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Explore high-performance Landing Gear and Shock Absorbers designed for aerospace and industrial applications. Engineered for durability, precision, and reliability, our solutions meet the highest safety and performance standards
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AGD has been very satisfied with SOURCIX's support, prompt responses, and attention to detail. We’ve decided to move forward with more projects and make SOURCIX our main service for development and prototypes, with plans to expand to full production soon.
Alberto Guerra
CEO at AGD PRODUCTIONS, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA USA
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Manufacturing process | Type | Type of items | Common materials | Typical tolerances |
---|---|---|---|---|
CNC |
Milling |
Complex 3D shapes |
Aluminium 6061 / 7075 |
+/- 0.01 mm to +/- 0.05mm |
Turning |
Cylindrical components |
Steel 4140 / 1045 |
+/- 0.01 mm to +/- 0.05mm |
|
Sheet metal |
Enclosures and chassis |
Aluminium 5052 |
+/- 0.5 mm to +/- 1mm |
Landing gear and shock absorbers are critical components in modern aircraft, providing structural support during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. These systems absorb the dynamic forces generated during aircraft operations, ensuring passenger safety, aircraft integrity, and operational reliability. This article explores the technical aspects of landing gear design, the role of shock absorbers, material considerations, and the challenges in their development.
Landing gear serves as the primary support structure for aircraft during ground operations. It is responsible for distributing the weight of the aircraft, absorbing impact loads during landing, and providing stability during taxiing. The design of landing gear varies based on the type of aircraft and its intended application, but the core components typically include:
Main Landing Gear:
Supports the majority of the aircraft’s weight.
Typically equipped with larger wheels and more robust shock absorbers.
Nose or Tail Gear:
Provides directional control on the ground.
Smaller and lighter than the main gear, but still critical for stability.
Retractable Mechanisms:
On modern aircraft, landing gear is often designed to retract into the fuselage or wings to reduce drag during flight.
Shock absorbers are integral to the landing gear system, tasked with dissipating the kinetic energy generated during landing and ground movement. Without effective shock absorption, the impact forces could damage the aircraft structure or compromise passenger comfort.
Types of Shock Absorbers
Oleo-Pneumatic Shock Absorbers:
The most common type used in modern aircraft.
Combines compressed air or nitrogen with hydraulic oil to provide both spring and damping functions.
Highly effective at absorbing high-energy impacts while minimizing rebound.
Spring-Based Shock Absorbers:
Use mechanical springs to absorb energy.
Simpler but less efficient than oleo-pneumatic systems.
Typically used in lighter or older aircraft.
Elastomeric Absorbers:
Use rubber or composite materials for energy absorption.
Lightweight and maintenance-free, though limited in their energy dissipation capacity.
1. Load Handling
The landing gear must withstand a wide range of loads, from static aircraft weight to dynamic forces during landings, which can be several times the aircraft’s weight due to vertical descent velocities. Shock absorbers must handle these loads without over-stressing the structure.
2. Energy Dissipation
Shock absorbers are designed to convert kinetic energy into heat, which is then dissipated through hydraulic oil or elastomeric materials. Efficient energy dissipation is essential to prevent excessive rebound or oscillations during landing.
3. Weight Optimization
Landing gear systems contribute significantly to an aircraft’s total weight. Engineers strive to reduce weight using advanced materials like titanium alloys and carbon composites without compromising structural integrity.
4. Durability and Reliability
Landing gear undergoes significant wear and tear due to repeated landings and taxi operations. The materials and components must resist fatigue, corrosion, and environmental stresses to ensure long-term reliability.
Materials play a crucial role in the performance of landing gear and shock absorbers. Commonly used materials include:
High-Strength Steels:
Provide excellent durability and load-bearing capacity.
Used in high-stress components like axles and main struts.
Titanium Alloys:
Lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Ideal for weight-critical applications in modern aircraft.
Aluminum Alloys:
Lightweight and cost-effective.
Commonly used in less critical structural components.
Composites:
Carbon-fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly used to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
1. Impact Energy Management
Designing shock absorbers that can manage both high-impact landings and softer landings is a key challenge. Oleo-pneumatic systems must maintain consistent performance across varying load scenarios.
2. Space Constraints
Landing gear systems must be compact enough to fit within the aircraft structure when retracted, yet robust enough to handle operational loads. This requires careful engineering of folding mechanisms and material selection.
3. Thermal Management
Shock absorbers generate significant heat during operation, which must be dissipated effectively to prevent overheating and fluid degradation.
4. Noise and Vibration Reduction
Landing gear systems are a major source of noise and vibration during ground operations. Engineers must minimize these factors to enhance passenger comfort and reduce wear on the aircraft structure.