Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Remote-controlled Bolts and Screws

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the long-distance-disassembly dept.

Winter writes "SMT Magazine has an article on intelligent fasteners (screws, bolts...) that can fasten themselves or by remote control. Usage for this seems mainly to make sure normal people cannot change parts in their car themselves, and only allow for authorized parts and service. Of course, a hacker might also have fun and disassemble the neighbours car."

6 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Too much tech in cars already by slusich · · Score: 5, Interesting

    There's already way too much tech in our cars already. I love technology, but there are some places where it should be kept to a minimum. I long for the days when you could work on your own car with a decent socket set and a few wrenches.

    --

    DeviantArt Page

    NSFW
    1. Re:Too much tech in cars already by Nagatzhul · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Now you know why a lot of people enjoy motorcycles. We get to work on our own rides while keeping things as simple as we want to. I am sure that there are segments of the car driving population that still adhere to this. The Manx or buggy folks, perhaps? Older 4X4s as well?

      --
      "All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power." - Ashleigh Brilliant
    2. Re:Too much tech in cars already by Nagatzhul · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It isn't that..... Most non-HD mufflers come under 100dBs (which is a poor way to measure sound intensity, but that is another discussion). The Harley folks make them loud on purpose so you can hear them coming. Since those of you driving SUVs and talking while you are driving aren't paying much attention, can you really blame them? They can't dodge you like those who ride sport bikes can.

      I'm only being half sarcastic here. If there was demand for it, you could make them almost absolutely silent. The technology already exists, but when it was introduced a few years ago, the rider portion of the show boycotted the booth. They felt that being silent would make them invisible and thus even more ignored on the freeways.

      --
      "All I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power." - Ashleigh Brilliant
    3. Re:Too much tech in cars already by severoon · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Amen. I don't think I've heard anyone complain that they can't flush their own coolant anymore since cars went to 100k mile closed coolant systems. I used to be able to do it...and I used to HAVE to do it. Now I don't keep cars long enough to ever have to do it. That's alright by me.

      I would point out, though, that intelligent fasteners are not likely to make anything that is currently operable last longer...imagine if this were applied to the oil pan plug and oil filter. Do I have to take my car to the dealer and pay $80 for a $5 filter and 4 quarts of oil? That would totally piss me off, but I trust the free market to fix it...or the government.

      (Just kidding about that last one.)

      --
      but have you considered the following argument: shut up.
  2. Well by mfh · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Of course, a hacker might also have fun and disassemble the neighbours car...

    While it's moving, no less. Yet another brainless idea from the money-men.

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.
  3. Could have some interesting uses by YouHaveSnail · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The article cites labor costs as the main impetus for creating these self-fastening fasteners, but I think it's much more interesting to consider new applications.

    One thing about nuts and bolts is that in order to use them, you have to place them where you have access and enough clearance to be able to attach a tool. You couldn't use nuts and bolts to fasten two blocks together, for example, unless you have holes extending through at least one of the blocks. With these things, you can bolt two blocks together with no obvious access points, and you can unbolt them at any time.

    The benefits of totally blind fastening aren't completely obvious because we've worked out other solutions to the problem. Basically, we either weld things together, or we use some sort of snap-fit system, or we leave access holes if we might need to reverse the attachment. But I expect there will be some interesting applications for these things in the future.