Power management company Eaton’s joint venture with Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co (SAMC) has received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services on ducting and tubes to customers in the Asia-Pacific region.

With these certifications, the existing Eaton-SAMC facility in Shanghai will immediately begin serving as a ducting, tube and hose repair station.

Eaton says expanding MRO capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region is part of its commitment to providing tailored solutions to help meet customers’ needs.

Scott Thompson, general manager (fluid and electrical distribution division) of Eaton’s Aerospace Group, said: “We understand why our customers are increasingly demanding repair solutions; just one repair can save as much as $50,000 compared to replacing the damaged part with new.

“By opening a local repair facility for our customers in the Asia-Pacific region, we can better support airlines around the world in reducing costs by delivering timely full-service repairs on all duct and tube products — even those manufactured by our competitors.”

Meanwhile, Eaton is using additive manufacturing to make the aluminium housing and valve for the ram air valve assembly on Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation’s advanced jet trainer (AIDC is a Taiwanese aerospace company based in Taichung).

By using AM processes, Eaton has reduced the development time by 75% while providing additional performance benefits for the customer.

By redesigning the assembly for additive manufacturing, Eaton consolidated a total of 22 parts down to two printed parts, reducing assembly time and eliminating potential leak paths through seals and threaded joints.

The use of AM also reduced part weight.