Screw Insertion Method in Peg-in-Hole Assembly for Axial Friction Reduction

Peg-in-hole is one of the most frequent mating features between parts, where the large friction resistance and poor contact situations result in the failure of part mating. To address this problem, this paper proposes a screw insertion method in peg-in-hole assembly for axial friction reduction. First, the effect of screw motion on axial friction reduction is analyzed with point contact and face contact. Second, the screw insertion method in clearance-fit peg-in-hole assembly with point contact is discussed; this method works better than the conventional linear insertion method for jamming prevention; the reciprocate screw insertion strategy is also investigated to reduce the influence of axis offset on screw insertion. Third, the screw insertion method in interference-fit peg-in-hole assembly with face contact is discussed. Finally, axial friction reduction is validated with experiments of point contact with screw motion and experiments of screw insertion in clearance-fit and interference-fit peg-in-hole assembly.