For an aircraft engine to kickstart operations for thrust generation, there often needs to be some type of external system or energy source for starting. Starters may come in varying forms, some being more manually operated while others may be automatic and electrically controlled. Air turbine starters in particular are a common option for various aircraft, capable of providing considerable torque for starting processes while being much lighter than their electric counterparts. Read more >>

Metal structural repairs are necessary for the safe operation of an aircraft when damage or wear occurs. Failing to conduct these critical metalworking tasks may pose safety risks by compromising vital parts, so they must be performed according to the best available techniques to ensure plane integrity. Read more >>

The average automobile is made up of nearly 30,000 components, many of which are hardware products like nuts and bolts. While many pay the most attention to grander assemblies, it is often the smallest of parts that serve the most important roles. For instance, the rod bearing is an often overlooked component due to its simplicity and size, yet it plays a critical role in the performance of the engine. In this blog, we will discuss rod bearings in more detail, allowing you to better understand their design, comparison to conventional bearings, and application. Read more >>

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 >>

Electric motors are an apparatus that is commonly found in various industries and applications, serving to convert electrical energy into mechanical power. Coming in a number of designs, shapes, and sizes, electric motors ensure the operability of water pumps, automobiles, vacuum cleaners, machinery, dishwashers, and so much more. With consistent operations, general wear and tear may eventually lead to the failure of a motor, necessitating the regular inspection and maintenance of parts. Electric motor bearings in particular are an important element to check on a set schedule, due to the fact that they are regularly overlooked. Read more >>

Bearings are mechanical devices that assist an object’s rotation. Within the engines and wing assemblies of an aircraft, bearings are made to withstand both axial and centrifugal force during operation. Moreover, they are designed to handle large amounts of pressure and allow for other surfaces affixed to them to move with minimal friction and wear. Due to their versatility, there are numerous types, each varying in size, shape, and function. In this blog, we will be covering two types of bearings: wheel bearings and hub bearings. More than that, you will get a brief overview of their fundamental differences, their uses, and special features. Read more >>

A pillow block bearing, often referred to as a bearing housing or plummer block, is a pedestal that provides support for a rotating shaft with compatible bearings like ball or roller bearings. For the purpose of this blog, we will be referring to this kind of bearing as a bearing housing or plummer block to avoid confusion among the other bearing types. Plummer blocks serve as housings that have a bearing placed into them. They are typically mounted on a surface parallel and offset to the axis of the shaft, and they contain a stationary outer ring and rotating inner ring. Mounting holes at the base of the plummer block allow for easy mounting and modification. Read more >>

Fasteners are a widely used component type for assembly and construction, used to join two or more objects together with a permanent or semi-permanent joint. Relied on for countless applications ranging from the assembly of a chair to the construction of an aircraft, fasteners can be found all around us in countless situations and spaces. When working with fasteners and their assemblies yourself, it is highly beneficial to have a basic familiarity with the most common variations, allowing you to best discern what component is best for a given situation. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the most popularly used fasteners, allowing you to understand their design and functionalities. 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 >>