ASAP Axis Blog

When utilizing a pneumatic system for power transfer, it is important to have ample control over the flow of air for executing various operations. The control of the volume flow of air within a pneumatic system is made possible through the use of flow control valve components. Flow control valves allow for actuator speeds to be adjusted as necessary, and they should not be confused with regulators or pressure controllers despite sharing similar attributes. In this blog, we will discuss flow control valves in more detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of such common components.

Hoses are a form of flexible, hollow tubing that allows for fluids to be transported with ease, and they are a common element of countless aircraft assemblies. With the implementation of hoses, aircraft fluid systems can operate with ease as fluids traverse distances with little impact as a result of vibration or moving parts. As aircraft hose components serve important roles in the basic functionality of aviation fluid systems, it can be beneficial to have a general understanding of their common designs and use.

Hex bolts are a common type of threaded fastener that finds use in construction, automobile manufacturing, engineering, and much more. Diverse in its capabilities, a hex bolt may be relied on for either construction or repair jobs with their ability to interconnect parts with the use of a mating nut. To help you better understand the importance of hex bolts, we will provide a brief overview of their design, applications, and common types.

The direct short in a circuit can bring about damaging results along a network and its included wiring. This event occurs when voltage present in a system comes in direct contact with the ground or return side of the circuit, resulting in a path of current which contains little to no resistance. In such circumstances, current with very minimal resistance can lead to the rapid generation of heat which can result in melted wiring, damaged equipment, and the potential opening of the circuit. While aircraft primarily employ small gauge wiring with a limited carrying capacity, the size of wiring is ultimately chosen based on how much current the wires are expected to carry under normal operating conditions. To ensure aircraft circuits remain unperturbed from direct shorts, it is compulsory that circuit protection devices like fuses, current limiters, and circuit breakers be installed to protect different networks against overcurrent conditions.

Providing ease of access to various parts of an aircraft, step ladders assist individuals into, and around, aircraft. Used by engineers, pilots, crew members, and passengers alike, there are a variety of ladders available for use within the aviation industry. To best meet your requirements, aircraft ladders can be manufactured specifically as height adjustable ladders, maintenance ladders, mobile stepladders, and boarding steps. Each unique in their own applications, ladders utilized within the aviation industry must promote stability while meeting specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for the prevention of falls. To ensure you find a ladder relevant to your needs, we will briefly review different types of aviation ladders used throughout the industry.

As an aircraft soars through the sky during standard flight operations, it must push through air and take advantage of its flow to achieve and maintain lift. As air is a fluid with flow that is disrupted by the moving airframe, interference and a change in direction can result in aerodynamic drag. Drag is a force that opposes the movement of an aircraft, resulting in efficiency losses and increased fuel burning to maintain set speeds. In order to achieve the most optimal operations, engineers have modified numerous aircraft sections to improve their design for more streamlined air flow.

When discussing the joints of a particular assembly or manufactured item, one is referring to the location in which two or more components are permanently or temporarily attached to one another. There are various benefits to both variations, the permanent joint allowing for a strong anti-loose assembly while the temporary joint can enable more ease in separation for maintenance or replacement. Welding and riveting are both common methods for creating joints, often being used for the assembly of aircraft components, industrial machinery, and much more. To better understand the differences between welded and riveted joints, as well as their various advantages and disadvantages, we will provide a brief overview of each.

Used to connect pipe systems to other pieces of piping or equipment, flanges are the second most popular method of assembly behind welding. Adding flexibility to pipe systems by improving ease of disassembly, three items that commonly comprise a flange are pipe flanges, gaskets, and bolting. Of these three components, when building a typical flanged connection, the materials that comprise the bolt and gasket are often the same. Capable of also being connected with parts made of certified materials, flanges are most often manufactured out of stainless steel. Other common, but not as frequently used, flanges include Monel, Inconel, Chrome Moly, and other types depending on the application. To better understand flanges, we will go over their common types, their intended purpose, and how they can be used to best fit your applications.

Transistors and diodes are both semiconductor devices, and each component serves as an essential building block of countless electronics and circuits. While transistors and diodes are often found in similar applications, their roles and operations tend to differ from one another. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of transistor and diode part types, allowing you to have a better understanding of their functionalities and differences.

An aircraft stall is a condition in which the angle of attack has reached a point where lift begins to decrease. Such instances are quite dangerous, requiring a pilot to quickly fix their angle before they begin to drop. In order to prevent such hazardous incidents from occurring, many aircraft utilize the Stall Warning System which is capable of giving the pilot advance notice of any potential stall conditions. As stalls are very dangerous, understanding the functionality of the Stall Warning System and how they may be used is crucial for safe flight operations.