Lincoln Electric Launches Sprinter 180Si 

Lincoln Electric introduces the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. This versatile machine delivers superior arc performance for stick welding combined with advanced TIG functionality, all wrapped up in a portable, lightweight package, thanks to the newest inverter technology. 

The 180Si is designed with a maximum output of 180 amps to enable exceptional stick welding quality. Operators can weld up to 5/32-inch electrodes (6010/7018) and can even choose a dedicated 6010 mode for cellulosic stick electrodes. 

But the 180Si is more than just a stick welder. It also delivers 200 amps for TIG welding and offers a variety of advanced TIG features: 

  • Pulse mode with options ranging from .1-100 pulses per second 
  • A choice of high-frequency or lift start options at the push of a button 
  • TIG-ready capabilities with an 8-pin connector for foot pedals, hand amptrols and other devices  

The 180Si is also portable and versatile. Weighing in at less than 20 pounds, it goes anywhere easily and the dual-input voltage enables the operator to plug into any common power supply. Once it’s up and running, the simple user interface provides an easy-to-read seven-segment display and easy push-button controls. And it all packs up neatly in an ergonomically designed case with a handle and shoulder strap that make it easier to carry and move – around the shop or to any location. 

Stick or TIG, in the shop or on the move, the Sprinter 180Si is ideal for welders of every kind – home hobbyist, professional, or both. And it’s ready for every type of work – maintenance and repair, farm, light industrial, shipbuilding and more. 

Get out and run with the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. 

ATL Partners Portfolio Company Aero Accessories Acquires AOG Accessories

Aero Accessories & Repair, provider of aerospace component maintenance, repair, and overhaul services and portfolio company of ATL Partners, announced the acquisition of AOG Accessories (“AOG”). Terms were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Miramar, Florida, the combined company specializes in the repair of complex components across fuel, hydraulic, pneumatic, and power generation systems and serves customers in the cargo, commercial, and aftermarket end markets globally.

“Since our acquisition by ATL Partners in 2022, we have been focused on deepening our relationships with key customers while growing our range of repair and other aftermarket capabilities organically,” said David Vail, CEO of Aero Accessories. “The acquisition of AOG will accelerate this growth by expanding our technical capabilities and product offerings while enhancing our customer relationships in the United States and internationally. We have long admired AOG for its results-oriented culture and the strong record of organic growth achieved in recent years and look forward to what we can achieve as a combined company.”

Frank Nash, founder and managing member of ATL, said, “We are proud of the growth that Aero Accessories has achieved over the past two years. The management team has achieved well above average growth compared to the industry by transitioning its customer base and services mix to meet current industry demand requirements. We are excited by the opportunities provided by this first acquisition. The two cultures are similar, which will enable close collaboration on future organic and inorganic growth initiatives.”

AOG’s three founders – Ramon Portela, Humberto Aleman and Alain Wicke commented, “We are excited by the opportunities ahead by being part of a larger platform. We have known David Vail and his team for decades and we look forward to working closely with his team. We are already off to a strong start and have identified several growth opportunities that we are excited to pursue.”

Cebu Pacific Extends Lufthansa Technik Agreement

Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Lufthansa Technik are strengthening their alliance with another Engine Maintenance Services (EMS) contract for a significant number of CFM56-5B engines powering the A320ceo fleet. The latest agreement underscores the Philippines-based low-cost carrier’s confidence in Lufthansa Technik’s engine expertise and commitment to providing solutions that meet the unique requirements and needs of CEB.

“Lufthansa Technik has demonstrated a deep understanding of Cebu Pacific’s unique demands and needs, showcasing a willingness to tailor solutions,” Shevantha Weerasekera, Cebu Pacific’s vice president of engineering and fleet management, said. “We were primarily attracted by 
Lufthansa Technik’s one-stop solution, encompassing MES, logistics, and warranty claim services, and were pleasantly surprised by the company’s flexibility in customizing offers.” 

