Cherry Maxibolts® are advanced blind bolt fastening systems designed to provide secure and reliable connections in aerospace structures. Available in a range of materials including alloy steel, corrosion-resistant steel (CRES), and titanium, Maxibolt® offer exceptional strength and performance for a variety of applications. Maxibolts® are engineered to meet the rigorous demands of aerospace engineering, conforming to industry standards such as MS90353/MS90354, MS21140/MS21141, MIL-F-81177, and MIL-F-8975. They are designed for use in structures where higher loads are required, providing superior shear strength and reliability.
These blind bolts come in various configurations including:
- Cherry Maxibolt® Blind Bolt: A versatile multi-piece assembly designed for one-sided installation, commonly used in aircraft structural areas accessible from one side. Available in alloy steel and A-286 CRES materials, the Maxibolt® conforms to various specifications and offers high shear strength, making it ideal for applications requiring higher loads.
- Cherry Maxibolt® Plus Blind Bolt: Expanding on the Maxibolt® design, this variant is available in -5, -6, and -8 diameters, as well as stainless steel and titanium materials. It creates a larger blind side footprint, providing excellent performance in thin sheet and non-metallic structures thicknesses.
- Cherry Titanium Maxibolt® Blind Bolt: Offering expanded performance capabilities, this variant provides flush, burr-free installation without shaving. The all-titanium sleeve and stem make the fastener suitable for use with advanced composite materials.
Traditional Removal Methods
Traditionally, the removal of Maxibolts® involves using conventional methods such as drilling or grinding. However, these methods can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may result in damage to surrounding structures or components.
To safely and effectively remove an installed Cherry Maxibolt®, adhere to the following recommended procedures:
- Create a Guide: Start by center punching the stem of the bolt to create a guide for the drill.
- Initial Drilling: Use a small center drill to create a guide hole on top of the blind bolt stem. This step is essential for accurately positioning a larger drill bit.
- Remove the Lock: Drill away the upper section of the stem to break the lock, which facilitates the removal of the stem.
- Extract the Stem: Use a punch pin to push out the remaining stem from the bolt.
- Drill the Bolt Head: Carefully drill into the blind bolt head, ensuring you avoid any contact with the top sheet material to prevent damage.
- Detach the Bolt Head: Use a punch pin to pry off the blind bolt head.
- Remove the Shank: Finally, use a punch pin with a diameter equal to the bolt shank to drive out the remaining shank.
Care must be taken to not drill completely through the head or sleeve of the bolt, as this can enlarge the hole and compromise the integrity of the underlying structure. Following these steps will ensure the safe removal of the Cherry Maxibolt® with minimal risk of damage.
How E-Drill is Better
E-Drill offers a superior alternative for the removal of Maxibolt®, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods. With its advanced technology, E-Drill enables fast, precise, and non-contact removal of fasteners, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
E-Drill’s controlled and efficient process ensures minimal disruption and downtime during maintenance operations. Additionally, E-Drill eliminates the generation of debris or Foreign Object Debris (FOD), enhancing safety and reliability in aerospace applications.
By leveraging E-Drill for Maxibolt® removal, aerospace professionals can achieve optimal performance and maintain the integrity of critical structures with ease and confidence.
Maxibolt® Example Part Numbers
| Part Number | Material | Head Style | MS Part Number |
| CR7310S | Alloy Steel | 100° flush head | MS90353 |
| CR7310U | Alloy Steel | 100° flush head | MS90353 |
| CR7310 | Alloy Steel | 100° flush head | MS90353 |
| CR760S | A-286 CRES | 100° flush head | MS1140S |
| CR760U | A-286 CRES | 100° flush head | MS1140U |
| CR760 | A-286 CRES | 100° flush head | MS1140 |
| CR7311S | Alloy Steel | Protruding Head | MS90354S |
| CR7311U | Alloy Steel | Protruding Head | MS90354U |
| CR7311 | Alloy Steel | Protruding Head | MS90354 |
| CR7621S | A-286 CRES | Protruding Head | MS1141S |
| CR7621U | A-286 CRES | Protruding Head | MS21141U |
| CR7621 | A-286 CRES | Protruding Head | MS1141 |
| CR7340S | Alloy Steel | Oversize Flush Head | |
| CR7340 | Alloy Steel | Oversize Flush Head | |
| CR7650S | A-286 CRES | Oversize Flush Head | |
| CR7650 | A-286 CRES | Oversize Flush Head | |
| CR7341S | Alloy Steel | Oversize Protruding Head | |
| CR7341 | Alloy Steel | Oversize Protruding Head | |
| CR7651S | A-286 CRES | Oversize Protruding Head | |
| CR7651 | A-286 CRES | Oversize Protruding Head |
Cherry®, CHERRY BLIND RIVETS™, CHERRY RIVET™, CHERRYBUCK®, CHERRYLOCK®, CherryMAX®, CherryMAX A®, CR®, E-Z BUCK®, Intermax®, Maxibolt®, MBC®, PAR90®, QUICKQUOTE®, SPR®, and SST® are trademarks of Cherry Aerospace. Perfect Point EDM, Corp is not affiliated with Cherry Aerospace.
