures Europe and China said:“Saab is a long-term, valued customer for GKN and partnering with them on this ground-breaking new technology has been a major success for both companies. Historically, the challenge for AM was to move it from theory into production: fully certified and flying on major platforms. We are well past that stage now – AM is out there and flying on aircraft around the world today. I am confident that this partnership will push the boundaries of this revolutionary technology further in the years to come.”

Photo: Additive Manufacturing at GKN’s facility in Filton, UK

 

Farsound Aviation Renews Contract with TS&S

Farsound Aviation, a supply chain and logistics company, has secured a multi-million-dollar contract renewal of an existing agreement with Turbine Services & Solutions Aerospace (TS&S Aerospace), an engine MRO provider in Abu Dhabi.

David Skinner, managing director of Farsound Aviation, said: “Farsound Aviation already enjoys a strong working relationship with TS&S Aerospace and we are thrilled that we have been entrusted with this contract renewal. Working with the business is very important to us as they are a leading independent engine MRO shop in the Middle East and have strong growth plans.”

Abdul Khaliq Saeed, CEO of TS&S, commented: “It’s due to strengths in partnerships with leading aerospace players such as Farsound Aviation, that robust global supply chains and ecosystems have been built to bolster the market. Today’s news is also testament to the leading independent MRO base established by TS&S Aerospace within the Abu Dhabi aviation community.”

 

Photo: David Skinner, managing director, Farsound Aviation.

Omega’s Free Downloadable Sensing Publication

Omega Aerospace has published an ebook called Bridging the Gap with IIoT. It provides an overview of the technology, applications, and critical infrastructure, security, and implementation considerations in the aerospace industry.

Omega states that “advances in technology, digitalization, globalization, and heightened cyber security threats are creating a different set of pressures that are pushing legacy aerospace companies to innovate even further to keep up with nimble competitors.” The book details:
– benefits of using a wireless network and sensors
– wireless sensors drive greater safety and innovation
– overcoming barriers to wireless IIot

The company states that “sensing data intelligence can not only proactively inform and improve manufacturing products and processes, but also lead the way for greater innovation and efficiency.”

The free download can be obtained from: omega.com/aerospace.

 

 

MAEL Adds 787 and A380 to Capabilities

Monarch Aircraft Engineering Limited (MAEL) has recently completed back to back airframe maintenance on eight Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft at its aircraft maintenance facility at Birmingham Airport.
During March, April and May this year, the nose to tail inputs were successfully completed for one of the company’s third party customers which included phase 12 checks, service bulletins, engine changes and defect rectification.
Monarch Aircraft Engineering’s maintenance facility at Birmingham Airport in the UK is 110,000 sq,ft and has the capacity to hold two Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft side by side, plus other wide and narrow body aircraft.
In September 2015 MAEL was the first UK MRO to carry out a phase 12 check on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Additionally, the company announced that they have been approved to add the Airbus A380 aircraft to its MRO capabilities.
The additional aircraft has been added to the EASA and GCAA Part 145 approvals, allowing MAEL to provide line maintenance support for Airbus A380 operators at Birmingham Airport.