Dennis Kohr, senior vice president corporate sales Asia Pacific at Lufthansa Technik, added: “This new EMS contract marks a significant milestone in our collaborative journey, and we look forward to  continuing our strong partnership and exploring further opportunities for mutual growth.”

CEB also holds line maintenance contracts with Lufthansa Technik Philippines, commencing in 2011 with the provision of line maintenance services for CEB’s narrow-body fleet. This collaboration has since expanded to encompass base maintenance services for both A320 and A330 fleets. In September 2023, CEB and Lufthansa Technik entered an agreement to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul 
(MRO) services for three of Cebu Pacific’s CFM56-5B engines, along with Cyclean engine wash and Aircraft Transition Services (ATS) for two A320ceo.

As part of its commitment to regionalization, Lufthansa Technik is reinforcing its Asia Pacific sales team, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia. Beginning in 2024, corporate sales colleagues who were previously stationed in Singapore are now operating from the markets they serve, such as Thailand, Malaysia, or the Philippines. The company says their decentralized approach aims to bring the team geographically closer to their customers.

Trax Announces Agreement with Archer Aviation


Trax announced that it has entered into an agreement with leading electric aviation  company, Archer Aviation. Archer will leverage Trax’s web-based enterprise eMRO system and eMobility apps and Trax’s cloud hosting services to manage its planned electric air taxi operations. 

Trax’s advanced, modular, web-based solution for aviation maintenance and supply chain management will enable Archer’s real-time administration of production, planning, engineering, inventory, technical records, orders, and reliability processes. Operating in Trax’s secure, reliable, and paperless environment will support Archer’s goals to quickly build a safe, efficient, nimble, compliant and high performing air taxi operation.  

The relationship with Archer expands Trax’s global customer base to include the electric aviation market and holds potential for growth as electric aviation matures and Archer’s air taxi service takes flight.

“Trax will allow Archer to safely and efficiently scale deployment of our electric air taxi service.  Implementation of Trax is a key building block of our operational ecosystem and will provide our technical operations team and pilots an industry leading system to manage the operation,” said Archer’s COO of Urban Air Mobility, Tom Anderson. 

“Trax is pleased to partner with Archer, a leader in the emerging electric aviation aftermarket,” said Andrew Schmidt, Trax’s executive vice president. “Trax’s eMRO and eMobility products will enable Archer’s air taxi service to be completely paperless on day-one and help the company achieve its goals through operational efficiency, streamlined processes, and a highly productive workforce.”

British Airways Moves to Predictive Automated Maintenance Reporting System

A cutting-edge engineering system that uses real-time data to predict aircraft maintenance issues is helping British Airways reduce delays and save the use of more than 900,000 pieces of paper a year.

The E-Logs platform will provide live performance information about all of the airline’s 270 jets, allowing the airline to immediately spot potential problems and proactively fix them and reduce downtime.

It is replacing a costly and time-consuming paper-based system with an entirely automated process that makes it much easier for pilots and cabin crew to log issues.

“We’re using the latest technology to help ensure we continue delivering a consistently high standard of service for our customers – always with a focus on safety,” Andy Best, chief technical officer at British Airways, said. “Our investment in innovative tools like this, means we can support our teams to identify and put solutions in place ahead of time. By replacing time-consuming manual processes with digital technology we are constantly improving the reliability of our aircraft fleet and as a result our customers’ experience.” 

Aircraft technical logs are a regulatory requirement that have historically been paper-based.

Flight and cabin crew would log any faults in writing and these are then transcribed and transferred to maintenance teams, which carry out any required work and again update the aircraft maintenance log in writing.

The E-Logs system, which will see a number of specialist iPads placed on every aircraft, will replace the paper-based system entirely and allows the immediate transfer of data from the aircraft to engineers within seconds – before the aircraft arrives at its destination.

This means engineers can pre-order any required parts and resolve issues more quickly on arrival, reducing the amount of time planes are out of action.

The technology also allows BA to predict faults and pre-emptively correct them before they become an issue that might take an aircraft offline.

