Aktuell
Metal hoses for aeronautics and astronautics
For metal hose lines in aeronautics and astronautics, particularly strict safety guidelines for design and production apply. Especially the certification according to AS1424 guarantees extremely high standards. Witzenmann is one of only four companies worldwide that manufactures extremely high-quality metal hoses for aeronautics and astronautics according to this standard.
Intense conditions like high temperatures, enormous pressures, and extreme alternate loading place special demands on the components used for aeronautics and astronautics. Since breakdowns can be expensive and dangerous, only the most high-quality products of the most well-known manufacturers are in demand, like Witzenmann's metal hose solutions especially developed for aeronautics and astronautics. They reduce possible dangers to a minimum, which is guaranteed by the state-of-the-art manufacturing standard and highest possible manufacturing competence. Regular audits ensure the permanent observance of the strict criteria.
Engineering and testing before and after manufacturing
During manufacturing, all parameters, variables, and tolerances are constantly checked, documented, and evaluated. These include, for example, elongation at testing pressure, tolerances, and alignments. As early as the design phase, all possible tolerance pairs are completely investigated and all critical internal pressure are taken into consideration in regard to mechanical instabilities.
In addition, the hose line programme corresponds to all additional requirements for the manufacturing of metal hose lines according to AS7112 (AS1424), as well as the PRI/NADCAP auditing requirements.
In addition to final acceptance inspections that affect every individual product, qualification inspections are carried out at regular intervals. Beyond quality monitoring, characteristic specifications must be taken into consideration for each application case and implemented into a corresponding design. The engineering thus takes all possible installation configurations and line geometries into account. The resulting oscillation properties and flow-induced vibrations are also subject to tests and inspections for operational safety.
For these extensive measures, an in-house testing facility is available to the Witzenmann specialists.
Final configurations and quality content
Witzenmann's metal hose lines for aeronautics and astronautics fulfil all standards for the entire range of metal hose line connecting technology (AS136 – 141, AS5458 – AS5463).
The objects of the regular qualification inspections, which all take place on the Witzenmann GmbH premises, include static stability and service life in case of alternate loading by movement and pressure pulses. Oscillation tests at 427°C require new testing concepts.
References and areas of application
The optimised Witzenmann metal hose lines are used in anti-icing and air-conditioning systems, as well as in all turbine lines that conduct media. Inconel 625 metal hoses are also a part of the programme.
Witzenmann solutions thus fly in Eurocopter, Airbuses, and European launchers of the Ariane type of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Pictural material: Witzenmann metal hose lines according to AS1424 certification
The Witzenmann company group
"Managing flexibility" is the claim and vision of the Witzenmann Group.
In 1885, jewellery manufacturer Heinrich Witzenmann of Pforzheim
founded the metal hose and compensator industry with the invention of the metal hose. Now, after 125 years, the Witzenmann Group is one of the worldwide leading manufacturers of flexible metallic elements like metal hoses, compensators, metal bellows, and vehicle parts. 3,000 employees at 23 sites worldwide earned a turnover of EUR320 million in 2009.
Contact person for representatives of the press:
Martin Schnaufer
Witzenmann GmbH
Östliche Karl-Friedrich Str. 134
75175 Pforzheim
Germany
Phone: +49-7231-581-208
Fax: +49-7231-581-802
E-mail: ulrike.brandauer@witzenmann.com