Three blind bolts from one pulling head
Three blind bolts from one pulling head
Keywords: Aerospace industry, Production equipment
Textron Fastening Systems, a business unit of Textron Inc. recently introduced a blind fastening process that allows three different size bolts to be installed with one pulling head in the assembly of high-strength aerospace structures.
The MaxiBolt Plus blind bolt produces a large diameter footprint that distributes the bearing load of the joint over a wide area of the blind side of composite and metallic work pieces. This disperses stress on the joint,providing an operational grip range that is said to prevent stripping, tearing,or delaminating composite material, while reducing the need for additional fasteners.
“The MaxiBoIt Plus blind bolt system is quick, consistent, cost-effective, and responsive to the aerospace industry's need for automated processes involving composite and metallic materials in critical structural assemblies,” said Martin Schnurr, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Textron Fastening Systems. “Using this process will enable manufacturers and service centers to increase productivity by eliminating slowdowns to replace nosepieces for different size bolts.”
The first application for the MaxiBoIt Plus blind bolt, Schnurr said, is assembly of the wing flap to the wing box on the new Airbus A380 800-passenger commercial jet, scheduled for introduction in 2007. Other targeted applications include floor and ramp assemblies, empenage assemblies, engine inlets, and other critical structures where the opposite side of the material is inaccessible.
MaxiBoItT Plus blind bolts are available in multiple head styles in stainless steel and titanium sizes 5, 6 and 8(5/32, 3/16, 1/4 in.).
They are said to install in two seconds, using a standard Textron Fastening Systems hand tool, or by automated and robotic processes. A common groove on the pulling serration allows each bolt to be interchanged with a common pulling head. The bolts are stated to lock positively and break flush to the material,with no deburring required. Each bolt has a seven degree backside slope capability.
Details available from: Textron Fastening Systems. Tel: 1.800 544.6117 (US& Canada), Tel: +1 815.961.5300 (international); E-mail: info@tfs.textron.com; web site: www.textronfasteninqsystems.com
