Quality issue with Artex hold-down strap

[Freemasm]

Mounted the ELT 345 tray. Next task was to run the antenna lead. Strap “weld” broke before the latch over-centered. Zero weld penetration. Not even a remnant of a tack. Maybe they tried some braze technique as there’s no tactile evidence the parent metal was affected by the process. Either way, the mildest of accidents would have sent the unit into the back seater. Will report back the type of customer service that I experience.

Maybe worth a check if you have one installed.

Edit = photo of data sticker added. Date of manufacture - Mar 2025 (week 9 I’m guessing). New photo added. Manufacturer has been notified via their website.

Edit 2 = ACR got back to me very quickly asking for a ship-to address.

Edit 3 = After initially replying to me promptly to me on 20Aug, there’s been radio silence ever since. Reminder email sent (from me on 2Sept.

Edit 4 = Email returned. They claim they is no stock but should have some soon (a very relative term). Guessing the reality of a larger problem is starting to immerge.

Edit 5 = Replacement strap recieved 10 Sept

 

[Dr_Dave_MT]

They had the finugi work on yours!

 

[fl-mike]

I hope you notified them of the defect, as this does not meet the claimed compliance with crash safety qualification testing in the TSO application data. This is a quality escape and a possible safety defect that could require FAA notification and corrective actions.

 

[Gingerdawg]

looks like a spot weld, but not a very good one...

 

[RV-9erA]

I installed a new Artex ELT-345 406 MHZ at the last condition inspection (1-year ago). However, I didn't run into this issue--it latched somewhat tightly, but the latch held together. At my last condition inspection, my previous Ameri-King 406 MHZ ELT failed in testing. The inertial switch would no longer trigger the ELT, but the test button would activate the ELT. A known issue with the Ameri-King 406 MHZ unit, which is no longer available.

 

[Canadian_JOY]

Mounted the ELT 345 tray. Next task was to run the antenna lead. Strap “weld” broke before the latch over-centered. Zero weld penetration. Not even a remnant of a tack. Maybe they tried some braze technique as there’s no tactile evidence the parent metal was affected by the process. Either way, the mildest of accidents would have sent the unit into the back seater. Will report back the type of customer service that I experience.

Maybe worth a check if you have one installed.
View attachment 95428View attachment 95429

Thank you for creating this post and for sharing your photos.

This absolutely is NOT an isolated incident. I have had exactly the same product defect. Note how similar my photos appear to the OP's.

I have included a photo of the label of the ARTEX 345 ELT so we can see the serial number and manufacturer's date code (week 7 / 2025).

REFERENCE: Transport Canada SDR 20250722008
I have filed a Service Difficulty Report with Transport Canada as referenced above. I HIGHLY recommend the OP does likewise with the FAA. Clearly this is not a "one off" but more likely an entire batch that's bad.

I have opened an RMA with ARTEX - they have been pleasant to deal with so far. My local dealer obtained a replacement hold-down strap which clearly shows an entirely different appearance - two spot welds have clearly penetrated both the clasp and strap.

I'm trying to get my local dealer to return the defective strap to ARTEX for their analysis. Given the length of the supply line I'm not certain this is going to happen.

TO THE OP: Please, please get your defective part back to ARTEX soonest. They have communicated with me in a manner which is intended to make me believe the failure of my strap is a unique event. Clearly it is not. All they need is one of these defective parts to be able to see its failure mode.

Also, please post a photo of your ELT's label so we can get a handle on its manufacture date. I don't know how Artex batches mounting tray components versus ELT components versus complete ELT kits. With my date code and yours, ARTEX may be able to isolate the production batch of bad straps.

If you wish to share information directly, please don't hesitate to reach out via PM and we can exchange emails to perhaps make communications easier. I would hope that with more than one of us experiencing this same failure mode that we might be able to get the manufacturer to do the right thing. If ARTEX won't take the necessary steps on their own, I'm hoping you might have a local FAA office (ACO or similar) which would help you make the case to get all defective parts isolated and replaced before they end up being responsible for a fatality.

 

[Freemasm]

Info added to original post.

I'm not a welder but I've had a lot of exposure to related processes by some talented engineers and techs. Can anyone guess/verify what technique they're using? Would appear that some type of flux is applied between the two materials and a spot/resistance weld is attempted from the "outer" piece. Would like to know the details if anyone could share. Thx

 

[Snowflake]

Mine did the same thing. I drilled out a second hole and put two solid rivets in to join the parts together. What else do we use our homebuilding skills for, right?

