Fastener + Fixing Magazine #117

In this issue‌ Marine Business Intelligence Fastener Fair Stuttgart report fastenerandfixing.com | Issue 117 May 2019

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THREADED ROD

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CONTENTS INDUSTRY NEWS

10-40

Financial reports, acquisitions and trade duty news

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

84-100

100 year milestone for Rawlplug Face2Face: Pietro Grandesso, managing director, Rawlplug UK A strong and reliable partner

COVER STORY

Meeting customers’ threaded rod needs

42-43

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

102-123

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

125-128

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

131-156

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

158-180

Bolted joint consistency with stainless steel fasteners Answering tomorrow’s challenges

INSIGHT 44-55

Navigating uncertainty

The role of quality A part in every solution Marcopol - a European producer and distributor of fastener and fixings Eurobolt completes warehouse expansion

Connecting Europe and Asia Stainless steel fasteners for the most demanding marine applications Getting the best of both worlds

EXHIBITIONS

56-82

Fastener Fair Stuttgart report Route to Fastener Innovation Competition winners announced

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

A force to be reckoned with Not all fasteners are created equal

Our part in every solution

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EDITORIAL Part of the Mack Brooks Group Romeland House, Romeland Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL3 4ET, UK

Will Lowry, editor, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

Top of the pile

With so many shows around the world, it would be understandable if Fastener Fair Stuttgart lost some of its appeal – with visitors and exhibitors possibly looking at other business avenues. However, after three hectic show days, and record-breaking numbers, there is no doubt that the show is still the must attend event for the industry.

W

e have a full report on the show including visitor numbers, quotes from exhibitors, photos from the show, and a breakdown of the winners of the Route to Fastener Innovation Competition.

For us, Fastener Fair Stuttgart is the perfect opportunity to speak to exhibitors and visitors about developments at their companies, as well as getting a feel for the market. The only problem is that there isn’t enough time to speak to everyone. For those of you who I didn’t manage to speak to, I hope you had a great show and if there is anything you wanted to talk about please get in touch.

One person we did get to catch up with during the show was Pietro Grandesso, managing director at Rawlplug UK, who spoke about the company’s 100th anniversary and the plans the business has for the future. For more, read the exclusive article in the Construction Fixings section.

Our Cover Story focuses on Bodegraven Metaal, better known as BOMET, and how the company has experienced meteoric growth over recent years to establish itself as a key player in the threaded rod market.

To add to this there are also exclusive insight articles on a trio of Dutch companies: Eurobolt B.V – and its recent warehouse extension; Stafa Group and its aim to guarantee quality and service; as well as the recent rebranding of Eurofast® Group.

For the May edition I also had the pleasure of visiting TR Fastenings headquarters in Uckfield, UK, to speak to Maddy Webb, director of quality, about the importance of quality within the fastener industry and how the Group’s quality strategy is helping it to work closer with customers to find optimal solutions.

Other feature articles include Danny Dandy, market development engineer at Bodycote, focusing on bolted joint consistency with stainless steel fasteners; Sam Rothwell, team lead at HSO, concentrating on how manufactures can efficiently run their operations and manage their supply chains in an uncertain market; plus Örjan Persson, BUMAX business development director, and Anders Söderman, BUMAX technical director, looking at the role of stainless steel fasteners for the most demanding marine applications.

Add to that the latest financial reports, acquisition news, and innovation developments, and you have a complete insight into the fastener industry.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Tel: +44 (0) 1727 814 400 www.fastenerandfixing.com Publishing Director Jamie Mitchell jamie.mitchell@fastenerandfixing.com Executive Editor Phil Matten phil.matten@fastenerandfixing.com Editor Will Lowry will.lowry@fastenerandfixing.com Deputy Editor Claire Aldridge claire.aldridge@fastenerandfixing.com Sales Manager Mac Rahman mac.rahman@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – Italy Emiliano Pagliaroli emiliano.pagliaroli@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – Europe Peter Makin peter.makin@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – DACH Thomas Schwarz thomas.schwarz@fastenerandfixing.com Production & Design Manager Lee Duskwick lee.duskwick@fastenerandfixing.com Digital Content Assistant Grant Rebecca grant.rebecca@fastenerandfixing.com Find us online: @fastenerfixing FastenerandFixingMagazine fastener---fixing-magazine Fastener and Fixing Fastener + Fixing Magazine is a dedicated, trade–only publication which is circulated freely throughout the European trade.

Disclaimer The Publisher cannot be held responsible or, in any way, liable for errors or omissions, during input or printing of any material supplied or contained herein although the utmost care is taken to ensure that information contained is accurate and up to date. The Publisher also cannot be held liable for any claims made by advertisers or in contributions from individuals or companies submitted for inclusion within this publication. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or Fastener Fairs Ltd. Copyright Entire contents copyright © Fastener Fairs Limited 2019. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Bossard reports growth despite more challenging conditions Bossard Group reports that 2019 first quarter sales grew 5.4% to CHF 232.2 million (€203.4 million), despite “markedly more challenging business conditions” and a comparatively high baseline.

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ossard credits the broad diversification of the industrial segments it supplies as supporting the Group’s growth stability. The Group says its first quarter’s overall solid performance was all the more remarkable because it was achieved in a weakening economic environment, as well as the comparative baseline from the previous year being very high.

Activities in Europe and Asia contributed substantially to the Group’s positive sales development, while business in America stagnated. European sales increased 5.1% to CHF 138.9 million (+7.3% in local currency), boosting market share in spite of lacklustre economic conditions.

After enjoying dynamic business development in America in 2017 and 2018, Bossard says it was unable to realise further sales growth at the start of 2019. American sales were

CHF 58.1 million, down 4.9% in local currency. Bossard identifies two reasons for the decline. Last year it benefited from several customer projects that did not result in follow-on projects. For the beginning of this year Bossard experienced subdued sales development with several major customers, which could not be compensated by “encouraging growth in new business”.

In Asia, Bossard benefited from preliminary work and capacity expansion in previous years, with first quarter 2019 sales growth of 16.6% to CHF 35.2 million (+17.7% in local currency). The main contributing regions were China and India.

Bossard is targeting full year sales of CHF 900 million to CHF 920 million, with first quarter sales on track. However, the Group says the weakening economic momentum, evident from falling Purchasing Managers’ Indices published recently, makes achieving the goal more challenging.

Solid finish to Trifast year In a trading statement ahead of its provisional results, Trifast plc reports a solid finish to its year ending 31st March 2019, with revenue growth across all regions and Group underlying profit ahead of management expectations.

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rifast says Europe was a key driver for organic growth, with double-digit revenue increases across five of seven entities including Holland, Hungary and Germany. Reduced domestic appliance volumes, as the result of more normalised trading conditions in its Italian operations, offset some of the increases. However, TR Espana, the Group’s newest greenfield site, successfully secured its first GB£1 million (€1.2 million) annual sales.

In Asia, year-on-year growth was solid across the region with strong domestic appliance sector increases in Singapore offset by a demand fall in China.

The latter was due to a local factory closure of a multinational OEM customer, as well as the effect of US tariffs for some multinational customers. Trifast sees the Asia region as a continued strong growth opportunity, which it

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will supplement by additional investments in its Taiwanese manufacturing operation.

Trifast’s smallest region, the USA, continued to perform very strongly with year-on-year growth rates of over 30% – largely driven by market share gains at existing multinational tier 1 and OEM customers in the automotive and electronics sectors.

Overall strong growth in the UK reflected the successful acquisition of Precision Technology Supplies, which achieved double-digit growth in its first full year with Trifast. Organic growth, however, saw a slight reduction, due to the downturn in UK automotive manufacturing volumes.

Globally, the automotive sector continues to present Trifast with significant opportunities for organic growth through a mix of cross-selling new technologies on the back of the evolution to electric vehicles.

Trifast ended the financial year with Group underlying profit before tax (AER and CER) slightly ahead of management expectations. Excluding Europe, where investment levels were highest, all regions delivered profit growth.

Trifast also noted new GB£80 million Group banking facilities, providing significant additional headroom to support its organic and M&A investment driven growth strategy. www.trfastenings.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Bufab reports 15% growth in Q1 2019 Bufab Group started off 2019 with a strong first quarter result for the overall Group, reporting continued healthy growth and increased profit. The International segment delivered but Sweden turned in a poorer performance.

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et Group sales increased 15% to SEK 1.091 billion (€102.2 million), driven by acquisitions, increased market share and stable demand. Organic growth was 6%.

Operating profit (EBITA) rose to SEK 119 million (2018 Q1: SEK 106 million) and the operating margin was 10.9 percent (2018 Q1: 11.2%).

Bufab’s largest operating segment, International, enjoyed a particularly strong performance. It continued to take market share, capturing new contracts with many customers. Segment organic was 8%. Growth was particularly strong in central Europe, the UK, northern Europe and southern Europe, but somewhat weaker in eastern Europe.

President and CEO Jorgen Rosengren noted: “Price increases secured a stable gross margin. Through an effective cost control and increased efficiency, it was possible to translate this into an operating margin that was the segment’s best ever. Accordingly, operating profit rose by a full 20%.”

The quarterly result from Sweden, in contrast, was “poorer than last year”, attributed to a significant weakening of gross margin.

Price increases implemented in 2018 and early 2019 were insufficient in light of the continued weakening of the Swedish krona. For the second consecutive quarter, organic growth was “limited”. Despite effective cost control, operating profit and operating margin were therefore considerably lower than in 2018. Rosengren emphasised: “This development is entirely unsatisfactory” and committed to further price increases for end customers, combined with purchasing savings, aimed at restoring gross margin during the year.

Despite the Swedish result, Rosengren expressed satisfaction with the Group’s earnings for the quarter. “Our newly acquired companies are contributing to increased sales and profits, while also significantly strengthening our customer offering, something we see concrete evidence of in our daily sales. It is part of our strategy to make additional value-adding acquisitions also in the future.”

The CEO concluded: “We are satisfied with the start to the year.

The macroeconomic uncertainty has not diminished, but we are optimistic about the remainder of 2019.”

Bulten sales set back by automotive headwinds Bulten Group reported first quarter 2019 net sales at SEK 810 million, down 5.1% on a strong first quarter in 2018. Adjusted operating earnings (EBIT) fell to SEK 59 million (2018 Q1: SEK 67 million).

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djusted operating margin was 7.3%, down from 7.8% same quarter 2018. Earnings after tax stood at SEK 44 million (2018 Q1: SEK 48 million). Bulten also reported a 5.9% decrease in its order book value to SEK 733 million (€68.7 million).

New President and CEO Anders Nyström noted that lower global sales of new cars in the second half of 2018 had continued into 2019, with the most marked slowdown in China. He attributed the slowdown in Europe’s car industry to “consumer concerns about the effects of a possible hard BREXIT, as well as new environmental regulations, rather than a general economic downturn. The fact that the market for economically sensitive heavy vehicles remained strong substantiates this view.”

Nyström emphasised that investments being made to increase capacity and productivity would increase longer term earning potential. The new heat treatment line in Hallstahammar, Sweden, went into production at the end of March, promising efficiency enhancements during the second quarter. He noted that increased capital had been tied for six months due to the relocation of operations in China, which was proceeding as planned; preparedness for BREXIT; the ramping up of new projects; and a slowdown in demand. “Activities are ongoing to normalise and improve control at inventory levels” he said.

Referring to operating earnings Nyström explained that raw material costs that had increased dramatically in 2018 had now stabilised, although at a high level.

Bulten has signed a Full Service Provider contract for delivery of fasteners to a new vehicle program, worth approximately €13 million a year at full production in 2021, starting in late 2019.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

New Aspray24 owners financially restructure One of the main UK freight companies specialising in 24-hour delivery for the hardware sector has been sold after thirty-six years of family ownership. Subsequently, the new owners have agreed financial restructuring of Aspray Transport Limited with creditors.

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spray was founded in December 1982 by Patrick Laight and George Aspray. In 1991 Laight bought ought George Aspray’s shares, continuing as chairman until this year. In March 2019 Laight sold Aspray’s company entities to a subsidiary of the Bushell Investment Group.

Aspray24 was generally known in the UK fastener industry to have faced significant difficulties during 2018, including the loss of major accounts, and to have incurred financial losses. At the end of the year Aspray initiated restructuring to reduce network capacity, which included redundancies and sale of assets. Stuart Laight, Patrick’s son, who had served as managing director, left the business and resigned as a director.

At the beginning of April, Patrick Laight announced that he had severed all ties with the business, when the new owners applied for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) for Aspray Transport

NORMA Group increases sales to €1.08 billion NORMA Group has increased its group sales by 6.6% compared to the previous year to €1.08 billion in fiscal year 2018 (2017: €1.01 billion). Organic sales growth was strong at 7.7 percent.

