Certification of Automatic Hydraulic-Squeeze Fastening Equipment

With the increasing shift toward automation with respect to fastener installation, the need has evolved for clearer definition of the process capability of new fastener installation automation systems. In light of Engineering design requirements, and to address the process capability issue, Boeing has developed and implemented D6- 56617, a machine certification process for automated fastening of fuselage structure.

This philosophy was a new approach in the following ways:

1. 1.
   Previously, engineering oversight of automated fastening systems was limited to wing structure applications.
2. 2.
   The process requires that process capabilities and performance of the automated machinery itself be established by test.
3. 3.
   The process requires that detailed Process Control Documents be developed and followed.
4. 4.
   The process links the statistical test data to the day to-day operating parameters of the machine.