Removal of Ergo-Tech® Blind Bolt with Hand Electrical Discharge Removal Tool Alcoa Incorporated

Format:

Conference/Event

Author/Creator:

Frias, Frias, author.

Contributor:

Haylock, Luke

Lea, Curtis

Yamamoto, Al

Conference Name:

SAE 2010 Aerospace Manufacturing and Automated Fastening Conference & Exhibition (2010-09-28 : Wichita, Kansas, United States)

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Warrendale, PA SAE International 2010

Summary:

A new method of removing Ergo-Tech® blind bolts, which utilizesa handheld electrical discharge process, is evaluated. Currently,the most common method of removing blind fasteners involvesdrilling the head of the fasteners to a point where the shank canbe punched out. In some situations, when the back side of the blindfastener is accessible, this portion can be ground or machined off.Both approaches are time consuming, messy, and unsafe fortechnicians. There is also a high probability of damage to thesurrounding structure associated with the current processes.Additionally, machining chips which are difficult to contain cancreate foreign object damage (FOD).A new fastener removal system which utilizes the principle ofelectrical discharge machining is evaluated. The system isportable, and includes a handheld gun which is approximately thesize of a typical fastener installation tool. This paper covers theevaluation of this approach for removing the Ergo-Tech® blindfastener. The electrical discharge method involves removing aportion of the head of the Ergo-Tech® fastener in a small containedenvironment.Numerous benefits are found in using an electrical dischargehandheld machine for removal. Ergo-Tech® fasteners can be removedin seconds instead of minutes. The removal process is silent, FODfree, and requires minimal force to be applied by the technician.And, the entire removal system, which is approximately the size ofa travel suitcase, is lightweight and portable. All liquids anddebris created by the removal process are contained within thesystem, and collected within the internal filtration system forsimple operation. This system is promising for original equipmentmanufacturing facilities, maintenance repair and overhaullocations, or operating bases

Notes:

Vendor supplied data

Publisher Number:

2010-01-1845

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license