Aviation Purchasing Platform Blog

Rivets are a common fastener type used in numerous industries and construction applications, allowing for a permanent joint to be installed with the use of a single component and tool. With a standard rivet, the installation process simply required one to pass the tail-end of the fastener through a preformed hole before deforming it to create a second head. While this installation technique is quite easy, it requires one to have access to both sides of an assembly, that of which may not be the most feasible for applications such as aircraft construction. In these cases, specialized fasteners must be used, the most popular form being the pop rivet.

When flying in an aircraft, whether commercial or military, an emergency exit is a crucial feature that the plane should possess. Thus, for safe travels in the present, most commercial planes like the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320 include multiple exits in addition to the traditional emergency exit. One such emergency exit is the overwing exit, that of which can be found near a trailing edge of an aircraft wing, allowing passengers to leave the plane in case of emergency. The trailing edge is the rear edge of an aircraft's wings where passengers can utilize an overwing exit if present, hence its name. The overwing exit is a self-help exit and can be operated by passengers in the case of an immediate evacuation using slides from the extended flaps or through an evacuation slide that deploys when the door is opened. Aircraft have 90-second evacuation rules, which sometimes is not possible with the main doors, and using a traditional emergency door is not required; in such cases, overwing exits come into play. They are typically smaller than traditional standard emergency exits due to their smaller width and height, and the passenger seated next to the overwing exit is responsible for opening the exit gates.

All internal combustion engines require a spark source in order to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. While many vehicles have transitioned to battery-powered coil-type ignition systems, aircraft still rely on century-old magneto technology to create the spark necessary for combustion. These small devices are considered to be one of the most reliable components featured on the aircraft, owing to their simplicity and non-dependence on other systems. Due to FAA regulations and industry standards, customers generally must choose between two magneto types: Bendix or Slick. In this blog, we will discuss some of the main differences between these devices in an attempt to help you decide which is most in line with your individual requirements.

For vehicles or assemblies that are in motion, shock often proves to be a detrimental force that can easily lead to various forms of damage over time. While there are various methods of mitigating the effects of shock, the most common is to implement shock absorbers. Also known as dampers, shock absorbers come in various types to support a wide variety of applications. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of shock absorbers and their common types, allowing you to find the perfect solution for your needs.

As aircraft have continued to advance with the introduction of computers, computer systems, and the glass cockpit, pilots have been provided an increasing amount of data that is easily obtainable at their fingerprints. With the implementation of computers for flight instrumentation and system monitoring, pilots can always ensure that they are able to pay full attention to matters that are of the utmost importance. This is done through the use of electronic flight information systems, all of which create and maintain displays through the use of aircraft symbol generator equipment.

As their name suggests, ultrasonic transducers are devices that produce or sense ultrasound energy. For nondestructive testing, ultrasonic transducers use high-frequency sound waves to measure certain parameters. In some instances, inspectors utilize them in a wide variety of industrial applications, including flaw detection, thickness gaging, and weld inspection.

Neoprene is one of the most widely used synthetic rubbers that is utilized in industrial, electronic, and household applications. This general-purpose rubber has several advantages over its natural rubber counterparts, but its high price point makes it an unpopular option. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of neoprene, its properties, and applications, allowing you to acquire a better understanding of this versatile product.

Hydraulic accumulators are pressure vessels that perform many tasks within a hydraulic system, and the safety dangers associated with such components are often overlooked. In contrast, personal protective equipment, chain guards, safety harnesses, and lockout-tagout procedures are typically covered in depth. 

Woodworking machinery is useful for numerous applications, allowing for wood pieces to be cut, drilled, sawed, finished, and more. Depending on the type of machine that is being used for a particular operation, it is crucial that one enacts robust safety measures to avoid the high risk of injury that is pervasive in such procedures. Often, the most accidents occur with circular saws, wood shapers, and surface planners, thus one should familiarize themselves with common tools and how they may be best used.

When measuring electricity for various properties, ground or earth often serves as an optimal reference point. Known as grounding or earthing, earth acts as a common return path for electrical current or may provide a direct physical connection to the electric charge. For true earth ground, such conditions are defined as when a conductive pipe or rod is inserted into the earth with a minimum depth of 8 feet. Due to the electrically neutral state of earth, there is a lack of electrical wavering which makes earth both a good reference point and a way to make electrical operations safer.