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his growth was mainly driven by the strong recovery of the US commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery markets, a resurgent US water business and high demand for quality joining solutions in China in the first half of 2018.

The acquisitions of Fengfan, Kimplas and Statek contributed an additional €16.5 million to its sales growth in 2018. Negative currency effects reduced growth by 2.8% on the other hand. At €124.4 million, net operating cash flow, including the effects of the acquisitions of Statek and Kimplas, and increased capital expenditure from operating activities, was €8.5 million lower in fiscal year 2018 than the year before (2017: €132.9 million). Due to the volatile environment on the raw materials markets, inventories of finished goods and work in progress were built up.

“We grew strongly in organic terms in fiscal year 2018,” said Bernd Kleinhens, CEO of NORMA Group. “In 2019, we will continue to focus our business model on the future markets of electromobility and water management. In addition, our rightsizing programme will enable us to further harmonise our organisation and processes worldwide so we can continue our profitable growth.”

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Limited. Under UK law, a CVA is an insolvency procedure allowing a company facing debt problems to reach a voluntary agreement with its business creditors regarding repayment of debts. Creditors are legally bound to accept the terms of the agreement, which in this case have not been made public. The Aspray Transport CVA was approved by a large majority of creditors on 23rd April 2019. Creditors are understood to have been told by the insolvency specialists supervising the process that the alternative to the CVA could be the business entering administration or insolvency.

Throughout the process Aspray24 has maintained it is business as usual and that customers will not be affected by the process.

Following the approval of the CVA, John Gillam was appointed interim CEO at Aspray. Gillam is owner and managing director of Waldron Supply Chain Solutions, which provides consultancy and interim management services.

Mecavit obtains IATF 16949 certification

Following a period during which it has extensively updated its production facility in Castel Guelfo, near Bologna, Mecavit has now obtained certification to IATF 16949, issue by TUV.

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ecavit was founded in 1980 by two entrepreneurial craftsmen, and in a single generation has strongly established its reputation for excellence in carbon and stainless steel screws, the quality of which is assured by the headmark VMC. Today, Mecavit cold forges an extensive range of Metric and Unified standard fasteners. As part of its service commitment to customers Mecavit holds an extensive inventory of Unified screws.

The company also demonstrates an ever-growing competence in special screws to customer specification. In addition to an array of multi-stage cold formers and high accuracy thread rolling machines, Mecavit controls the critical phase of production through its in-house continuous-belt heat treatment line.

Around 60% of Mecavit’s output is exported outside Italy serving clients throughout Europe and supporting the stringent quality requirements of key market sectors including mechanical engineering, aerospace, automotive and home appliances. www.mecavit.it

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INDUSTRY NEWS

SFS projects 3% – 5% growth despite market volatility SFS Group expects the 2019 market to be volatile given trade tensions between the US and China and the recent slowdown in global economic activity. A healthy project pipeline means it still expects top-line growth of 3% – 5% in 2019.

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aking into consideration the uncertain economic situation, SFS expects the adjusted EBIT margin for financial 2019 to be in a range from 13% – 15%. The Group will incur one-off costs for the commissioning of a new manufacturing platform in Nantong, China, but also expects accounting gains on the disposal of real estate.

SFS Group achieved solid sales growth of 6.5% in the 2018 financial year, lifting its consolidated sales to CHF 1.739 billion (€1.5 billion). Growth for the period was broadly based and the ‘Fastening Systems’ segment showed the strongest development. Growth in the second half was slower than in the first half, partially due to a strong comparison base and partially due to an unexpected decline in demand during the fourth quarter, especially from customers in the automotive and electronics industries.

Group operating profit increased by 4.2% to CHF 243.1 million.

Profitability improved considerably during the second half (EBIT margin of 14.4%) compared to the first half (EBIT margin of 13.6%). The EBIT margin for the year stood at 14%, slightly below the comparable year-ago margin of 14.3%. This contraction is primarily attributed to sales mix effects arising, for example, from the stronger growth rates of the ‘Fastening Systems’ and ‘Distribution & Logistics’ segments and the strong decline in

demand during the final quarter of the year. Net profit for the year rose by 21.9% to CHF 193.9 million, which corresponds to 11.2% of net sales.

SFS buys US construction fastener distributor

SFS Group has recently acquired Triangle Fastener Corporation (TFC), a leading provider of fasteners and other products for the US commercial construction industry, headquartered in Pittsburgh.

TFC produced sales of more than US$70 million (€62.5 million) in 2018 and has approximately 200 employees. The acquisition means SFS will be able to expand access to the market and its customers in the American building sector.

TFC was founded in 1977 and supplies end users in the commercial construction industry with a comprehensive assortment of customer specific fasteners, as well as other application solutions. TFC sells its products to roughly 6,000 active customers through 23 separate branch locations, in 15 states, and is one of the leading suppliers in the eastern United States.

TFC will operate as a part of the ‘Construction’ division within the SFS Fastening Systems segment. The company will be led by the existing management, ensuring continuity.

South Africa opens safeguard investigation on fasteners South Africa has notified the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that it has initiated a safeguard investigation into a surge of imports of various steel fasteners.

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odged by the South Africa Iron & Steel Association (SAISA) on behalf of the South African Fasteners Manufacturers’ Association (SAFMA), the investigation will cover bolts and screw studs, and hexagon nuts, excluding those of stainless steel or identifiable as for aircraft.

The tariff subheadings are 7318 1541, 7318 1542 and 7318 1630. SAFMA claims that these products are being imported into the South African market in such increasing quantities in absolute terms and relative to domestic production to cause serious injury to South African fastener manufacturers. Parties to the complaint include T&I Chalmers Engineering (Pty) Ltd, said to account for more than 70% of South African production of bolt and screw studs. Complainants in relation to hexagon nuts include Transvaal Pressed Nuts, Bolts & Rivets (Pty) Ltd, CBC Fasteners (Pty) Ltd and SA Bolt Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd, which together account for more than 90% of domestic production volumes.

The applicants argued that a confluence of events formed the basis of the unforeseen development that supports their complaint. These include an unprecedented steep rate of increase in global fastener production capacity, mainly fuelled by growth of the Chinese and Asian fastener market. The applicants also argued that the slowdown in the Chinese economy, together with increased production, had created a supply and demand imbalance, and that there was significant unused production capacity of carbon steel fasteners in China. This in turn led to increased trade remedy actions taken, notably, by Canada and the United States.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Würth builds innovation centre Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG, parent company of the globally operating Würth Group, is building a research and development centre in Künzelsau, Germany – with the groundbreaking ceremony celebrated at the end of March 2019.

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he investment volume amounts to the tune of €70 million and will include state of the art laboratories and workshops, which will be built on an area of around 15,000m 2 . A climate chamber, the latest 3D printers, and seismic test rigs for anchor technology, will also offer a wide range of options to strengthen and advance internal research in the long run.

We want to develop even more from a trading company to a manufacturer,” says Thomas Klenk, managing director for product, purchasing and export at Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG. “We aim to significantly shorten our innovation cycles in order to bring new and further developments to the market even faster and to be able to offer customers solutions with genuine added value.”

A cluster of knowledge and experience

The answer to the shortage of skilled workers

Approximately 250 people will be working in the innovation centre to implement ideas and make them fit for the future. This will include employees from the research and development department of Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG, from the Group companies active in the manufacturing sector, as well as external researchers.

The cooperation with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the universities of Innsbruck and Stuttgart will create a cluster of knowledge and know-how. “These university cooperations allow us to take a scientific approach, thus opening up entirely new opportunities.

The innovation centre helps Würth to be more attractive as an employer and counteract the shortage of skilled workers. “A challenge that we also face being based in a rural area,” says Norbert Heckmann, chairman of the management of Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG. “The innovation centre significantly increases the appeal of Würth as an innovative and outward looking company for technicians and engineers.”

State of the art workplaces and entirely new development opportunities aim to attract potential applicants. The close cooperation with the universities also takes students directly to the company campus.

Bossard further expands into 3D printing Bossard Group has taken a 30% share in Ecoparts AG in Hinwil, Switzerland, continuing the expansion of its expertise in additive manufacturing.

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coparts has many years of experience in 3D printing services for the metal segment of this innovative technology and is the leading Swiss company in this sector. Bossard’s stake in the company is of strategic importance, intended to secure a leading position in the future market of additive manufacturing. The investment broadens the Group’s expertise and enables it to help customers in the early planning phase of new projects.

Ecoparts is a pioneer in additive manufacturing. Since 2006, the company has offered services in the generative design of metal components, as well as custom and series parts, such as prototypes, toolmaking, lightweight components, hybrid construction and additive manufacturing engineering. As the largest and leading additive manufacturing service provider in Switzerland, the company has a wealth of experience in this future market, including in the technologies and materials used.

Bossard has acquired a 30% stake from the two founders, who until now jointly controlled a 50% share of the capital. As a

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

development partner and contract manufacturer, Bossard gains even greater expertise in additive manufacturing through its investment in Ecoparts. In 2018, Bossard acquired 49% of 3d-prototyp GmbH, an expert in the additive manufacturing of complex plastic parts and models. Bossard also announced partnerships with three renowned manufacturers of 3D printers after having handled representation and sales of its products for the Swiss market.

This bolsters Bossard’s proven expertise in supporting customers from the design phase all the way to the production of complex metal and plastic parts. In addition, Bossard is an innovative partner when it comes to selecting the most suitable 3D printers and associated manufacturing technologies.

Bossard believes 3D printing will shape the future of a number of manufacturing areas, such as the production of prototypes, complex tools, and lightweight industrial components – all products that do not lend themselves to mass production. New materials are increasingly being used in additive manufacturing.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Apex invests in CNC machines As one of the few major European stainless fastener stockists with an in-house manufacturing division (Aerotight Manufacturing), Apex Stainless is able to produce high-quality special turned parts – including the well established stainless steel Aerotight® self-locking nut.

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pex Stainless is constantly looking to modernise and increase production capacity at Aerotight to meet growing volume demands and customer needs. As part of this strategy, Apex has recently invested in two new automated CNC machines at its Leicester production facility, which includes the Citizen Series 3 A20-VII axis sliding head turning centre machine – complete with a Lemca Boss 338-32 automatic bar loader, swarf conveyor and Wogard oil recovery unit.

This new investment enables a streamlining of the production process, eliminating the previous number of separate operations required. The benefits include increased capacity, the freeing up of operators for use in other areas of the business, less machine down time and a reduction of

SARIV expands thread rolling capability Since the end of 2018 SARIV Srl has enriched its production capabilities with the addition of two new thread rolling machines, taking its total to nine.

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he grooving in blind rivets – that is the threaded surface in rivet bodies and mandrels – provides higher anchoring capacity and better mechanical performances. Among SARIV products, this essential characteristic is critical in multigrip, grooved and structural rivets. In particular, SARIV structural blind rivets are becoming an increasingly important part of the volume of items purchased by its customers. Their grooved mandrel plays an active role in the application by remaining locked inside the rivet body.

Using thread rolling means the grooving of the mandrel is the result of a deformation of the material, not its removal. SARIV performs the grooving both on semi-finished products such as rivet bodies or mandrels, and on finished rivets.

One of the new machines is for high production volumes; the other is for small sizes, allowing faster set-up and therefore faster changes suitable for smaller production volumes.

Committed to 4.0 technology implementation for a long time, SARIV has ensured the new rolling machines communicate with the company network through its MES (Manufacturing Execution System), which guarantees full traceability and constant monitoring of every single production step. www.sariv.it

20 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

work in progress on the factory floor. These CNCs have supplemented the numerous multi and single spindle machines that Aerotight Manufacturing continues to operate.

The Aerotight Manufacturing arm also produces fully threaded studs in stainless steel from M3 to M24 diameter as standard but can produce up to M30 in A4-80 grades. www.apexstainless.com

Introducing Union Fasteners As of Monday 25th March, Alca Fasteners now trades as Union Fasteners – a name which it believes highlights the fastener manufacturer’s commitment to partnership and its ambitious plans for the future.

I

n operation for over 40 years, making products for a wide range of industries and hostile environments – specifically those operating in oil and gas, petrochemicals, defence and construction, Union Fasteners prides itself on its ability to create ‘made to order’ individual solutions quickly and effectively, whilst putting customer’s needs at the centre of the business.

“We strive to be at the forefront of our industry, leading the way in the supply of large diameter, high-quality 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 fasteners and made to order special fasteners, supported by responsive, experienced and knowledgeable customer service. We are proud of the partnerships we have built over the last 40 years and would like to thank you for your continued support,” comments Union Fasteners.

