A film, modelled on the skin of a shark, now reduces air resistance and thus the emissions of climate-damaging carbon dioxide in aircraft. Münster-based film and coatings specialist BASF Coatings has developed a high-tech film that has now been used on 25 Boeing 777 and 747 aircraft since 2022. BASF Coatings checks the condition of the “NovaFlex SharkSkin” glued to the hulls of the aircraft using ACCRETECH’s portable surface measuring device called HANDYSURF+.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of precision aerospace parts, UK-based ANT Industries has built its reputation on producing components of uncompromising accuracy and quality. Manufacturing complex parts and assemblies for more than 20 different aerospace and gas turbine engines, the Warwickshire SME quite naturally demands the highest levels of precision and reliability from the machine tools and equipment it uses.

ARRI Cine Technik is known as the leading producer of high-end film cameras and a key to their success is their commitment to the highest quality standards. As the image sensor is a critical component in every camera, ARRI decided to introduce its own in-house inspection process. The quality check should occur very early in production before the sensors are mounted into the camera. A precise and automated wafer handling system was therefore required, and ARRI Cine Technik approached wafer processing specialist ACCRETECH for solutions.

Given the extremely competitive environment global aerospace manufacturers operate within, as well as ensuring the precision capabilities of their quality control equipment, the speed and operational efficiency of the sector’s inspection aids are becoming ever more important. The recent installation of an ACCRETECH SURFCOM NEX surface and contour measuring machine at the premises of Hill Helicopters illustrates the advantages aerospace manufacturers gain when they are able to achieve rapid, high-precision inspection results.

Is tool run-out spoiling your milling process? This can be caused by swarf or chips entering the tool chuck, wear on the tool-holder or at the spindle interface. The entry of chips into the tool taper can be particularly prominent during high-speed cutting of aluminium parts. The introduction of run-out into the tool, especially on higher value parts, can be costly in scrap, for example during machining of transmission and compressor cases, ABS system parts and cylinder blocks.