these are claims from a different whistleblower than the one that was totally not murdered by boeing
(disclaimer, im not an expert and this article doesnt go into a ton of detail on the specific issues, so i could be a lil off, these are very much non-expert speculation rambles. anyone who understands better, feel free to correct me/add more deets).
if im reading it right these claims get into the way boeing has been outsourcing more and more manufacturing of parts to other companies, such as for the fuselage (the plane body as a whole, big tube u sit in). if those parts dont quite fit together right (and keep in mind the margins of error on these things can be VERY small in some cases, though im not sure exactly how much wiggle room they got here), that can lead to too much stress on certain parts.
like, for example, if one part of the fuselage is just baaaarely too big for the next part it connects to, it might all seem to fit together perfectly fine, but every time it takes off and lands or goes thru compression cycles (that is when they take off and land, going from low pressure-high pressure-low pressure), it just puts a BIT too much pressure on where they join. and over the years, that pressure just adds up until theres microscopic stress fractures, which become slightly larger stress fractures, until they get big enough that once a plane reaches a high enough altitude theres a midair disentegration, which is. exactly as bad as it sounds.
(sidenote: compression cycles can be more important for determining an airplanes lifespan than flight hours. the usual metaphor is bending a paperclip back and forth until it breaks, how many times can you bend it before metal fatigue sets in and it just snaps. holding it in a more bent position however will take a lot longer to snap it generally.)
now to be clear, every single plane has an intended service life, and its well known that planes can only take so many compression cycles before they start to get really hard to maintain without going kablooey. a plane may be rated for like, idk, 50k compression cycles (so, taking off and landing 50k times before its retired, because after that its no longer worth the maintenance vs just making a new plane). but if it turns out that plane has some flaw in its build that means itll develop fatal stress factures at only 20k cycles, well. thats bad. not sure exactly how the schedule on looking for stress factures looks like for maintenece crews (do they do it regularly for all planes on a set schedule? do they only do it occasionally for new planes, and start to ramp up checks as the plane gets older? dunno!) but well. generally speaking, a plane having a fatal flaw that gives it an explosive midlife crisis is Bad. i would hope theyd catch it! but i dont know enough about the deets of fuselage maintenence to know the specifics.
and OH YAY COMPOSITE MATERIALS. now, before anyone gets too freaked out thinking about the uh. submarine. use of composite materials is actually far more common on planes than on subs for a buncha reasons. one, planes just generally undergo a lot less in terms of pressure (that futurama joke, "this spaceship can handle between one and zero atmospheres", vs subs that have to deal with tens to potentially hundreds of atmospheres) but also because apparently, for complicated material engineering reasons, composite materials work much better under tension (high pressure INSIDE pushing OUT, like airplane) than under compression (high pressure OUTSIDE pushing IN, like submarine). heres a vid from someone who wrote their masters on composite materials under compression if you wanna hear from someone slightly smarter on the subject. im not gonna pretend like i understand the full deets, but "composites do OKAY with tension" is enough for me, go read the fancy scientific papers if you want more.
now, so that people do freak out at least a little bit: hm. dont like that they are using Way More Composite Than Usual on this plane. how much is the usual? idk, i assume composites are much more popular with low altitude small aircraft (bc well, weight and less pressure worries), dunno whats considered normal for high altitude longhaul crafts. but, apparently, the dreamliner is "more than usual". which, yeah cool, lighter weight airplanes use less fuel which is better for longhaul flights. is it. well tested enough though???
...anyway. im not an engineer, idk the full Deets, but well. havin lotsa fun hearing the engineers talk about how the parts of the giant metal skybirds dont fit together quite right and theyre using materials that fail more catastrophically than metal with less warning, experimentally, and we dont quiiiite have the data to know if. its a problem. thats really fun! LOVE hearing about how much theyre outsourcing parts, given how bad quality control of things as tiny as the titanium in some bolts or a little bit of the engine blades being not properly vacuum forged has lead to catastrophic failure in the past, and knowing how important sourcing of parts in airplanes is. all VERY yay!