Union Fasteners remains committed to the rapid supply of high-quality fasteners in traditional alloy steel grades, whilst taking full advantage of its wealth of experience in stainless steels and exotic materials.

“We have a partnership approach with all of our customers, allowing us to understand each business individually and to bring our experience and knowledge to every order. Our unique intelligent stocking system allows us to learn and anticipate our customers’ needs, saving money and time, and allowing us to be innovative and agile in the market.

We prioritise innovation in process, product, and customer service, across the business and we harness feedback from all stakeholders to continually improve,” says Union Fasteners.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Full house for hydrogen embrittlement seminar

The BIAFD and the CBM, representative bodies respectively for UK fastener distributors and manufacturers, cooperated to present a technical seminar on hydrogen embrittlement and the implications of the recently published BS EN ISO 4042:2018 fastener electroplating standard.

T

he audience of nearly eighty, at the National Metalforming Centre, West Bromwich, heard a keynote presentation from Dr Bill Eccles of Bolt Science Ltd, considering lessons from the 2013 failure of thirty-two massive galvanised steel anchor rods installed on the then new Oakland Bay Bridge in San Francisco, USA. Bolt Science is a specialist UK consultancy, focused on solving bolting problems, education and testing. In an excellent presentation, Dr Eccles also considered the mechanism of HE crack formation, and explored the two types of hydrogen embrittlement: Internal Hydrogen Embrittlement (IHE), where failure generally occurs within days of tightening, and Environmental Hydrogen Embrittlement (EHE), which may occur when a fastener has been in service for some time, and is exposed to atomic hydrogen from the environment, often as a result of corrosion.

A key slide illustrated how the probability of IHE versus EHE is time-in-service related. A closing consideration was “stronger is not always better” with Dr Eccles explaining that opting for a fastener material with hardness below the hydrogen embrittlement threshold could offer a lower risk option.

Dr John Newnham, retired aerospace fastener technical director and a previous CBM fastener specialist, brought to bear his extensive experience in considering the significance of material characteristics and consistency in minimising the HE risks in high strength fasteners.

A member of the BSI FME/9 fastener standards committee alongside Dr Eccles, Dr Newnham expressed concerns over some of the contentions of the recently published BS EN ISO 4042:2018 Fasteners – Electroplated Coating Systems Standard.

These concerns focused on the recommendation that fasteners with hardness values between 360HV and 390HV, need not be baked after plating, with reliance placed instead on supplemental process verification and product testing. Dr Newnham highlighted the challenges of confirming verification and testing in today’s extended fastener supply chain – and proposed that continuing to bake remained the safer, and arguably more economic, approach to minimising IHE risk.

The British Standard version of ISO 4042:2018 includes a national foreword, recommending that all fasteners of property classes 9.8 and 10.9 should continue to be baked after coating.

A lively question and answer session, which followed the presentations, included further contributions from coating technology specialist, Clive Pearce and TR Global Quality Director Maddy Webb.

Both emphasised the importance of fastener suppliers and their customers continuing to adopt a prudent approach to minimise the potential for failures as a result of hydrogen embrittlement.

For more information visit: www.thecbm.co.uk; www.biafd.org; www.boltscience.com

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Mechanical

PERSPECTIVE

by Phil Matten, executive editor, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

Phil Matten reflects on some of the key topics currently involving the fastener industry This time of year sees the publication of detailed full year corporate reports alongside a flurry of interim reports on first quarter performance. A couple of things stood out for me while going through them.

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he first is how the current uncertainty in the light vehicle sector is impacting the supply chain. While far from catastrophic for even those fastener companies most specialised in automotive, the fall off in demand is very apparent, with several reporting weaker demand from the car sector in the last quarter 2018 continuing into first

quarter 2019.

Bulten’s 2018 full report was particularly informative. Naturally, it exuded confidence in its technologies and ability to respond to whatever the mix and rate of change in vehicle powertrains. It also, though, explored some of the issues it faces candidly. It quoted an LMC Automotive forecast from December, which expects European light vehicle production to decrease by 0.5% in 2019 before growing by 3.5% in 2020. It also references the KPMG Global Automotive Executive Survey 2019, an interesting read in itself. Amongst other things, Bulten picked up on the likelihood legislation will play, if anything, a more important role in the future of the sector.

With the International Energy Agency reporting global CO 2 emissions increasing for the second consecutive year, to hit an all time high in 2018, and environmental activists making it eminently clear they believe politicians need hearing aids, that makes sense. Another nugget from the IEA is that coal is now the biggest source of global warming and that 2018 growth in clean energy sources, even though at double-digit level, failed to keep up with growth in energy demand. Changing the vehicle powertrain is one thing: How its motive power is generated is another.

Fastener suppliers with a broader market portfolio or specialisation in non-automotive sectors were generally more upbeat, although cautionary notes about uncertainty – be it BREXIT, international trade disputes or just political polarisation – abounded.

The contribution of acquisitions to corporate growth was also noteworthy. Trifast, Bossard and Bufab were amongst those pointing to the positive contribution of carefully selected acquisitions, boosting underlying organic performances.

‘Carefully selected’ matters.

There’s no appetite for picking up problematic businesses, or even solid businesses heavily reliant on the participation of the owner, that can turn out to have a gravitational effect on management resource akin to a black hole. Consolidation in the fastener supply chain is inevitable but the pace has been steadier perhaps than many expected – and is likely to continue that way.

Of course, these perspectives are necessarily selective – plenty of the major players in the global fastener market do not report publicly and there is also a myriad of SMEs in our industry. However, based on the random sample of numerous conversations in the aisles of Fastener Fair Stuttgart, 2018 was a pretty good year for most.

Plenty, though, were quick to acknowledge that the headwinds are gusting quite a bit stronger.

Not about battening down the hatches, then, but a time when many will be quietly reefing a few sails.

NORTH AMERICAN NEWS

by John Wolz, editor, GlobalFastenerNews.com

US tariff on Chinese fasteners to continue While US fastener importers and distributors are no longer facing a significant hike on tariffs for fasteners manufactured in China, the original 10% duties are likely to remain for a “substantial period of time”.

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he Section 301 tariffs of 10% on US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods, including a majority of fasteners manufactured in China, were scheduled to increase to 25% on 1 st March 2019.

President Donald Trump extended the deadline, citing “substantial progress” in negotiations between the two countries, the Associated Press reports. Days later, the US Trade Representative’s office moved to formally suspend a scheduled tariff increase on Chinese goods “until further notice”, Reuters reports.

But the original tariff of 10% will continue for a “substantial period of time because we have to make sure that if we do the deal with China, that China lives by the deal”, Trump stated in late March.

Trump sent “top representatives” to China to continue talks.

However, China is believed to be reluctant to address Trump’s demands – or to remove its retaliation against US$110 billion of US exports – if US duties are left in place, according to Politico.

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow said a tentative agreement had been reached with China on how a broader pact would be enforced. That agreement features proposals that would allow the United States to impose certain duties if Beijing is found to have violated its commitments – and China would not be permitted to retaliate, Politico reports.

Fasteners are listed among the 6,031 tariff codes affected by Section 301 tariffs.

Canada launches reinvestigation on fasteners from China and Taiwan The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) initiated a reinvestigation to update the normal values and export prices respecting certain carbon steel fasteners originating in or exported from China and Taiwan, and the amount of subsidy respecting certain carbon steel fasteners originating in or exported from China.

R

einvestigation, in accordance with the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA), will be concluded by 14th November 2019. It is part of the enforcement of the CITT’s order made on 5th January 2015, continuing previous orders made in 2010 and 2005.

Where an exporter does not provide sufficient information to determine specific normal values or does not permit verification of information submitted, anti-dumping duties will be assessed at the rate of 170% of the export price of the subject goods imported into Canada.

Where the Chinese government or exporters in China fail to provide complete and accurate submissions enabling the determination of specific amounts of subsidy, countervailing duties will be assessed at the rate of 1.25 Chinese Renminbi per kilogram.

26 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

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ND serves a global market with divisions in the continental US, facilities in Taiwan and China, and licensees around the world. ND’s core business revolves around the application of a wide variety of materials onto fasteners and assemblies to aid in functions such as locking, sealing, masking, lubricating, and noise and vibration dampening. ND also manufactures a line of bottled products under the Vibra-Tite® brand name for MRO and retail use.

ELECTROLOC™ High strength encapsulated epoxy threadlocker for use in electrical systems where low halogen materials are necessary. Contains small micrometer microcaps which reduce material extrusion on installation.

EXPAND-A-SLEEVE™ Extruded ND Mastics are pre-applied to fasteners (threaded or nonthreaded), bound for e-cote cycles. Heat from the process causes the material to expand, sealing large leak paths between fastener and assembly.

ND continues its tradition of cutting edge research and development with the regular introduction of unique materials along with competitive brand offsets.

THREAD ARMOR® GP Prevents galvanic corrosion in assemblies with dissimilar metals, such as aluminum and steel, by electrically insulating the fastener. Specially bonded to the part, Thread Armor GP is durable, chemical resistant, and non-conductive.

THREAD ARMOR® VC An advanced anti-galling and lubricating thread coating designed to extend the life of bolts up to 15 times while under intense torque and high friction loads. Helps to ensure consistent clamp load. Works well on stainless steel fasteners.

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NORTH AMERICAN NEWS

Vulcan Steel seeks duties on Asian threaded rod Vulcan Steel Products Inc has filed a petition with the US Department of Commerce and the US International Trade Commission seeking anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of carbon and alloy steel threaded rod from China, India, Taiwan and Thailand.

T

hreaded rod imports from these countries are being sold at less than fair value in the US and causing material injury, according to Vulcan.

From December 2017 to November 2018, US threaded rod imports totaled 42.5% from China, 25.2% from India, 15.1% from Taiwan and 4.1% from Thailand, according to Vulcan.

The company claims that imports of threaded rod from these countries increased 18.6% from 2016 to 2017 and imports for 2018 represented a 18.8% increase over 2017, according to TH International Trade.

As a result, Vulcan claims dumped and subsidised threaded rod imports are having significant, negative price effects causing lost revenue to the domestic industry.

The petition lists foreign producers and exporters that shipped

threaded rod products to the US at allegedly dumped and/or subsidised prices from these countries as well as the US importers of those products.

The steel threaded rod, bar, or studs subject to these investigations are non-headed and threaded along greater than 25% of their total actual length. The investigation also covers material finished, assembled, or packaged in a third country.

Carbon and alloy steel threaded rod are included in the investigation scope whether or not attached to or in conjunction with other parts and accessories, such as nuts and washers.

Rod on which the thread covers 25% or less of the total length is excluded from the scope of investigation, as is stainless steel threaded rod, containing by weight 1.2% or less of carbon and 10.5% or more of chromium.

First quarter FINdex recoups losses In the opening quarter of 2019, the FIN Fastener Stock Index recouped the losses it suffered in 2018, gaining 7.2%, compared to an 8.6% increase by an index of related industrial stocks.

M

ost aerospace, automotive and industrial fastener companies tracked by the FINdex posted stock gains during Q1. Carpenter Technology achieved the largest percentage gain of the period, rising 28.8% in the first three months of 2019. Other fastener companies with gains of 10% or more during Q1 included Arconic (up 13.3%); bisco industries® (up 23.8%); Fastenal (up 23%); ITW (up 14.6%); Nucor Corperation (up 12.6%); Stanley Black & Decker (up 13.7%); and TriMas Corperation (up 10.8%).

FINdex companies posting share losses during Q1 included Chicago Rivet & Machine Co (down 10.5%); Dorman Products Inc (down 2.1%); Lawson Products Inc (down 0.6%); and Tree Island Steel (down 4.5%).

The FINdex contracted in 2018, hampered by volatility that dominated the markets, making 2018 the worst year for stocks in a decade. The FINdex declined 7.1% during the year, compared to a 7% drop by an index of related industrial stocks. The loss followed two consecutive years of double-digit growth.

Earnest Machine announces new hires

Earnest Machine has announced the addition of two new employees at its corporate office in Cleveland, USA. Jared Donnelly and Dmitriy Kantarovich join Earnest Machine’s sales team, bringing a combined 20 years of industrial and wholesale experience to the company.

B

oth Donnelly and Kantarovich are responsible for managing the details of customer accounts to ensure quotes and orders are processed efficiently and with accuracy, which ensures the best experience for Earnest’s customers.

In 2018, Earnest Machine operated at a 96.3% average for Distribution Performance – accurate order entry and quantity plays an important role in that.

