![]() ![]() Regardless of how a job comes to our shop, every finished tool includes a quality inspection report tied to a 3D CAD model,” added Williams. But we are often asked to create tooling from an artifact, which can be an organic shape or prismatic part for which there are no CAD models or drawings available. “Typically, we receive 3D CAD models which we use to design, build, and inspect finished tooling. “When it comes to designing and making tooling it can be both a creative and highly technical process,” said Neil Williams, Director of NÉOS. At the heart of the UK tooling manufacturing industry for over 25 years, NÉOS supplies high quality tools domestically and internationally to a variety of major aerospace and automotive manufacturers and their supply chains. NÉOS Technologies (formerly Hockley Pattern & Tool), Halesowen, England is an example of a company dedicated to the art and science of making perfect tooling. If the layup tooling is not perfect the foundation is flawed. There are many hand-offs in the manufacturing and assembly of composite parts, which often include machining, coatings, finishing, and add-on components. Throughout this ongoing evolution one thing seems to remain constant, layup tooling is at the foundation of both functionality and quality. ![]() The layup tools and those who design, manufacture, and inspect them are the unsung heroes behind the many parts and finished products that rely on high strength, lightweight composites.Īs with most manufacturing applications there is constant improvement in materials and processes that make turning out high tech parts faster and cheaper with ever improving quality. The complexity and precision of today’s composite parts rely heavily on the layup tools that make advanced forming possible. (Image courtesy of the United States Air Force) Specialty coatings are applied to the finished canopy to maintain low-observable or stealth characteristics. 10.The canopy is built to withstand the impact of a 4-pound bird at 480 knots on the reinforced windscreen and 350 knots on the canopy crown without breaking. The F-35 cockpit demonstrator will remain at Wright-Patterson AFB until Sept. More than 2,500 F-35s are currently planned for the United States and England, with commitments from many other countries to build for their air and naval forces. To date, nine development aircraft have been built or are in production. The colonel added that the first F-35A built, a CTOL variant, has already flown 45 times and the first STOVL variant recently began flight testing. "The program is really maturing rapidly now." "The F-35 is a fifth generation, all-weather strike fighter that was conceived in the early 1990s," Colonel Genatempo said. A high degree of commonality exists between three variants: a conventional takeoff and landing, or CTOL, aircraft for the Air Force, carrier variant for the Navy, and short takeoff/vertical landing, or STOVL, for the Marine Corps. This is achieved through shared development with the Navy, Marine Corps and partner nations. Once fielded, it will complement the fleet of F-22 Raptor air-supremacy fighters that are already operational.Īffordability is a key component of the F-35s acquisition strategy, Colonel Genatempo said. The A-10 Thunderbolt, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet and A/V-8 Harrier are among the jets it will replace. The F-35 is a stealthy, single-engine, supersonic multirole fighter that will replace a variety of aging fighter and strike aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied defense forces. With its stealth and integrated systems, nothing will come close to the F-35's multirole capabilities." ![]() "We're delighted to be able to bring the cockpit demonstrator here so they can get a sense of what it's like to fly it. "Our people have been working hard to see the F-35 through system development and demonstration," Colonel Genatempo said. ![]() Anthony Genatempo, the 640th AESS commander. The cockpit demonstrator is a traveling, working mock-up of the advanced jet's cockpit, complete with wrap-around high-resolution displays to give pilots a sense of motion.ĪSC's 640th Aeronautical Systems Squadron officials here oversee Air Force acquisition and program management support for the F-35, said Lt. ![]()
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