Finding a quality aerospace component supplier isn’t easy. Most companies aren’t up to the task and many aerospace companies waste time dealing with errors during the manufacturing process.
Since aerospace is such a highly regulated industry, it’s important to source your custom components from a trustworthy company.
Read below to find out where to get custom aerospace components and learn more details on specific aerospace manufacturing processes!
What is the best type of company for custom aerospace components?
The aerospace industry has many tight restrictions to abide by.
It’s an industry that must comply with strict guidelines by the Technical Standard Orders (TSO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
So, the best type of company for custom aerospace components has to be trustworthy and reliable. It needs quality assurance in every step of the manufacturing and total adherence to guidelines.
That’s why a turnkey engineering company is the best option for acquiring custom aerospace components.
Why is Turnkey Engineering best for Custom Aerospace Components?
In a turnkey engineering company, all aerospace components are built in-house, from start to finish.
That means the same company will conceptualize and fabricate the product, without relying on any outsourcing.
Since the component is built under the same roof, this reduces room for error.
Also, turnkey engineering companies have the ability to scale up production whenever needed quickly.
So, if demand for a certain component suddenly rises, a turnkey company can deliver it faster than standard engineering industries.
Where to find custom aerospace components by category
There are several types of companies that create aerospace components.
However, it’s harder to find companies that will customize their aerospace manufacturing on a client-to-client basis.
We at RCO Engineering have experience making custom components for commercial and private aircraft, including seating and aircraft interiors. We have brought our experience in automotive technology, process, and quality to the aircraft industry and take a unique approach to how these components are designed, built, and installed.
Find out more about our aerospace engineering services.
Below, you will find details on aerospace components by category, from CNC Machining all the way to thermoplastics!
CNC Machining
The “CNC” in CNC Machining stands for computerized numerical control.
It’s a process in which an engineer feeds a CAD file to the machine and then it starts fabricating the components automatically.
Since it’s computerized, it’s a highly efficient process with almost no errors. After all, if the CAD file is precise, the component will turn out just fine too.
At RCO Engineering we machine titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel aerospace components. We specialize in bridge and low volume production up to 30,000 parts. However, if you need just one or a few prototype parts we can machine those as well. We are AS9100 certified for aerospace production. A large amount of our CNC work is multi departmental. If you have a part that needs more than machining we have the ability to keep your part in-house for the other necessary processes.
Learn more about our CNC Machining processes.
Compression Molding
Compression is when you mold materials such as kevlar, PET, GMT, and glass into a component.
As the name suggests, we compress the material in a molded tool. Then with extreme heat/cold, we shape it into interior panels, structural parts, functional components, mechanisms, and more!
We have a team of compression specialists with years of experience compressing all sorts of materials into aerospace components.
Just tell us what you need and we’ll see if it can be compressed at RCO Engineering!
Learn more about Compression Molding.
Assembly/Kitting
Assembly and kitting are both essential services for any industry that requires several complex components.
But what’s the difference between the two?
Read below to find out!
What does component assembly mean?
Assembly is when an industry joins together two or more components to form a product. RCO specializes in high mix, low volume assembly, meaning we can assemble a wide variety of components or products in lower quantities. We are constantly changing what we produce as well as the quantities of what we produce. This is the case in our low volume seat assembly which is made up of approx.1000 parts and hardware that need to be assembled in varying arrangements and quantities.
The assembly of custom aerospace components requires specialized machinery, fixturing, and labor. They require specialized manufacturing setups for each component.
A turnkey engineering company can adapt production lines quickly for custom components, which means they are of great value to the aerospace industry.
What does component kitting mean?
The name itself gives it away: “kitting” means making a kit of components for the client.
It means creating a complete kit of components required to build a specific machine, part, or commodity for the aerospace industry.
Let’s say, for example, that a component kit is crafted for an airplane seat: it would include the pieces for the frame, the foam, hardware and more. The idea is for everything you need to be in one box. One product can be made up of several different kits.
Kitting has so many benefits, including increased productivity.
With kitting, clients can start additional processes on their parts immediately instead of having to search for specific components amongst many. Or they may have to disassemble components for rework. Kitting avoids having to take certain assemblies apart and helps the customer stay organized.and timely. Also, component kitting simplifies orders. Instead of having to source your components for your aerospace equipment from several sources, you can order ready-to-build kits from a single company.
So, in a nutshell: kitting makes life easier for everyone in the industry by including all the aerospace components you need in a single order.
Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing
Thermoplastic composite has become an increasingly popular material for aerospace components in past decades.
Components that were traditionally just made with metal are now being fabricated in thermoplastic, such as fuselage panels, baggage compartments, lavatory and galley components, headliners, and many other interior parts.
Thermoplastic parts have an unlimited shelf life (before curing), don’t need to be refrigerated, and best of all — are recyclable.
Industries that manufacture thermoplastic composite components for the aerospace industry must adhere to strict guidelines.
Looking for custom aerospace components? Ask for a quote now!
At RCO Engineering, we have 48 years of experience manufacturing components for the automobile industry and have served aerospace companies since 2008.
Our team of over 500 associates consists of designers, engineers, and skilled manufacturers who take their extensive knowledge of automobiles and apply it to aerospace to create seating, structural components, and more.
We have developed award-winning products for business jet companies and commercial airlines and we work closely with clients to create custom components for aircraft you can’t find anywhere else.
We develop the following components for the aerospace industry:
- Composites: structural, non-structural, and complex parts
- Foam: foam pads in any shape, manufacturing in less than 10 minutes
- Metal: components for seats, interiors, and structures
- Plastic: silicon molds, CAD file copies, and the capacity to build more than 20.000 parts from just one mold
Click on the link below to get your free quote now:
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