Hardware Orbit Blog

In the age of advanced technology, the Global Positioning System (GPS) stands as a cornerstone of modern navigation, seamlessly guiding us through unfamiliar terrain towards our destinations. Behind the convenience of turn-by-turn directions lies a sophisticated system composed of three main segments: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment. In this blog, we will delve into these components that work together to enable GPS to function as an indispensable tool in our daily lives.

Providing lift and stability, aircraft wings are awe-inspiring structures that showcase a brilliant blend of engineering and design, enabling airplanes to soar with grace and precision. While passengers may not give much thought to the complex components that constitute an aircraft wing, understanding their anatomy can foster a deeper appreciation for the marvel of aviation. To better understand them, we will explore the common parts of aircraft wings, examining crucial elements such as the wing’s skin, main spar, rear spar, and the revolutionary use of carbon fiber.

Fuel generators are a common device used in many industries, capable of harnessing the power of combustion gasses to create electrical energy that can be used by other devices and systems. Typically, fuel types like propane or gasoline are commonly used, the choice often varying as a result of the advantages and disadvantages presented by each. While many generators only operate through the use of one fuel, there are more specialized types that can produce energy from two different fuels, these being known as dual-fuel generators. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of dual-fuel generators, allowing you to determine whether or not they may be a good fit for your individual projects and operations.

An induction generator or asynchronous generator is a type of AC (alternating current) electrical generator that utilizes induction motor principles to generate electric power. In fact, an induction generator is actually started similar to a motor. To better understand how these generators work, this blog will provide a brief overview of induction generators, the differences between them and induction motors, in addition to some of their unique features.

While there are various criteria that define what would be considered a fastener, the technical definition is hard to narrow down. In simplistic terms, a fastener is a mechanical component utilized to join two or more machine elements together, and it is generally slender in nature. Moreover, fasteners come in a wide range of forms, configurations, and sizes, and they can be designed from a variety of materials including metals, plastics, and composites. In this blog, we will cover a few of the most common types of fasteners, their uses, and unique features, allowing you to better understand the complexity of these components.

Lockbolts have quickly become one of the most commonly used fasteners in the manufacturing, construction, transportation, and mining sectors, among others. There are a number of benefits to incorporating lockbolts in your applications, such that they provide a durable and lasting solution for many projects. To better understand why lockbolts find use in a myriad of applications, this blog will outline the benefits that they provide.

While aircraft have the engine power and equipment to maneuver in many directions, the runway poses unique challenges that require additional machinery to overcome. On the ground, an aircraft cannot use its own power like reverse thrust around certain perimeters of an airport as this can pose a threat to nearby persons and buildings. Instead, planes rely on aircraft pushback tractors to maneuver them to different locations. Also commonly referred to as towing tractors, tug masters, and airport tractors, this blog will take a closer look at these vehicles and their functions.

While aircraft are designed with increased durability and strength in mind, aircraft inevitably age, their components wear down, and their structures necessitate reinforcement. One notable example of the detrimental consequences of aircraft aging was seen on April 28, 1988 in Hawaii when an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-200 lost part of its cabin roof during flight. Luckily, the pilot was able to safely land, saving nearly everyone onboard with the exception of a flight attendant who was swept overboard.

A turbocharger system consists of a turbine and a compressor connected by a shared axis. The turbine inlet receives exhaust gasses from the engine exhaust manifold, causing the turbine wheel to rotate. This rotation drives the compressor, allowing it to compress ambient air and deliver it to the air intake of the engine. To better understand turbocharger systems, this blog will provide a brief overview of their function and importance.

Fasteners are a crucial aspect of aviation operations, serving for the assembly of aircraft, their various systems, and much more. As the fasteners implemented on aircraft require the ability to withstand intensive environments where they face temperature extremes, high pressures, chemicals, and more, they must be manufactured to rigid standards. Additionally, aviation fasteners also undergo very thorough inspection prior to being sold to ensure their quality and caliber. These processes and standards are extremely important as they make the difference between a robust aircraft and one that is very hazardous to fly. In this blog, we will discuss the regulations that aviation fasteners are subjected to, allowing you to better understand the importance of such control.

If you've ever looked out the window of a modern commercial aircraft and observed the wings, you might have noticed an interesting notch at the tip. While they might not appear to be doing much, those "winglets" have played a prominent role in increasing the efficiency of aircraft since their implementation in the early 2000s. In this blog, we will discuss the history and some nuances of the winglet.

Actuators are commonplace components on countless assemblies, responsible for moving and controlling mechanisms or systems as a mover. With a control signal and an energy source, actuators generate a mechanical motion for automation or automatic control. On aircraft, actuators may be present in countless areas, tasked with managing the operations of the cargo door, bay door, flap control systems, landing gear, and more. Furthermore, they may be powered through hydraulic motors, electric motors, or other means. In this blog, we will discuss mechanical actuators in particular and their common types, allowing you to understand how they benefit flight operations.