INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 1

ISSN (ONLINE): 2321-3051

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN

AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MODERN MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES OF PRECISED
MISSILE REAR FIN ASSEMBLY
Md Akhtar khan1, Md Muqthar ghori2, K.Moinuddin Sana3
1Khan.akhtar24@gmail.com,2mmghori786@gmail.com,310b91a2124@gmail.com
1Assistant Professor, GITAM University-Hyderabad, 2Student@GNITC, 3Student@GNITC

Abstract
Missile rear fin is mainly used for direction control. The fin includes number of components like
panels, pins, tubes, lamina and caps. The performance of actuation system plays a decisive role in
determining the performance of the flight control system for a highly maneuverable missile. To control
the missiles by aerodynamics, control surfaces, sometimes called fins, are used. The manufacturing
process of missile fin components involves different operations like CNC turning, CNC milling,
drilling, EDM, grinding, and surface treatments. The paper presents the study of manufacturing
processes of missile rear fin assembly.
Keywords: Fin, SAE 4340; 15-5PH STEEL; CNC, stability; Cascade fins; Aerodynamics

1. INTRODUCTION
Fin is the stabilizing and guiding unit of a missile. It is an aerodynamic surface projecting from the
surface of missile for the purpose of giving the directional stability. Missile is an object or weapon suitable
for throwing, projecting, or directing at a target. The fin is attached to the aft end of the missile. The fin
assemblies cause the missile to fall in a smooth, definite curve towards the target, instead of tumbling
through air. Each fin is created in a light weight, disposable metal crate (1).
Though missile starts up straight, even small imperfections of its surface and of the motor alignment (2)
can cause it to steer off course. The fin will attempt to drive the guided missile in the direction opposite to
that of the turn. You can get away with just three fins provided that they are mounted at exact 120-degree
angle to each other, so that resulting forces can compensate. A larger fin creates more stabilization;
however it leads to increase in mass by means of more air drag. Therefore fin design is always a
compromise between aerodynamics (3), mass-to-power ratio and the restrictions applied by material
properties. There are many types of fin plan-forms available but we have used trapezoidal plan-form with
double wedge airfoil, as its cross section is very flexible with greater maneuverability as shown in figure 1.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15
Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 2
Fig.(1)Double-Wedge Airfoil
The shape(plan-form) of fin is not so important,nearly any reasonable shape will work out ,as long as the
required Cg & Cp relationship is maintained as shown in the figure and span is sufficient enough to
generate good restoring lift force.
Fig. (2) Missile balancing
WHY FINS ON MISSILE??
The fins on a Missile are just there to create stability. As long as there are enough to provide a restoring
force against a disturbance, it shouldn't matter. But Enough means at least three, symmetrically placed, with
enough area so that when the missile tips off of its path a little bit the fins provide aerodynamic force to put
it straight again. If you only had two, a disturbance in the missile of the fins would not get corrected and the
missile would veer off course.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15
Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 3
With three, any tipping off of the missile path hits at least one of the fins in a way to correct the
misalignment. Four works, too. Any more than that and you're just adding drag, which will shorten the
trajectory.
The purpose of putting fins on a missile is to provide stability during flight, that is, to allow the missile to
maintain its orientation and intended flight path. If a typical amateur missile was launched without fins, it
would soon begin to tumble after leaving the launcher, due to the way that aerodynamic and other forces
(such as wind) act upon the missile, in relation to the forces that are exerted upon the missile by the gravity.
The problem here is that the missiles centre of pressure (CP) would be forward of its centre of gravity
(CG). Fitting fins on a missile serves to locate the centre of pressure aft of the CG.
Fig. (3) Fin Designs
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
MATERIALS
Materials used for fin manufacturing are SAE4340 and 15-5PH STEEL. 15-5PH is also known as UNS
S15500 which is a modification of 17-4 PH developed in the 60s. The composition of 15-5PH includes
small amounts of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, columbium (or niobium), tantalum, silicon and sulfur.
UNS S15500 is a martensitic precipitation hardening grade. Martensitic stainless steels were designed as a
type of alloy which is corrosion resistant and could also be hardened through heat treatment. Stainless steel
15-5 PH provides high strength, good corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties at temperatures up
to 600F (316C), and good toughness in both base metal and welds. Steel 15-5 PH is the ferrite-free
version of 17-4 PH Stainless Steel. Both alloys are widely used in the aerospace, chemical, petrochemical,
food processing, paper and general metalworking industries. Products partially or completely constructed of
15-5PH include aircraft components, cylinders, engine parts, fittings, gears, hallow shafts, marine gas
turbine compressor sections, paper mill equipment, valves.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 4

