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Articles
Advancing rocket propulsion through Additive Manufacturing, novel surface finishing technologies and public-private partnerships
Whilst Additive Manufacturing is undoubtedly having a huge impact on the design and manufacture of rocket propulsion systems, most notably combustion chambers and nozzles, the Achilles’ heel of all AM process is currently as-built surface finish.
Technical Papers
Gear Repair for Helicopters and Wind Turbines via Isotropic Superfinishing
The wind turbine, aerospace, and helicopter gear industries recognize the importance of surface finish and surface texture for maximizing component and system performance.
White Papers
Roughness Measurement Tips: The Scratch Pad
From the perspective of the shop floor environment, the previous Materials Matter column “Roughness Measurement Tips: 2 V 5” discussed the contact stylus 2-micron radius tip versus a 5-micron radius tip.
Technical Papers
A Comparison of Surface Roughness Measurement Methods for Gear Tooth Working Surfaces
Surface roughness is a critical parameter for gears operating under a variety of conditions. It directly influences friction and contact temperature, and therefore has an impact on various failure modes such as macropitting, micropitting and scuffing.
White Papers
Vibratory Media Compositions vs. Attrition and Density
The third in our multi-part series on vibratory processing of gears is focused on understanding how media of different compositions have varying attrition rates and densities, and why these are important in vibratory finishing of gears.
White Papers
Selecting media for optimum vibe bowl gear finishing
Choosing the best media depends on structure and shape of the tooth flank, and whether media components should be abrasive, non-abrasive, or a blend.
White Papers
Materials Matter: How to Set Up a Vibratory Bowl for Gear Finishing
The vibratory bowl is toroidal-shaped, consisting of a center hub surrounded by an OD wall. Direct drive machines have a motor and driveshaft set inside the center hub.
White Papers
Physical Characteristics of the Vibratory Bowl and How They Affect Processing Efficiency
Vibratory bowls are outfitted with hot-poured polyurethane liners and their durometer hardness is an oft-cited characteristic. But what is durometer hardness and how is it useful?
White Papers
Measuring Tooth Flank Roughness
Gear performance has continuously increased over the past two decades. Improvements in metals, heat treatments, geometry, and lubrication are just a few of the sources of these improvements.
Technical Papers
Surface Treatment of Powder-Bed Fusion Additive Manufactured Metals for Improved Fatigue Life
High-cycle fatigue (HCF) tests were conducted on samples fabricated by two powder-bed additive manufacturing techniques.
White Papers
Materials Matter : Surface Finishing Rotorcraft Gearing
Rotorcraft gearboxes are designed with the utmost precision to withstand the tremendous demand and loads required to convert thousands of horsepower and RPM into hundreds of RPM and lift torque.
Technical Papers
AH-64 Loss of Lubrication Study: Test of Isotropic Superfinished AH-64 (Apache) Engine Nose Gearbox Without Black Oxide Coating
Rotorcraft gearboxes are designed to the utmost precision to withstand the tremendous demand and loads required to convert thousands of horsepower and RPM into hundreds of RPM and lift torque.
White Papers
Materials Matter : The State of the Art of Wind Turbine Gearboxes
Much has been written here about the global growth in the wind turbine industry. Today, more than 341,320 wind turbines are operating worldwide. In particular, the number of offshore installations has exploded in the past seven years.
