Those pesky leading edge rib to spar rivet-conquered!

ksdflying · #1 08-09-2018, 02:48 PM

Those "solid" rivet call outs for riveting the leading edge assembly ribs to main spar...most folks acquiesce and pull LP4 pop rivets or such. I challenged this task and I engineered a way to stick with the vans design! ...by driving the impossible to reach SOLID rivets in the leading edge ribs.
QA results: No smiley faces. No bent over shop heads. No gaps between ribs n spar.

What? How?: I drew up and tolerance'd a big steel block that holds five AN470 rivet sets. Imaging a rectangle block approx. 7" x 2.5" x 2.5" weighing about 13lbs or so. Placed this engineered tooling inside the leading edge assembly. Imagine if you have the wing in a jig/stand at this time, like you are supposed to at this phase, then this block lays inside and on top of the main spar. Then I back riveted vertically from the wing's aft side with a 12" offset back riveting set. Pretty awesome.
I was able to coax the Vans team into sharing with me actual dimensions for hole locations! Then I tolerance'd the tooling for the machinist.

Essentially this process is a heavy steel block (heavy mass desired) to back rivet against. And use a medium sized automotive ball-joint spreader as a pry bar. This remedied the long reach and clamping need. Basically my mission was to harness the easiest rivet method...back riveting, for purpose of best possible Quality.

I'll try to add photos here. But I am willing to align with anyone and lend you this tooling...even give a helping hand.
Sticking to the drawing and managing quality results equals finesse. An awesome feeling.

FloMo14Builder · #2 08-10-2018, 11:00 AM

I would be happy to help with posting pics, I am sure others would like to see them, as would I.

I believe you are building an 8, is that correct?

PM me if you would like me to post the pictures and I can give you my email.

ksdflying · #3 08-10-2018, 11:22 AM

Awesome. Much appreciated. I am catching up on this online tech stuff. I will do.

JoopSJ · #4 08-11-2018, 06:04 PM

How about this tip:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=105

FloMo14Builder · #5 08-11-2018, 09:47 PM

Here are ksdflying's photos and some description:

My mission on this project was to engineer a way to stick with the vans design! ...by driving the impossible to reach SOLID rivets in the leading edge ribs... as the plans call out.

Essentially this process is a heavy steel block (lots of mass) to back rivet against. Using a medium sized ball joint spreader as a pry bar for one person to hold while I back rivet vertically to form the shop head. It worked!

I captured 2 photos of each rib's set of rivets for QA evidence. But for posting purposes, here is 1 pair of pictures (Front and Back) I took as proof of our results on one of the ribs!

ksdflying · #6 08-12-2018, 04:07 PM

JoopSJ,
Ah. Perhaps. Seems to make sense. In my case I had already riveted the main ribs to the spar. So I was limited by that. And had to go this route. But this process might work...one would just have to predict this ahead of time enough. Also you would still have to get the bucking bar on the inside for the main ribs though after the leading edge...but that other method may work. I see the logic.

ksdflying · #7 08-12-2018, 04:08 PM

FloMo14Builder,
Thank you for your kind generosity of time to do this. Much appreciated.

Tag · #8 08-13-2018, 10:06 AM

I bet you could make a lot of friends with that tool!

ksdflying · #9 08-13-2018, 01:13 PM

Hi Tag, Thumbs up. Absolutely.

JoopSJ · #10 08-13-2018, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksdflying

JoopSJ,
Ah. Perhaps. Seems to make sense. In my case I had already riveted the main ribs to the spar. So I was limited by that. And had to go this route. But this process might work...one would just have to predict this ahead of time enough. Also you would still have to get the bucking bar on the inside for the main ribs though after the leading edge...but that other method may work. I see the logic.

Yeah, I think most builders already riveted the main ribs at that stage. I came across that post and decided to leave them clecko'd.
I sill didn't attach the LE so I can not say whether or not the trick works for me. As you said, it would require some fumbling with the bucking bar.

If I could get a hold on your bucking system I would rather do it your way
Cheers