Matching of technological forecasting technique to a technology using fuzzy multi-attribute decision-making methods: Case study from the aerospace industry

Given the accelerating pace of technological advances and environmental changes, technology-based companies are required to predict and understand future events in their environments. However, there is a wide range of forecasting methods creating confusion on which method to use. This paper demonstrates the selection of an appropriate technique for technology forecasting in the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO). To this end, a review of the literature was first reviewed to extract the proper criteria for selecting a forecasting method. Next, the SWARA and fuzzy MUTLIMOORA methods were used to evaluate and prioritize a total of twelve forecasting methods proposed for the case study. The results suggested that the Delphi method for technology forecasting in the IAIO. Scenario writing and the relevance tree are the next proper alternatives that can be used.     

Propellant cohesive fracture during the peel test of a propellant/liner structure

The integrity of propellant/liner structures in rocket motors is critical to ensure controlled combustion of the engine. In an effort to improve the bonding between the liner and the propellant, it is necessary to characterize it well. Therefore, a propellant–liner structure, bounded thanks to co-curing, has been submitted to a peel test while recording the macroscopic fracture energy and the local displacement field on the propellant-free surface. The experimental setup includes two cameras in order to record the displacement field on the propellant-free surface. Upon loading, the peel force stabilizes quickly due to a cohesive fracture in the propellant, providing access to the fracture energy. While the crack propagates through the propellant, it is observed that only a small localized area is submitted to strain, and most of the structure remains unstrained.     

Laser surface nanostructuring for reliable Si3N4/Si3N4 and Si3N4/Invar joined components

IR pulsed laser radiation in air was applied to Si₃N₄ and Invar to obtain reliable Si₃N₄/Si₃N₄ and Si₃N₄/Invar adhesive bonded components. The laser pre-treatment produced a homogeneous nanostructured oxide layer on the surfaces, which effectively increased the adhesion at the adhesive/adherends interface and led to cohesive failure in the joining material. The mechanical strength of Si₃N₄/ Si₃N₄ and Si₃N₄/Invar joined components was measured, with and without laser nanostructuring, before and after thermal cycling from room temperature to 50?K, and it resulted that the exposure to extremely low temperatures did not affect the mechanical integrity of the joints. It was also demonstrated that this laser pre-treatment did not alter the mechanical properties of the ceramic substrate.     

Perception of cabin air quality in airline crew related to air humidification, on intercontinental flights

The influence of air humidification in aircraft, on perception of cabin air quality among airline crew (N = 71) was investigated. In-flight investigations were performed in the forward part and in the aft part on eight intercontinental flights with one Boeing 767 individually, equipped with an evaporation humidifier combined with a dehumidifying unit, to reduce accumulation of condensed water in the wall construction. Four flights had the air humidification active when going out, and turned off on the return flight. The four others had the inverse humidification sequence. The sequences were randomized, and double blind. Air humidification increased relative air humidity (RH) by 10% in forward part, and by 3% in aft part of the cabin and in the cockpit. When the humidification device was active, the cabin air was perceived as being less dry (P = 0.008), and fresher (P = 0.002). The mean concentration of viable bacteria (77-108 cfu/m(3)), viable molds (74-84 cfu/m(3)), and respirable particles (1-8 microg/m3) was low, both during humidified and non-humidified flights. On flights with air humidification, there were less particles in the forward part of the aircraft (P = 0.01). In conclusion, RH can be slightly increased by using ceramic evaporation humidifier, without any measurable increase of microorganisms in cabin air. The cabin air quality was perceived as being better with air humidification. PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Relative air humidity is low (10-20%) during intercontinental flights, and can be increased by using ceramic evaporation humidifier, without any measurable increase of microorganism in cabin air. Air humidification could increase the sensation of better cabin air quality.     

