When you are looking to power your vehicles, engines, and motors, you may choose to employ either an alternator or a generator. Both options are reliable choices for producing electrical current, and both operate on Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. Simply put, this law states that “the magnitude of voltage is directly proportional to the rate of change of flux.” In other words, there must be relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor to induce voltage in a system. The main difference between alternators and generators is how they achieve this relative motion. In generators, an armature rotates to create this motion, while in alternators, the armature may move or remain stationary. To better understand how these differences affect the functions of each, this blog will explore the key differences between alternators and generators. 

Power cords are temporary electrical cables essential for the connection of appliances to a primary electrical supply in a myriad of settings. To best suit different powered equipment, various sizes and types of power cords exist to accommodate particular current ratings and standards. In this blog, we will briefly go over the features typical power cords possess, and why they are heavily relied upon as a form of connector.

For training at every level, from green-horned general aviation students to established pilots making the shift to a new model of aircraft, flight simulators offer an excellent way of learning new aviation skills. Though many variations exist, all aircraft training devices can be organized into three major categories according to the FAA. These categories are full flight simulators (FFS), flight training devices (FTD), and aviation training devices (ATD). Each of these aircraft simulators vary by their sophistication and design, as well as what certifications or ranking they can offer.

From the start of the aviation industry over 100 years ago, fasteners have been used extensively for various aircraft manufacturing and repair services. As aerospace technology advanced, so did the need for specialty fasteners that serve a unique purpose. One such design that has been explicitly fabricated to fill a niche aerospace role is the Cleco fastener. Since their advent, these components have played an integral role in automotive, industrial, and aircraft sheet metal repair. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about Cleco fasteners, including their design, operating principle, and variants.

When working with a motor shaft or similar device, it is important to have the right electrical protection in place for the safety of equipment and those that operate it. As extraneous electrical current may build up over time in a motor shaft, a device must be in place to effectively redirect it away. This solution comes in the form of a shaft grounding device, also known as a shaft earthing device.

From the moment an aircraft lands on the airport runway, there is little time for rest before it must embark on another long journey. With usually only a few hours in between flights, crew members and ground support technicians must offload passengers and cargo, clean the aircraft, and prepare it for its next flight. Known as the aircraft turnaround process, here’s the ins and outs of everything that goes on after aircraft touchdown.

A typical airplane flies through the sky by adjusting its three main axes of rotation. The pitch axis runs perpendicular to the aircraft’s body and allows it to rise or fall. The roll axis acts on the plane's body or fuselage and allows the nose to rotate circularly for angling the wings of the aircraft. At the same time, the yaw axis runs vertically through the center of the airplane, allowing pilots to control the directional rotation when turning left or right upon the yaw axis. This phenomenon is termed yawing, which is essential for monitoring and managing flight conditions to make them predictable and safe for all passengers.

Serving as an integral device found in all aircraft, a turn coordinator is a flight instrument designed to inform the pilot about the aircraft’s rate of turn, quality of turn, and other roll information. Such information enables pilots to navigate the sky with ease. That being said, this blog will provide an overview of turn coordinators and their importance.

Hi-Lok fasteners are a common aerospace component, coming in the form of a two-piece fastening assembly. As an all-purpose fastener, Hi-Lock components are regularly relied on for the construction of various aviation assemblies as a result of their ability to establish consistent torque on every fastener. In this blog, we will discuss the functionality and use of the Hi-Lok fastener, allowing you to better understand how it compares to other various options. 

Air compressors are integral pieces of equipment that find use in a variety of industries, but when purchased new, can be very expensive. As such, purchasing used air compressors is common and can offer a number of benefits. Nonetheless, there are many factors one should consider prior to making a purchasing decision, ensuring you acquire a high quality machine at a low price point. Of all the factors one must keep in mind, finding a reputable supplier is at the forefront.