SEPAC’s AEROSPACE COMPONENT MANUFACTURING

At SEPAC, we specialize in providing innovative, high quality, and long lasting custom engineering services for the aerospace industry. Each product is built with safeguards and tight adherence to customer specifications. Our aerospace components include electromagnetic clutches and brakes for the following equipment:

  • Commercial aircraft
  • Helicopters
  • Rocket launching systems
  • Satellites
  • Optionally Piloted Vehicles (OPVs)
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Our AS9100 and ISO 9001 certifications illustrate our commitment to quality and reliability. We know how critical it is that you, your team, and your customers can rely on aerospace systems to function without failure or interruption. Our expertise will ensure a design that is both cost effective and functional, while meeting complex performance requirements.

See below to learn more about how our products are used in common aerospace and outer space applications.

  • COMMON AIRCRAFT AND UAV APPLICATIONS:

    Thrust reverser actuation system

    SEPAC has designed and manufactured the electromagnetic brakes & spring-set brakes for the world’s first electric thrust reverser actuation system. The brake holds the motor in place that controls the opening and closing of the system.

    Horizontal stabilizer trim actuation

    SEPAC electromagnetic brakes are often a critical part of HSTAs, where they prevent the motor from rotating when commanded to do so. The actuator controls the position of the horizontal stabilizer surface to attain commanded pitch position during take-off, cruise, and landing.

    Flap actuator

    SEPAC electromagnetic brakes are used in many flap actuation systems where they hold the actuator in position as commanded by the motor via the flight computer. This allows the plane to generate the required lift at both cruise speeds and take-off & landing speeds.

    Throttle control actuator

    SEPAC clutches are increasingly being utilized in throttle control actuators. Typically tooth clutches with high levels of torque and low backlash can be used to create an entire flight control system for unmanned and optionally-piloted aircraft.

    Autopilot control actuation

    SEPAC clutches are prominently featured in autopilot actuators as well in the highly successful Heli-SAS® Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System. These system assist in the operation of aircraft and have been documented to save lives from critical pilot error.

    Cargo Bay Actuators

    SEPAC designs and manufactures smaller power-off brakes that are utilized in the cargo bay rollers. These mechanized rollers efficiently move cargo pallets and containers without the assistance of an external source such as a forklift.

    Winch Systems

    Used in both military and commercial cargo planes, winch systems usually have high powered and high speed motors to facilitate pulling cargo containers into a secure location on the deck. Once the motor receives the command to stop, SEPAC brakes hold the motor in place, preventing the cable from paying out.

    Thrust reverser actuation system Horizontal stabilizer trim actuation Flap actuator Throttle control actuator Autopilot control actuation Cargo Bay Actuators Winch Systems

    Thrust reverser actuation system

    SEPAC has designed and manufactured the electromagnetic brakes & spring-set brakes for the world’s first electric thrust reverser actuation system. The brake holds the motor in place that controls the opening and closing of the system.

    Horizontal stabilizer trim actuation

    SEPAC electromagnetic brakes are often a critical part of HSTAs, where they prevent the motor from rotating when commanded to do so. The actuator controls the position of the horizontal stabilizer surface to attain commanded pitch position during take-off, cruise, and landing.

    Flap actuator

    SEPAC electromagnetic brakes are used in many flap actuation systems where they hold the actuator in position as commanded by the motor via the flight computer. This allows the plane to generate the required lift at both cruise speeds and take-off & landing speeds.

    Throttle control actuator

    SEPAC clutches are increasingly being utilized in throttle control actuators. Typically tooth clutches with high levels of torque and low backlash can be used to create an entire flight control system for unmanned and optionally-piloted aircraft.

    Autopilot control actuation

    SEPAC clutches are prominently featured in autopilot actuators as well in the highly successful Heli-SAS® Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System. These system assist in the operation of aircraft and have been documented to save lives from critical pilot error.

    Cargo Bay Actuators

    SEPAC designs and manufactures smaller power-off brakes that are utilized in the cargo bay rollers. These mechanized rollers efficiently move cargo pallets and containers without the assistance of an external source such as a forklift.

    Winch Systems

    Used in both military and commercial cargo planes, winch systems usually have high powered and high speed motors to facilitate pulling cargo containers into a secure location on the deck. Once the motor receives the command to stop, SEPAC brakes hold the motor in place, preventing the cable from paying out.

  • common space applications:

    Thrust vector control actuator

    SEPAC brakes hold the motor in position on some of the very latest flight control systems for launchers and space vehicles. Critical applications such as a TVCA require precision because the actuator moves the nozzle into the correct angle for reliable control of the flight path. Once moved into position the actuator motor and brake hold the nozzle steady under the most extreme vibration scenarios.