“When we make new hires, we look for people who perform best in a collaborative environment,” said Kirk Zehnder, CEO of Earnest Machine. “While our sales group is broken up into teams to better serve the customer, there is no competitive atmosphere. Our employees have taken the approach of ‘Team us’ and we all play a

30 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

role in the success of the company, which has attributed to the above average Distribution Performance we had in 2018 and it’s how we continue to improve in 2019.”

Earnest Machine was founded in 1948 and is a global importer, distributor, and manufacturer of large diameter and hard to find fasteners for the agriculture, construction equipment, heavy transportation, mining, structural construction and wind industries.

Earnest maintains warehouses, sales offices, and manufacturing centers in Cleveland, OH, and Wolverhampton, UK, as well as warehouses in Atlanta, GA, and Indianapolis, IN. Earnest has received the NorthCoast 99 award for seven consecutive years due to its ability to attract and retain top talent in north-east Ohio.

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NORTH AMERICAN NEWS

Fastenal fastener sales at 12% growth Fastenal reported sales of its fastener products grew 11.8% on a daily basis to US$455.6 million (€408.5 million) in the first quarter of 2019, representing 34.8% of overall sales.

D

aily sales of fastener products increased to 13.5% in March, compared to a 12.4% rate of growth in March 2018. Q1 sales of non fastener products rose 12.7% on a daily basis to US$853.7 million in Q1, representing 65.2% of sales.

Overall net sales increased 10.4% to US$1.31 billion, driven by higher unit sales related to continued strength in underlying market demand and contributions from industrial vending,on-site locations and construction.

Higher product pricing related to impacts of general and tariff related inflation in the marketplace also contributed.

Stanley Black & Decker fastener sales fall Stanley Black & Decker reported Engineered Fastening organic revenues during the first quarter of 2019 fell 4% “as automotive light vehicle production declines and lower system shipments more than offset continued fastener penetration gains”.

S

ales at the company’s Industrial segment, including fasteners, increased 10% to US$555 million (€497.6 million), despite a 3% decline in volume. Segment profit dropped 12% to US$71 million and profit rate dipped to 12.8%, hurt by lower Engineered Fastening automotive volume.

Consolidated Stanley Black & Decker revenue during Q1 increased 4% to US$3.3 billion, with gains in volume (+3%), acquisitions (+3%) and price (+2%). Q1 net earnings were flat at US$174 million, while operating margin declined to 9.8%.

“We had a strong start to 2019, with above market organic growth of 5%, led by 7% organic growth from Tools & Storage, and the benefit of our cost actions helping to offset carryover from the 2018 wave of significant external headwinds,” stated James Loree, CEO at Stanley Black & Decker.

32 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, declined 100 basis points to 47.7% in Q1, hampered by the impacts of customer and product mix and net inflation on product margins, higher freight costs, and lower net rebates reflecting the company’s inventory control programs.

Operating income improved to 20%. Q1 net earnings rose 11.4% to US$194.1 million. During the quarter, Fastenal signed 5,603 industrial vending devices reaching a total device count of 83,410.

Nucor Fastener segment sales drop

Nucor Corp reported Cold Finished Steel segment sales, including results from Nucor Fastener, fell 3% to 143,000 tons in the opening quarter of 2019.

C

onsolidated Nucor sales decreased 3% to US$6.1 billion (€5.47 billion) in Q1 compared with US$6.3 billion in Q4 2018 and increased approximately 10% compared with US$5.57 billion in Q1 2018.

Q1 2019 average sales price per ton dropped 4%. Total tons shipped to outside customers grew 1% to 6,767,000 tons. Total steel mill shipments in Q1 increased 2% from Q4 2018 and decreased 4% from Q1 2018. Downstream steel products shipments to outside customers fell 2%. Q1 net earnings increased 42% to US$501.8 million.

Grainger sales and margins grow Grainger reported sales, including fasteners, increased 3% to US$2.8 billion (€2.5 billion) in the opening quarter of 2019, driven by a 3% point increase in volume and a 1.5 point increase from price.

O

perating earnings rose 8% to US$363 million, with a margin of 13%.

“While our sales performance was softer than expected, largely due to a weaker demand environment, our SG&A leverage helped drive strong earnings growth in the quarter,” stated Donald G MacPherson, CEO at W.W. Grainger Inc. Gross profit margin was 39.1% versus 39.5% in the 2018 first quarter. Q1 net earnings gained 9% to US$253 million.

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RUSSIAN + CIS NEWS Alexander Ostashov, editor, Fastener, Adhesives, Tools and…Magazine www.fastinfo.ru

Rostec takes control of BelZAN Rostec State Corporation has announced that its subsidiary, RT-Capital, obtained 99.2% of the shares of Belebeevsky Plant Avtonormal (BelZAN) as part of the company’s financial recovery procedures.

R

ostec’s action will allow the largest Russian manufacturer of automobile fasteners to withdraw from the pre-bankruptcy state, strengthening BelZAN’s position in the automotive industry, and creating a new product line for the aircraft industry, as well as oil and gas and defence industries.

Under current crisis management, a business plan for BelZAN’s development is being formulated, which aims to increase the company’s effectiveness in the medium term, increase sales, and expand the production range in the interests of potential buyers, including those from Rostec State Corporation.

Kirill Fyodorov, RT-Capital CEO, said: “BelZAN has modern production facilities, and a developed technological base. The company’s products are of high-quality and have a large market potential. We intend to focus on improving the efficiency of the plant, on the development of production competencies and on expanding the portfolio of orders. Now we are negotiating with suppliers about comfortable delivery terms

Ford to stop car manufacture in Russia Ford Motor Company will cease production of passenger cars in Russia and close three of its four plants in the country. The company said its joint venture in Russia will focus on commercial vehicles.

F

ord managed the enterprise with the Russian company Sollers, to which a controlling 51% stake will now be transferred. Assembly lines in Naberezhnye Chelny and St Petersburg, as well as the engine plant in Elabuga will close. The remaining plant in Elabuga, will produce only commercial vehicles, including the Ford Transit van.

The company said the decision had been made to free up resources for creating new generation products, including electric cars and autonomous vehicles.

Ford associates its decision with the slow recovery of the Russian car market after a decline in recent years. The auto concern has repeatedly suspended or reduced production at the St Petersburg plant due to low consumer demand.

34 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

for BelZAN, as well as with banks about setting limits on factoring. At the same time, we are working on the participation of the enterprise in specialised intersectoral programmes, as well as on increasing sales in the perimeter of Rostec State Corporation. To further stabilise the financial condition, we interact with key creditors of the plant, to reach mutually acceptable conditions for restructuring and, of course, prolong the plant’s debts to RT-Capital LLC.” In August 2016, the controlling shareholder of BelZAN JSC was declared bankrupt, and net assets became less than the authorised capital due to the debt load and inefficient management. In 2017, Rostec State Corporation, being the majority creditor, began to implement measures aimed at the financial rehabilitation of BelZAN JSC. RT-Capital, a specialised Rostec subsidiary for dealing with non-core assets, is the main creditor of BelZAN. The volume of requirements of RT-Capital to BelZAN JSC is 1.2 billion rubles (€16.6 million), which is more than 60% of the plant’s total debt.

Toyota applies for special investment contract Toyota submitted an application to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the conclusion of a special investment contract (SPIK).

T

oyota will localise a number of components and modernise production in St Petersburg. At the same time, the existing localised model range (Toyota Camry and Toyota RAV4) will be preserved. The Japanese company was the last among the largest automakers with production in Russia to show interest in the SPIK tool, Interfax said.

It is assumed that 10% of the total revenue of the auto concern (about 1 trillion rubles) for the entire duration of the contract will come from exports. Tax revenues for the period of the contract will amount to 150 billion rubles (€2 billion).

Technological obligations under the application involve welding, painting, stamping, as well as the production of interior and exterior elements – all operations already performed by the company. As part of the contract, the company intends to localise new components – power windows, airbags, gas tanks, and exhaust system. Toyota plans to attract local suppliers, which in turn will allow auto component manufacturers to earn billions of rubles. A training centre for suppliers will be created at Toyota’s plant in St Petersburg.

Stand 301

ASIAN NEWS

TIFI holds 2019 Lunar New Year Gala On 5th February 2019 the Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute (TIFI) held its annual Spring Gala at the Grand Hi Lai Hotel in Kaohsiung in celebration of the Lunar New Year. TIFI was joined by the new Kaohsiung City Mayor Han Kuo-Yu.

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ore than 200 fastener industry professionals participated in the grand event for the Taiwanese fastener industry. Different from previous events, this year’s Spring Gala included a symposium arranged by TuChin Tsai, chairman of TIFI, and Tea-Ren Sun, board of directors assembler, who were joined by the new Kaohsiung City mayor.

Mayor Han discussed many issues with representatives from Taiwanese fastener companies in the symposium, such as the challenges of Taiwan’s fastener industry and possible government resources in support of the industry’s development in the world market.

Source: Fastener World Magazine

Record year for Ching Chan Optical Ching Chan Optical’s full year combined revenue in 2018 reached TW$882 million (€25.4 million), up 13.34% from 2017.

T

he results represented the highest record in the company’s history. Taiwan’s leading manufacturer of optical image sorting machines for fasteners also announced that revenue in December 2018 represented a month-on-month increase of 19.8% and was 13.7% higher than the same month in 2017.

Source: Fastener World Magazine

Tokyo Olympics construction delayed by bolt shortage Fastener World Magazine reports that construction of Tokyo’s new Olympic Complex is being delayed by a shortage of high strength bolts.

H

eadlines in Japanese mainstream media are reporting the shortage of high strength bolts has been going on since last summer, with lead times extending from less than two months to as long as six months.

83% of construction companies are reportedly delaying work as a result and the shortage is affecting construction of stadiums, athlete villages and hotels. The Japanese Government has urged domestic bolt manufacturers to increase the production and the Department of Commerce has even suggested that bolts should be imported from Korea.

Taiwan increases fastener exports to Japan For the first three quarters of 2018 Taiwan fastener exports to Japan grew 6% to 55,000 tonnes, reports Fastener World Magazine.

A

verage export price per kilogram was US$3.374, up 7.34% from the same period in 2017. Propelled by the demand in the Japanese manufacturing industry, Taiwan’s fastener exports to Japan for the whole of 2018 are expected to see a consecutive rise in both price and volume.

36 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Hai Kuang to diversify into fasteners Located in Kaohsiung, Hai Kuang Enterprise Corporation, known for supplying steel billets and rebar, has expansion plans that include manufacturing fasteners.

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he Taiwanese company’s current production site covers an area of more than 59,000m 2 , and has output for up to 600,000 tonnes of steel billets and 250,000 tonnes of rebar. Hai Kuang announced it would invest TW$1.4 billion (€40.3 million) to expand its business, including the production of fasteners.

Source: Fastener World Magazine

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ASIAN NEWS

Seventy key projects in China’s 2019 plan The Chinese National Development and Reform Commission published plans for national economy and social development in 2019. It committed impetus to seventy key projects including many in infrastructure construction and innovation development.

Chinafastener.com reports that these include: Accelerating rail construction in important urban areas (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shandong Peninsula, and Beibu Gulf).

Pushing forward first phase preparations for new waterways at the Three Gorge Hydro junction and the expansion of the Gezhouba Dam waterways.

New sea channels in western China.

Accelerating construction of natural gas pipelines across the country.

Accelerating construction of Sichuan-Tibet Railways, high-speed rail along rivers, transportation systems for coal, interdistrict channels for power transmission, water and electricity in southwest China.

Speeding up the construction of the Beijing Daxing International Airport to bring it into operation by the end of September 2019. Advancing the construction and expansion of airports generally.

Construction of rail passenger and logistics terminals.

Developing a strategy for a national logistics terminals network, and supporting construction of container port railways.

Upgrading traditional industries with new technology, including internet, big data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology and equipment.

Constructing national industry innovation centres, demonstration areas for independent innovation, and national manufacturing innovation centres for core industries.

Faster development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei collaborative innovation community; technology innovation centres in Beijing and Shanghai, and support for three national science centres in Huairou (Beijing), Zhangjiang (Shanghai) and Anhui (Hefei province).

Research and support for the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area international technology innovation centre and development plans to construct comprehensive national technology centres.

Sichuan investing more than CNY1.02 trillion in advanced manufacturing In March, the Sichuan province of China announced important projects and support to enterprises in ‘5+1’ industries. The total investment is CNY 1.02 trillion (€135.1 billion), reports ChinaFastener.com, relating to the equipment manufacturing, advanced materials, energy and chemical industries.

