Application Technology

Lightweight self-locking nuts offer weight savings for aerospace 03 March 2017

Sigma Precision Components UK Ltd has developed a new range of lightweight, self-locking nuts, for aerospace applications, that it says offer weight savings of up to 46% over the current AS standard counterparts.

With self-locking nuts being used extensively across a number of engine programmes, Sigma also points out that the potential for weight and cost savings is significant.

“The need for lightweight, greener, more fuel-efficient aircraft continues to present a real challenge to the industry,” explains Mike Andreae, director of technology and improvement at Sigma Components. “Shifting the focus of aerospace manufacturers towards composite components.”
Mike continues: “Even modest weight savings in a single fitting can create a massive snowball effect, greatly reducing the overall cost, size and environmental impact of manufacturing and running an aircraft. Like many aerospace components, the design of pipe end fittings hasn’t changed much in over 40 years and, when we looked at the designs, it was clear they had been designed for ease of manufacture rather than any weight considerations. By using the latest finite element modelling techniques, we were able to identify changes to the designs that would immediately reduce the weight of these components significantly.” Full qualification is expected within the first few months of 2017.

 

 

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