NCMS Project #: 110448
Problem: While most routine aircraft maintenance can be done without worrying about fastener removal, overhaul maintenance, or unexpected repairs of damaged or corroded sections, is another matter entirely. Many fasteners in critical sections of aircraft were not designed to be removed easily. The current industry standard way to remove these fasteners is to literally drill them out by hand. This process is physically difficult, dirty, and dangerous to both the mechanic and the aircraft.
Benefit: The lessons learned as well as the camera capabilities will be documented and communicated in a manner that allows Perfect Point to communicate the results to the rest of their customer base, thus allowing commercial entities to benefit from this work.
Solution/Approach: Perfect Point EDM has invented a new method for removing aircraft fasteners called the E-Drill. E-Drill has the ability to remove the most difficult blind fasteners in a fraction of the time normally required, and with significantly lower rates of maintenance inducted damage. The overall objective of this initiative is to validate a camera based Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) technique that can quantify the extent of offset in an E-Drilled fastener. This data will be used to expand the Navy’s understanding of the camera’s capability and applicability to real world Navy depot operational environments.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Improve aircraft availability
- Reduce maintenance induced damage
- Decrease maintenance and sustainment costs
DOD Participation:
- United States Navy, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
- United States Air Force (USAF)
- Army Aviation (observer)
Industry Participation:
- Perfect Point EDM
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turnaround time
- Mx avoidance & reliability
- Safety
Mx Focus Area:
- Facilities and Industrial Process Modernization
