Focus Area: Advanced/Additive Manufacturing
Contact
Kathaleen DeMario
Kathaleen.DeMario@defengserv.com
(843) 670-8816
Defense Engineering Services, LLC (DES) provides design and build services, technical solutions, and custom tools/machines for a variety of industries. DES offers mechanical and electrical design solutions combined with the ability to prototype, test, and manufacture hardware. DES’ prototype capabilities include metal fabrication, CNC machining, welding, integration, and assembly. With specific experience in design for military applications, automotive, aviation, armor, mission kits, missile defense, submarine systems, and ship systems, DES works across multiple branches of the US Military and other commercial industries.
Manufacturing
Problem Statement:
The integrity of spherical bearing liners used in the swashplate/pitch assembly of aircraft is critical to ensuring safe and reliable operation. However, current methods for evaluating bearing liner thickness and radial wear are limited in accuracy, efficiency, standardized tools and processes, and practicality, particularly for on-aircraft inspections. These limitations pose significant challenges to maintenance crews, increasing the risk of undetected wear, premature component failure, and reduced operational readiness.
Technology Solution Statement:
The technical solution developed during the Spherical Bearing Liner Integrity Evaluation Project was a specialized inspection and measurement tool designed to evaluate the integrity of spherical bearing liners used in the swashplate/pitch assembly of aircraft. The tool was engineered to address the challenges of accurately measuring bearing liner thickness and radial wear, in a controlled consistent manner. The tool can be used to determine “good” and “bad” bearing liners, as well as gather critical information for evaluating lifecycle and maintenance planning.
Benefits Statement:
The Bearing Liner Measurement Project provides significant benefits to the Navy by addressing critical challenges in maintaining the integrity of spherical bearing liners used in aircraft swashplate/pitch assemblies. By developing a specialized inspection tool capable of accurately measuring bearing liner thickness and radial wear, the project enhances the Navy's ability to perform precise and efficient maintenance, reducing the risk of undetected wear and premature component failure. The tool's off-aircraft design simplifies operational use for maintenance crews, enabling 360-degree measurements and improving accessibility compared to on-aircraft solutions. Additionally, the project supports predictive maintenance efforts by enabling the collection of measured data on bearing liner wear, which can be analyzed to forecast lifecycle trends and optimize maintenance schedules. These advancements contribute to improved aircraft reliability, reduced downtime, and enhanced mission readiness, ultimately strengthening the Navy's operational capabilities.
