Structures Technician – Fasteners – A Guide to Aircraft Structures
Aircraft structure technicians are the overlooked heroes in the aviation industry. Their crucial role involves maintaining the integrity of airplanes ensuring the safety of both passengers and crew members. One of their responsibilities is working with fasteners.
What exactly are fasteners?
In aircraft construction they refer to any hardware used to connect pieces of material together. Fasteners play a role in holding important components like wings, fuselage and more securely in place. They must withstand forces such as vibrations, extreme temperatures and pressure.
There exists an array of fasteners used in aircraft construction each serving its own unique purpose. Lets explore some types:
- Rivets: These permanent fasteners involve driving a shank through holes in the materials being joined before peening it over to create a strong and secure connection.
- Bolts and nuts: These threaded fasteners provide an easily removable means of connection. They are commonly employed when maintenance or repairs necessitate access to areas.
- Screws: to bolts but distinct due to their self-tapping threads that enable them to be directly screwed into the material being joined.
- Pins: Pins serve as fasteners to prevent components from moving.
Material used for aircraft fasteners
The material selection for aircraft fasteners is crucial considering factors such as strength, lightweight properties and resistance to corrosion. Utilized materials for aircraft fasteners include:
- Aluminum: Aluminum is an corrosion resistant metal widely employed in the production of aircraft fasteners.
- Steel: Steel, recognized for its strength and durability finds application in high load scenarios.
- Titanium: Titanium offers a combination of lightness and robustness that makes it ideal for applications where weight plays a significant role.
Examples of aircraft fasteners
Here are some instances showcasing the utilization of various fasteners in the aviation industry:
- CherryMax rivets: CherryMax rivets belong to the family of rivets that can be installed from one side of a material. Their common use lies in areas, with accessibility.
- Hi Lok fasteners: Hi Lok fasteners represent high strength bolts designed to withstand loads and vibrations primarily used for critical applications.
- Dzus fasteners: Dzus fasteners are quick release mechanisms extensively employed in access panels and other components requiring removal.
Training for aircraft structures technicians is crucial to learn how to handle fasteners in an efficient manner. This specialized training covers aspects including the different types of fasteners, their characteristics, and the proper techniques for installation and inspection.
In conclusion, fasteners hold major significance in aircraft construction. They are in essence the Nuts and Bolts that are responsible for Keeping Planes in the Air. The role of aircraft structures technicians is indispensable as they ensure the safety of aircraft by dealing with these vital components. By understanding the range of fasteners and their applications one can truly appreciate the valuable work performed by these technicians.