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Rotary actuators provide accuracy, ease-of-use.

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Rotary actuators provide accuracy, ease-of-use

by Nate Fulton

Waterblasting Technologies works with Helac to improve the Stripe Hog.

To help ensure safe landings on airport runways, it is critical to remove the rubber build-up from runway surfaces, exposing the original pavement and restoring the friction coefficient to desired levels for maximum braking on wet surfaces.

Over time, the skid resistance of an airport's runway pavement deteriorates due to a number of factors. The primary ones are the mechanical wear and polishing action from aircraft tires rolling or braking on the pavement and the accumulation of contaminants, chiefly rubber, on the pavement surface. Other influences are local weather, the type of pavement, the materials used in original construction, any subsequent surface treatment and airport maintenance practices.

During aircraft landing, prior to the actual touchdown, the tires are at rest, experiencing no rotation. At the point of impact with the asphalt, the aircraft is moving at a speed of 100 knots (115 mph), so the tires must reach a rotational speed to match the aircraft speed in an extremely short amount of time. This causes superheating of the tires, as well as skidding, which leaves rubber deposits on the runway. The tires also leave rubber deposits while braking when the aircraft...

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