What is the primary function of a cleco fastener?

The primary function of a cleco fastener is to temporarily secure parts in position for drilling. Cleco fasteners are designed to hold metal components tightly together while ensuring that they are properly aligned, allowing for processes such as drilling, riveting, or other assembly tasks to be performed accurately. Their temporary nature means that they can be easily removed once the final fastening process is completed, allowing for adjustments and ensuring that the parts can be permanently joined without distortion or misalignment.

Cleco fasteners are particularly useful because they provide a quick and efficient way to hold parts in place without causing permanent changes to the materials involved. This is crucial in the aviation industry where precision and quality control are paramount.

While aligning components for welding and serving as weight supports during assembly may be secondary outcomes of using cleco fasteners, these are not their primary intended functions. The clecos ensure that the parts remain in the correct position until any permanent attachment is made, highlighting their importance in the temporary fastening context during assembly processes.