Airplanes may not have bones, but they do have ribs. Ribs play an important role in the structure of an airplane. From large commercial jets to small commuter airplanes, they serve as the structural foundation of an airplane. What are the ribs of an airplane exactly, and why are they important?
Overview of Ribs
Ribs are thin and curved structural components. They are designed to provide support, as well as shape, for many parts of an airplane. Ribs, for instance, are found in the wings, tail and fuselage. During production, materials are placed over the ribs to create these parts.
Without ribs, the structural integrity of airplanes would be compromised. They are known as “ribs” because they serve the same purpose as bones in the human body. Ribs create the structural foundation on which airplanes are built.
Ribs increase the strength of an aircraft structure. They provide reinforcement and support to the skin of the wings and tail surfaces — along with other parts. As a result, ribs prevent the parts with which they are used from buckling or deforming underloads. They hold the airplane together while bearing various loads to which they are exposed.
Form Ribs
One of the most common types of ribs in airplanes is form ribs. Form fibs are characterized by their production process. They are made of “formed” metal, such as aluminum. The aluminum is bent into shape, after which it’s added to the airplane.
Truss Ribs
In addition to form ribs, there are truss ribs. Truss ribs are characterized by their interlocking design. They can join together to form joints. Some truss ribs are lightweight, whereas others are heavy. You can also find them in different shapes and sizes. Regardless, they are designed to create joints by locking together.
Forged Ribs
There are also forged ribs. As the name suggests, they are made via forging. Forged ribs are typically thicker and heavier than their form and truss counterparts. On the other hand, they can support heavier loads. This makes forged ribs ideal for high-stress applications. Even if formed or truss ribs can’t handle a particular load, forged ribs may hold up under the weight and stress of the load.
Milled Ribs
Milled ribs are made via milling. Milling is a manufacturing process that involves the use of a rotary cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece. These milling machines are used to create ribs for airplanes.