COMPOSITIONS
The composition of Steel 15-5 PH has carbon 0.070, chromium 14.0-15.50, Columbian + tantalum 0.150.45, copper 2.50-4.50, manganese 1.00, nickel 3.50-5.50, phosphorus 0.040, silicon 1.00 and sulfur 0.30.
The composition of SAE 4340 has carbon 0.38- 0.43, manganese 0.60 - 0.80, silicon 0.15 - 0.35, sulfur
0.035, phosphorous 0.040, chromium 0.70 - 0.90, nickel 1.65 -2.00, Mo 0.20 - 0.30.
Manufacturing Process of Rear Fin Components
The manufacturing process of missile rear fin components starts with raw material inspection, cutting, heat
treatment and other machining operations followed by inspection as shown in the layout flow chart. The list
of components and their manufacturing processes are as shown in table 1.
Table. 1. Rear Fin Components
Nomencl
ature
Q
ua
nti
ty
Material Machining Operations
Inboard
panel
2 SAE 4340 Raw material cutting.
Conventional & CNC
milling, wire cut, deburring.
Lock pin
spring
8 17-7PH
STEEL

Raw material cutting, rough

turning, CNC turning,
deburing
Lock pin 8 15-5PH
STEEL
Raw material cutting, rough
turning, CNC turning,
deburing.
TVC pin 4 SAE 4340 Raw material cutting, CNC
turning, drilling, final
inspection.
Servo
pin
2 SAE 4340 Raw material cutting, CNC
turning, drilling, final
inspection.
Lock pin
stopper
8 SAE 1024 Raw material cutting.
Conventional & CNC
milling, wire cut, deburring.
Outboard
panel
2 SAE 4340 Raw material cutting, rough
turning, CNC turning,
deburing
Inboard
tube
4 15-5PH
STEEL
Raw material cutting, rough
turning, CNC turning,
deburing.
Out
board
2 15-5PH
STEEL
Raw-material, heattreatement
CNC turning,
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 5

tube drilling, final inspection.
Lamina 96 17-7PH
STEEL
Raw-material cutting, CNC
turning, drilling, final
inspection.
End
lamina
8 17-7PH
STEEL
Raw material cutting, rough
turning, CNC turning,
deburring.
Process Flow Chart 1

Heat treatment

CNC milling
CNC turning
EDM drill & wire
Surface grinding
Deburring
Final inspection
Raw Material
Inspection
Raw Material
Cutting
Wire cut
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 6

BALANCE OF CG AND CP
The CG is simplest to explain. It is the mass balance point of the missile, i.e; the CG is the location where
the missile balances. This is important, because this is the point that the missile would rotate about if it was
spun end over end.
The CP is similar; it is where the resultant force of aerodynamic pressure acts, or the aerodynamic balance
point. If you were to hold the missile by grasping it with two fingers (such that it could pivot horizontally),
the location where it would be perfectly balanced in the airflow is the location of the centre of pressure (it is
somewhat more complicated, however, as the CP location varies with the angle of attack; in this example,
the angle of attack is 90 degrees). For a missile that is to be stable in flight, this point must be aft of the CG
by a certain amount.
With the CP aft of the CG, the missile is illustrated in a simplified form. This is because this
principle is true for a body of any shape, not only for a finned missile (for example, fireworks rockets don't
have fins yet are stable bodies). In the Figure the missile is shown during the powered flight. This is an
ideal state, with all the forces acting through the CG and no external (perturbing) forces present. The
missile is stable and accelerating with exclusively linear motion along the line of thrust.
In the following figure.4. A perturbing force is introduced, in this example, the force due to a gust of wind.
The resultant of this pressure force acts through the CP, causing the missile to rotate about its CG, changing
slightly the angle of attack (alpha).
Fig. (4) Tail Control
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 7

MISSILE REAR FIN COMPONENTS AND PROCESS FLOW CHART
INBOARD PANEL:Fig. (5)- Inboard Panel
Inboard Panel
Raw Material
Inspection
Witness by
Customer
Raw Material Cutting
Conventional Milling
CNC Milling
Heat Treatment
Surface Grinding
Wirecut
CNC Milling

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 8

Fig. (6)- Lock pin
Fig. (7)- TVC pin
Fig. (8)- Servo Pin
Fig. (9) Lock pin Spring
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 9

FLOW CHART LOCK PIN STOPPER

Lock Pin Stopper

Raw Material
Inspection
Raw Material
Cutting
CNC Turning
CNC Turning
Deburring
Final
Inspection
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 10

Fig.(10) Lock Pin Stopper
Fig.(11) Lamina
Fig.(12)-Lamina End
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 11

Flow Chart of Lamina

Lamina
Raw
Material
Inspection
Raw Material
Cutting
Wirecut
Drilling

Wirecut
Deburring
Final
Inspection
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 12

