A client from the aerospace industry recently contacted our company to build a series of variable and fixed wobblers. These parts allow for the variable displacement of hydraulic fluid from an aircraft hydraulic pump system. Due to the wobblers’ unique shape, combined with the need to provide each part with a hard surface finish on close tolerance dimensions, a complex sequence of machining operations was necessary for successful production.

In order to successfully machine these wobblers, we began by constructing each part using 52100 steel per AMS6440 as a base material. This material was chosen for its stability when high pressured hydraulic fluids are applied. After performing a variety of five axis milling operations, we then heat treated each wobbler, hardening each unit to an Rc level of 55-60RC.

Adept at multiple grinding disciplines, our manufacturers placed each part through various grinding processes, including OD, bump, surface, and plunge grind steps, meeting (±) .0002 inch precision tolerance on journal diameters. Our skillful engineers were able to provide an ultra precision flatness tolerance of one Micron on the seat area of each wobbler.

After grinding, a thin titanium-nitrided coating is applied. We also ensured the quality of our products, using custom designed profilometer instruments to inspect the final microfinish in this seat area.

Using a series of advanced machining processes, Tolerance Masters was able to construct a series of complex wobblers for the aerospace industry. Equipped with a maximum material finish of 1.5-2 RMS and a Rockwell hardness of 55-60, these wobblers met with high client expectation.

CNC Machined 52100 Steel Wobblers

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Product Description
  • These Wobblers allow the variable displacement of hydraulic fluid from an aircraft hydraulic pump system, and are machined in more than a dozen operations.
Capabilities Applied / Processes
  • CNC Machining
  • Heat Treatment
  • Grinding
Equipment Used to Manufacture Part
  • CNC HARDINGE LATHES, VMC MORI-SEKI 3X, VMC VARI-AXIS 5X, HYPREZ LAPPER, CNC STUDER GRINDER, CNC KENT GRINDER, CUSTOM LAPPING
Overall Part Dimensions
  • Up to 4″ length, Up to 3″ overall diameter, 1′ thickness
Tightest Tolerances
  • ± .0002″ on Journal Diameters
  • Flatness: less than 1 Micron on the Seat Area
Material Used
  • 52100 Steel as per AMS6440
Max Material Finish
  • 1.5-2 RMS
Rockwell Hardness
  • 55-60
Typical Machining Operations
  • CNC Machining:
  • Multiple 5 Axis- means number of axial planes a cutter tool can take(X, Y, Z, A, or B) Milling Operations
  • Heat Treatment:
  • After Machining it s Hardened to Rc Level of 55-60RC
  • Grinding:
  • O.D. Grinding
  • I.D. Grinding
  • Bump Grinding
  • Surface Grinding
  • Plunge Grind Steps
  • Finishing:
  • Thin Titanium-Nitrided Coating is Applied
  • Inspection:
  • Custom Designed Profilometer for Microfinish Inspection
Industry for Use
  • Aerospace
Delivery Location
  • MULTI SITES IN CONTINENTAL US
Standards Met
  • NADCAP CERTIFIED PROCESSORS USED
Product Name
  • Wobbler