The TIE Project

The TIE Project Trade. Inspiration. Education.

This is a great candidate for the lathe I don’t have yet, and would also be great for the fourth axis I also don’t have ...
08/29/2026

This is a great candidate for the lathe I don’t have yet, and would also be great for the fourth axis I also don’t have yet…. Would have cut 75 tool changes out of the program! But got it done thanks to Haas Automation, Inc. and their intuitive controls and probing system and Autodesk Fusion for their flexible programming on the CAM side.
Now what is it?

No more oil leaks! Getting the first run ready for anodizing. These are also 25% lighter than the stamped steel covers. ...
08/28/2026

No more oil leaks! Getting the first run ready for anodizing. These are also 25% lighter than the stamped steel covers.
Haas Automation, Inc. SportClassAirRacing Centurion Performance Engines

08/23/2026

Racer Spotlight!

Tim Slater grew up in a small airport community in northern Illinois. He is now based out of Poplar Grove Airport. Tim runs a small business comprised of automotive, engine development/building, composites manufacturing, and more. He is flying “Cruse Missile,” which has a rich history in Sport Class Air Racing as well as a few showings in the AirVenture Cup. Since managing the aircraft, many enhancements have been made to increase its potential, with the most notable being the EFI by SDS. This is the foundational change to prepare the aircraft for turbocharging. The Cruse Missile sports the logo of ‘The TIE Project’, a new organization founded by Tim with the purpose of enticing the youth to explore their potential in the trades industries. Utilizing exciting activities such as air racing, engine building, design/fabrication, and more, The TIE Project seeks to inspire the youth through their interaction and involvement in The TIE Projects.

The TIE Project

This RV10 was equipped with an early generation SDS EFI system. It came in for an upgrade to the latest version which ad...
08/04/2026

This RV10 was equipped with an early generation SDS EFI system. It came in for an upgrade to the latest version which added more reliability to an already robust system, a data logger and individual fuel trim tables for ROP(rich of peak) and LOP(lean of peak) operation which greatly reduces the amount of adjusting of fuel trims to achieve balanced EGT temps. It also got an electrical system overhaul to simplify and enhance the electrical system reliability. Notice the EGT temps and the shared load from dual B&C alternators. The panel was fabricated from Nexx Technologies NT350HT Prepreg carbon fiber which is our go to material for most applications due to its high Tg, and room temperature storage capability. Panel design was done on SOLIDWORKS after a 3d scan with our FARO CREAFORM HandyScan Black Elite scanner. CAM operation was programmed in Autodesk Fusion and cut and engraved on our Avid CNC router. The engraving was painted with PPG base coat and cleared with PPG concept clear.
Right now the owner is flying back to his home base at 7000’, at 165ktas burning 11gph with a smooth running EFIO-540. Pretty darn good for a four place airplane with such great short field capability!
Happy flying!

07/25/2026

Showing the last machining operation on these landing gear half forks, the finishing passes on the inside of the part. We sneak up on the final dimension using .0025” radial cuts at full length which is about 3.5”. The David Bishop press fit expansion plugs were key to keeping this part from ringing like a church bell during this cut. Rigid tapping the 5-40 thread with our Haas Automation, Inc. was a breeze! So satisfying watching this go from CAD, to CAM to finished part! Next we’ll show the installation on the aircraft!
Stay tuned-

Come down to the AirVenture Cup tent to see these new billet aluminum half forks and BERINGER AERO wheels and brakes ins...
07/24/2026

Come down to the AirVenture Cup tent to see these new billet aluminum half forks and BERINGER AERO wheels and brakes installed on our Glasair III. This is Phase 1 of 2 on the narrowed gear/inner gear door modification.
SportClassAirRacing

07/24/2026

Watch the previous reel to see the tool path generation on Autodesk Fusion and then watch this to see the Haas Automation, Inc. VF3SSYT in action cutting out two of these landing gear half forks for the Glasair III.

EAA night shows are fantastic!
07/24/2026

EAA night shows are fantastic!

Mirco Pecorari is feeling left out 🤪
07/23/2026

Mirco Pecorari is feeling left out 🤪

Mirco Pecorari is here! A great friend and our strongest collaborator on projects present and future!
07/23/2026

Mirco Pecorari is here! A great friend and our strongest collaborator on projects present and future!

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Poplar Grove, IL
61065

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