cnc, aerospace, precision, rapid prototype

CNC Machining for an Aluminum Aerospace Bracket

Tier 1 Aerospace Supplier, USA, Kansas

Aluminum aerospace bracket machining, examining a single-piece alternative to a welded assembly, with finishing and drawing-defined inspection.

Account owner: PiPrecision Engineering Team

The Challenge

The bracket project considered a single-piece machined alternative to an assembly made from separate welded components. Moving to a machined construction required review of the geometry, cutting-tool access, and the interfaces that locate the bracket in the customer’s assembly. The design change also needed to be evaluated against the specified material, finish, and inspection requirements. The review also considered which mating features needed to remain unchanged and where the customer could allow geometry changes to improve machining access.

Our Solution

The manufacturing approach used CNC milling to produce the agreed bracket geometry in aluminum. Machining and finishing were considered together so that the drawing requirements applied to the intended condition of the finished component. The inspection scope was defined around the critical features and requested documentation. Any requirement for AS9102 first-article documentation or an AS9100-certified source must be identified and agreed separately; neither is inferred from general CNC machining capability.