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Different types of techniques are used in joining of aircraft structures. The classical solutions are mechanical or bonding joining. A prospective alternative to the currently used connections (e.g. mechanical, adhesive and hybrid ones) is a socket - pin connection type. Generally, they are purely mechanical joints. Depending on the shape, they have different commercial names such as: Interlock, Snaplock, Snapfit Gridlock. The idea of these connections relies on the fact, that between the socket and the pin we need a suitable interference fit or specially formed clip to carry the load. The advantages of this type of connection of different structural parts is very fast assembly after pressing joined parts together. The use of socket - pin connection eliminates the presence of the human error and reduces production costs as an individual connection is made by CNC machine tools.The paper presents an analysis of the influence of a several technological problems concerning the socket and the pin manufacturing, on the value of force required for the joint connection and disconnection. A number of numerical simulations was made in ABAQUS program to examine the effect of such parameters as: the presence of interference fit, the use of spherical latches, the use of different rigidity in the shaft by making cuts with variable width and length, the use of different angles of inclination of the working part of the slot.
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