While I was at it, I reshaped the band to fit the top of the ELT case better, it was a little too tight for my liking.

I also drilled out four holes in the tray to match the hole pattern in my old AK-450 mount, so I could use those existing mounting holes on the airframe... But that's not a failing of Artex. Although I was disappointed that with how many holes they did offer, none matched the ameri-king mount.

 

[Canadian_JOY]

Mine did the same thing. I drilled out a second hole and put two solid rivets in to join the parts together. What else do we use our homebuilding skills for, right?

While I was at it, I reshaped the band to fit the top of the ELT case better, it was a little too tight for my liking.

I also drilled out four holes in the tray to match the hole pattern in my old AK-450 mount, so I could use those existing mounting holes on the airframe... But that's not a failing of Artex. Although I was disappointed that with how many holes they did offer, none matched the ameri-king mount.

Rob - would you mind sharing datecode data from your ELT, please? Also, if you have photos would you please share them? I'm trying to convince ARTEX to do the right thing...
Also - please open a Service Difficulty Report with Transport Canada - you can do this as an aircraft owner.

 

[Canadian_JOY]

Edit = photo of data sticker added. Date of manufacture - Feb 2025. Manufacturer has been notified via their website.

View attachment 95450

If you have a photo of the label on top of the ELT it will give the manufacture date of the ELT itself (this last photo is for the battery pack).

For comparison, my ELT was manufactured 07/25 while its battery pack was manufactured January, 2025. Again, we don't have any way of knowing how ARTEX batches their parts manufacturing but it sure looks like they have a bad batch of these ELT straps.

My battery pack shown here for reference.

 

[RV-9erA]

So far, all of these seem to be recently manufactured units (MFG dates of 2025). The one I installed last year was manufactured in 2024 but is still holding. However, I'm going to check it and possibly "beef it up" at my next condition inspection!

 

[bonefishdave]

I experienced the same failure. Decide to rivet the pieces the together using the existing holes.
I would agree, their fabrication methods are a problem that is affecting multiple units

 

[scsmith]

Info added to original post.

I'm not a welder but I've had a lot of exposure to related processes by some talented engineers and techs. Can anyone guess/verify what technique they're using? Would appear that some type of flux is applied between the two materials and a spot/resistance weld is attempted from the "outer" piece. Would like to know the details if anyone could share. Thx

Scott,

This is just a standard spot weld. Big copper fingers pinch the two parts together and a big zap of current arcs through. If the current setting isn't high enough, your parts are exactly what an improper weld looks like.

 

[Freemasm]

Scott,

This is just a standard spot weld. Big copper fingers pinch the two parts together and a big zap of current arcs through. If the current setting isn't high enough, your parts are exactly what an improper weld looks like.

Thx, I'd assumed that much. My question was more the discoloration. Seems very irregular to be a "typical' HAZ that I'd become accustomed to seeing from spot welds. That's why my guess of some possible flux usage between the surfaces.

Thx again.

Original post edited slightly.

 

[Snowflake]

Rob - would you mind sharing datecode data from your ELT, please? Also, if you have photos would you please share them? I'm trying to convince ARTEX to do the right thing...
Also - please open a Service Difficulty Report with Transport Canada - you can do this as an aircraft owner.

I'll take some photos this weekend when I'm at the hangar.

 

[Freemasm]

Original post updated. The feeling of responsible, prompt customer service has evaporated.

 

[auburnaviator]

Original post updated. The feeling of responsible, prompt customer service has evaporated.

Keep us updated. This is very disheartening news considering the safety relevance of this company/piece of equipment…

 

[lr172]

Thx, I'd assumed that much. My question was more the discoloration. Seems very irregular to be a "typical' HAZ that I'd become accustomed to seeing from spot welds. That's why my guess of some possible flux usage between the surfaces.

Thx again.

Original post edited slightly.

No haz there. Very little fusion. One piece was heated enough to melt a pool of metal well around the probe. The other side got very little heat and saw almost no melting. Looks like solder, not melted metal. Either the two parts were not well shaped, leaving a large gap or there was some issue with the tool. You can even see where they hit it a second time, as the first time got 0 molten metal on one side and didn’t stick. Definitely a qa issue.

