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The Aviation Industry Soars Using Interface Solutions

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Interface is proud to offer a diverse range of force, torque, and weight measurement solutions to the aviation industry.

A sector within the aerospace industry, Interface aviation solutions are products we supply for use in the design, engineering and operation of aircraft.

The quality of our products, including the reliable form factor design, proprietary strain gages, and rugged materials, are built to withstand the rigorous performance standards and environments that aircraft safety demands. It is why Interface is a provider of choice for test and measurement solutions in the aviation industry. Check out our new Aircraft Solutions overview here.

The aircraft and aviation industries are vast and complex with many different sectors. Our products are currently used in commercial, general and military aviation, aviation infrastructure, equipment and systems. In addition to the mechanical component testing, Interface often supplies load cells, torque transducers and instrumentation for use in aviation training, education, research and development.

While aviation systems embody an extensive collection of interconnected components and technologies, this complexity does not lessen the requirements for rigorous sensor-based test and measurement programs for every part. Interface products help to collect critical data on the performance of aircraft components and systems. These aviation systems include aircraft, air traffic control, navigation and communication systems, infrastructure, ground support equipment, airport transport vehicles, aircraft testing labs, and tools.

We work with aeronautical and mechanical engineers who are involved in designing, developing, and maintaining aircraft, propulsion systems, avionics, and air traffic management technologies. Interface load cells and transducers provide accurate and reliable measurements of forces, weights and torques of aviation components and systems.

How does the aviation industry use Interface measurement solutions?

  • Aircraft engine manufacturers use our load cells and torque transducers to measure the operating performance within their design limits and for diagnostics and troubleshooting. Read: Aircraft Engine Hoist
  • Aviation system developers integrate our sensors into equipment and parts to provide continuous force monitoring and to trigger alarms for maintenance.
  • Rotorcraft part makers need to assess the loads and torques on blades and other components to the aircraft is safe to fly and to identify any weaknesses based on accurate measurements. Read:Propeller Testing
  • Landing gear experts use our load cells to confirm that the gear can withstand the forces encountered during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. Read: Landing Gear Joint Testing
  • Aircraft structures must be strong enough to withstand the forces encountered in flight. Testing is standard for cycle counts, environmental tests and assessment of materials. Interface products are used for assessing structural like wings and fuselages in wind tunnel tests. Read: Interface Solutions for Structural Testing and Aircraft Wing Fatigue App Note
  • Flight control systems are using measurement sensors to test and monitor the components used for various controls. Read: Aircraft Yoke Torque Measurement
  • In-flight systems and simulators utilize precision measurement devices to provide vital data that monitors aviation and aircraft health. This is important for real-time assessments and for training purposes. It is essential for the long-term growth of the industry to provide the best tools and equipment to learn the values of accurate measurement and how it impacts performance and safety.

Beyond the essential manufacturers of aircraft parts, aviation systems, and equipment, Interface supplies many of the leading aviation testing labs with load cells, load pins, torque transducers, wireless devices and instrumentation. The quality of our products is built to withstand the rigorous performance standards and environments that aircraft safety demands.

Our products are used for static testing, material testing, torque testing, fatigue testing, stress and tension tests, dynamic testing, environmental and wind tunnel testing, structural tests and compression testing. We also supply the aviation industry with measurement solutions for rigging, lifting, weighing and monitoring of equipment in use. Check out our Aircraft Lifting Equipment App Note.

Learn more about our range of solutions in this Airplane Jacking System solution.

The aviation industry is a dynamic and ever-changing industry, and the sectors within it are constantly evolving. New innovations in the aviation require extensive testing and accurate measurement. The aviation industry is a complex and demanding industry, and the development of new technologies requires a rigorous testing process.

The fact that Interface offers an extensive array of force measure devices in different models, capacities, configurations and capabilities helps aviation system suppliers and manufacturers. Our load cells and sensor technologies are used to measure a wide range of factors, such as tensions, weights, forces, and torques. This information can be used to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft and their components.

