5 ms·

I agree it's a little specialized and likely quite pricy, but as a sometime roboticist this kind of innovation makes me hopeful. Fasteners and connectors are un

I agree it's a little specialized and likely quite pricy, but as a sometime roboticist this kind of innovation makes me hopeful. Fasteners and connectors are unsolved problems, and robotics is plagued with such issues. Even an expensive solution for a few critical points would be valuable. Loc-tite works OK most of the time, but the ideal is a nut that actually stays tight all by itself.

kcorbitt 12y ago
A sincere question from another part-time (hobbyist) roboticist: what problems do you have with loosening that nylock[1] nuts don't solve? [1] https://www.google.com/search?q=nylock+nut&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nAJhVN7mDurIsAS3jYKgAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=678 https://www.google.com/search?q=nylock+nut&espv=2&source=lnm...
- bradfa 12y ago
  Likely high temperatures and/or chemical resistance, maybe very high tightening torques or force, but possibly others, too. Mostly more specialized fastening, I would guess. But think about the bolts and nuts that hold the exhaust system to a car engine. Temperatures are going to be very high and nylon wouldn't withstand those temperatures. Things like that.
  - mhb 12y ago
    Lock washers?
    - swimfar 12y ago
      According to a NASA fastener design manual[1](page 9) split-ring style lock washers are useless for locking purposes. They say that star washers do proved some additional friction/locking action, but at the cost of damage to the surface(the friction comes from digging into the surface). [1] http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19900009424.pdf http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/1990000...
      - mhb 12y ago
        Thanks. That's great to know. And lots of other useful information.
- WildUtah 12y ago
  Fretting. Under high lateral force and vibration, I get fretting and I hate it.
stock_toaster 12y ago
I imagine aerospace may be an interesting application as well. Pretty darn hard to just "go tighten it" when it is on its way to mars!
- craigwblake 12y ago
  I know you're probably joking but there are time-tested solutions to that problem. e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_wire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_wire

kcorbitt 12y ago

A sincere question from another part-time (hobbyist) roboticist: what problems do you have with loosening that nylock[1] nuts don't solve? [1] https://www.google.com/search?q=nylock+nut&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=nAJhVN7mDurIsAS3jYKgAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=678 https://www.google.com/search?q=nylock+nut&espv=2&source=lnm...

bradfa 12y ago
Likely high temperatures and/or chemical resistance, maybe very high tightening torques or force, but possibly others, too. Mostly more specialized fastening, I would guess. But think about the bolts and nuts that hold the exhaust system to a car engine. Temperatures are going to be very high and nylon wouldn't withstand those temperatures. Things like that.
- mhb 12y ago
  Lock washers?
  - swimfar 12y ago
    According to a NASA fastener design manual[1](page 9) split-ring style lock washers are useless for locking purposes. They say that star washers do proved some additional friction/locking action, but at the cost of damage to the surface(the friction comes from digging into the surface). [1] http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19900009424.pdf http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/1990000...
    - mhb 12y ago
      Thanks. That's great to know. And lots of other useful information.
WildUtah 12y ago
Fretting. Under high lateral force and vibration, I get fretting and I hate it.

stock_toaster 12y ago

I imagine aerospace may be an interesting application as well. Pretty darn hard to just "go tighten it" when it is on its way to mars!

craigwblake 12y ago
I know you're probably joking but there are time-tested solutions to that problem. e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_wire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_wire