The system forms part of BA’s £7bn transformation investment over the next two years. This is the biggest ever investment in the business to revolutionize how their teams work the company reports.  

This includes cutting-edge machine learning, automation and AI across the operation, driving improvements from bookings to baggage handling and helping cut cancellations and delays. 

The tools being used are helping to change how the airline works, replacing time-consuming manual processes with tech-based solutions to ensure that the right information is in the right place at the right time, a company press release says.

Zulu Pods Awarded Phase 2 Contract by U.S. Army to Continue Development of its Loss of Lubrication Technology

Zulu Pods has been awarded a Phase 2 contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) via FirePoint Innovations Center. The award will continue the partnership between ZPI and the Army focusing on further development of ZPI’s novel loss of lubrication pod technology, the ZPod, aimed at enhancing rotorcraft combat survivability during loss of lubrication events for the next generation of military helicopters.

In Phase 1, ZPI conducted instrumented tests on its internal high-speed rig that culminated in the successful validation of its technology through a simulated loss of lubrication event. The tests demonstrated mitigation of bearing failure and performance degradation by delivering minimum oil over time through a static ZPod, upgrading the technology readiness level to TRL 5.

In Phase 2, ZPI will work closely with two major aerospace engine OEMs to continue lubrication testing on bearing hardware, begin digital product integration through engine interface design, and deliver an engine ready prototype for testing and evaluation by the end of 2024.

The ZPod serves as a small decentralized, self-contained, and self-energized emergency oil system independent of the oil pump’s ability to adequately circulate oil to critical mechanical components, thus offering pilots the necessary time to carry out evasive landing maneuvers to safely land the rotary wing aircraft in the event of loss of lubrication.

Clark International Airport Targeting Aerospace Companies

The Philippines has launched a campaign encouraging global aerospace companies to establish facilities at Clark International Airport to serve the Asia region and global market. The companies it is targeting includes maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firms, aerospace manufacturers, fixed based operators (FBO), business aviation companies, original equipment makers (OEMs), cargo airlines, logistics companies, regional and international airlines, training organisations and so on.

The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr), Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) have come together
for the campaign and will be jointly exhibiting at the Philippine Aviation Pavilion (Hall C
Booth C-E81) at the Singapore Airshow (20-25 February).

Berthaphil Inc, a key stakeholder and pioneer investor and developer in the Clark Freeport
and at Clark International Airport, is also part of the Philippine Aviation Pavilion. Berthaphil
has over 25 years’ experience and is the leading property developer in the Clark Freeport. It
has already completed 12 real estate developments there, including the airport’s first
bonded warehouse and logistics center.

The company is offering a vacant 10-hectare airfield site, with primary runway access, which
is immediately available ‘as is’ or for a build-to-suit project. Berthaphil is now actively
promoting this site to aerospace companies around the world. Clark International Airport is within the Clark Freeport trade zone, so businesses there can receive incentives and favourable tax concessions – up to a seven-year tax holiday and then a 5% corporate income tax rate.

Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK, ICAO: RPLC) is an international gateway to Asia and
capable of handling the largest widebody aircraft. The airport has a 3,200m-long (10,500 ft)
and 60m-wide (196 ft) primary runway. It also has the tallest air traffic control tower and
the newest international airport terminal building in the Philippines with capacity of up to
80 million passengers per year.

The airport is 43.2 nautical miles (80.0 km; 49.7 miles) northwest of Manila, and is accessible
to Manila via the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX). A new passenger and cargo rail system
is due to open in 2025.

“Besides world-class airport infrastructure, a strategic location within Asia’s burgeoning
aviation market and a favorable business environment; another key strength of Clark
International Airport as an aerospace center, is the Philippines’ skilled and qualified
workforce,” said Michael Herman, Berthaphil chairman.

“Building a hangar, for example, doesn’t mean you have a MRO business. The key to having
a successful MRO organization is having the skilled and qualified maintenance engineers and
technicians, which is what the Philippines has,” said Herman.