 

[Freemasm]

No haz there. Very little fusion. One piece was heated enough to melt a pool of metal well around the probe. The other side got very little heat and saw almost no melting. Looks like solder, not melted metal. Either the two parts were not well shaped, leaving a large gap or there was some issue with the tool. You can even see where they hit it a second time, as the first time got 0 molten metal on one side and didn’t stick. Definitely a qa issue.

I guesed at some braze attempt ( BTW solder and brazing are the same process family) or flux/weld application from the artifact. BTW, if it's not a HAZ, then what is the correct term for this artifact?

You're giving them way too much credit for the process attempt. There is zero "molten metal" on either half. As originally mentioned, there is no detectable tactile evidence that any process was effected on any surface.

Original post updated, slightly.

 

[lr172]

I guesed at some braze attempt ( BTW solder and brazing are the same process family) or flux/weld application from the artifact. BTW, if it's not a HAZ, then what is the correct term for this artifact?

You're giving them way too much credit for the process attempt. There is zero "molten metal" on either half. As originally mentioned, there is no detectable tactile evidence that any process was effected on any surface.

Original post updated, slightly.

The haz is very hot, so it doesn’t have visual tell tales like the rainbow of colors where the heat signature tapers off. The haz is right on the edge of where the parent metal became molten. This area goes well above martinsite temps, but doesn’t become molten. Therefore crystal orientation doesn’t change the way that molten metal does, but it does become hard (taking metal above martinsite temp then cool rapidly). It then cools quickly and is not further tempered. Therefore it is brittle and subject to cracking.

You can see they attempted a spot weld. Can see the two circular color pattern where the probes made contact. The just didn’t shoot enough amps long enough to melt the metal. Simply poor workmanship.

Nobody would braze that joint. That takes 20 times longer than spot welding and is not as strong.

 

[fl-mike]

Follow-up on this issue: I have worked with some (great) folks at ACR/Artex on industry committees, so I reached out to them to let them know about this thread and issue back in September. I had suggested that they reply to this thread, but don't see that so I pinged the COO yesterday for status and received the following reply:

" We identified workmanship issues with our supplier who provides our brackets for the ELT 345. On September 4th, our Quality department conducted an onsite audit at the supplier and implemented a series of corrective actions to eliminate the spot weld conditions. We found seven independent findings relative to process and traceability concerns that have now each been resolved. We have high confidence that future deliveries will reflect the high level of reliability and quality that we expect."

Hopefully all of you with defective brackets have gotten warranty replacements.

 

[lr172]

Follow-up on this issue: I have worked with some (great) folks at ACR/Artex on industry committees, so I reached out to them to let them know about this thread and issue back in September. I had suggested that they reply to this thread, but don't see that so I pinged the COO yesterday for status and received the following reply:

" We identified workmanship issues with our supplier who provides our brackets for the ELT 345. On September 4th, our Quality department conducted an onsite audit at the supplier and implemented a series of corrective actions to eliminate the spot weld conditions. We found seven independent findings relative to process and traceability concerns that have now each been resolved. We have high confidence that future deliveries will reflect the high level of reliability and quality that we expect."

Hopefully all of you with defective brackets have gotten warranty replacements.

Nice to see companies rapidly responding to quality issues.

 

[Canadian_JOY]

Follow-up on this issue: I have worked with some (great) folks at ACR/Artex on industry committees, so I reached out to them to let them know about this thread and issue back in September. I had suggested that they reply to this thread, but don't see that so I pinged the COO yesterday for status and received the following reply:

" We identified workmanship issues with our supplier who provides our brackets for the ELT 345. On September 4th, our Quality department conducted an onsite audit at the supplier and implemented a series of corrective actions to eliminate the spot weld conditions. We found seven independent findings relative to process and traceability concerns that have now each been resolved. We have high confidence that future deliveries will reflect the high level of reliability and quality that we expect."

Hopefully all of you with defective brackets have gotten warranty replacements.

Thanks for sharing this, Mike.
What's missing from this statement is the really big "gotcha". Zero mention of identifying and capturing potentially-defective product shipped to the field, installed and now flying. While the above words are very nice, they are only 10% of the solution. ARTEX doesn't seem willing to undertake the expensive 90% to capture and correct defective fielded equipment.

If you have the coordinates of the COO would you mind forwarding them, please, via DM such that I might follow up with that individual? While I have an open trouble ticket with ARTEX for my failed bracket they have stopped responding to my inquiries, not even with the canned response you received. Colour me disappointed.