Intevia FAQ

  

Disclaimer
 

This document is intended to assist understanding of the principles underlying Intevia® intelligent fastening solutions. The practical implementation and application of the technology is application specific and dependent on numerous design and engineering factors. Accordingly, this document is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of all relevant data.

While Telezygology Inc (TZ) has used all due care and skill to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, correct and current at the time of publication, it does not warrant or represent that the information is free from errors or omissions and does not accept responsibility for any error, omission or defect in the information.

This document is made available on the understanding that TZ does not accept liability for any indirect, incidental, special and/or consequential damages or loss of profits resulting from any use of the information in this document.

General Information

Q. What is Intelligent Fastening Technology (IFT)?

A. Intevia® intelligent fastening solutions embrace the philosophy of software driven assembly through a new class of remotely activated intelligent fastening mechanisms and tools.

Whereas traditional fastening requires the physical application of a tool directly to a fastener to make the joining of parts possible (e.g. nails, screws, bolts and rivets), Intevia® solutions represent a new class of fastening mechanisms that can be operated remotely, from a distance, without any physical contact being made with the mechanism and without the normal physical effort being applied for fastening.

By using alternate actuating mechanisms and integrating microprocessors into the fastening device, Intevia® fastening mechanisms can gather information about their status, log their history, sense the environment and be controlled by a command or digital instruction such as a computer or PDA.

Through embedded fastener logic, a proprietary fastener operating system and the introduction of networking capability at the fastener level, Intevia® solutions enable a new mode of assembly and disassembly - one that is managed and controlled remotely through software.

Q. How do Intevia® Intelligent Fastening Mechanisms work?

A. Intevia® solutions comprise a specially designed coupling or fastening mechanism driven by a smart material actuator, which is controlled by an embedded microchip. Unlike conventional fasteners, Intevia® fastening mechanisms are activated by an instruction rather than an applied physical force through a manipulating tool.

Q. Why are they intelligent?

A. Through the embedded microchip, each fastening mechanism has a unique address and can be instructed to lock or release, (i.e. perform the mechanical connection function). In addition, the embedded microchip is capable of reporting mechanism status, controlling the actuation process, as well as sensing and reporting local environmental conditions.

Q. What are the benefits of Intevia® intelligent fastening solutions?

A. The benefits of Intevia® solutions can be summarized as they relate to manufacturers’ end–users of the finished product and the environment:

Increased Security

  • Enables blind fastening
  • Remote lockdown
  • Authorized access
  • Data collection
  • Ease of use
  • Encryption

Rapid Assembly

  • Reduced manufacturing costs
  • Built-in sequencing
  • Lower capital investment
  • Simplifies assembly
  • Reduces assembly labor
  • Integrated quality control

Rapid Reconfiguration

  • Accelerated change
  • Labor savings
  • Increased productivity
  • Optimal configuration
  • Enables customer agility

Maintenance Improvement

  • Increased speed of maintenance
  • OEM control of approved parts
  • Monitoring and tracking
  • Increased uptime
  • Prognostics and alerts
  • Integrated sensing

Q. Will Intevia® intelligent fasting solutions change how we design products?

A. Product design should be simplified because tool paths and penetrations can be eliminated and the sequence of assembly can be simplified.

Q. Why have Intevia® solutions only recently emerged?

A. The reduction in the cost of electronic components and microprocessors and the emergence of smart materials technology as a cost-effective actuation methodology has created the enabling conditions for Intevia® fastening solutions.

Q. What are the functional elements of an Intevia® intelligent fastening solution?
  • Fastening mechanisms
  • Actuation methodology
  • Silicon
  • Sensors
  • Energy delivery
  • Networking
  • User interface
  • System software
  • Application software
  • Master database

Q. What types of Intevia® intelligent fastening mechanisms have been developed?

A. Three families of Intevia® intelligent fastening mechanisms have been developed.

  • In-line mechanism

    These in-line actuated fastening mechanisms are designed for high load repetitive use applications. They use a pair of locking jaws to capture a specially profiled stud as it is inserted into the body of the fastening mechanism. Designed with a slim-line profile less than 0.4 inches wide, Intevia® in-line fastening mechanisms are ideal for applications such as access panels and cabinet door locking.

    The Intevia® in-line fastening mechanism is currently in production and is available for general latching applications. An aerospace compliant variant is also available to meet commercial aviation standards.

  • Radial mechanism

    These high load fastening mechanisms comprise a series of radial locking jaws which engage a specially profiled stud when it is inserted into the body of the fastening mechanism. The jaws are released via rotational actuation on electronic command. The current size of the Intevia® radial fastening mechanism is 1.3 inches in diameter and 1.4 inches long, although larger sizes are needed to accommodate specific high life cycle operation.

    The Intevia® radial fastening mechanism is currently in production and is available for general fastening applications. An aerospace compliant variant is also available to meet commercial aviation standards.

  • Ring mechanism

    This low profile family of Intevia® fastening solutions (< 0.3 inches deep) are based on a traditional circlip mechanism. A shape memory wire actuated locking ring automatically engages around a specially profiled stud as it is inserted into the body of the fastening mechanism. The Intevia® ring fastening mechanism is designed as a medium load fastening mechanism and is ideally suited for pre-finished panel installation where access for maintenance is required.

    The Intevia® ring fastening mechanism is currently in production and is designed for compliance to commercial standards.

Q. Are Intevia® fastening solutions reliable?

A. Intevia® intelligent fastening solutions use established and proven mechanism designs, actuation systems and electronics. Good design dictates the development of fastening mechanisms that suit the requirements of an application and/or environment. Intevia® fastening mechanisms can be designed for low or high duty cycles and with integrated sensing have the capability to actively monitor and report on life expectancy. The integration of design redundancies in a mechanism also helps to minimize the potential for failure.

Typical cycles range from 10,000 to 100,000 cycles depending on the specified requirement.