With a surplus of options that can meet the specifications of each use case and testing application, Interface is an experience and preferred provider to the aviation industry.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Interface Supports Wind Tunnel Testing

LIFTING: Airplane Jacking System

LIFTING: Aircraft Engine Hoist

Taking Flight with Interface Solutions for Aircraft Testing

Aircraft Wing Fatigue App Note

Aircraft Screwdriver Fastening Control App Note

Airplane Static Testing Case Study

Engineered Solutions for Lifting Webinar

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Interface’s technical webinar Engineered Solutions for Lifting details measurement devices used in lifting equipment, machines, and vehicles to improve operations and safety. Interface load cells and instrumentation are used to operate cranes, hoist heavy objects, and measure forces in infrastructure projects. Interface experts answer how load cells are used in safety monitoring for lifting equipment. Learn about Interface sensor products suited for integration into existing equipment and test and measurement projects.

Read more

Interface Crane Use Cases and Application Notes

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Manufacturers and engineers of heavy equipment are rigorous about the design quality, performance and most importantly preserving safety. Having tools to test and monitor this type of equipment allows equipment producers and users to review performance at all stages, ultimately maintaining a safe working environment which is critical to any construction, transportation, or infrastructure project job site. That’s why Interface provides quality force measurement products for a host of industrial equipment machines to accurately measure force, load capacity, weight, tension and more.

Interface has been a long-time supplier of force and torque sensors along with instrumentation products for projects involving all types of cranes and lifting machines. We are frequently asked to provide crane force measurement solutions for applications used in hoisting, lifting, moving, and transporting heavy objects. These use cases range across all types of environments, from constructing high rises in metropolitan centers around the world to maritime industry users loading docks and lifting watercraft.

To outline how force measurement is used to monitor cranes, we developed a series of application notes explaining the components Interface provided to allow our customer to measure safety, reliability, and efficiency of their equipment.

Crane Capacity Verification

The first application note outlines a project in which the customer wanted to verify that their crane was strong enough to safely lift a heavy load at its rated maximum load capacity. It was determined that because of the size of the crane, a wireless solution was needed to avoid long wires and burdensome installation. Interface provided a WTSTL Lightweight Wireless Tension Link Load Cell to measure the load’s maximum capacity. WTS-RM1 Wireless Relay Output Receiver Modules were also used to trigger an alarm that can be set when the maximum capacity of weight/force has been reached. To review the data the customer could transmit the data to a PC or laptop with a WTS-BS-4 USB base station. The data can also be reviewed through a WTS-BS-1-HS Wireless Handheld Display. With this solution, the customer was able to verify if the crane is safe and functional enough to lift it’s working load limit (WLL), or safe working load (SWL) capacity.

Read the full Crane Capacity Verification Application Note here.

Crane Block Safety Check

The next example features a crane application in which the customer wanted to detect whether a crane block could lift a heavy load securely to keep working conditions safe for personnel. The customer specifically wanted the solution to include an alarm feature that notified them if lifting capacity was exceeded in real-time. Using a WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pin in place of a load bearing pin in the crane block, they could measure the force being applied by the heavy load. Data will be transmitted and displayed through both the WTS-BS-4 USB Base Station. It can also be paired with the WTS-BS-1-HA Wireless Handheld for real-time safety monitoring. The WTS-RM1 Wireless Relay Output Receiver Module triggers an alarm when maximum capacity has been reached. The customer was able to verify if the crane was operating safely and was always functional enough to lift it’s working load limit (WLL) or safe working load (SWL) capacity. The added alarm feature is critical for notifying users when the crane reaches unsafe limits during operations.

Read the entire Crane Block Safety Check Application note here.

Crane Force Regulation 

In the final application note, a customer wanted to regulate the maximum number of heavy loads being lifted, so that production time was both safe for workers and efficient. The goal was to complete lifting duties faster and with little or no expense. A wireless solution was also preferred, so that there would be no long cable interference during production. Interface supplied a WTSLP Wireless Stainless Steel Load Pin, which can be custom made to be used for any and all types of cranes. It is also great for lifting both short and long distances. The load pin was paired with the WTS Wireless Telemetry System, where force could be measured and logged. The customer was able to monitor the continuous force from the crane, and gather information on loads being lifted for continuous safety and production reporting requirements.

Read the complete Crane Force Regulation Application Note here.

You can read more about heavy equipment testing and use cases in our post, Force Measurement Solutions for the Construction Industry.