Fasteners 360 Blog

Airplane elevators play a key role in the mechanics of flight, serving as one of the primary control surfaces that enable pilots to manage an aircraft’s pitch. The pitch of an airplane refers to the angle between an aircraft's nose and the horizon, determining whether the plane climbs, descends, or maintains a level flight path.

Aviation encompasses a diverse range of aircraft, with fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft representing two fundamental categories. In this blog, we will examine the pros and cons of each to form a better understanding of how these remarkable machines effectively meet various transportation and operational needs.

In industrial instrumentation, the nuances between Pressure switches and pressure transmitters often elude those unfamiliar with their intricacies. Both devices play pivotal roles in monitoring and regulating pressure within diverse applications such as air compressors and boilers, but each serves distinct purposes.

Hydraulic jacks are a remarkable invention that simplifies lifting heavy objects–from cars to industrial machinery. These devices operate on hydraulic power, using hydraulic fluid to amplify force and provide efficient lifting capabilities. In this blog, we will take a closer look at how hydraulic jacks work, what their key components are, and their various applications.

When it comes to the aerodynamics of aircraft, various forces and moments come into play to ensure stability and control. One of these crucial factors is the pitching moment, which plays a significant role in determining an aircraft's longitudinal stability. In this blog post, we will delve into the impact of the pitching moment and its importance in aircraft design and control.

Piston engines have been around since the early days of aviation, whereas turboprops are a relatively recent addition. As such, despite both using a propeller to create thrust, there are many major differences between them to consider. However, while turboprop engines may be newer in consideration to their predecessor, they may not always be the better choice of the two depending on the aircraft. In fact, piston engines still find use in small aircraft as a capable and cost-effective option. To learn more about how these two engine types work and what differs between them, read on as we discuss turboprop and piston airplanes in detail.

Congested airfields create dangerous flying conditions for pilots and passengers, alongside airplanes, helicopters, and drones that take to the sky in large numbers each day. The skies tend to be packed above metropolitan areas which is where the majority of people live. Airbound traffic can be hazardous, so to ensure safe skies for all aircraft, airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS) are employed.

For aircraft to perform as optimally as possible, they must be able to have the lowest weight achievable while still upholding all necessary safety and performance objectives. One way in which this has been improved over the years is through the replacement of rubber and metal parts with lighter plastics, a trend that has risen since World War II. While plastic is stereotypically seen as “cheap” or weak, the plastic parts implemented within aircraft make them lighter, more durable, and more fuel-efficient. One example of an important switch was the introduction of the nylon washer, a component which is designed to distribute the pressure of a nut or bolt while guarding surfaces.

To ensure the fuel received by an engine is safe and free of contaminants, aircraft employ the use of fuel filters and strainers. All aircraft require filters for their fuel, but the demands of a particular engine will vary by size and configuration. Larger and higher-performance aircraft have higher demands to function; while some filter styles may suit light aircraft, other designs are needed for turbine jets and twin engines. As a result, there are many styles of aircraft fuel strainers on the market, and procuring the correct style is crucial for the safety of your aircraft. That being said, all strainers serve the same purpose of trapping debris from aircraft fuel to make sure it is clean enough for use. This blog will serve to offer a better understanding of the purpose of an aircraft fuel strainer and the types available for different categories of planes.

Metal washers are typically small and resemble flat metal discs that have a hole in their center which allows them to be placed on the rod of a bolt or screw. They are commonly used as a spacer, a method of absorbing shock, and/or for distributing the load of a fastener. For their proven durability and strength, metals like galvanized carbon steel or stainless steel are often used, but washers made of other metals are also available. Depending on the material used, as well as the design, these washers can be made to suit a variety of specialized applications and unique environments.