Aerospace Fastener Improvement Team Changes Name

John Wolz

The aerospace �Fastener Improvement Team� has changed its name to the Aerospace Industry Screw Thread Conformity Task Force of �STC-TF.�
The task force was formed last summer to address issues identified by the Federal Aviation Administration�s Fastener Audit. It includes the Industrial Fasteners Institute, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Aerospace Industries Association.\
The aerospace industry is evaluating the FAA�s audit findings and recommendations and has set a goal of implementing corrective and preventative action by September 2002.
�This is an aggressive schedule which requires participation from all stakeholders to contribute constructively toward the development of consensus products,� according to a Task Force joint statement.
The STC-TF program includes developing a screw thread specification to supercede the inactive MIL-S-8879C screw threads controlled radius root, UNJ. The document would establish dimensional design and inspection (conformity) requirements for UNJ screw threads.
IFI managing director Rob Harris said the MIL-S-8879C work would be felt beyond aerospace. �It will impact everybody,� Harris pointed out, because it is �used in automotive, and many OEMs rely on it.�
�It is not just fasteners but anything with threads, such as couplings,� Harris added.
The Task Force is �increasingly getting international attention,� Harris said. The IFI is sending representatives to the European Industrial Fasteners Institute annual meeting to update its aerospace division.
The Task Force also is developing a standardized quality system audit checklist which focuses on processes used in the manufacture and inspection of screw threads, establishing standardized criteria for the use, control and calibration of indicating thread gages, and reviewing industry and FAA �best practices� for Statistical Quality Control and clarify the requirements for application of in-process and statistical sampling inspection plans.
The Task Force engineering team is developing a �clear supercession for screw thread specification to MIL-S-8879C. It will �provide for clarified acceptability requirements, compatibility and interchangeability with product that is manufactured to MIL-S-8879C, maintenance of intended thread form function, minimization of required part standard/drawing changes and clarified inspection methods. �
The engineering team is preparing a draft specification for public comment this spring.
The quality team is developing a standardized checklist to supplement such aerospace quality system audits as AS9101. The document will address raw material alloy verification, identification and traceability; control of heat treatment and surface treatment processes; statistical quality control and sampling plans; screw thread gaging and calibration; dimensional inspection; mechanical testing; and metallurgical testing.
For Task Force information contact David Duchette at duchetdd@pweh.com �2002 FastenerNews.com