The new valve design had to meet strict quality standards, including the ability to withstand the regular overhaul processes that seat actuators undergo at AvFab.
Marsh Brothers Aviation, a manufacturing and maintenance company for the aviation industry has announced to have signed a four-year deal with Aviation Fabricators (AvFab) for the supply of seat actuator valves. The supply will begin after Marsh Brothers Aviation assists AvFab in resolving a supply chain issue. According to the contract, AvFab has commissioned the Burlington-based company to supply a bespoke seat actuator valve to support AvFab’s maintenance, repair and overhaul of private and commercial aircraft seats.
The valve is very crucial for the smooth movement backward and forwards of these airplane seats when moving between the upright and comfortable reclining positions. The new valve is manufactured using Marsh Brothers’ proprietary AeroLas White polymer material. According to Marsh Brothers Aviation, the contract development affirms the company’s growing reputation as a provider of innovative engineered solutions utilizing proprietary polymers.
Nicholas Choo-Son, Director, Business Development for Marsh Brothers Aviation, explains “AvFab approached us due to problems with its usual supply line and asked if we could quickly manufacture the component. We took one apart and found that the OEM part was overly complicated and would bring unnecessary risk to its supply chain and manufacturing operations. Drawing on our engineering strengths and materials science expertise we proposed a redesign. A new, simpler, and unique valve design was found to better meet the customer’s integration and functionality requirements, while mitigating against any future manufacturing risks.”
The new material was selected for its elastomeric characteristics, high abrasion resistance, and resistance to shock loading and vibration. The resilience of the material supports long-term use in demanding environments, says Choo-Son. He further added that the new valve leverages the key qualities of the existing device while providing significant improvements.
“In developing an alternative valve manufactured of durable engineered polymer material, Marsh Brothers Aviation solved a real issue for AvFab,” says Hayden Lowe, AvFab, VP of Operations.
The new valve designed by Marsh Brother Aviation had to meet strict quality standards that include the ability to withstand the regular overhaul processes that seat actuators undergo at AvFab. As a result of the success of the seat actuator valve project, Marsh Brothers has further secured a multi-year purchase order (PO) for 3,200 valves over the next 48 months.
“We redesigned a key component within the actuator. It’s a replacement valve that meets the original seat recline actuator’s fit, form, and functional requirement. This project highlights our ability to quickly respond to market demand for innovative engineered solutions. As a manufacturer with a long history in polymer and materials design and engineering we constantly strive to develop new, innovative solutions. Engineering teams from both companies developed a close working relationship, and we are confident of future collaborations.”said Nicholas Choo-Son, Director, Business Development for Marsh Brothers Aviation.
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AvFab has been a supplier of interior refurbishment products as well as a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services on actuators and cabin equipment for corporate and general aviation use since 1980. The company has more than 150 unique Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) products and Foreign Approvals for its products, many of which are offered as optional equipment by aircraft manufacturers on their new production aircraft.