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ichuan province is located in the southwest of China. In 2018, its GDP was over CNY4 trillion, with year-on-year growth of 8%. In 2018, the Sichuan government announced what it called the ‘5+1’ modern industry system, committing support and investment to five core industry sectors - electronic information, equipment manufacturing, food and beverage, advanced materials, energy and chemical industry.

Mr Liu Shaomin, deputy director general of Sichuan Economy and Information Office, announced that the first batch of projects were mainly in advanced manufacturing fields, focusing on high-quality development, addressing weak links, building solid foundations and upgrading industries to sell more effectively to midto high end markets. Traditional industries are being upgraded by new technologies, new commercial activities and new modes of operation, while new industries are being cultivated as a new engine for upgrading industries.

38 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

TFTA celebrates 30 years The Taiwan Fastener Trading Association’s (TFTA) Spring Gala, on 5th February 2019, was larger than usual and attended by prominent visitors.

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he TFTA board of directors meeting and Annual Spring Gala was held at the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung. As 2019 is the 30 th anniversary of TFTA, the event this year was larger in scale and attended by more prominent visitors.

The Honorary Chairman Mr Feng Jing-Yao and Secretary Mr Wang Shi-Hong of the Fastener Subdivision of China General Machine Components Industry Association and Kaohsiung City Mayor Han Kuo-Yu were also present to congratulate TFTA on its anniversary.

Source: Fastener World Magazine

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BRAZILIAN NEWS Sérgio Milatias, editor, Revista do Parafuso, www.revistadoparafuso.com.br

Brazilian motorcycle production increases 6.6% in Q1

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Domestic automakers celebrated the closing of 2018 with annual production levels above one million units, for the first time since 2015.

uring the last year Brazilian motorcycle production recorded growth of 17.43%: 1,036,846 units against 882,876 in 2017.

This was the first time since 2015 (1,262,708 units) that the domestic production operated above one million units annually.

The local industries motorcycle association, ABRACICLO, originally forecast just 4.2% during 2019. However, if the current cadence continues until next December it is possible they may achieve more than 1.1 million, due to Q1 2019 closing with an output at 276,835 units – an increase of 6.64%. If the 2018 growth rate was replicated in 2019 then by the end of December the total could exceed 1.2 million units. A dream.

However, the sector has a significant share comprised of

‘completely knocked down’ assembly, with many auto parts, including the fasteners, imported.

The Manaus City (where a Free Economic Zone is located), in Amazonas State, is home to important global motorcycle manufacturers, such as Honda and Yamaha. Manaus represents a revenue of around US$18 billion per year, 1.1% of Brazilian GPD total. However, the region is also the destination for 9.7% of fastener imports.

ABRACICLO also incorporates the Brazilian bicycle manufacturing industy, which closed 2018 with 773,641 units produced, 15.9% more than the 667,363 units in 2017. The association predicts a 10.8% growth in 2019.

Ciser names new Parafusos Lipos completes 70 years national sales manager Founded by Italian immigrants, for the last 70 years Parafusos Lipos has kept steadfast as an expert fastener provider for cars and, mainly, motorcycle production, accounting for 90% of its core business.

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fter the informality period from 1945, on 25th February 1949 Industrial Metalúrgica Lipos Ltda was officially registered, in São Paulo city (São Paulo state). Soon after, the young industry moved about 20km away, to the Mauá town, where it still has its industrial plant today.

Thus, began it history as a manufacturer of parafusos (fasteners), led by Italian brothers Antônio, Germano, Liberali, Luiz and cousin Sylvio, all surnamed Polisel.

The economic crisis since 2015 meant the company reduced its number of employees from 180 to 147. “However, the economic landscape shows good signals that it is getting back to improvement, especially if the domestic motorcycle industry expansion continues its recovery,” said Celso, Germano and Ione Polisel, directors from the second generation of the family.

Certified to IATF 16949, today the Lipos headquarters building is 7,000m 2 , within a total area of 12,000m 2 . The company’s monthly production capacity is around 450 tonnes, in sizes ranging from M3 to M16 diameters, including screws, bolts, rivets, pins and special parts like rods, hooks and others made from wire rod.

40 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

After 25 years of technical, commercial and marketing activities in Brazil and abroad, Renato Fiore has taken on the challenge of leading sales for the largest fastener manufacturer in Latin America.

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his is a very important time to take on this responsibility, since in 2019 the company, which is of course Ciser, completes 60 years of activities.

The last few years have marked some major investments by Ciser, especially in Santa Catarina state, and in its automotive fasteners unit in Minas Gerais state. The new manager declares he is committed, together with his team, to working intensely to strengthen relationships internally and externally.

Fastener related recalls in Brazil Mercedes-Benz Trucks, BMW Motorcycles, and Volkswagen, have all announced vehicle recalls related to fastener issues.

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ercedes-Benz announced a recall involving the Axor family trucks, manufactured between December 2015 and March 2018, due to possible overtightening of fasteners on the auxiliary fuel tank holder.

BMW announced a recall involving its F, G, K and R motorcycles, to undergo verification and possible replacement of several components.

Volkswagen Brazil recalled the Saveiro model due to the possible defect in the rear brake system.

COVER STORY

Meeting customers’ threaded rod needs Over the last five years Bodegraven Metaal has experienced continuous expansion, establishing itself as a key player in the threaded rod market. Editor Will Lowry spoke to Managing Director Martijn Wirken about this meteoric growth and the challenges it brings.

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odegraven Metaal NV (also known as BOMET) has been located in Lommel, Belgium, since 1981 and specialises in the production of threaded rods DIN 976-1 and associated products. The company supplies a whole range from M3 to M60 in lengths of 1m, 2m and 3m, as well as cut to size – exporting across Europe and around the world.

“Since BOMET was founded there has been continuous reinvestment into the business and its capacity for production,” explains Martijn. “This has helped us grow within the market and build a reputation as the leading supplier for threaded rod.”

From 2014 onwards, BOMET experienced substantial double-digit growth year-on-year. “Due to our ability to produce high-quality products in the heart of Europe, with a quick and reliable service, we have achieved growth every year, which culminated in significant growth last year,” states Martijn. “However, this unprecedent growth was far beyond what we had predicted and when combined with geopolitical impacts, as well as the supply of raw material, it led to delivery and production challenges towards the end of the year.”

To combat this BOMET has invested €4.5 million in additional machinery, as well as more production and storage space, which has enabled it to get back on track and reach the high supply performance its customers demand. “We added an extra 9,000m2 of space for storage, packaging and cutting, which was crucial,” explains Martijn. “A key factor in our growth, and the reason customers bought material from us, was our service levels. Therefore, it was vital we continued to supply this level of service to enable us to grow together with our clients.”

Cutting to size

Included in BOMET’s investment is a separate building dedicated to specials and cutting threaded rod to specific sizes for individual projects. “You will find almost every wholesaler will say they have

42 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

their own cutting department and that they can cut to length according to customers’ needs,” mentions Martijn. “However, our strong point is we can be very competitive, because we have the capability to cut to different sizes very quickly. We can either produce to size, which can take up to 5 – 6 weeks, or we can cut to size and deliver it in 2 – 3 days. If we produce it to size it will be in price per tonne or per 100 pieces, whereas cutting to size is a little bit more expensive due to the quick turnaround.”

Martijn adds: “We can also tailor what we deliver depending on the customer’s needs. For instance, if they have a project for 50,000 pieces, which they need in four months, we can produce it. However, if they need the products in 2 or 3 weeks, we can just cut it to size from production. We have seen a huge increase in demand for the latter in recent years and our ability to run two shifts has helped us offer short delivery times and means customers get their products sooner.”

The quality factor

When it comes to threaded rod, quality is a key factor and something BOMET takes very seriously. “If we deliver a product, we have tested it and we have fully checked it,” reports Martijn. “We have our own laboratory where we can carry out chemical analysis and tensile testing of the material, as well as check layer thickness with X-ray. Plus, we have a profile projector and hardness tester, as well as a range of other state of the art equipment. We also track every batch of raw material and we have a quality system that ensures we have full traceability of the product that goes to our clients.”

Martijn continues: “The key factor with threaded rod is you don’t necessarily know where it is going to be used – it could be an easy installation or it could be in a critical application. That is why we only supply products according to standard, so customers can use it anywhere – there is no compromise.”

Previously there have been concerns within the market regarding threaded rod and products not being according to standard. “Companies were being supplied with lower quality threaded rod that had a different pitch of thread, to save on raw material costs, but these products were not to standard and were potentially dangerous,” states Martijn. “At BOMET we have never and will never compromise on the quality of the product and always guarantee it is according to standard.”

“We are therefore very vocal about the differences in these ‘b grade’ products. I am not saying they are not useable, because you can use it for certain non-critical applications. However, they are not to standard and there is a difference in strength and how the threaded rod behaves, which could have huge repercussions. Suppliers often don’t know the applications the wire rod is being used and if the rod is not to standard it is a risk. The bigger wholesalers and end users are now aware of the differences, but there is still a huge percentage of ‘b grade’ threaded rod imported into Europe.”

Optimising the process

As a manufacturer based in Europe, BOMET is focused on producing the highest quality products in the most efficient and effective method possible.

“Selling threaded rod on a pallet is quite easy, but producing threaded rod is one by one, and this needs to be continuous if it is going to be cost efficient,” explains Martijn. “You therefore need your production to be constantly running. The strength of BOMET is we produce from our own production plant into our warehouse, which helps us make sure we always have enough stock to deliver. We look to develop long-term cooperation with customers so that we can guarantee consistent production and maintain the competitive price level we are able to deliver.”

Another vital part of the production process is the coating procedure, with BOMET having a close relationship with the coating company Duroc NV, which helps it offer real benefits regarding zinc plating. “If we need to get some material urgently coated then we can give Duroc a call and, because we have the connection and the relationship, we are able to get finished products back quickly,” points out Martijn. “This helps us control the risks and control the stocks, which makes it easier for us to operate and deliver to customers.”

For customers that have an annual volume of over 400 tonnes per year BOMET is also able to provide a private label service for a whole range of products. “Offering the private label service is about making it easier for our customers,” mentions Martijn. “We also change our inventory according to their needs so we are not producing to order, we produce to demand. We have a lot of key customers that are taking advantage of this service and it is something we are looking to develop in the future.”

Ongoing investment

BOMET has plans to continue investing in the business with the company setting up another production plant in Europe. “We want to reduce the risk of only having one production plant for our bigger clients,” explains Martijn. “Having two production sites will help us increase our capacity and enable us to optimise our production. It will also mean we can be even more competitive on what we already do.”

Another big project for BOMET is the introduction of a new web portal, which will enable customers to see stock and price levels, 24 hours a day. “We have been working on the system for over a year, as we needed to change a lot of article numbers and make sure it fully works with our inventory,” points out Martijn. “Once it is launched the web portal will provide all the information our customers need so they can order online via a computer, laptop or even their mobile phone. Private label customers will also be able to see their own stock standing, so they can adapt really quickly on their supply demand. It has been a big challenge for us, but we needed to introduce the system to keep up with the needs of our customers.”

Martijn concludes: “All our investments across the business are about keeping up with demand, consistently producing a high-quality product, and ensuring we offer a complete service to customers. By doing this we can grow with our customers and continue to lead the market in threaded rod.” www.bomet.com

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM

INSIGHT

The role of quality Maddy Webb, director of quality at Trifast Plc, speaks to Editor Will Lowry about the importance of quality within the fastener industry and how the Group’s quality strategy is helping it work closer with customers to find optimal solutions.

How did your career start within the fastener industry?

“I started at Trifast Plc, known in the industry as TR Fastenings, in 2000 as a location quality manager – specifically for the automotive division. I then became involved in the supplier quality side, travelling to Taiwan and Europe to assess manufacturing plants, analysing their processes and systems, and addressing any quality concerns. Later I moved into a customer quality role, where I was involved in how customers approach quality. A big part of this was understanding the globalisation of customers’ businesses and how it could potentially impact us at TR. In April 2018 I was appointed director of quality in recognition for the work I had done.

However, it was the experience I gained prior to starting at TR that has been the foundation to everything I have done. I started with a university degree in metallurgy and materials engineering, which isn’t that common. Most people who study engineering degrees go into structural engineering, which is great for customer applications. However, when it comes to the components themselves it doesn’t really help. Therefore I like to know what is going on inside the products and understand the applications, so metallurgy and materials engineering appealed to me.

