Victor's Team| Let's Connect
Awards & Nominations
Victor's Team has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Let's Connect
Compliant Axial Lockable Fastening System (CALFS)
Summary
Compliant Axial Lockable Fastening System (CALFS) is a general-purpose fastening system for in-space servicing and assembly.
How We Addressed This Challenge
The existing solution used by NASA is ZipNuts, which requires applying torque to turn the outer nut to lock/unlock it. In a space environment where both time and tooling are incredibly restricted, it is desirable to make this process simpler and not require torque to fasten a connection. Thus we designed what I call the Compliant Axial Lockable Fastening System (CALFS). It replaces a traditional threaded fastener in terms of functionality and operates completely axially.
How We Developed This Project
We are mechanical engineers by trade, so this project immediately appealed to us. We started off with lots of conceptual sketches of mechanisms, created CAD, verified the operation of the compliant mechanisms via FEM, 3D printed and tested prototypes, and reiterated until the prototype worked and was presentable.
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
The most useful resources that were referenced were the comments from the NASA SMEs in the Space Apps Chat, as well as the provided examples of in-space assembly technology like ZipNuts.
Project Demo
Slides (including a super short video) here:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11L9YzDeaDXoOzmwoPQC_9UE3_zKn6uB34Hlwnc6of_Y/edit
Data & Resources
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/science/zipnuts.html
Another resource I read and found helpful was the book “Handbook of Compliant Mechanisms” by L.L. Howell et al.