Global Fastener News

Aerospace Fastener Task Force Developing MIL S 8879C Replacement

John Wolz

The aerospace “Fastener Improvement Team” has changed its name to the Aerospace Industry Screw Thread Conformity Task Force of “STC-TF.”
The task force was formed last summer to address issues identified by the Federal Aviation Administration�s Fastener Audit. It includes the Industrial Fasteners Institute, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Aerospace Industries Association.
The aerospace industry is evaluating the FAA�s audit findings and recommendations and has set a goal of implementing corrective and preventative action by September 2002.
The STC-TF program includes developing a screw thread specification to supercede the inactive MIL-S-8879C screw threads controlled radius root, UNJ. The document would establish dimensional design and inspection (conformity) requirements for UNJ screw threads.
IFI managing director Rob Harris said the MIL-S-8879C work would be felt beyond aerospace. “It will impact everybody,” Harris pointed out because it is “used in automotive and many OEMs rely on it.”
The Task Force is “increasingly getting international attention,” Harris said. The IFI is sending representatives to the European Industrial Fasteners Institute annual meeting to update its aerospace division.
For Task Force information contact David Duchette at duchetdd@pweh.com �2002 FastenerNews.com