Innovative Projects in Aviation and Defense Industry through Collaboration between Afyon Kocatepe University and TUSAŞ

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Technology, Afyon Kocatepe University (AKÜ), continues to contribute to the aviation and defense industry through projects carried out in collaboration with Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TUSAŞ). Department Head Prof. Dr. Bekir Yalçın announced that, over the past year, a total of seven projects—three under TUSAŞ LIFT UP and four under TUSAŞ-TÜBİTAK 2209-B—were deemed worthy of support.

Projects Shaping Aviation

Prof. Dr. Yalçın shared the following details about the projects:

Drilling of Composite Materials: Drilling parameters were optimized to improve the quality of assembly holes, technical recommendations were provided to TUSAŞ, and international publications were produced.

Lightweight Aviation Structures via Additive Manufacturing: Topology optimization and additive manufacturing were applied to aircraft armrests, achieving lightweight designs while maintaining strength and demonstrating applicability to other structures.

Machinability of Aviation Superalloys: Inconel 625 alloy was processed with different cutting tools, surface properties were examined, and comparisons between ceramic and carbide tools provided recommendations to TUSAŞ.

Production of Assembly Holes in Metal Mesh Reinforced Composites: The drilling behavior of polymer composites used for lightning protection was analyzed, and parameters were planned for optimization.

Tribological Behavior of Carbon Fiber PEEK Composites: Data were obtained to support designs resistant to friction and wear.

3D Additive Manufacturing of Composite Polymers for Aviation: Designs of structural components produced with carbon fiber reinforced composite filaments were studied to determine the most efficient and lightweight structures.

Strengthening University-Industry Collaboration

Highlighting the importance of these projects, Prof. Dr. Yalçın stated:

“These studies will contribute not only to aviation and defense but also to sectors such as medical, energy, and automotive. Our students gain hands-on experience with the industry at the undergraduate level. Our goal is to train the qualified engineers Turkey needs.”

Emphasizing that the mission and vision of the Department of Mechanical Engineering are not limited to the general machinery and manufacturing sector, Yalçın noted that they provide specialized engineering education particularly in aviation, defense, medical, energy, and automotive fields. In addition to TUSAŞ projects, four industrial projects are being carried out with KARCAN Cutting Tools Inc., with the findings shared internationally through scientific publications.

The department announced that it is preparing new TÜBİTAK projects with both TUSAŞ and local industry, continuing to contribute to the sector through applied, project-based education.