Battery in the EcoPulse demonstrator is latest 'technology brick' to enable future aircraft to further support decarbonization.
In June 2021, Airbus successfully performed the EcoPulse wind tunnel testing at its facility in Filton, UK. These tests evaluated the performance characteristics of the propeller and the cooling process of the six distributed electric propulsion units. In 2022, the assembly of the demonstrator – a light aircraft platform supplied by Daher – is well underway, paving the way for its first test flight later this year.
Read more about the EcoPulse demonstrator’s high-voltage lithium-ion main battery system.
Join us for our Manufacturing Lunch + Learn and hear about ETEL’s TMK Torque motors.
Join me as I moderate our March Manufacturing Lunch + Learn featuring insights from Brian Zlotorzycki, North American Application Engineer, ETEL Torque Motors.
In this Manufacturing Lunch + Learn, Brian is going to discuss: ETEL’s TMK Torque motor, different magnets for higher speeds, followed by an overview of the technology behind ETEL’s high speed TMK torque motor. Rather than adjusting the winding, the TMK has a unique magnet design which allows it to operate both at low torque/high speed as well as low speed/high torque operations.
Registration is free so I hope to see you on March 24, 2022 at 12PM ET.
Will form new Textron eAviation business segment focused on developing sustainable aircraft, including Pipistrel.
Textron Inc., home to the Cessna, Beechcraft, and Bell aviation brands, has agreed to purchase Pipistrel, a pioneer in electrically powered aircraft, based in Slovenia and Italy.
With Textron, Pipistrel will have access to greater resources, technical and regulatory expertise, and a global aircraft sales and support network, enabling it to accelerate its development and certification of electric and hybrid electric aircraft. Upon closing of the transaction, Textron plans to form a new business segment headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Textron eAviation, focused on the development of sustainable aircraft, which will include Pipistrel.
“Pipistrel puts Textron in a uniquely strong position to develop technologies for the sustainable aviation market and develop a variety of new aircraft to meet a wide range of customer missions,” said Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly. “Today’s announcement supports Textron’s long-term strategy to offer a family of sustainable aircraft for urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo and special mission roles.”
“Pipistrel has been celebrated as one of the world’s most important and successful manufacturers of electric aircraft,” Donnelly continued. “Textron is committed to maintaining Pipistrel’s brand, headquarters, research and development, and manufacturing in Slovenia and Italy, while making additional investments in Pipistrel for the development and production of future products.”
Pipistrel founder and CEO Ivo Boscarol will remain a minority shareholder as well as Chairman Emeritus, consulting on future product plans and strategies for a two-year period.
“Under my 30-year leadership, Pipistrel’s team has achieved a unique prime position in personal, affordable, environmentally friendly, and electric aviation. The trend and foundation for future projects has clearly been set,” Boscarol said. “To drive Pipistrel’s ambitious goals and to continue its story of success, the joining of Textron and Pipistrel provides deep expertise and resources which would otherwise be inaccessible to Pipistrel alone. With Textron, we are together geared to strive for future growth and look forward to announcing exciting new products and projects. I am delighted to continue witnessing my vision become a reality by being actively engaged with the company for the future.”
The transaction is expected to close during the Q2 2022, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The transaction includes the following companies: Pipistrel d.o.o., Pipistrel Vertical Solutions d.o.o, and Pipistrel Italia S.r.l.
In 2020, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro became the world’s first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The company, which offers a family of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines, has delivered more than 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989 and additionally has both hybrid and electric propulsion models under development.
Hydraulic power pack units fulfill cargo door power generation needs.
Triumph Group’s Actuation Products & Services operating company was selected to supply hydraulic power pack units on Mammoth Freighters' 777 freighter conversion program. Designed, qualified, and manufactured at its Clemmons, North Carolina facility, Triumph leveraged its extensive experience and large portfolio of products to offer a cost-effective solution that uniquely fulfills Mammoth's cargo door power generation needs.
"Triumph is well positioned to support Mammoth Freighters' mission of developing a line of energy-efficient and productive long range freight conversion aircrafts," said Scott Ledbetter, president of Triumph Actuation Products & Services. "The demand for passenger-to-freighter modifications is at record levels, and Triumph's experience in producing the hydraulic power packs used in this type of conversion was a key factor in Mammoth selecting us as their hydraulic partner."
Triumph's Actuation Products & Services provides design, manufacturing and MRO services for products and systems including hydraulic pumps and motors, actuators, fuses, accumulators, valves and manifolds, and carrier launched aircraft holdback bars. Triumph Actuation Products & Services maintains a capability for systems engineering and integration, as well as hydromechanical and electronics in-house development. It also serves as the integration focal for Triumph, specializing in motion, control, and power systems for commercial, military and rotorcraft aircraft.
The Hurco FSA Program is accepting new candidates beginning April 1, 2022.
Hurco North America will open applications for the third class of its apprenticeship program April 1, 2022. The Field Service Apprenticeship (FSA) is a 2-year program that starts with a 12-week immersive introduction to the industry that merges hands-on training and repair of CNC machines with classroom training.
While candidates with a degree or working toward one are encouraged to apply, candidates who are mechanically inclined with no industry or engineering experience are also encouraged to apply for the FSA.
“We know there are people outside our industry who would excel at a career as a service engineer for machine tools but might not have been exposed to our industry. We believe the FSA will be important to bridge the skills gap and introduce more people to the machine tool industry, which benefits the industry as a whole,” said Cory Miller, General Manager for Hurco North America.
Field service engineers will ultimately be ambassadors for Hurco Companies Inc. – working to provide technical support, training, and service of state-of-the-art CNC machines at customers’ facilities across the country. Continuous training on emerging technologies in CNC controls, robot integration, 5-axis machine and multi-spindle lathe installation, repair, and applications will also be provided long after completion of the apprenticeship.
“If you have a strong work ethic, like to learn how things work, like hands-on training, and want a career instead of a job, this apprenticeship is for you,” said Mark Gilmore, Service Manager for Hurco North America.
The FSA program takes place at Hurco’s headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. To apply, please visit Hurco.com/FSA.