“It is no secret that many of the qualified maintenance engineers and technicians working in
places such as Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East are Filipinos. Any aerospace
company that establishes itself at Clark has a huge pool of internationally certified talent it
can draw up both locally and from overseas,” added Herman.

MRO organizations that have already established operations at Clark include SIA
Engineering, which does airframe maintenance there. There is also Hong Kong’s MetroJet
which maintains business jets at Clark. And, it is a global gateway for UPS, DHL and FedEx.

“We are honored that leading government agencies and prominent figures in the
Philippines’ aviation industry – such as the Secretary of Transportation for the Philippine
Department of Transportation (DOTr), Jaime Bautista; Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP), director general, Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayao; and Clark International
Airport Corporation president, Arrey Perez; as well as senior representatives from the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI ), Bases Conversion Development Authority and
Clark Development Corporation – will be attending the Singapore Airshow and helping to
promote Philippines aviation and Clark International Airport as a centre for aerospace,” said
Herman.

“Their presence at the Philippine Aviation Pavilion demonstrates that we are all committed
to Clark’s success and aviation business success in the Philippines. Together we look forward
to meeting industry partners and future potential partners at the show. In the Philippines
we say: ‘One PH Aviation – Together We Fly’. Come join us at The Singapore Airshow: Hall C
Booth C-E81 on February 20 at 2pm for the Dignitaries’ Reception and opportunity to meet,”
he added.

Electra Airways Choses Cobalt Spectrum LED Drop-In Mood Lighting for A321 Fleet

IFPL Group announced that Electra Airways has chosen Cobalt Spectrum LED drop-in mood lighting for its A321 fleet

Electra Airways is a Bulgarian airline that provides services to leading tour operators, airlines and brokers within the aerospace industry, and since 2023, the airline has become part of the Vector Group. “We are thrilled to be invited to collaborate on their fleet upgrade program and to be a partner in this extraordinary cabin refresh,” IFPL said in a press release.

Cobalt Spectrum mood lighting is a drop-in system, designed from the ground up to meet the needs of commercial airlines. Deployed and flying with multiple carriers worldwide, IFPL says Cobalt Spectrum delivers an “unrivaled feature set and provides the very highest in reliability.” 

It is a true “plug and play” system and a direct replacement for fluorescent tubes.  Designed to be lightweight and long-lasting, Cobalt Spectrum lighting offers operators substantial weight and fuel savings while requiring no changes to the aircraft wiring.

It will offer Electra the ability to illuminate the interior of each aircraft with its brand colors, and provide additional light settings for boarding, meal services, sleeping, waking, and more.

“We have strategically decided to refurbish all cabins in Electra Airways’ fleet with the aim of achieving multiple objectives: delivering an exceptional product to our customers and integrating cutting-edge technologies that enhance sustainability and reduce weight in our operations,” said Matvey Koloturskiy, deputy CEO of the Vector Group, said. “The LED lighting, supplied by Cobalt Aerospace, aligns perfectly with these goals. We are confident that our passengers and partners will appreciate the cozy and colorful lighting features, enhancing their onboard experience. Additionally, from an operational standpoint, the installation of this new lighting system will further reduce the overall weight of our A320 aircraft by an additional 50 kg.We eagerly anticipate unveiling the final result to our passengers in the coming weeks!”

Tommy Nelms, VP global sales, commented, “In recent years, the aviation industry has witnessed a growing emphasis on creating a unique and memorable passenger experience. Realising this demand, we have invested significant resources in research and development to craft an exceptional wireless controlled LED cabin mood lighting solution. By blending creativity with advanced technology, we aim to improving the way passengers perceive their time in-flight, and support relaxation and well-being.”

