Model Airplanes

Professional 3D printer manufacturer INTAMSYS, headquartered in Shanghai, has released the FUNMAT HT desktop 3D printer. Capable of 3D printing high temperature materials like PEEK, Ultem and PPSU, the FUNMAT HT opens up access to industrial plastics for a fraction of the cost of typical high performance machines.

Left and right side views of the FUNMAT HT. Photos via INTAMSYS.

Low-budget access to 3D printing for engineers

First launched at CES 2017, the FUNMAT HT is a machine devised for engineering firms to test the potential of 3D printing at high temperatures. It is distributed with two interchangeable hot ends, one high temp and one low temp, preventing material contamination that can result in the failed performance of a print.

3D printing up to 450℃

The high temperature hot end is capable of reaching temperatures up to 450°C, which in turn opens up the mechanical and resistant properties possible.

Mechanical cogs 3D printed in PEEK on the FUNMAT HT. Photo by Beau Jackson

PEEK is a medical-grade plastic that, for its mechanical robustness, is also in use in the aerospace industry and the standard for interior parts of the Airbus A350 XWB commercial airplane. And PPSU, another material compatible with the FUNMAT HT, is chemical resistant and suited for automotive, aerospace, and plumbing applications.

The lower temperature hot end, by comparison, is capable of working with standard 3D printer materials such as PLA and ABS. This allows for a versatile use of the machine, switching between potential end-user parts and prototyping.

High performance at a low price

In order to produce such high performance parts,

Article source: https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/industrial-material-desktop-3d-printing-intamsys-funmat-ht-full-technical-specs-pricing-115638/

While it has become easy to notice a Boeing 737 or Airbus A330 given its popularity with airlines, some might not know that the same production line that produced a Southwest Airlines 737-800 produced a military model of the same jet. In this two-part series, we will look into several commercial aircraft with military siblings. We will ignore VIP transports like the VC-25 and Boeing 777 VIP, as most political figures use a modified commercial airplane to fly around.

Boeing 367

Even though the Boeing 707 receives the love of being the first successful jet-powered commercial aircraft, the prototype of the Boeing 367 has received much attention in the military world. From the Boeing 367’s design would come the X-135 military models, which would soon become the base for multiple military variants.

The most popular version is the KC-135 Stratotanker, which operates as an air refueler for the United States, France, Turkey, Chile, and Singapore. The tanker has a range of 9,700 nautical miles and can carry 83,000 pounds of fuel. The airframe comes equipped with a single boom on the rear of the airplane for refueling aircraft.

The Boeing 367 has also seen significant use for information and data collection with the creation of the C-135 Stratolifter. Most of these variants, including the OC-135 Open Skies and EC-135 are utilized for telemetry and observation, and have special equipment installed to measure either weapons or weather.

In total, over 800

Article source: http://airlinegeeks.com/2017/06/12/aircraft-siblings-boeing-jets-built-for-both-commercial-and-military-use/

At the time, the FAA feels the concern addressed in SAIB CE-17-14 does not warrant an airworthiness directive.

The FAA is advising owners and operators of an airworthiness concern with certain Luscombe aircraft models, specifically the need to start inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) legs in order to detect possible corrosion and correct it.

More Details on SAIB CE-17-14

This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB CE-17-14) applies to the following Luscombe Aircraft:

• Model 8 series
• Model 11A series
• Model 11E series
• Phantom 1 series

The agency notes that Luscombe’s Model 8 series airplanes have a “history of MLG failures due to internal corrosion of the MLG lower legs.” This is because the design on the lower leg allows moisture to accumulate inside the leg just above the axle, making it susceptible to corrosion. With internal surface treatment and regular inspection of the lower legs, the risk of lower gear failure due to corrosion may be mitigated.

Recommendations

The FAA recommends that owners/operators of the affected airplanes follow the inspection procedures provided in the Don Luscombe Aviation History Foundation (DLAHF) Service Recommendation (SR) #4, provided on January 22, 1996. (I’ve done some searching, and I can’t find a copy of SR #4 to link to. If anyone knows where one is or has a

Article source: https://disciplesofflight.com/faa-saib-ce-17-14-luscombe-aircraft/