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Frontiers October 2014 Issue

PHOTO: The Torque Multiplier, one of the inventions being recognized with a Technical Replication Award, reduces the time needed to tighten fasteners and virtually eliminates the potential for shoulder injury that was associated with previous tools. GAIL HANUSA/BOEING correctly and quickly torques fasteners— the nuts and bolts that hold structures together. More important, it reduces the potential for worker injuries. Fasteners range in size from very small to very large. Calibrated pneumatic nut runners and torque wrenches can tighten small-to-medium fasteners. But heavy manual wrenches or cumbersome hydraulic systems are needed for large ones, and using these bulky tools carried risks, according to Brenda Carlson, a senior engineer in Boeing Research & Technology. When employees apply manual force for high-torque fasteners, too frequently they can strain their muscles. Before the Torque Multiplier, shoulder injuries, surgeries and medical retirement were not infrequent experiences, Carlson said. “With the push of a button, a twin-spindle multiplier can tighten two fasteners at once, or with a small torque multiplier, mechanics can do fasteners in tight spots,” Carlson said. The tool also dramatically reduces time needed to complete work. Before the Torque Multiplier, Carlson said, it took at least three people nearly a full shift to torque an airplane’s nose gear fasteners. Today, one person can complete the task in under an hour— without the risk of getting hurt. Carlson said employees no longer mind doing these jobs and noted that since introducing this tool, the company has realized significant labor and cost savings. Best of all, there haven’t been any new torque-related shoulder injuries for those using these tools. n elizabeth.s.davis@boeing.com A list of this year’s Special Invention and Technical Replication awards winners will be published in Boeing News Now on the Boeing intranet later this month. Frontiers October 2014 31


Frontiers October 2014 Issue
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