Advanced Imaging Equipment

A Hi-Lok fastener is part of the proprietary Hi-Lok aerospace fastening system offered by Howmet Fastening Systems; Howmet identifies Hi-Lok as a trademark of Hi-Shear Corporation. The name therefore refers to a specific product family, not every threaded pin-and-collar fastener.

Each assembly uses a precision pin and threaded Hi-Lok collar to secure aircraft skins, frames, ribs, spars, fittings, and other structural joints. Similar systems should not be assumed to be Hi-Lok products or interchangeable with them. Read more >>

In government procurement, knowing what a part is called or how it is organized within manufacturer-specific databases does not always tell buyers where it belongs within a much larger supply catalog, nor does it offer a standardized means for carrying out searches when fulfillment is necessary. This is especially relevant in government supply systems, where catalogs and purchasing lists can contain a plethora of individual item records to cover everything from aircraft components and electrical hardware to tools and other support equipment. To bring more order to the process of managing and browsing extensive supply options, the Federal Supply Classification (FSC) system was created to classify various items together by shared features, functionalities, uses, etc. Understanding how these codes are structured and how they relate to identifiers like National Stock Numbers (NSNs) can make large government supply catalogs easier to navigate, so be sure to read on as we offer a helpful gui......Read more >>

For aviation maintenance and procurement teams, finding a replacement part is rarely just a matter of locating the correct part number on a purchasing platform of choice. Rather, buyers must also take time to determine whether the article in question is even approved for the intended aircraft or another type-certificated product, especially when it is not made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. This is where Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) becomes relevant, the part status being issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to eligible items that prove worthy as replacement or modification articles. When evaluating PMA aviation parts as a potential option for tackling market constraints or pricing for OEM items, having an understanding of what goes into the approval process for these products and how the FAA determines reliability can be crucial. Therefore, we encourage you to read on as we offer a useful introduction in this blog, providing an overview of PMA parts that w......Read more >>

Modern aircraft commonly rely on robust hydraulic systems to carry out everything from landing gear and flight control surface actuation to brake application, where pressurized fluids running through networks of hoses and rigid tubing create the power necessary for executing work. While often overlooked in the grand scheme of things, the various forms of fittings that establish connections between network elements are critical for the performance and well-being of the system, ensuring that pressure can be routed throughout an aircraft without risk of leaks or failure. For buyers in charge of handling procurement needs for a given platform or fleet, having a basic understanding of hydraulic fittings can be very important for any assembly or maintenance need, especially when considering the fact that many vary in design or capability to address the unique requirements of varied assemblies. In this blog, we will provide a simple overview of aircraft hydraulic fittings, covering the common......Read more >>

Most aircraft engines function by harnessing the powerful effects of controlled combustion, where optimally balanced fuel-and-air mixtures are ignited to create harnessable exhaust gases that generate propulsive thrust and working power. As such operations tend to create a significant level of vibration and stress to surrounding airframe components and structures, engineers take great care to ensure that engines remain securely aligned and attached while operating under loads that can change throughout flight. This is where solutions like aircraft engine mounts come in, with such hardware offering a means to secure powerplants to supporting airframe structures while carrying any loads associated with operation. For those who may not be as familiar with the common design features, functions, and maintenance concerns surrounding aircraft engine mounts, be sure to read on as we offer a simple introduction in this blog. Read more >>

Linear motion systems used across automated industrial equipment, aerospace actuation mechanisms, and other demanding applications tend to rely heavily on components that can support smooth, low-friction movement under varying loads and operational conditions, minimizing the level of wear and energy loss that is faced during standard operations. The first choice of technicians for such needs is often hardware components known as ball bushings, which are hardware components that offer suitable mechanical reliability and smooth travel for many forms of equipment by replacing sliding contact with rolling contact. To better understand why these components prove vital across many modern and legacy systems alike, it is helpful to examine their notable structural features, basic operational mechanics, and common uses.

What Is a Ball Bushing? 

Also known as linear bearings or linear motion bearings, ball bushings are specialized mechanical components that are carefully engineered ......Read more >>

In the aviation industry, the accurate identification of aircraft components and assemblies is essential for safe operations. As such, maintenance personnel and procurement specialists rely on specific identification information to verify the exact items being handled, which helps ensure that every replacement or repair meets strict airworthiness standards. Among the various methods used to identify aerospace hardware, the aircraft data plate serves as the primary source of truth, offering a direct link back to a component's origin and specifications. With this in mind, knowing how to read this information correctly matters greatly, since a single misinterpreted detail can lead to compatibility issues or compliance gaps further down the line. The following sections break down what typically appears on a data plate and how each piece of information should be interpreted to confirm that a part is genuine and airworthy.

What Is an Aircraft Data Plate?

An aircraft data plate is......Read more >>

Aircraft braking systems are essential mechanisms required to safely decelerate an aircraft during landing sequences and ground taxi operations. This capability depends on a complex assembly of specialized components working together under intense mechanical and thermal stress to generate, manage, and control friction. When any single element in that assembly is worn, mismatched, or improperly sourced, the entire braking sequence can be compromised, which makes the knowledge behind how these parts work together essential for maintenance teams and procurement professionals alike. With this in mind, this blog will walk you through the core items composing aircraft brakes and how each one contributes to safe, controlled deceleration.

What Exactly Are Aircraft Brake Parts?

Parts employed in Aircraft Engines encompass the various mechanical, electrical, fuel, and structural elements that make up a complete propulsion system. These components are engineered to work together to conver......Read more >>

Engineers and procurement professionals sourcing replacement hardware for various forms of mechanical assemblies or equipment with moving parts will often face a tough choice of having to determine whether bushings or bearings are better for their given application, both components being very similar in use while differing in important and distinct ways. While often considered to belong to the same general umbrella of hardware parts, choosing the wrong option can easily lead to concerning issues like poor performance and hastened wear. To avoid this, one simply needs to have an understanding of the basic differences between bushing and bearing components, such as how each is generally designed and used across demanding applications. That is what we will seek to answer in this blog, so be sure to read on if you are interested in learning more.

An Overview of Bushings and Bearings

Bushings

Also known as a plain bearing, a bushing is a simple, single-part component that typica......Read more >>

Maintaining structural integrity across aircraft, industrial assemblies, and other critical equipment often depends on the use of fastening hardware that can reliably remain secure through demanding service conditions and intensive environmental conditions. Rivets have filled this role for decades across many settings, particularly benefiting situations in which a permanent mechanical joint is preferred over a removable threaded connection. 

While potentially differing in the case of more specialized variations, a majority of rivets are installed by passing the headless side of a smooth shaft through aligned materials before the end is deformed with tools to hold the joint together. Unlike threaded hardware, rivets do not need to rely on a nut or matching threading to remain secure in an installation, all while offering a tamper-proof connection that can bear very high loads. Such attributes and others have long driven the popularity of these components across various industri......Read more >>