Future Goals and Conclusions

Conclusions

The tool can be considered a successful project to NAVAIR. The tool will save numerous man hours previously spent on removing the nuts from the tie-bolts; now catapult covers can be easily replaced. The power tool meets all design requirements and is fully operational. It is hand held and lightweight, allowing a person to be able to use it for a long time period. The tool is battery operated and can easily be reproduced for NAVAIR aircraft carriers as desired. The tool will need to be tested on the catapult covers to see if the battery life lasts throughout the whole repairing time. It can fit in the limited space around the nut and bolt on the catapult cover. The tool produces enough torque to spin off a nut from a rusty bolt after the breaking torque has been broken with an open ended wrench. Finite element analysis confirms that an applied torque will cause negligible socket deformation. Analysis also confirmed factors of safety of at least two for the tool shafts and roller chain. Finally, only $401.46 was spent on the total design and production process excluding custom machining done at Villanova. This amount was out of $4,800.00 available to project completion.

Recommendations

After evaluation of the prototype, recommendations are aimed towards ensuring the tool to be fully operational during real life conditions. Testing is required on the prototype under the conditions found on aircraft carriers. Several possible issues to be addressed depending on the results of this testing are presented here. First, creating a better housing seal may be necessary to prevent grit that is on the carrier deck from being blown into the roller chain and sprockets. Modifications for a housing seal could include a rubber seal line or an overall tighter housing seal with a type of glue or epoxy.

Next, a new handle arrangement would be considered. Since there currently is not enough information on how the tool would be used during actual deck use, it is undeterminable if the current handle arrangement is appropriate. During shipboard testing it will be determined if a handle is needed so the tool can be held with more ease during operation.

Finally, testing needs to be done to determine tool life and battery life. This is to insure that the battery life can withstand removal of 108 nuts. It is also necessary to make sure the roller chain and sprockets do not wear to quickly.