In aerospace assembly, why is it essential to check the edge break?

Checking the edge break in aerospace assembly is crucial primarily to ensure strength and integrity. An edge break, which refers to the smoothing or rounding of sharp edges at material interfaces, serves several important functions in aerospace applications. These include minimizing stress concentration points, which can lead to premature failure of components due to fatigue or other mechanical stresses.

When sharp edges are present, they can create weak spots that are more susceptible to cracking or other forms of deterioration during operation. By ensuring that the edge break is correctly executed, the structural integrity of the assembled parts is maintained, significantly contributing to the overall safety and reliability of the aircraft or aerospace vehicle.

While other factors such as aesthetics, weight reduction, and assembly speed may be considerations in some contexts, the primary reason the edge break is checked is to maintain the physical properties and performance of aerospace components under operational conditions.