After university I worked for several organisations including a heat treatment company, which provided me with insight into heat treatment processes and the finishing industry. I also worked for a tier 1 to the automotive industry, focussed on seating assembly. This gave me valuable experience of working with an OEM daily, which helped me in turn understand how customers’ requirements flow down the supply chain. In addition to this I worked as a quality consultant setting up the QS9000 standard for companies in the automotive industry.”

You have been in your role as director of quality at TR Fastenings for over 12 months. What has been TR’s main strategy on quality in this time and what are your plans for the future?

“We have focused on the transition from the ISO 16949 standard to IATF 16949, which was key for us as a business. It made sure we were compliant with global requirements. IATF 16949 is an automotive standard specifically for automotive manufacturing and we have now completed the transition at all our automotive manufacturing sites worldwide. A lot of our customers rely on the standard, and they won’t take quotes or parts from suppliers who are not accredited.

During this time, our distribution sites have also transitioned onto the new ISO 9001:2015 standard. This is absolutely core for every

44 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

customer we have, as they all want to check we are running our business and monitoring our processes in a recognised and efficient way.

That is a big difference between us and somewhere like Amazon – where, if it goes wrong, the customer simply sends it back and gets their money back, but the process isn’t reviewed. With IS0 9001:2015 we are able to analyse if we have a problem and look at how we can use this to drive improvement, to make sure it is right next time.

A key factor when adopting both these standards is taking what you learn in one industry sector and applying it to other sectors. For instance, the IATF 16949 standard is brilliant for manufacturing with certain tools, but we might not want to adopt all the practices for our non-automotive sites. Therefore, once the standard is established we look to pick out what is best practice and apply it to our key manufacturing sites that aren’t automotive and move them towards the IATF standard – to further support some of our product ranges.

Looking forward, we have a lot of internal investment planned in the core structure of quality, including the training and development of our staff. There are so many opportunities out there that if we give the people the tools, they will identify their own improvements, which will help us improve as a Group.

Another area, and the fastest growing one in our business, is with the global tier 1’s where they have shared programmes, and they want consistency. This involves different divisions of the Group around the world and how we interact with a customer that has globalised its platform. As a Group we are exploring how we meet those needs and how we can best balance out those requirements. We have a global enquiry portal where all customer enquiries are loaded and my team and I have early involvement in that process to guide and assist.

More and more customers are looking to standardise their global operations and we work hard to support them in this and they can leverage the benefit. This helps drive best practice and provides challenges for us across the Group regarding supply chain management. It is crucial for us to understand what our customers need from us, as it is an ever-changing environment when it comes to quality. There is always a new standard that comes along and changes your perspective. It is a constant cycle of finding out what is needed and reacting to it quickly and effectively, whilst also maintaining and strengthening that customer relationship.

One more project we are working on is the correlation between sales and quality. Customers’ requirements and a company’s quality are

Quality is the framework for what we are doing...”

traditionally at loggerheads. The portal allows us to give support early on in the process, and not after the event which is when emotions run high! For us it is about getting the balance between quality and delivering on the needs and expectations of the customers. We look to use our knowledge of quality to drive how we interact with these customers. By ensuring sales and quality work closer together you can optimise your service and ensure customers are getting the right solutions.”

You mention the correlation between sales and quality. What do frontline fastener sales and purchasing people need to understand about fastener quality? What questions do they need to ask?

“Sales teams are responding to the request for the fastener a customer actually asks for. However, it’s easy to get caught up in what the customer is saying and we may not always ask the right questions about the application, and the use of the part. This is particularly important for special parts. Are they asking us for a part they are already using and they just want another supplier, or are they developing a new part for a specific application?

It is vital you understand this, because there are two sides to fastener manufacturing. There is the straight forward, it exists, it is defined to a standard, please make it. In which case you just need to know what that standard is and what the expectations are for approval, as well as use.

The other side is supporting the customer to specify the fastener properly.

When developing a part, customers’ usually need a lot more support. They may have drawings that no standard fastener process can meet. You will also often find the required product will have features you might not be able to produce from your machines at the price they want.

That is why it is crucial you find out whether the customer is asking for what they really mean. If a customer ends up saying: ‘I want this widget’ and you allow them to call it ‘a widget’ – when actually it is a very straightforward hex head set screw – you have then lost the traceability on what it is, you have lost the ability to meet a standard.”

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM

INSIGHT extra steps we take, and processes we have introduced, to ensure only the highest quality products reach them.

You do such a good job protecting the customer, they assume the product will always be right whoever they buy it from and so they try to push the price down or they go somewhere cheaper where they aren’t so regimented regarding checks. What we then find is that customers come back to us because the quality of the products starts to become an issue and they realise the quality we deliver is not guaranteed throughout the industry.

That is why we always look to define exactly what the customer is asking for and make sure any extra feature or requirements are included in the drawing. This means everyone that quotes on the drawing is quoting on a like for like basis. If you allow the customer to not define some of those requirements, you are giving them the opportunity to get somebody else to quote at a cheaper price, but they end up getting a different product from their actual requirements.”

Is there a time to say ‘no’ to the customer?

How does TR make sure the sales team recognise this and act upon it?

“We are in a strong position as we have an excellent sales and engineering team with a lot of technical knowledge. In some companies the only technical resource they may have is the quality team. For us, technical expertise goes a long way beyond quality.

We have people right up front with the customers working through those expectations and requirements who have the right level of knowledge to advise them correctly.

Quality is the framework for what we are doing. It is not necessarily the day on day conversation with the customers – that is usually managed by the engineers. Once the specification is set that is the point where quality comes into its own; because quality is compliance to standard, but until you have set the standard you can’t comply with anything.

We already have a high-level of technical knowledge within the Group, but we are still working on developing our knowledge even further and we do this through product training. A key tool we have for this is our website, which includes a lot of information on the products, as well as videos and training courses. Training enables you to expand an employee’s knowledge and underline the role quality can play in helping them work with the customers to find solutions. I like the idea and concept that everyone in the company can work for quality – everyone is part of the network and striving towards the same goals.”

Are customers starting to appreciate the importance of quality?

“What we find is that customers sometimes think quality is so well assured that they take it for granted and they don’t realise the

...technical expertise goes a long way beyond quality...”

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“Absolutely. Once you understand the customer’s requirements and you have gone back with your proposal, if the customer doesn’t like it and they want to drive you down on price you have to ask yourself what you are prepared to do as a company. Where does the risk come?

I am not talking about a company’s sales strategy, but when a customer wants you to take out steps that are there to guarantee quality and provide assurance. That is when you have to ask yourself as a business is this what we want to get into, and as a group we take this very seriously. Previously we have challenged customers on what they said they wanted and what they are prepared to pay for. It is always a see-saw and we strive to find the balance. We don’t just say ‘yes’ to customers because we want the business, but we also don’t just want to say ‘no’. We look to get a business balance where we can meet the customers’ needs whilst still delivering a quality product.” www.trfastenings.com

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INSIGHT

Our part in every solution Whether it is delivering a complete package of high-quality fasteners and special components; ensuring the best packaging method; efficiently taking care of logistics; or arranging customers imports; Stafa Group aims to guarantee quality and service.

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reviously Stafa had five divisions focusing on its different capabilities – Stafa Trading, Stafa Special Parts, Stafa Direct, Stafa Industry and Stafa Assembly. “We started to notice that it was becoming confusing for customers, as they were unsure who they needed to contact,” explains Ivo van Gool, sales director at Stafa. “We therefore decided to simply change to one name – Stafa. We no longer focus on the different divisions, but what the Group can offer to customers as a whole.”

Stafa is of course still able to provide its different services and has even added more capabilities since being known as one Group. “A key focus for us is to do whatever the customer requires, we are always looking to add more services,” mentions Ivo. “However, we are still focused on our core business, which is supplying the trade market.”

The trade market represents 70% of Stafa Group’s turnover with the company supporting many long-term customers. “Selling full pallets to trade customers is still a cornerstone of the company,” states Ivo. “It is a very competitive market as it is very price driven.

Customers want to buy predominately standard products so it is about what added value services you can provide customers that really make the difference.”

Stafa can offer private label, automated packaging, container shipments, as well as kitting and project deliveries for end users.

“A growing side of our business is the assembly and special parts service, which has been getting more attention from customers over recent years,” points out Joep van Gool, finance and operations director. “We can partner with customers in sourcing, assembly, customer-specific packaging and optimum delivery of fasteners and other components (such as sheet metal parts, technical springs, turned and milled parts, etc). So in a way we can offer nearly all (metal) components and services a customer requires.”

Joep continues: “As a business we initially started by simply supplying pallets of screws, bolts, nuts and washers. Then, 15 – 20 years ago, it was kitting that proved popular with customers – packing different products in the same bag according to customers’ needs, with the most modern machinery in Europe. Now we are sourcing and supplying not only the fasteners but the components that go alongside them – to make the complete solution. Previously the customer might have been using six suppliers for the different parts. Now they have just us as their supplier and we can supply the whole solution.”

By doing this, customers can focus on their core business and Stafa takes care of the rest of the process. “This area is growing for us as customers appreciate the extra service and we are seeing a lot of demand in the market,” explains Joep. “It is about understanding the needs of the customers and how you as a business can answer them.”

A key tool that has helped Stafa grows its business is its web shop, with the company one of the first to introduce such a platform. “I remember when we started our web shop some years ago and customers were very happy, as it added a new service to our capabilities,” mentions Ivo. “However, most companies now have a web shop, so it is no longer a unique service. Now customers want to know how the web shop is working; is it better than other versions; what can they do on it. If your web shop doesn’t have new or beneficial features the customers might go elsewhere. You need to adapt all the time to the needs of the customers,

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The trade market represents 70% of Stafa Group’s turnover which are constantly changing. That is why we are introducing a completely new web shop, which will be launched towards the end of the year or the beginning of 2020.”

Whilst it is important to have a web shop, Ivo is clear it is still a ‘people’ business and whilst some customers want to do everything online, there are still a lot that want the personal contact. “If you are really going to help a customer you need to have a close relationship with them so you can understand their needs,” explains Ivo. “A web shop is great for customers that want to look and compare prices and order quickly. However, because there is no interaction they are not going to benefit from the knowledge within our business to help them optimise their solution.”

Ivo adds: “We have decades of fastener industry experience within Stafa. We know the products, the standards and the markets. By interacting with our customers, we can build the relationship, look at their processes, and use our knowledge to suggest alternatives that might be a more cost-effective and efficient solution. As a business it is about finding out the hidden needs that help you be successful and it is only by having the relationship with the customer that you can understand these needs and try and offer an answer.”

“Sometimes you find knowledge can be lost in the company and the products almost just become a number. At Stafa we are committed to ensuring we keep the knowledge within the business so we can help the customer in the best way and we want to share our knowledge to help give the best advice to the customer.”

In addition to keeping the knowledge within the business, Stafa is also committed to keeping the same high-level of quality for its products.

“As a business you decide on what products you sell; you decide on the coatings you want to provide; and you decide on what services you want to offer your customer,” states Pim van Leeuwen, commercial director at Stafa. “We always demand and deliver the highest quality for every part of the business. Now and again this might lead to us losing

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INSIGHT

Stafa’s new range of HV bolts according to EN 14399 an order, but quality is more important than winning an order at a set price. There comes a point when you have to tell people that if we are too expensive, and the only option is to lower quality, then we do not want the business. Otherwise it undermines our commitment to quality and to service and we are not willing to reduce this to just win an order.”

“For our new range of HV bolts according to EN14399 we also did not compromise on quality. In fact, the products are produced according to the highest quality level and made from the finest steel available. A hot dip galvanised coating and additional MoS 2 lubrication means the product can be used in any application. What’s more, this product can compete on quality with all established European manufacturers,” Pim states.

Stafa’s approach to quality and services has seen it continue to grow over recent years to a point where its warehouse and offices are reaching capacity. “As a business we are always looking forward, which is why we are investigating opportunities for expansion or a possible move,” mentions Pim. “We would prefer to stay in the current location and expand, as we have been here since 1981, but there is not much space available left. Of course, this will be a big project so we

will take our time and make sure we look at all the options available before making a decision.”

Another aspect Stafa will have to considerate regarding any future development is the inclusion of automation. “As part of the business we already have automated packaging machines for customers, both part and full – so we are aware of the benefits automation can offer in regard to optimisation and efficiency,” points out Joep. “Therefore, automation will of course be top of our list regarding any future expansion – especially when it comes to warehouse/logistics and the options regarding robotisation.

However, we first need to decide on what type of expansion before we can decide on what we want to use regarding automation.”

