First Hardware for KC-100 Naraon Shipped by LORD Corporation
By: Kimberly Kayler , 614-873-6706
(Cary, NC — 02/29/2012)
LORD Corporation – a leader in the management of motion, vibration and noise control — recently delivered its first shipment of critical components for the Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) KC-100 Naraon.
Developed by KAI of South Korea, the propeller-driven four-seat, single-engine light aircraft has been in development since 2008. LORD has been contracted to provide elastomeric pads for the Nose Landing Gear (NLG) as well as engine mounts.
According to Bernie Chan, LORD director of marketing and sales, KAI contacted LORD in late 2008 after seeing a unique nose gear shock absorber on a similar aircraft that LORD developed for another OEM. LORD engineers collaborated with KAI to optimize the nose gear isolator design for the KC-100 and also entered into an engine mounting system development project to minimize weight and maximize performance.
With a stated design goal of developing an aircraft that is more fuel efficient than other aircraft in its class, it was key that LORD develop solutions that provide high reliability at a minimal weight as compared to competing rigid mounting and coil spring shock absorber options, while also enhancing the flexibility of the installation and reducing structure borne vibrations.
According to Chan, the NLG elastomeric pads went through extensive high and low temperature testing as well as a Ground-Air-Ground (GAG) endurance demonstration equivalent to 10 years of service life.
Sunghwan Park, KAI Senior Research Engineer, stated that KAI is "very happy with the support and product from LORD."
Song J. H., KAI Senior Research Engineer, concurred, noting that LORD Corporation's "responsiveness has enabled us to meet our tight schedule and their products are very reliable."
The NLG elastomeric pads were FAA conformed in August 2010, followed by parts being shipped to KAI for more tests before installation on the aircraft. The engine mount isolators were also FAA conformed in mid-2011.
The KC-100 features carbon fiber structure and advanced aerodynamics and is currently undergoing flight testing for certification by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) of Korea. It is then expected to achieve FAA certification.
About LORD Corporation
Founded in 1924, LORD Corporation is a privately-held company that designs, manufactures and markets mechanical devices and electromechanical systems to control vibration, motion and noise; formulates, produces and sells general purpose and specialty adhesives, coatings and electronic materials; and develops products and systems utilizing magnetically responsive technologies. With headquarters in Cary, N.C., and sales in excess of $720MM, LORD has manufacturing in nine countries and offices in more than 15 major business centers. LORD Corporation employs more than 2,700 worldwide. Visit www.lord.com for more information.
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