Importance of Precision in the Aerospace Industry

Safety is the number one reason and precision is the top priority for any aerospace company. Aerospace machinists know this from the time they begin their careers in manufacturing. Machining aerospace components is taken very seriously for reasons we all expect. You would not want to board a plane if the parts and structure were processed just a “good” level. Transportation in general has followed stringent guidelines to ensure public safety and employees who operate and provide the services we all request and enjoy. There are three basic reasons precision is so critical in aerospace:  

• Safety: This is why the number of people traveling by air increases just about every year is due to the safety records of the airline industry. For internal to external use, every aerospace component produced by a precision aerospace company, or a third-party supplier must function flawlessly to the intended design. If aerospace components do not fit properly or defects contribute to failures, the results can be catastrophic. The industry prides not only on the quality of their products, but in the process that ensures inspections and scheduled parts replacement. It is safety that keeps the standards to the highest levels. 
• Reliability:  Imagine how many times the airline doors are opened and closed or the countless times the seat buckles are engaged. These cycles of use would be short if not for precision manufacturing. Aerospace components are made with the functionality of the designed part and what material will be needed. These factors are then manufactured by highly skilled aerospace machinists. Working with CNC technology, the knowledge of methods and materials prevent the occurrence of defects. All parts go through rigorous test and inspection before approved for service.  
• Quality of Operation: An aircraft’s performance is greatly measured during flight. How much does it weigh or how much drag there is affects fuel efficiency. Using precision manufacturing contributes to the overall performance by producing properly shaped wings, by the rivets that hold panels together, by the precise fit of the doors and windows and so many more factors. A sub-par operation record could indicate a problem that could flag larger issues thus grounding a fleet of aircraft until resolution was done. 

The aerospace industry indicates it takes from 500,000 to millions of individuals parts that make up a commercial aircraft depending on the make and model. Under the umbrella of safety, reliability, and quality of operation, precision manufacturers and precision aerospace components function as a key element in the aerospace industry. Every aspect of machining aerospace parts for engine components, flight controls, landing gear, door hinges, panels screws and so on, require precision for the aircraft to operate without malfunction and provide the passengers with that premium reliable performance we expect and demand.