Fastener Technology International February/March 2012 : Page 107Spotlight On Aerospace Fasteners by Michael McNulty, Editor Fastener Technology International, www.fastenertech.com CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 1940 Craigshire St. Louis, MO 63146-4008 USA T: +1 314 434 2888• F: +1 314 434 2902 Toll-Free: +1 800 888 3326 www.efc-intl.com With Offices In: Chicago, IL, USA Atlanta, GA, USA Detroit, MI, USA Toronto, Ontario, Canada EFC International The latest data published by the US Department of Commerce on the USA aerospace fastener industry places the value of shipments at over US$1.2 billion with employment of around 10,000 people in nearly 100 manufacturing and distribution companies. Around 15% to 20% of all USA fastener shipments are destined for the aerospace industry. Annual growth numbers for aerospace usually outperform other sectors such as au-tomotive and industrial, and double-digit rates are not uncommon in the USA when the sector is expanding. The domestic industry really heated up in the mid-2000s before coming back down to earth in late 2008 and all of 2009. Steady improvements have been seen in the last two years, and 2012 is expected to be relatively strong. The Freedonia Group, Inc. reports that aerospace-grade fasteners will slightly outpace standard types through 2013. Worldwide, the total value, employment and company numbers are probably at least four to five times higher. Highest growth will take place outside of developed areas such as western Europe. On the technical side, aerospace fasteners must stand up to the rigors of air travel including vibration, exposure to the elements, speed and high ranges of temperatures SPIROL Distribution and pressures. Some products must also provide sealing 30 Rock Avenue Danielson, CT 06239-1434 USA of liquids and corrosion protection. Low-weight fasten-Contact: Michael Lentini ers that do not compromise strength are in high demand Distribution Sales Manager due to high fuel costs. This means that these parts are Tel: +1 800 321 4679 often made from materials such as titanium, stainless Fax: +1 860 774 0487 Web Site: www.spirol.com steel and aluminum or aluminum alloys. Material short-E-Mails: mslentin@spirol.com age has been a problem in recent years. In some cases, info@spirol.com special drive heads are needed—shallow head styles that do not sacrifice torque or damage easily, for example. HIGH-PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS All types of fasteners make their way into aircraft: bolts, Revolution Rivet nuts, rivets, washers, pins, Brass Roll Formed Spacers Brass Threaded Inserts Machine from Valley Threaded Inserts and Coiled Spring Pins in Intercom Systems collars and spacers are the in Radar and Antenna Compression Limiters Laminated Shims Fastener Group features in the Linkages of Seats Domes in Plastic Fascia Items, in Pilot Control Assemblies and Table Trays most common. At left is an Latch Pins Internal and External less moving parts, Hal Stetson, Vice President in Overhead Storage Compression Limiters Coiled Spring Pins Precision Shims Compartments Coiled Spring Pins in Plastic Overlays on unlimited depth interesting graphic from in Infl ator for Life Vests in throat Fluid/Hydraulic in Hinges of Tray Tables Instrument Panels Valley Fastener Group, LLC Systems SPIROL that shows a wide Laminated Shims and the mechanical Spacers Coiled Spring Pins in Cockpit Pedestal Assemblies in Pilot Seat Adjustment www.valleyfastenergroup.com in Seat Recliner Mechanisms advantages of CAM variety of fastener products Mechanisms Coiled Spring Pins Coiled Spring Pins technology. that are used for aerospace Brass Threaded Inserts in Interior Latch Handles and Precision Shims in ECU Control Modules in Control Systems applications. Precision Machined Nuts Headquartered in Aurora, IL, USA, Valley Fastener in Flight Control Electrical Alignment Dowels Alignment Dowels Components in Hydraulic Pumps and To learn more about these Group, LLC , is your single-source supplier of cold in Hydraulic Pumps and Motors Motors for Landing Gear for Automated Doors fasteners, there are many formed fasteners, rivets, weldnuts, rubber parts, Precision Shims as Space Compensators in Engines consensus industry