Textron's new intelligent fastening system doesn't simply mark an improvement over traditional fasteners. It could actually spawn superior new breeds of products, says K.L. (Seshu) Seshasai, executive vice president of technology at Textron Fastening Systems, a business unit of Michigan-based Textron, Inc. "The capabilities of our new intelligent fastening system are so broad that I almost wish we didn't call it a fastener!" remarks Seshasai.

What sets this technology apart is its operating principle. It is built into parts and permits assembly and disassembly via remote control. Company president Rick Clayton expects it to transform fastening, facilitating radically different methods of designing, assembling and servicing products.

The system eliminates the need for conventional fastening tools, robots and assembly stations, says Seshasai. Users don't have to worry about inserting, securing and examining traditional fasteners, so access points are no longer necessary. The result, he notes, is substantial process savings. What's more, companies can realize the system's advantages across multiple departmental functions.

Embedded microchips drive the technology, triggering the fastening mechanism and connecting to the intelligent tool that remotely directs assembly and disassembly. The system can diagnose itself, keeping a record of all activations. Fasteners can also be programmed to spot, evaluate and report problems that need servicing.

According to Seshasai, the technology could usher in a new way of designing, assembling, servicing and recycling automobiles. Moreover, says Clayton, it could be used for all automotive sub-assemblies, including headlamps, roof racks and seatbelts. And aside from the automotive industry, the technology has implications for industries such as aerospace, electronics and construction.

Source:

Intelligent Fasteners Could Change Everything
John Teresko
Industry Week, December 1, 2003
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