New technologies the company is already working on, and looking to introduce by the end of the year, include a new ERP system, a new Warehouse Management System, and HRM software, which will link the entire business. “We are very excited about the new systems and we have been trialling them for several months and sorting out any bugs – they need to be working perfectly,” says Joep. “Industry 4.0 is a big buzz word in the market, and there is a lot of excitement about it, but we do not want to rush into introducing the systems. We have a lot of data and it is about how we best handle and utilise the data. By introducing the system when it is completely ready, we can optimise our processes and make the work for every department more efficient. You need to look at your requirements not just now but in 10 – 15 years and what will help us to continue to grow and provide a better service to our customers.”

Even though Stafa now has over 130+ employees it is still the same family business with the same values that has enabled it to be successful. “People expect more and more, and as a business it is up to us to see what else we can do to meet the markets demands.

Our philosophy from the very beginning has been to look at the value we can bring to customers and we will continue to do this whilst investing in optimisation and efficiency. We have established ourselves within Europe and we are looking to grow in markets such as Germany and France, which is why we have expanded our native speakers in these countries. We have the machinery, the people, and the knowledge, so we can take extra care of the customer base and meet their individual needs,” explains Ivo. www.stafa.nl

Stafa has a range of automated packaging machines

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INSIGHT

Marcopol –

a European producer and distributor of fasteners and fixings Here Anastazja Janus, export and foreign markets business development director at Marcopol, looks at the building blocks that have enabled the polish company to become a leading manufacturer and distributor of fasteners and fixings over the last 34 years.

O

ne of the key development trends that has enabled Marcopol to become the company it is today, is its ability to customise products alongside the production of standard products.

“It’s all about producing high-quality, custom-made fasteners and fixings, which are becoming increasingly expected by customers,” explains Anastazja. “In addition to having our own production facilities and experienced personnel, focusing on personalised service requires the implementation of cutting edge logistics processes that enable us to efficiently manage the entire order delivery process.”

Complete process

Marcopol has two state of the art factories in northern Poland, as well as its own heat treatment plant and tooling department.

“Not only can we produce fasteners and fixings quickly (including specialised orders) but we can also customise packaging in accordance with our customers’ needs. We also provide packaging services as part of what we offer, such as ready to use sets of fittings packed in bags or boxes.” mentions Anastazja. “A very wide range of standard products are available in stock and this ensures short

delivery times. It really is a perfect solution for companies that do not want to waste their time packaging goods themselves. We make this process considerably quicker and more profitable.”

“We’ve been providing both standard and specialised projects for such markets as furniture, construction, window and door joinery, electro-technical, electro-mechanical, household appliances, sports equipment, and others, for many years now and the number of industries using our products is constantly growing,” Anastazja continues.

“With advanced quality control processes, we ensure the high reliability of our products. We strive to constantly improve quality standards by investing in our own laboratory. Our newest acquisition, which is used for product testing, is a state of the art tensile testing machine. It provides high accuracy and repeatability of measurements, which in turn allows us to guarantee high-quality products.”

Marcopol’s production capabilities

Marcopol’s production processes combine many years of experience with innovative technologies – resulting in the company being able to produce a wide range of components including: Metric bolts and screws from M2.5 up to M8 and a maximum length of 220mm in accordance with ISO/PN/EN/DIN or specific client documentation.

Screws for thermoplastic materials, self-tapping screws, wood screws, and chipboard screws, from a diameter of 2.2mm up to 8mm and a maximum length of 220mm.

Self-tapping and thread forming bolts and screws from M3 up to M10 and up to a maximum length of 150mm.

Self-drilling screws from a diameter of 2.9mm up to a diameter of 6.3mm and a maximum length of 150mm. Upon special request from M3 up to M5 and a maximum length of 150mm.

These products are available with a variety of head types (slotted, combination sets, hexagonal and specialist sockets as per customer request) and in materials such as carbon steel (class 4.8/5.8/8.8/10.9 and

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carburising), as well as stainless steel A2 (AISI 304) and A4 (AISI 316). Marcopol’s products also undergo various heat treatments (hardening, tempering, case hardening) and the company is also able to provide a range of coatings including white, yellow, black, nickel and others – in accordance with the customer’s technical requirements, as well as RoHS certification.

Quick order delivery

Marcopol is able to successfully combine this high volume production with short run production as per individual customer requests, and at the same time distribute a whole host of standard products. “The range we have on offer includes over 30,000 items and a total storage space of 12,000m 2 , housing some 31,000 pallets,” points out Anastazja. “We can deliver orders quickly thanks to our own production facilities and thereby maintain high-levels of inventory.

We differentiate ourselves by ensuring full stock availability for immediate deliveries. All of the above would be difficult to achieve without a proper level of computerisation. That is why our company continues to invest in advanced solutions, especially those that improve our logistics standards.”

“We are currently implementing a new logistics management system – Qguar WMS Pro (Warehouse Management System Pro).

WMS supports all of our warehouse processes, from the acceptance of goods through to their storage and release, which helps us increase traceability. Qguar makes use of the newest IT and logistics solutions and will allow us to shorten our delivery times considerably.”

Anastazja concludes: “To find out more information about our customised fasteners and to discover our wide range of standard products visit our website where you will be able to see the full capabilities of Marcopol.” www.marcopol.eu

INSIGHT

Eurobolt completes warehouse expansion Started in October 2018, Eurobolt B.V has recently announced the completion of its warehouse extension, which has seen it create an additional 11,000 pallet locations – taking the company’s total capacity up to 40,000 spaces.

E

urobolt is known within the industry for having a large in-depth stock of hexagon and socket products, supplying a range from M2 – M64 in a variety of lengths and grades, including 4.8, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9. “Our aim is to grow with our customers and we do this by providing them with a first-class service of our entire product range from stock,” states Harry Snijders, general manager at Eurobolt.

“Our warehouse had started to reach capacity and we realised if we were to continue to support our customers we needed to add more space for stock. We therefore decided to add an extension to our warehouse that would enable us to not only increase our range but also our volume of products.”

Supplying customers across central and eastern Europe, Harry is clear that Eurobolt only deals with the trade market. “We do not sell to end users, we only partner with traders and distributors – as this helps us create trust and build partnerships with our customers,” explains Harry. “As a business we predominately work with large/medium sized traders that have to guarantee a high-level of stock to their customers. Thanks to our stock capability we are able to help customers fill any gaps in their stock from popular sizes to extraordinary sizes.”

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Whatever the size – small, big, long or short – Eurobolt has a vast stock of 16,000+ products that helps it meet customers’ needs.

“Having the complete range of sizes in stock is crucial, as is having the volume,” points out Harry. “We have found customers don’t want to fill up their stock with capital, especially for slow moving products. Instead they rely on us for the products and we almost become an extension of their warehouse as they can be confident we have the products and we will deliver them within 24 – 72 hours across Europe.”

Harry adds: “Some customers might try to go directly to the manufacturers, but often they don’t have enough demand to warrant going direct – such as ordering a full container of one product. Also, when you consider it can sometimes take 4 or 5 months before an order arrives, and within that time the prices could be fluctuating, it is not easy to source direct. By working with us customers can order 2 or 3 pallets a week and be sure of delivery, price and quality. We take the risk away from the customers.”

Ensuring it has the right stock to meet these demands is vital for Eurobolt, which is why it uses the latest software to monitor its stock and optimise buying patterns. However, just as important for the company is the close relationship it has with its customers – to further understand their buying needs. “Having the software to monitor buying patterns is necessary and useful, but just because you had some orders a year ago, doesn’t mean you will have the same demand for products this year,” mentions Harry. “Having a close relationship with customers means you can find out their real needs and make sure you have an answer.”

It is through listening to customers’ needs that Eurobolt has increased its capabilities regarding the variety of coatings and packaging options it offers customers. “We can provide short delivery times for a variety of coatings, which is very popular with customers. We also monitor the market, as there are always new zinc flake products and different coatings available. We talk to customers about the solutions we offer regarding coatings and work with them to make sure the right coating products are used to meet customers’ requirements.”

Eurobolt delivers small boxed products, available in as neutral a colour as possible, so customers can sell boxes directly to their customers. Plus, if a customer has demands regarding quantity in boxes or has other special requirements, such as using their own boxes or own private label, the company can also work with them on a solution.

Harry is clear the most important part of Eurobolt’s service is the high-quality products it can provide customers. “You cannot do anything without quality – it must be assured,” states Harry. “The reason for this is that we do not know where the products will be used, as they can go into all types of industry. That is why we guarantee our products meet the DIN and ISO standards and also why we visit our manufacturers and carry out audits. We have built long-term partnerships so we can be confident in a consistent and reliable supply.”

In addition, Eurobolt sends a sample from every shipment to an external independent laboratory for quality analysis. “We have a range from M2 up to M64 and if you want to make those tests you need to have a lot of different equipment and this requires a lot of man hours,” points out Harry. “We use an external company to ensure all the tests are carried out correctly by an independent company and that our quality is guaranteed. This means our customers can be certain of the quality of the products we supply whatever the final application.”

By combining an in-depth range of high-quality products, with a commitment to stock availability and first-class service, Eurobolt is able to grow with its customer base. “When you have a specialism stock like us, we cannot go to a wide variety of customers – we know the customer base and they know us.

It is only by supplying the range and depth of stock required that we can be an effective and efficient partner,” concludes Harry. “We will continue to grow with our customers and support them to ensure we are able to meet their needs. Our new warehouse extension will help us meet this commitment and keep a high stock level, so we can always be there when our customers need us.” www.eurobolt.com

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FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT

Fastener Fair Stuttgart delivers

A record breaking 12,070 visitors from 90 countries – a growth of 3% compared to the previous event – visited the recent Fastener Fair Stuttgart exhibition to discover the latest trends and products from all areas of fastener and fixing technology and to network with other industry experts.

T

he 8 th edition of the international exhibition for the fastener and fixing industry had a total of 987 exhibitors, from 45 countries, presenting the complete spectrum of fastener and fixing technologies on a total net exhibition space of 22,200m 2 . This represents a further increase in exhibitor numbers by around 10% and a further increase in exhibition space of 5%, which resulted in the biggest Fastener Fair Stuttgart to date.

“Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2019 was an absolute record event, in terms of exhibitor numbers and exhibition space, as well as visitor numbers. There was a buoyant atmosphere on the show floor, which also reflects the overall positive economic development within the industry,” says Liljana Goszdziewski, exhibition director of Fastener Fair Stuttgart, on behalf of the organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions.

“The event was once again a very international trade fair. Around 60% of visitors travelled to Stuttgart from abroad in order to discover the latest industry trends, build international trade networks and to source new products and systems.”

A first analysis of the exhibitor feedback shows that participating companies were highly satisfied with the outcome of the fair. A vast majority of exhibitors were able to reach their target groups and they praised the high-quality of trade visitors. Exhibitors also

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reported a large number of new business contacts as they showcased an enormous variety of new products and innovative solutions for the fastener and fixing industry.

According to preliminary results of the visitor survey, around 70% of all visitors came from the EU. Germany was the biggest visitor country followed by Italy and Great Britain. Other major European visitor countries were Poland, France, the Netherlands, Turkey and Spain.

Asian visitors mainly came from Taiwan and China. The most important industries visitors came from included the construction industry, the automotive industry, distribution, mechanical engineering, hardware/ DIY retailing and electrical products/domestic appliances.

A new addition to the show this year was the Bonding & Adhesive Technology Area. Exhibitors presented their innovative bonding and adhesive technologies, which are especially suitable for lightweight construction in various industries such as the automotive and electronics sectors.

New exhibition dates for 2021

After considering feedback from the exhibitors it has been decided to reschedule the next Fastener Fair Stuttgart to May just for the 2021 event. The exhibition will therefore take place from 18th – 20 th May 2021 at the Stuttgart Exhibition Grounds in Germany.

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FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT

Showing its quality Fastener Fair Stuttgart once again underlined its credentials as the leading global event for the fastener and fixing industry – creating the perfect environment for three days of productive business:

The 2019 edition of the show has been a precious opportunity to meet customers and visitors from all over the world.”

SACMA Group

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It was again a great show for us! We generated close to 100 leads during the three days.�

Hoeenderdaal Fasteners

We had a very successful show, seeing existing customers and meeting new potential customers; with many follow-up opportunities for orders.�

Brighton Best International

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM

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FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT

For WASI, the fair was a complete success.”

WASI GmbH

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Fastener Fair Stuttgart confirmed itself as being the main event in the world for fastening systems in Europe. However, the 2019 edition gave the strong impression of having created a sort of ‘closed circle’, with the same visitors and very little new actors.”

Rivit Srl

We have been attending Fastener Fair Stuttgart as a regular exhibitor since 2005 and will continue to exhibit at this key European event. Our booth was well frequented by visitors and we carried out numerous demonstrations throughout the show.”

