The present paper derives best practices to accurately simulate the installation process of a Blind Rivet Nut (BRN) using FEA. A BRN is mechanical fastener used equip plate material with threaded part. inherently induces high contact force which can have detrimental consequences when applied non-metals such as polymer composite materials. effects localized stress in on performance be studied ai...

This study investigated the relationship between pneumatic nutrunner handle reactions, workstation characteristics, and prevalence of upper limb injuries in an automobile assembly plant. Tool properties (geometry, inertial properties, and motor characteristics), fastener properties, orientation relative to the fastener, and the position of the tool operator (horizontal and vertical distances) w...

ABSTRACT. A full scale wing panel fatigue test was undertaken in 2007 as a part of the DARPA Structural Integrity Prognosis System (SIPS) program. Both local and global ultrasonic sensors were installed on the wing panel and data were recorded periodically over a period of about seven weeks. The local ultrasonic sensors interrogated a small number of selected fastener holes, and the global ultr...

Features are investigated in eddy current data that are sensitive to corrosion and fatigue cracks in airframe structures while invariant to other NDE noise factors. To investigate subsurface corrosion characterization at the faying surface, a series of eddy current studies were performed using an analytical model for varying total subsurface thickness loss and percentage of the thickness loss o...

An in situ ultrasonic angle beam method has been developed to detect and size fatigue cracks emanating from fastener holes. The method employs transducers mounted in a pitch-catch configuration on each side of the hole, and the modulation of received signals with load is used to detect and size small fatigue cracks. The focus of this paper is the monitoring of a series of critical fastener hole...

BACKGROUND This study compares the influence of two different annuloplasty attachment suture applications, namely the use of an automated fastener versus manually tied knots using a traditional knot pusher, on total operation time, on cardiopulmonary-bypass time and on cross-clamp time, and on short-term outcome. METHODS Sixty patients underwent isolated minimally invasive mitral valve repair...

The overall objective of the DARPA Structural Integrity Prognosis System (SIPS) program is to develop technologies to advance material damage state condition assessment with limited or no dedicated maintenance action. As a part of the sensors thrust area, an in situ ultrasonic sensing method was developed and demonstrated to detect cracks initiating from fastener holes and provide an estimate o...