Interface & Cartridge Architecture

Mechanical Interfaces govern controlled physical engagement, movement, fastening, restraint, actuation, and release where the primary purpose is not electrical, fluid, or purely structural interaction.

Mechanical Interfaces may include:

hinges;

slides and rails;

latches;

clamps;

threaded fasteners;

quick-release locks;

bayonet mechanisms;

wedges;

cams;

pins;

couplings;

bearings;

actuators;

access-panel retainers;

equipment-mounting mechanisms.

Each Mechanical Interface shall declare its permitted degrees of freedom. Translation and rotation shall be defined independently for the X, Y, and Z axes. Each degree of freedom shall be identified as fixed, limited, guided, adjustable, actuated, or uncontrolled.

The interface definition shall establish:

operating range;

end stops;

clearances;

required preload;

acceptable backlash;

maximum operating force or torque;

release force or torque;

locking condition;

wear allowance;

lubrication requirements;

cycle rating;

inspection interval;

replaceable wear parts.

Where a mechanical connection has multiple stages, those stages shall be distinguishable. For example, initial capture, alignment, seating, preload, primary locking, secondary retention, and verification shall not be treated as a single undefined action.

Unintended release shall be prevented through positive locking, secondary retention, controlled tool access, software authorization, load-dependent locking, or another validated method appropriate to the consequence of failure.

Mechanical Interfaces intended for repeated use shall avoid relying upon deformable one-time fasteners unless those fasteners are identified as consumable components and replacement is enforced.

Manual and powered tooling requirements shall be documented, including tool geometry, approach direction, operating space, torque or force limits, calibration requirements, and confirmation method.

Mechanical parts with different wear lives shall be individually replaceable where practical. Wear surfaces should be located in replaceable bushings, inserts, liners, pins, or Cartridge elements rather than in permanent Node bodies.

Standard mechanical lock families and preferred release mechanisms remain TBD pending comparison and testing of candidate concepts.