The Need for Proper Tooling in Aerospace Manufacturing Programs

In successful aerospace manufacturing programs, tooling is one of the most important components for manufacturers to consider. The material being cut, how chips will form, the finish quality of the cut and a host of other factors need to be carefully considered to ensure that the right tool is selected. Otherwise, delays in production and parts failing quality control checks can quickly lead to increased costs.

A few of the important things to consider about tooling for your aerospace manufacturing program include:

Machining speed – Machine speed can be difficult to define, as the same spindle speed on a machine may produce drastically different results depending on the tool used and material cut. Reliable tooling professionals will look instead at the inches per tooth (IPT) removed on each cut and the surface feet per minute (SFM). Choosing aerospace manufacturing tools that perform well at both the high SFM needed for roughing and the low IPT needed for finishing will help decrease setup times where tools need to be changed.

Machine-tool mating – Tool holding is another important element in aerospace manufacturing, which affects both the quality and precision of cuts. If tool and work piece are not properly aligned, the CNC programs that guide most modern machining centers won’t be able to accurately produce the desired component. Likewise, too firm or light a hold on a tool can lead to chatter, drastically reducing the quality of cuts.

Tool type – From basic end mills to shell cutters with indexable inserts, tooling professionals have a range of options to choose from. Minimizing the number of tools required for a machining process can greatly increase the speed at which an aircraft component or other part is milled by reducing setup times. Also, choosing the right tool material for working a specific alloy is a key factor in preventing tool wear that can increase production costs for aerospace manufacturers.

At Intrex Aerospace, tooling for aerospace manufacturing programs is just one of the many services we offer as part of our turnkey component solutions. As an ISO 9001- and AS9100C-certified company dedicated to lean manufacturing, we can provide reliable aerospace manufacturing services that save our customers’ time and money from prototyping through production. To learn more about our portfolio of services or request a quote on your next project, contact us today.