Aerospace & Defense Solutions

Bruce Lin     August 10, 2020 

PMT provides aerospace-grade machining solutions for aircraft, spacecraft, defense systems, and unmanned platforms, combining 5 Axis CNC Machine technology with deep experience in titanium and hard-metal manufacturing. As one of China’s top-tier machine tool manufacturers and a member of a group specialising in large-scale titanium DED 3D printing, we support customers from early development through volume production with reliable, cost-effective and fully traceable parts.


Mission-Critical Precision For Flight-Critical Parts

Aerospace and defense programs demand zero compromise on accuracy, reliability and repeatability. PMT machines and process know-how are built around those requirements:

  • High-rigidity machine structures with optimised thermal control to maintain micron-level accuracy over long cutting cycles.
  • High-speed, high-torque 5 Axis CNC Machines for complex free-form surfaces, blisks, impellers, turbine housings, structural brackets and multi-face prismatic parts.
  • Stable machining of titanium, nickel-based superalloys, stainless steels and advanced aluminium alloys, with excellent surface integrity and tool-life management.
  • Multi-machine cells and FMS lines capable of 24/7 lights-out production for series components while keeping process capability indices at aerospace levels.

Integrated Additive & Subtractive Manufacturing

Through our parent group focusing on titanium DED 3D printing, PMT can support hybrid manufacturing routes that combine near-net-shape additive structures with high-precision CNC finishing:

  • Large, integrated titanium structures produced by DED to reduce part count and welds.
  • Dedicated 5-axis finishing strategies that ensure accurate mating features, sealing surfaces and fatigue-critical radii.
  • Optimised production chains that shorten lead time and material waste versus fully subtractive methods.

This combination gives aerospace and defense customers more design freedom, lighter components, and faster response to engineering changes.


Typical Aerospace & Defense Applications

Our machining centers and turnkey lines are already used in many Chinese aerospace and defense programs, delivering excellent performance in areas such as:

  • Airframe structural parts, ribs, frames, brackets, seat tracks and hinge fittings.
  • Engine and propulsion components, including impellers, blisks, casings, flanges and pump housings.
  • Landing gear elements, suspension components and high-load joints.
  • UAV and missile structures, guidance housings and complex sensor mounts.
  • Precision defence system parts requiring tight positional tolerances and stable batch-to-batch consistency.

We support both new-product introduction (NPI) and long-term series production on the same platform to minimise process transfer risk.


Engineering, Process Control & Quality Assurance

To meet demanding aerospace and defense standards, PMT combines advanced machine tool technology with robust process and quality systems:

  • Design-for-manufacturability (DFM) reviews, machining strategy development and fixture design carried out by experienced aerospace engineers.
  • Full process validation including capability studies, cutting trials and first-article inspection (FAI).
  • 3D model-based definition (MBD) programming using UG NX, hyperMILL and other high-end CAM systems to ensure accurate interpretation of GD&T requirements.
  • Comprehensive metrology: CMM inspection, surface roughness measurement, roundness and profile analysis, plus digital SPC data for traceability.
  • Quality management aligned with AS9100 / ISO 9001 requirements, including document control, material certificates, serialised components and process traceability throughout the production chain.

Performance And Cost Advantages Over Conventional Solutions

Compared with traditional high-end European machining solutions, PMT offers a unique balance of performance and investment level:

  • Machine accuracy and stability approaching leading international brands, verified in demanding aerospace programs.
  • Total equipment cost typically around one-half to two-thirds of comparable German machines, with equal or higher overall productivity under equivalent tolerance requirements.
  • Lower cost per part enables aerospace and defense manufacturers to expand capability, add redundancy and strengthen competitiveness while staying within budget.

Partnership Model

PMT acts not only as a machine supplier but as a long-term technology partner for aerospace & defense customers:

  • Support from concept and prototype, through process industrialisation, to stable series production.
  • Turnkey delivery of machines, automation, tooling, fixtures and process documentation tailored to specific platforms or programs.
  • On-site training, remote technical support, preventive maintenance and upgrade paths to keep lines running at peak performance.

With PMT’s 5 Axis CNC Machines, automation and aerospace-grade engineering support, customers gain a reliable, high-value manufacturing partner capable of meeting current program demands and scaling to future platforms in both civil and defense aviation.

Bruce Lin

Dr. Bruce Lin is a preeminent authority in the machine tool industry, with a distinguished career spanning over 40 years. For more than two decades, he has been the cornerstone of technological excellence at PMT (Chengdu Precise CNC Machine Tool Co., Ltd.), serving as our Chief Engineer. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in the same field from a leading Chinese university. Dr. Lin’s profound journey began over four decades ago, encompassing pivotal roles at several globally recognized industrial and precision manufacturing corporations prior to joining PMT. This extensive tenure provided…

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