1 note
·
View note
Driving Innovation: The Evolution of Fuel Pump Test Benches
In the intricate world of automotive engineering, the development of fuel pumps stands as a testament to the marriage of theory and practice. At the heart of this endeavor lie pump testers and fuel pump test bench, sophisticated tools that bridge the gap between theoretical designs and real-world performance.
Fuel pump test bench serve as the proving ground for innovative fuel pump designs. These specialized platforms provide engineers with the means to subject fuel pumps to a battery of tests, simulating a wide range of operating conditions and performance parameters. By meticulously analyzing the data gathered from these tests, engineers can fine-tune their designs, optimize performance, and ensure reliability under diverse circumstances.
Pump testers play a pivotal role in this process, serving as the interface between theory and practice. These precision instruments are tasked with evaluating the performance characteristics of fuel pumps, measuring variables such as flow rate, pressure, and efficiency with unparalleled accuracy. By providing real-time feedback on pump performance, pump tester enable engineers to iterate on their designs rapidly, identifying areas for improvement and refining their solutions iteratively.
One of the key advantages of pump tester is their ability to replicate real-world conditions with precision. Whether it's simulating extreme temperatures, varying fuel compositions, or fluctuating demand levels, pump testers can recreate the complex operating environments that fuel pumps encounter on the road. This level of fidelity allows engineers to validate their designs comprehensively, ensuring that they meet the stringent demands of modern automotive applications.
Furthermore, pump testers facilitate collaboration between different stakeholders involved in fuel pump development. From design engineers to quality assurance teams, these testers provide a common platform for communication and evaluation, fostering synergy and streamlining the development process.
In conclusion, pump testers and fuel pump test benches represent the nexus of theory and practice in automotive engineering. By leveraging these advanced tools, engineers can transform conceptual designs into reliable, high-performance fuel pumps that drive innovation and propel the automotive industry forward.
0 notes
Saipushpa Enterprise
Sai Pushpa is one of the leading brands in the Engineering industry manufacturing spare parts of the following companies Aalidhra Textool Group, Aalidhra Bhagat Group, Himson Engineering and Rieter Scragg. We strive to deliver quality textile machinery products to our consumers without any compromise. Our team keeps a constant eye on the quality and safety of products that provide our customers with the required need.
1 note
·
View note
Design of automatic decondensation mechanism for injection mold of engine hook attachment
Preface
In ordinary runner injection molds, materials in gate and runner are all formed aggregates, which are called head or aggregate in production practice. After injection is completed, condensate must be separated from molded plastic part. The key to separation of condensate is separation of gate condensate from plastic part, followed by separation of runner condensate from runner. There are…
View On WordPress
0 notes
How to Purchase Best Precision Machine and Auto Components?
With the development of modern companies and technologies are introducing the different varieties of auto components. With the huge experience, there are many well-established companies are operating to introduce the modern feature-based automobile parts actively.
What the modern auto parts or components:
The need for advanced featured based automobile parts is becoming the best choice for the customers. Many well-recognized automobile parts are well manufactured by different companies all over the country. The presence of the best Precision Auto components manufacturer in India is well suitable for several automobiles.
Some of the key benefits of using precision parts are:
It saves valuable time
It serves high accuracy
They are highly précised and efficient
It reduces the production cost
It helps in meeting the modern rising demand
All the benefits are attracting the companies to go with Precision Auto components manufacturer in India machining services. In manufacturing, the high accuracy and quality based auto parts will ensure the best results and also enhance the life of the automobile or vehicles.
Know more about precision technology:
In short with the help of modern precision machines and technology the companies are well able to manufacture the huge numbers of automobile parts at a time. Some of the listed parts like deckled, bumper, bonnet, cowl screen, etc are considered as the significant Precision Auto components manufacturer in India in the current time for all types of vehicles.
At presently many companies are using the advanced technology for producing the modern components effectively with minimal times also. In the automobile manufacturing industry, it is becoming a better solution for the company to produce precision engineering benefits by manufacturing the advanced parts.
There is well demand for precision machining devices of tech services which lead to help the user in producing a huge number of small and large auto parts instantly. Using the quality parts is well preferred by the customer in order to maintain their vehicle in good performing condition always.
0 notes