Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings (AFSR), a unit of Alcoa, has signed an agreement with Wright Tool to license their intellectual property on an asymmetric driving system for fasteners. The agreement has enabled the development of an innovative recess design that greatly improves aircraft fastening systems; speeding up assembly time, reducing rework rates, and reducing tooling costs. The asymmetric recess provides reaction torque capability superior to that of existing recess systems, thus eliminating the problems that occur when pins are installed in clearance fit conditions with sealant.

“This new recess offers a substantial overall improvement over the current standard hex recess that is used in structural pins for aircraft assembly,” said Martin Ryan, AFSR Senior Vice President of Technology. “Working with Wright Tool on the technology will reduce the development and product introduction time.”

AFSR expects to broadly license the expertise to other aerospace fastener manufacturers and tooling companies serving the aerospace market. This new capability will strengthen AFSR's position as the leading innovator of high performance fasteners and expand the Wright Tool company's presence in the aerospace industry.