Perfect Point EDM is demonstrating technology this week at NBAA-BACE that simplifies the tedious process of removing fasteners from aircraft structures without damaging the fastened material and speeding up the removal process. The company’s E-Drill also eliminates shavings, heat, and foreign object debris that occur with twist drilling.
The E-Drill uses electro-discharge machining (EDM), with a precision-sized electrode that matches the fastener size. To remove a fastener, the technician first selects the fastener and material type on the E-Drill display, then positions the vacuum-locator tool over the fastener, using a “bombsight” to align the tool. A vacuum holds the tool firmly, even on curved surfaces.
Once aligned, the technician places the E-Drill into the locator tool and, when positioned firmly, presses a trigger to activate the tool. The E-Drill display shows the EDM electrode cutting into the fastener, and the system automatically stops the E-Drill when it reaches the right depth. The EDM uses water to keep the drilling surface cool so no heat is transferred to the airframe material.
After the cutting process, the technician removes the E-Drill and the locator tool then places the Single-Shot air punch on the fastener and, holding it steady, activates the punch, which cleanly removes the cut fastener head. The air punch automatically aligns correctly with the cut fastener head.
While the Perfect Point process is designed for the hardest materials, including titanium fasteners, it works on any type of riveted fastener, including blind rivets. An adapter is available to fit the tool onto round rivet heads.
The key advantage of the E-Drill, according to Perfect Point CEO Jim Becker, is speed compared to traditional twist drilling. In a trial on a U.S. Air Force F-15, fastener removal time was cut by 90%. Compared to the minutes it takes for each twist-drilled fastener removal, the E-Drill takes about 10 seconds, and there is no debris.
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