When applied scientist ramp up planes , they apply ponderous aluminum masking tape recording to cut across up control surface during production . Now , engineers at BAE Systems have created a new variety of tape that leaves the control surface clean when it ’s peeled away — and it ’s compute it will relieve them $ 70 million .
Unlike your usual decorating - way masking tape , aerospace engineer use a heavy form of masking tape which is really made of aluminum to protect working airfoil as they go . But the industrial - grade material is tough stuff , and its remotion go out behind a tough , glutinous residual , even at times damn the textile beneath because sharp tools are often used to remove it .
Now , BAE Systems has arise a young kind of tape that does n’t leave behind a residual when it ’s peeled off . Made of a illumination , pre - weakened vinyl group , the tape apply unlike contour of adhesive to the usual tape to make it much easier to dispatch . In fact , it can be peeled off by hand and , according to BAE Systems , cuts the process time for an average component from 11 to 2.5 hour .
It ’s already being used on product of the company’sF-35 Lightning II aircraft , and it will also be used during assembly of the Hawk and Typhoon aircraft too . It ’s calculate to economize $ 23,000 on the production of each sheet — create a total saving of $ 70 million over the next 20 years .
[ BAE SystemsviaThe Engineer ]
airplanes
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