Aurion Develops Clean-Tech Machining

Aurion Machining Technologies has developed new technology using ionized air as a trailblazing clean-tech alternative for metal working fluids and emulsions in parts manufacturing. Ionized air helps achieve high quality machining results — and it is safe for employees and environmentally friendly
Aurion technology is fully compliant with modern sustainability regulations which require end-to-end clean-tech solutions. Aurion says the technology is the response to increasing concern that metalworking fluids contribute significant carbon emissions on global basis

Disposal of used cutting fluids causes environmental contamination. Global annual consumption of cutting fluids is estimated to exceed two billion liters — although the actual amount of cutting fluids waste is assumed to be up to 10 times higher, as most fluids are diluted before their use. Cutting fluid treatment and their release to the environment leads to significant oxygen depletion and nutrient destruction in surface waters.

Aurion Technology

The core of the Aurion technology is in the ionized air which generates an electrochemical process resulting in electron loss and atomic level transformation of Aurion gas medium at the cutting surface. The electrochemical process acts as a dry lubricant in the cutting process, penetrating the cutting zone and optimising the interaction between the tool edge and the workpiece. This process accelerates oxide layer formation and significantly reduces the friction, thermal stress and tool wear.

The Aurion system consists of three components – ionizer, controller and air-cooling unit. The system is connected to the factory compressed air network and machinery CNC. There is no need for any special safety precautions as ionized air pressure remains at 2 – 3 bar and temperature in the -10°C to +10°C during machining operations.

Aurion technology is the result of years of industrial research and development work. Its technical properties have been proven in thorough tests conducted by authoritative institutions and industrial partners. Most recently the respected Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) of the University of Sheffield in England achieved excellent results in titanium milling trials.

Economically Compelling Solution

Aurion reduces manufacturing costs and cutting lead times in workshop processes. Thousands of validation runs have proven that Aurion technology delivers at least the same machining quality and performance as cutting fluids – measured by cutting speed, tool life and surface quality. Ionized clean air is safe for its operators and the relevant machinery and meets the highest standards for workpiece residuals.

Easy to Use and Integrate

Aurion technology is suitable for all machining applications and materials. It is easy to integrate to both existing and new machines, either by using the external piping to the cutting zone or by using existing coolant channels in standard toolholders and tools.

High integration flexibility and the possibility to use existing machine tool features minimises the up-front investment and limits the transition costs for introduction of the Aurion technology. The payback for the Aurion system is typically three to six months.

Aurion adaptation is moving to full industrial scale – Join for the journey

Following years of development work, Aurion is now ready for full scale industrial use. Attracted by the recent positive tests and validation runs, a number of high-quality manufacturers are engaged as partners in the next steps of the Aurion journey to transform their profitability and accelerate their carbon net zero plans.

PPG Adds Two Adhesives to Aerospace Product Portfolio

PPG announced that it has added two adhesives to its aerospace portfolio: PPG PR-2940 epoxy syntactic paste adhesive (ESPA) for bonding the internal structures of an aircraft; and PPG PR-2936, an adhesive that incorporates the properties of a shim and sealant for attaching the outer skin of an aircraft to the internal structures.

“We are excited to add these adhesive technologies to our product offering,” said Sean Purdy, PPG global director, coatings and sealants, Aerospace. “They will provide our aerospace customers with significant performance benefits as well as sustainability advantages through lightweighting.”

PPG PR-2940 ESPA adhesive is a lightweight potting compound used by both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MROs) customers on secondary aircraft structures. It fills and reinforces the honeycomb structures used to manufacture an aircraft’s internal components, including the inner wing structure, galley, lavatories, overhead bins and flooring.

PPG PR-2936 adhesive is used by OEMs to attach the metallic or composite skin of an aircraft to the internal structures of the fuselage, tail assembly, wings and stabilizers. This epoxy-based adhesive cures at ambient temperatures and is designed to fill gaps or irregularities between the surfaces of the primary and secondary structures. It combines outstanding mechanical strength with flexibility and microcracking resistance across a wide operating temperature window.

“Sustainability is a key priority across PPG, including new product innovations,” said Daniel Sydes, PPG global product manager, adhesives, Aerospace. “These new adhesives offer improved chemistries and low-density properties while maintaining a high strength-to-weight ratio that aids in increasing the fuel efficiency of aircraft.”