Engineering & Manufacturing Specialty
Turbomachinery for the Aeronautics Industry
Barber-Nichols, Inc. ( BNI ) has been engineering, manufacturing, and testing specialty blowers, compressors, fans, pumps, and turbines for the aeronautics industry since 1966. Additionally, BNI specializes in the contract manufacturing of both individual components and complete assemblies. Innovative design experience, expertise with exotic materials, and high quality standards make BNI an obvious choice for the design and manufacture of aeronautics hardware.
- Small, Light-Weight, High-Speed Machinery
- 400 Hz AC & Brushless DC Motors
- Air & Liquid Cooled Motors
BNI manufacturers the Model 744000 Avionics Cooling Pump which is used to cool electrical systems on the C-130 Air 
Transport. The pump weighs a mere 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs) and circulates a 50/50 mix of either ethylene-glycol and water or propylene-glycol and water. The pump also operates at 400 Hz and circulated 15 l/min (4 GPM ).
BNI teamed with Lockheed Martin to work on an unmanned, lighter-than-air vehicle that will maintain a geostationary position at an altitude of 65,000 feet. The vehicle, known as a High Altitude Airship (HAA), is being built by Lockheed Martin and is being funded by the Missile Defense Agency. Specifically, Barber-Nichols designed and manufactured the transonic fans that control the vehicles internal pressure and cause it to 
descend. To operate properly at altitude, the fan blade's tip speed moves in excess of 333 m/s (1,100 ft/s). As gas accelerates through the fan's converging and diverging blades, it reaches a relative supersonic speed. CFD Analysis drove the fan's blade design and the sonic barrier was crossed at a point that minimized shock losses.
BNI uses an Electrochemical Machining (ECM) process to manufacture the Thrust Reverser Actuator for the Pratt & Whtiney JT9D Engine. The JT9D Engine is used on a variety of civilian aircraft including the Boeing 747. ECM is one of many unique capabilities at BNI 's disposal. 
The ECM tool (pictured on the right) is used to remove material from the center of each of the three helical lobes on the Thrust Reverser Actuator. Removing the material from the center of the lobes reduces the weight and inertia of the rotor. ECM is the only process that can perform this operation at a reasonable cost.
BNI manufactures the five-axis turbine wheel for the F-15 Eagle's gas turbine engine starter. These turbines are manufactured from Astroloy
™ and require an 8 to 1 depth to diameter endmill. Additionally, each turbine requires eight hours of hand work before final inspection.