    Docking system electromechanical actuation

    SEPAC is proud to have many power-off brakes being utilized in the NASA
    docking system architecture. These brakes hold the motors on several parts of the
    system including the latch, separation and umbilical actuators. This system is a
    global standard for interfacing with the ISS and is slated to be used on many
    future space vehicles.

    Latch, Separation & Umbilical Systems

    SEPAC is proud to have many power-off brakes being utilized in the NASA
    docking system architecture. These brakes hold the motors on several parts of the
    system including the latch, separation and umbilical actuators. This system is a
    global standard for interfacing with the ISS and is slated to be used on many
    future space vehicles.

    Robotic Arms

    SEPAC’s pedigree in designing and manufacturing brakes that will work in the
    harsh conditions of space is being increasingly counted on as the population of
    satellites in space grows. Cost competitive machinery is being developed at a fast
    rate to manipulate and repair satellites while in orbit, saving an incredible amount
    of money by extending their service life.

    Solar panels

    SEPAC brakes help hold solar panels in place to acquire the most energy
    from the sun. Motors can occasionally move the position of the panels,
    depending on orbit, then letting the brake go back into its holding mode.

    Thrust vector control actuator Docking system electromechanical actuation Latch, Separation & Umbilical Systems Robotic Arms Solar panels

    Thrust vector control actuator

    SEPAC brakes hold the motor in position on some of the very latest flight control systems for launchers and space vehicles. Critical applications such as a TVCA require precision because the actuator moves the nozzle into the correct angle for reliable control of the flight path. Once moved into position the actuator motor and brake hold the nozzle steady under the most extreme vibration scenarios.

    Docking system electromechanical actuation

    SEPAC is proud to have many power-off brakes being utilized in the NASA
    docking system architecture. These brakes hold the motors on several parts of the
    system including the latch, separation and umbilical actuators. This system is a
    global standard for interfacing with the ISS and is slated to be used on many
    future space vehicles.

    Latch, Separation & Umbilical Systems

    SEPAC is proud to have many power-off brakes being utilized in the NASA
    docking system architecture. These brakes hold the motors on several parts of the
    system including the latch, separation and umbilical actuators. This system is a
    global standard for interfacing with the ISS and is slated to be used on many
    future space vehicles.

    Robotic Arms

    SEPAC’s pedigree in designing and manufacturing brakes that will work in the
    harsh conditions of space is being increasingly counted on as the population of
    satellites in space grows. Cost competitive machinery is being developed at a fast
    rate to manipulate and repair satellites while in orbit, saving an incredible amount
    of money by extending their service life.

    Solar panels

    SEPAC brakes help hold solar panels in place to acquire the most energy
    from the sun. Motors can occasionally move the position of the panels,
    depending on orbit, then letting the brake go back into its holding mode.

SEPAC’s Aerospace Capabilities

Aerospace technology is constantly evolving to improve efficiency and performance. For several decades, SEPAC has been the industry leader for providing custom motion control solutions for the aerospace industry. We have the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to keep up with advances in aerospace actuation systems to meet the demand for specialized motion control solutions.

Our team of engineering and design experts work with our customers from the beginning toanalyze your product requirements and determine the best material choices, finishes and protective coatings, and electrical configurations to make the project succeed within its budget. We ensure viable, long lasting designs by considering the following:

  • DO-160
  • Shock and vibration
  • Usage scenarios
  • Environmental factors

SEPAC’s design expertise allows us to create high-quality designs that balance complex performance requirements with cost to best fit your project’s needs. We design compact, lightweight, precise, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance clutches and brakes that provide controlled movement for many aerospace applications. Our high quality, custom-designed products are at the center of every actuation system to meet critical motion control needs.

Ebook

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Case study

challenge

SEPAC was contracted by a premier aerospace supplier to design and manufacture multiple models of brakes for the next generation of the International Space Station and other space travel applications.

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Solution

Over an extended period of time, SEPAC worked directly with the customer’s project team to develop a fail-safe brake that met the extremely tight performance and design tolerances associated with this highly specialized application. Additionally, SEPAC implemented design safeguards that were suited to withstand the unforgiving, zero gravity environment.

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production

After the custom design was approved, SEPAC manufactured the brakes. To ensure that all design requirements were met, the process required extensive planning, significant vendor interaction, and innovative manufacturing techniques spearheaded by SEPAC.

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result

The team at SEPAC successfully designed multiple solutions for the aerospace client, solutions that have the potential to be used in space travel for decades to come.

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challenge Solution production result

Recommended products

The following SEPAC products are commonly found in a variety of Aerospace applications. Please click learn more to view our available standard catalog across these products including performance and mechanical specifications.

Electromagnetic Tooth Clutches

Stationary Field Tooth Clutches

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Spring Engaged Brakes

Spring Engaged Brakes

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Electromagnetic Tooth Clutches

Wall Mounted Tooth Clutches

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