Composite grommet edging material

Citation

(1999), "Composite grommet edging material", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771dad.010

Composite grommet edging material

Composite grommet edging material

Keywords: Device Technologies, Edging

A composite grommet edging material that can reduce installation cost and provide added protection against cable damage was introduced in Europe at the Paris Air Show (Plate 8).

Spring-Fast edging, from US company Device Technologies, Inc., is stated to stay in place without adhesive.

It is reported that the material has been designated as standard replacement part for civil aircraft by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the USA and Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) in the UK. It has been shown through extensive US Military Standard and independent laboratory testing to resist shock, vibration, salt spray, immersion, chemicals, oil and wide temperature extremes.

Plate 8 Spring-Fast composite grommet material

Spring-Fast has reportedly been used successfully to protect cables from chafing in numerous aerospace manufacturing and maintenance applications (including fuselage, wing and rib sections, helicopters, avionics and electronics bays) and in assembly of medical and telecommunications equipment, computers and peripherals.

Hector Petri, company technical director said:

Whenever wiring or cables pass through openings in sheet metal there is potential for abrasion and failure as the insulation comes in contact with sharp edges. Spring-Fast solves the three most common problems associated with the plastic grommets traditionally used to prevent such damage: installation is quick and easy, the material does not become brittle over time and there is no glue to fail in use.

Because it mechanically locks onto any two-axis contour with finger pressure instead of toxic and messy adhesives, the material's installed cost is lower than competing methods. It is made of spring-tempered stainless steel coated with thermosetting polymer resin. Less time is required and there are no environmental concerns associated with degreasing solvents or other toxic chemicals. Spring-Fast is Designed for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/A).

It is claimed that once mounted, the product remains firmly in place indefinitely. It includes a polymer cushion that helps prevent wear and damage to insulation.

The material provides a smooth, non-conductive surface on inside angles, outside angles, oval slots, irregular holes and other configurations. It is supplied on 25-foot, 100-foot and 500-foot (7.6m, 30.5m and 152m) reels or in specified lengths cut at the factory. Several sizes accommodate sheet thicknesses from 0.025 inch (0.6mm) to 0.260 inch (6.6mm).

Founded in 1984, Device Technologies, Inc., of Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA, is appointing local representatives to support its expansion in Europe and the Middle East. Spring-Fast Grommet Edging has received the following approvals from agencies of the United States Government:

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  FAA Approval Letter, December 18, 1998;

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  FAR 21.303;

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  FAR 25.853, Flammability;

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  MIL-DTL-22529D (AS) Grommet Edging;

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  MIL-DTL-22529D, Amendment 2;

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  MIL-DTL-22529/1C Grommet, Composite, Edging;

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  MIL-DTL-22529/2B Grommet, Cushion, Composite, Edging;

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  MIL-STD-1344A Random Shock and Vibration;

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  MIL-STD-810E Humidity Method 507.3 and Low Temperature Method 502.3;

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  MIL-STD-202, Method 101D Salt Spray;

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  MIL-STD-202, Method 214A Random Vibration.

Details from Device Technologies, Inc. Tel: +1 508 229 2000; Fax +1 508 229 2622; E-mail: sample@devicetec.com http://www.devicetec.com