Washers are a common hardware component that can be found in countless fastened assemblies, often coming in the form of thin, disk-shaped elements that contain a hole. Varying in type, shape, and general design, most washers serve roles including acting as threaded fastener load distributors, spacers, springs, wear pads, preload indicating devices, locking devices, and vibration reducers.  In particular, flat washers and lock washers are some of the most common washer options when creating assemblies, and they both offer different capabilities and designs that can make them beneficial for select applications. In this blog, we will briefly discuss both the flat washer and lock washer, allowing you to better understand how they may be used. Read more >>

Fasteners are hardware components that are used to affix two or more parts together, often creating permanent and semi-permanent joints depending upon the type. Fasteners are used for many materials and applications, regularly being employed for bridge construction, automobile manufacturing, table assembly, and so much more. Set screws are a specialized type of fastener, commonly being used to secure an object to or within another object while leaving no protruding sections. Read more >>

In the realm of tools and hardware components, a socket is a type of equipment piece that may be used to install and remove a mechanical fastener. In particular, they are often employed for use with hex head bolts, screws, and other various fastener types, featuring a compatible head and a handle to apply torque. A socket can refer to the hole of fasteners that facilitate the connection of another part, however, an example being a fastener with a head socket which serves as the means of accepting a male tool. As a result, it is important to understand the differences between tool sockets and fastener sockets when conducting various operations or procuring parts. Read more >>

While screws seem like simple threaded fastener components that may be used for construction, the diverse applications that they serve can often demand rigorous designs and construction to withstand the various forces assemblies are subjected to. As hardware fasteners that may attach two or more components securely together through friction and traction, screws can be used for the construction of aircraft, electronics, machinery, infrastructure, and much more. In this blog, we will provide an overview of screws, allowing you to best be aware of their various types, designs, materials, applications, and more. Read more >>

The cable assembly and wire harness are two electronic components that many consider the same thing. However, they are in fact somewhat different. A wire harness is a grouping of wires that are designed to transmit signals or electrical power. A wire harness typically has multiple branches or ends that can go off in multiple directions with several terminations on every branch. So, how is this different from a cable assembly? In this blog, we will differentiate cable assemblies from wire harnesses, explain the components of a cable assembly, and discuss its many applications. Read more >>

Hoses and pipes are two types of tubes commonly used to transport fluids. Both of them operate in a similar manner: they are used to convey fluids from one place to another, moving them through a sterile medium free from contamination. Hoses and pipes can both serve as a pathway for varying types of fluids and are both used in many different industries. Despite achieving more or less the same thing, the two are used in different applications, made from different materials, and designed for different purposes. The main differences between hoses and pipes are their composition, flexibility, design, reinforcement, and application. This blog will cover each of these differences, providing further details on each of them. Read more >>

A Fixed Base Operator, or FBO, is a particularly luxurious perk of private jet travel. FBOs are essentially private terminals located in a stand-alone building away from the main terminal of an airport, where an array of services and amenities are available to private jet passengers, crew, and the aircraft themselves. Read more >>

When shopping for parts and components for your aerospace operations, you may eventually come across those that are considered “TSO parts”. As there are a multitude of specialized parts, procedures, standards, grades, and more involved in such a developed and standardized industry, being aware of each acronym’s meaning may be difficult. In this blog, we will discuss what TSO parts are, and how parts become considered as such. Read more >>

When flying or designing an aircraft, it is always crucial that it is designated as an “airworthy” part. Airworthiness refers to an aircraft’s ability to be considered safe for flight. These standards and certificates are regulated and upheld by various international agencies, including but not limited to the International Civil Aviation Organization, European Aviation Safety Agency, NATO, and European Defense Agency. These requirements for airworthiness are not just for the aircraft, but even for each and every component as well. When sourcing parts, one may recognize some of the common standards, such as TSO and PMA, but what do these designations mean for the parts they encompass? Read more >>

Within piping and hydraulic systems, valves are an important component that allows for the controlling of liquid flow. Utilizing a valve, the flow of liquid can be started, stopped, redirected, sped or slowed down, or be regulated in regards to its flow. The more complex the system of piping is, the harder it can be to manually manage it in its entirety. Some systems may even prove to be dangerous to handle manually due to extreme temperatures or that the pipe houses chemicals. Complex system may also require very precise changes in which accurate control is of utmost importance. For these systems, servo valves are a great solution that allows for easy and efficient piping management. Read more >>