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by Kevin Centeck and Sayed Nassar

The Fastening and Joining Research Institute (FAJRI) was established in 2003 at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, with congressional funding that is administered by U.S. Army TACOM and TARDEC. The institute is a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility with a specific mission to conduct fundamental and applied research in four technological niche areas that impact vehicle safety, reliability, and readiness. The four research areas include the mechanical fastening of metallic and nonmetallic components, adhesive bonding of advanced composites and polymers, welding, and advanced riveting technology. FAJRI has conducted two one-day seminars covering the latest in fastening and joining technology at TACOM and other industrial parties to spread new ideas. The new technology transfer from FAJRI has a significant impact on both the military and the civilian sectors of the U.S. economy.

In its research, FAJRI takes an integrated systems approach in order to pursue fastening and joining research and to develop and implement new technologies. For example, FAJRI is presently in the process of undertaking some technological challenges involving armor and other attachments to the composite material body of the Future Combat System (FCS) at TACOM. Using a systems approach, FAJRI researchers are considering all variables related to: 1) the fastener, 2) fastened components, 3) fastening equipment, 4) fastening process, 5) post-assembly, and 6) the environment. A similar approach would be used to develop new technologies in the adhesive bonding of composites that includes the dispensing technology of adhesives and the mechanical and thermal behavior of adhesives and composites. Likewise, an integrated systems approach would be used for new technologies in advanced joining using rivets and welding; this includes materials, process, equipment, as well as other relevant variables.

Using the DOD funding, FAJRI has recently acquired the latest research equipment to conduct its research on Oakland University ’s campus. This includes optical laser equipment and software, ultrasonic fastening testing equipment, and an optical profiler for fastener tribology research. Additionally, DaimlerChrysler Corp. has supported the Institute by providing a production-sized, five-spindle, computer-controlled tightening system for research on simultaneous tightening strategies of multi-bolted joints in critical applications.

The benefits of the proposed research institute include:

• Improving the mobility and combat readiness of military vehicles, such as the Army’s FCS, other ground vehicles, military aircraft, and nuclear defense system. Of particular importance is research on the bolt-together frames of military trucks, the bolted connections on the M1A1 Abrams Tank, and the fastening and joining of composite joints and attachments for the FCS and other vehicles.
• Improving commercial aircraft safety; over two million fasteners are used on a commercial jet.
• Improving the transportation safety of passenger cars and trucks. as well as bridges and highways.
• Improving the safety of nuclear power plants, as well as the safety and reliability of traditional fossil fuel plants.
• Improving engineering education by emphasizing “safety and reliability” in product design and manufacturing.
• Helping national and local economies by increasing productivity through reduced downtime and warranty costs associated with failed machines and products.
• Developing and transferring new technology between academia and industry locally and nationally.
• Serving as a unique resource center in an academic, nonprofit setting to various scientific, government, and industrial sectors of the American society.

FAJRI’s current Board of Advisors is chaired by Dr. Grace Bochenek and Daniel Herrera from U.S. Army TACOM/TARDEC, and includes members from the Air Force (WPAFB), Boeing Defense, and the automotive industry.

For more information on FAJRI’s mission, Vision 2008 and Vision 2010, research topics and projects, recent technical publications, and the research team, visit the FAJRI website, or contact Prof. Sayed A. Nassar at 248-370-2696, nassar@oakland.edu. Information on military project technical reports may only be obtained through TARDEC POC Kevin Centeck, 586-574-6551.