stand-springs, rivet machines, tooling, automation and Coiled Spring Pins ards for aerospace fasteners, related engineered solutions. Our customers look in Fuel Pipe Hangers Coiled Spring Pins and the Industrial Fasten-in Evacuation Slide Mechanisms to Compression us for innovations related to using and installing Disc Springs Limiters eter on up to 1/4" (6.4 mm) ers steel semi-tubular rivets as Solid and Laminated Shims Institute (IFI) publishes in No-Back Brakes in Horizontal in Plastic Shroud of Radar Precision Shims and fasteners. Specialty Hardened Washers in Auxiliary Power Units Stabilizer Trim Actuators Antenna Systems well as a variety of sizes of solid rivets. as Wear Components in a Glossary of Terms Relating Coiled Spring Pins Coiled Spring Pins and Solid Pins Landing Gear Along Disc this theme, we introduced our new Revolu-in Engine Cover Latches Springs in Cargo Straps After you have looked at the Revolution Machine, to Aerospace Rivet Fasteners . Visit in Steering Mechanisms Solid and Laminated Shims tion Rivet Laminated Machine, the latest in impact riveting Stainless Steel Shims/Washers Disc Springs in Turbines – Main Engines www.indfast.org for more you will realize that the old-style flywheel machines Shims in Hydraulic Actuators for in Ram Air Turbines in Landing Gear Rebuild Rolled Formed Spacers Flight Surfaces and clinching. With no linkage and no flywheel, the information. are a thing of the past. in Cargo Roller Conveyors Revolution Rivet Machine features fewer moving parts Over 60 years experience in delivering components CHALLENGE to the Aerospace “old industry at the lowest-installed than competitors’ fashioned” flywheel rivet cost. ma -Expansions US! Fuel Growth at Fastener Focus 107 February 2012 chines. Fewer moving parts means reduced wear on Valley Fastener Group... The Revolution Has Begun! Replace Your Old Flywheel Rivet Machines Technical Issues Spotlight On Aerospace FastenersThe latest data published by the US Department of Commerce on the USA aerospace fastener industry places the value of shipments at over US$1.2 billion with employment of around 10,000 people in nearly 100 manufacturing and distribution companies. Around 15% to 20% of all USA fastener shipments are destined for the aerospace industry. Annual growth numbers for aerospace usually outperform other sectors such as automotive and industrial, and double-digit rates are not uncomon in the USA when the sector is expanding.The domestic industry really heated up in the mid-2000s before coming back down to earth in late 2008 and all of2009. Steady improvements have been seen in the last two years, and 2012 is expected to be relatively strong.The Freedonia Group, Inc. reports that aerospace-grade fasteners will slightly outpace standard types through2013. Worldwide, the total value, employment and company numbers are probably at least four to five times higher. Highest growth will take place outside of developed areas such as western Europe.<br /> <br /> Technical Issues<br /> <br /> On the technical side, aerospace fasteners must stand up to the rigors of air travel including vibration, exposure to the elements, speed and high ranges of temperatures and pressures. Some products must also provide sealing of liquids and corrosion protection. Low-weight fasteners that do not compromise strength are in high demand due to high fuel costs. This means that these parts are often made from materials such as titanium, stainless steel and aluminum or aluminum alloys. Material shortage has been a problem in recent years. In some cases, special drive heads are needed—shallow head styles that do not sacrifice torque or damage easily, for example.<br /> <br /> All types of fasteners make their way into aircraft: bolts, nuts, rivets, washers, pins, collars and spacers are the most common. At left is an interesting graphic from SPIROL that shows a wide variety of fastener products that are used for aerospace applications.<br /> <br /> To learn more about these fasteners, there are many consensus industry standards for aerospace fasteners, and the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) publishes a Glossary of Terms Relating to Aerospace Fasteners. Visit www.indfast.org for more information. EFC International |
