Fighter Aircraft Weapons Alignment - Harmonization

The effectiveness of fighter aircraft in attack mode is dependent on the correct orientation of all its systems. Its weapons, the pilots head up display, navigational unit and infra red system must all be correctly aligned to each other. This is done using alignment telescopes and collimators.
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Aero Engine Testing

The alignment of all elements in an aero engine are important for efficient and safe flying. The micro alignment telescope is used to align all the elements.
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Aircraft Jig Alignment

The production and build of aircraft jigs still uses the alignment telescope and its whole host of accessories. Modern measuring systems such as laser trackers are used for checking and verifying the final dimensions of the component being built, such as a wing. But the telescope is still an important part of actually building the aircraft.
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Aircraft Construction (Aircraft Wings)

Checking the straightness of the leading edges of aircraft wings can be carried out using a Telescope and unimount with light-weight target holders. The measuring procedure is simple, requiring only minimal inspection skill.
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Harmonisation of Navigational and Weapons System

Taylor Hobson equipment is already used for the harmonisation of navigational and weapons systems on military aircraft. Taylor Hobson has been involved in feasibility studies with manufacturers to use Micro Alignment Telescopes, Autocollimators and Talyvel, utilising customer-engineered fixturing, as an alternative method to expensive laser equipment currently being considered.
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Aircraft Engine Maintenance

The internal components of modern turbo jets are very complicated and expensive. After a prescribed number of flying hours, overhaul procedures must be carried out, some on the manufacturer’s premises. Distortion which has taken place must be checked and, when feasible, repaired by removal of parts of the fabrication and re-welding new components in place. The Micro Alignment Telescope has a high resolution viewing system, enabling engineers to check the change in the attitude of very small holes relative to the component datum. A precision clinometer is also used as an aid to the measurement.
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Aero Engine

Aero engines are supplied to aircraft manufacturers and end-users as modular units which can be quickly fitted or changed in service with complete interchangeability. During final inspection of the engine, it is necessary to check the profiles of the engine cowlings relative to the datum mounting points. Errors in this area could cause interference between the engine cowling and lower wing surfaces. Difficulty accessing this surface was overcome by using the Micro Alignment Telescope with fixtures and optical scales.
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Helicopters

Helicopters, although much smaller than aircraft, use similar technology in their design and construction. Jigs for assembly of the airframe structures are complex and require careful and accurate manufacture and calibration. This particular problem was one of checking the distance of a flange face to a plane in space defined by three bores spaced at approximately 2-metre centres. Conventional methods would have given rise to considerable handling problems and equipment requirements. A far simpler and adequately accurate solution was identified using the Micro Alignment Telescope and 4" offset optical square.
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Alignment of Optical Systems using Telescopes

Various control systems such as those used on fighter aircraft utilise optical systems. The alignment of optical components in a system is complicated and time consuming. It is important to align the various components to the main optical path and in most cases also important to ensure these optical components are also square to the path.

With its unique features of focusing from zero to infinity and its autoreflection capability the Micro Alignment Telescope can be used to align and set optical components and systems.
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Monitoring Deflections

To monitor the deflection on an airframe or for example the droop of a helicopter blade, a target can be placed on the part of the aircraft or assembly jig to monitor deflections over time. A simple target can be placed on the item to be monitored and a CCD camera mounted onto the alignment telescope with a time interval set when readings are automatically taken. The operator can then leave the CCD over a time period (eg overnight) for a series of readings to be taken..
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Measuring Blade Angle

The angle of blades or for example aerofoils can be checked easily using a digital inclinometer. This is a quick and effective method to accurately check angle.
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Helicopter Engine Testing

A helicopter engine test rig together with its gearbox were assembled and tested using alignment telescope and autoreflection.
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