火工装置轻量化小型化研究

为满足航天器轻量化对火工装置的需求,对火工装置轻量化小型化开展研究,重点探讨火工装置轻量化小型化原则、轻量化小型化途径以及实施轻量化小型化研制工作的基本流程。以某切割器为例,开展轻量化小型化研制,并进行极限功能裕度和极限强度裕度试验。结果表明,优化后的切割器重量和体积均减小50%,并且满足功能要求。     

Barriers to effective configuration management application in a project context: An empirical investigation

Configuration management (CM) is not a new set of ideas, what it does represent is an effective way for project managers to use a formalized methodology in order that they can manage status and changes to it throughout the lifecycle. This research sets out to identify and prioritize the obstacles in the effective implementation of the CM practices, categorize these obstacles into more manageable groups of factors, and analyse the effects of multiple factors on the identification and rating of these barriers. Nineteen barriers are finalized and prioritized on the basis of their criticality and as a result three groups (managerial and organizational barriers, implementation barriers, and planning and process barriers) are extracted with the help of factor analysis. This study will help both configuration management and project management professionals to plan better and avoid the impacts of these key obstacles from much earlier in the definition phase.     

航天继电器贮存过程吸合时间退化机理研究

航天继电器作为一种密封的电器元件,其贮存可靠性对于导弹等武器装备至关重要。如何测试评价航天继电器在贮存过程中性能及可靠性的衰退,是继电器用户和厂家非常关心的问题。利用开发的实验系统对某型号航天继电器进行了贮存加速实验,得到了吸合时间的变化规律。分析并验证了贮存过程中吸合时间变化的主要原因是簧片应力松弛所导致的反力变化。通过仿真与实验均证实了吸合时间与簧片初力存在近似的线性关系,进而提出可采用吸合时间来表征簧片的应力松弛退化特性。建立了高温条件下继电器吸合时间的贮存退化模型,为进一步研究继电器贮存可靠性及贮存寿命预测奠定了基础。     

空间返回技术发展现状

空间返回技术对于当今和未来的太空探索具有重要意义,作为飞行任务的最后一个环节,它负责将运载飞行器和有效载荷安全地运送到地面;另一方面整个飞行过程中需要承受的物理环境。这种高风险但又有高精度要求的特点给技术实现带来了极大的挑战性。典型的返回过程可分为超高声速再入段、超声速/亚声速降落段以及着陆段。整个返回过程中飞行器都要经历严酷的物理环境。以上三个阶段所处的物理环境和任务剖面都不尽相同,这导致了设计方案和技术实现侧重不一样。本文主要讨论了针对于目前针对这些困难已经成熟的应对策略和潜在的新技术思路。     

High temperature oxidation of Ti–46Al–6Nb–0.5W–0.5Cr–0.3Si–0.1C alloy

A newly developed Ti–46Al–6Nb-0.5W-0.5Cr-0.3Si-0.1C alloy was oxidized isothermally and cyclically in air, and its high-temperature oxidation behavior was investigated. When the alloy was isothermally oxidized at 700 °C for 2000 h, the weight gain was only 0.15 mg/cm². The parabolic rate constant, k_p (mg²/cm⁴·h), measured from isothermal oxidation tests was 0.002 at 900 °C and 0.009 at 1000 °C. Such excellent isothermal oxidation resistance resulted from the formation of the dense, continuous Al₂O₃ layer between the outer TiO₂ layer and the inner (TiO₂-rich, Al₂O₃-deficient) layer. The alloy also displayed good cyclic oxidation resistance at 900 °C. Some noticeable scale spallation began to occur after 68 h at 1000 °C during the cyclic oxidation test.     

A qualification procedure to manufacture and repair aerospace parts with electron beam melting

This paper is focused on qualification procedures for metal parts manufactured using new additive manufacturing (AM) techniques in the aerospace industry. The main aim is to understand the interaction between these technologies and the stringent regulatory framework of this industry in order to develop correct quality assurance and quality control procedures in accordance with the certification process for the technology and spare parts. These include all the testing and validation necessary to implement them, as well as to maintain their capability throughout their life-cycle, specific procedures to manufacture or repair parts, work-flows and records, amongst others. An entire qualification procedure for electron beam melting (EBM) to reproduce and repair an aerospace part has been developed and it is presented in this paper. These will be part of the future quality assurance and quality management systems of those aerospace companies that implement AM in their supply chain.