Fig. (13) Caps
COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE (CMM)
A coordinate-measuring machine is a device for measuring the physical geometrical characteristics of an
object. This machine is manually controlled by an operator or it may be computer controlled.
Measurements are defined by a probe attached to the third moving axis of this machine. Probes may be
mechanical, optical, laser, or white light, amongst others. A machine which takes readings in six degrees of
freedom and displays these readings in mathematical form is known as a CMM.
DESCRIPTION:
The typical 3 "bridge" CMM is composed of three axes, an X, Y and Z. These axes are orthogonal to each
other in a typical three dimensional coordinate system. Each axis has a scale system that indicates the
location of that axis. The machine will read the input from the touch probe, as directed by the operator or
programmer. The machine then uses the X, Y and Z coordinates of each of these points to determine size
and position with micrometer precision typically. A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) is also a device
used in manufacturing and assembly processes to test a part or assembly against the design intent. By
precisely recording the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the target, points are generated which can then be
analyzed via regression analysis for the construction of features. These points are collected by using a probe
that is positioned manually by an operator or automatically via Direct Computer Control (DCC). DCC
CMMs can be programmed to repeatedly measure identical parts, thus a CMM is a specialized form
of industrial robot.
Fig.(14.1) CMM
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 13

PROBES:
There are newer models that have probes that drag along the surface of the part taking points at specified
intervals, known as scanning probes. This method of CMM inspection is often more accurate than the
conventional touch-probe method and most times faster as well.
The next generation of scanning, known as non-contact scanning includes high speed laser single point
triangulation, laser line scanning, and white light scanning, is advancing very quickly. This method uses
either laser beams or white light that are projected against the surface of the part. Many thousands of points
can then be taken and used to not only check size and position, but to create a 3D image of the part as well.
This "point-cloud data" can then be transferred to CAD software to create a working 3D model of the part.
These optical scanners often used on soft or delicate parts or to facilitate reverse engineering.

MISSILE REAR FIN ASSEMBLY

The missile rear fin assembly is shown in figure 3. Inboard panel shall be taken as the base for the
assembly. Insert the lock pin springs in inboard panel compressing the lock pin springs. Insert the clevis
pins (assembly tool) in the hole provided on the inboard panel to arrest the lock pins at the desired
positions. Fasten servo pin and TVC pin in the threaded hole provided in the bottom of inboard panel.
Align the 14 diameter hole of outboard panel with the corresponding hole of inboard panel. Insert torsion
shaft assembly along 14 diameter hole completely. Use MoS2 based grease to insert it. Align the slots
provided in the inboard tube with the corresponding holes on inboard panel using reference points.
Insert anchor pin 1 and anchor pin 2 using pin fixtures to twist outboard by relative to inboard tube in
folding dimension (counter clockwise) and insert two number of anchor pin 1 using spring pin fixture
(assembly tool) to arrest outboard tube rotation. Use polypropylene cap to close the open end of outboard

tube. Use two M10 screw for fastening the rear fin assembly onto the shaft of servo assembly. Insert bolt
cap right with threaded hole. Fasten M4 screw onto inboard panel and bolt cap with a specified tightening
torque using calibrated manual torque wrench. Fold the outboard panel by 1350 relative to inboard panel.
Ensure minimum angle of folding 1350.Use fin holder (assembly tool) to restrain the outboard panel as its
folded condition. Remove the Clevis pins (assembly tool) before inserting the missile into the canister.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 14

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING

Vol.1 Issue.7,
November 2013.
Pgs:1-15

Md Akhtar khan, Md Muqthar ghori, K.Moinuddin Sana 15

Figs.(15) Missile Rear Fin Assembly
CONCLUSION
The assembly of rear fin components can be inspected on CMM for precision. The study reveals the fact
that missile rear fin assembly requires inspection for each component manufactured to follow the process
flow chart at their level for direction control to prevent the defective components.
These components are used on Missiles and hence require to be highly precisely machined for an
Aerospace component. How the component is machined and Manufactured with all its accuracies and
clearances required to assemble these components. The quality and inspection methods adopted were
observed and studied in great detail. Each and every part of the component is checked for its accuracy and
all these details are recorded.
References
1. Khalid M, Sun Y and Xu H (1998) "Computation of Flows Past Grid Fin Missiles" AVT Symposium on
Missile Aerodynamics, Sorrento, Italy.
2. Siegel R and Howell JR (2002) Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer Chapter 9: Radiation combined with
conduction and convection at boundaries, pp.335370. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781560328391.
3. Fin: Function in aircraft engines Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
4. Ohlmeyer, E. J. (1996). Root-Mean-Square Miss Distance of Proportional Navigation Missile Against
Sinusoidal Target, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 19, May-June, pp. 563-568
5. Garg, S. (1993). Robust Integrated Flight/Propulsion Control Design for a STOVL Aircraft using HInfinity
Control Design Techniques, Automatica, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 129-145.
6. Menon, P. K., and Iragavarapu, V. R. (1996). Robust Nonlinear Control Technology for High-Agility
Missile Interceptors, Optimal Synthesis Report No. 005, Prepared Under NSWCDD Phase I SBIR
Contract, July.
7. Menon, P. K., and Iragavarapu, V. R. (1998). Adaptive Techniques for Multiple Actuator Blending,
AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, August 10-12, Boston, MA.