National Machinery LLC

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM 63

FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT

We’re quite satisfied with this year’s event. It brought us a large number of new contacts and it was also a great opportunity to meet with our customers and discuss their requirements.”

Fixi Srl

The quality of the contacts was good. The quantity could be higher.”

ROHMANN GmbH

Being a machine manufacturer, we had a good opportunity to see dozens of existing customers in three days and at the same time gain some new potential customers.”

Videx Machine Engineering

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FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT

Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2019 – impressions and opinions Here Marco A. Guerritore, editor in chief of Italian Fasteners, focuses on the impressions and opinions from exhibitors he collected at the recent Fastener Fair Stuttgart, as well as adding his own distinctive perspective.

T

o understand just how much commitment and dedication exhibitors put into participating in a fair, it helps if you look at what happens during the days leading up to the event, when the stands are being set up in a quasi-frenzy – with operators, craftsmen, carpenters, electricians, and architects, working side by side yet managing never to get in each other’s way. Then, out of the total chaos of the day before, comes the miracle of the opening day, with all the pavilions bright and shiny, ready to welcome the visitors.

Taking part in a fair is not just a huge physical undertaking, it is also a big investment in terms of cost. You could, at this point, ask: ‘In this IT-dominated world, do we still need trade fairs?’. The answer? Over time, the very nature of fairs has changed enormously. These events used to have a strictly commercial bent, focused solely on the acquisition of orders. Today, taking part in a fair means primarily getting a chance to meet clients and it is an important opportunity for dialogue.

This applies to all fairs in general but takes on particular value for sector events such as Fastener Fair Stuttgart – the international exhibition for the fastener and fixing industry at the Stuttgart Exhibition Grounds from 19th – 21st March 2019. This was the 8th edition of the show, which saw an attendance of 12,070 visitors from 90 countries, all there to see the latest new entries showcased by fastener producers.

In a net exhibition space of 22,200m², a total of 987 exhibitors from 48 countries presented their ranges of screws, bolts, industrial fastenings, fixings for building, installation and assembly systems, and machines for the production of screws and bolts.

According to the results of a survey, 70% of visitors were from the EU, with Germany in the lead, followed by Italy and Great Britain. Then Poland, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Spain. There were also large numbers of Asian visitors and exhibitors, especially from China and Taiwan.

Most visitors were wholesalers of screws, bolts and fixings in Martin Welp, general, followed by CEO of Dörken producers, technicians MKS-Systeme and builders.

GmbH & Co KG

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Paolo Dell’Era from Dell’Era Ermanno e Figlio Srl

Predictably, participants’ opinions on the fair are quite varied, even if they generally agree that Fastener Fair Stuttgart is the most important sector event in Europe.

“This fair in Stuttgart,” highlights Paolo Dell’Era from Dell’Era Ermanno e Figlio Srl, “is very important for us producers and therefore we must take part. The first day was yesterday, and things were a bit quiet compared to our expectations and also to past years.

Perhaps due to the difficult phase the market is going through, which is not one of the best”.

“In fact, a brilliant January to June 2018 was then followed by a moment of deceleration in business that seems to be continuing into these early months of 2019. Forecasts are for a real recovery in work during the back end of 2019. The bottom line is that I am staying optimistic even though there really is a visible slowdown in trends.”

There was quite a different outlook from Martin Welp, CEO of Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co KG – a leading company in the surface treatment sector. “First of all, I have to reiterate that this Fastener Fair in Stuttgart is one of the most, if not the most, important events for the European fastener sector. Having said that, I can say that we have a very good first day of the fair. We had many qualified visitors on our stand, interested in our products.”

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FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART REPORT “The economic situation in general is currently critical due to a series of reasons: Difficulty in the automotive sector due to the pollution problem and, as a consequence penalisation of diesel engines; then there is the economic-political debate with China, not to mention others. In general, however, I am still confident because, even if we are not in an excellent position today, I am certain we will see the economy recover before the end of the year.”

Another optimist is Mario Caracciolo from NOF Metal Coatings, who said: “From when I set foot on our stand, clients and potential clients just kept on coming. I have to say that we have had very interesting, qualified contacts.”

“This time round,” says Laura Missaglia from Scob Srl, an Italian leader in the production of heat treated screws, “the Stuttgart Fair has been disappointing for us. Compared to other editions, I noted a definite slowdown in visitor flow and during negotiations you could feel the weight that is holding down the current economic situation”.

A visit to the exhibition pavilions, situated on the mezzanine floor in hall 1, reveals large numbers of exhibitors from Asia and, above all, from China and Taiwan. Grouped together in rows of standardised stands, the fact that the various Chinese producers showcased similar ranges to visitors was the cause for some bad feeling.

From when I set foot on our stand, clients and potential clients just kept on coming.

I have to say that we have had very interesting, qualified contacts.”

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“Too many Chinese manufacturers are offering very similar products,” complained Bruce Yan from Halyan Gete Hardware Co Ltd. “We are all together in this pavilion at the fair, resulting in increased competitiveness, whereas more strategic positioning of the stands would have been more opportune. This is the third time we have taken part in this event, but at Mario Caracciolo past editions the layout from NOF Metal of Chinese exhibitors Coatings was different and more satisfactory.”

After talking a while with exhibitors from the Republic of China, I moved on to chat with those from Taiwan, who, on par with their Chinese counterparts, have set-up a whole series of standardised stands.

I spoke with David Tsan, president of Wa Tai Industrial Co Ltd, and asked him: ‘Doesn’t the huge concentration of Asian producers at this fair, especially from China and Taiwan, mean that you end up competing with each other and therefore much less with the European manufacturers?’

“I have to agree,” said David Tsan, “the crowding of Taiwanese stands here is due to the limited space at our disposal and was therefore necessary. We couldn’t improve the situation, given that all Taiwanese producers want to take part in this fair, which they consider very important”.

I asked him his opinion on the current economic situation in Europe.

“We get the impression that the European economy is headed towards a slowdown, but what is important for us is to continue to keep our work trend high and therefore, if European demand drops, we turn to other markets, such as America, Canada or others.” www.upiveb.org

www.puehl.de

ROUTE TO FASTENER INNOVATION 2019

Route to Fastener Innovation Competition winners announced A key attraction of Fastener Fair Stuttgart is always the opportunity to assess new products and services that exhibitors have brought to the market via the Route to Fastener Innovation Competition 2019.

F

astener + Fixing Magazine once again sponsored the Route to Fastener Innovation (RTFI) Competition and had the unenviable task of deciding which of the twenty-seven entrants of high calibre innovative technologies should be awarded the accolade of ‘Fastener Technology Innovator 2019’.

After studying all of the innovations, it was a unanimous decision that the first place award should go to TR Fastenings for its patented new fastening solution, EPW thread forming screw for thin sheet metal.

The EPW screw is a self-extruding, high strength thread form fastener, which creates its own female thread in punched sheet metal, thereby dramatically reducing assembly times and costs. The screw works by being aligned to the pilot hole in the sheet metal, where it then forms the extruded collar, combining the forming of the thread and the creation of a strong extruded profile, before finally tightening and clamping into the metal.

The EPW screw is designed to function best in thin sheet materials, typically steel (0.4mm – 1mm thick) and aluminium (0.4mm – 1.5mm thick). It is available in a variety of surface coatings from standard zinc plating to zinc nickel and organic zinc flake for higher corrosion resistance. The screw is also suitable for use in a variety of applications for home appliances, automotive, electronics, technology, energy, medical, telecoms and general industry sectors.

“Thanks to its special shape and design, the EPW screw is able to create structural and reliable connections on very thin sheet metal without adding extra reinforcements. This obviously leads to significant time and cost savings for our customers who would usually need to use additional measures to achieve the same results,” explains Enrico De Angelis, engineer and inventor of the EPW screw at TR VIC. “Personally, being the inventor of the EPW, I am thrilled that we have won this award, and we have done so thanks to a close-knit, highly competent and knowledgeable team. However, I don’t see it as a goal achieved, but instead the beginning of a new challenge and an open door to achieve yet more success and be even more innovative in the products we develop.”

“As a team, we are extremely proud of our capability to create innovative products to meet customer needs. We thought the RTFI competition was a great way to celebrate this capability and to showcase the products we have developed,” comments Enrico.

Second place was awarded to Ingramatic, part of the SACMA Group, for its smallest threader inspired by its I-Thread concept, the Micro threader model RP020, W00/W000 die sizes, for the high-speed production of very precise miniature screws.

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1 st place: TR Fastenings with their EPW thread forming screw The well known modular ‘I-Thread’ machine line provides many innovative features such as the motorisation of the die match; a single starter unit driven by torque motor motion; and the patented double starter unit driven by servomotors. These two types of starter units have, as a standard function, the self-learning adjustment of the starter fingers to make the set-up of the blank introduction easy and quick. Ingramatic states it is the first worldwide company having engineered a solution for the whole range of machines from M1 to M33.

The new machine is equipped with the latest technologies available such as an innovative tool holder, an introduction system driven by a torque motor for an ultra-precise introduction of the miniature blanks into the dies. The most innovative feature is the slide body running on linear guides (with ball circulation skates) in order to ensure a very high accuracy for the rolling operation allowing the production of the parts with an extreme precision and reliability. The drive transmission of the RP020 is made by an innovative double helical drive belt connecting the brushless main motor with an absolute master encoder. This new type of drive with double helical belt favours higher torque and precision.

The RP020 is also equipped with the same advanced functions of the ‘I-Thread’ machines, such as the self-learning adjustments of the starter unit. Plus, the introducer stroke can be adjusted by the operator panel or by means of the electronic handwheel, so technicians don’t need to make any manual adjustment with

TR Fastenings, the global specialist in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of industrial fasteners, exhibited its complete range of products and celebrated the success of its rapidly growing European distributor network at Fastener Fair Stuttgart in March 2019.

TR Fastenings proud winner of the Fastener + Fixing ‘Route to Fastener Innovation’ award 2019 “It’s fantastic to have received this accolade from F+F and especially to be recognised for innovation, which is something we champion and pride ourselves in at TR. The development of the EPW screw is a culmination of the hard work and talent of our design team.”

Enrico De Angelis, Application Engineering – TR VIC The EPW screw is a self-extruding, high strength threadform fastener which creates its own female thread in punched sheet metal, thereby dramatically reducing assembly times and costs.

For further information on the EPW screw visit our website: www.trfastenings.com

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ROUTE TO FASTENER INNOVATION 2019

2 nd place: SACMA Group service wrenches, ensuring speed and accuracy of measure change.

To guaranty durability and precision, the frame is made of spheroidal cast iron and the SC-Matic interface ensure the management of the motorised adjustments.

“This award confirms our dedicated commitment to offer products with an easy set-up, which have an amazing combination between robustness and high-tech features,” comments Frederic Nathan, sales management at SACMA Group. “We are very proud to have been rewarded for our latest introduction in the Route to Fastener Innovation competition as we consider Fastener + Fixing Magazine to be one of the most valuable publications in the fastener world, representing a fundamental reference in our business,” explains Frederic.

With its technical know-how and use of simulation software, and numerous laboratory tests, Growermetal Srl was awarded third place for its GROWER TENKEEP® flat safety washer, which was launched at the show.

3rd place: Growermetal Srl

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Micro threader RP020 When compared to other safety washers on the market, GROWER TENKEEP® safety washer has knurls with a different geometry on each side of the two surfaces – specially designed to ensure maximum performance against unscrewing of the bolted joints even in the presence of extreme vibrations and dynamic loads.

In fact, thanks to the different geometry of its surfaces, the GROWER TENKEEP safety washer becomes immediately solid to the bearing surface when the bolted joint is tightened, while the screw continues to rotate. In this way the friction conditions are defined and uniform and therefore the tightening torque to be applied in order to reach the required preload of the screw is independent from the material and the mechanical characteristics of the supporting surface. There is no damage of the supporting surface during its application, even on galvanised or painted surfaces.

To find out more about each individual product, visit www.fastenerandfixing.com

The New MICRO THREADER

RP020

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Ingramatic presents the future for miniature parts from M1 to M3

For Ultra Precision and High Productivity

The Micro Threader RP020 • Introduction system driven by torque motor • Slide running on linear bearing guides • Drive transmission by a double helical drive belt • Brushless main motor with absolute master encoder • Structure made of pearlitic spheroidal cast iron • Interchangeable vibratory feeder integrated in the enclosure • Standard “I-Thread” features • SC-Matic touch screen panel user friendly with motorized adjustments • Plug & Play installation

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ROUTE TO FASTENER INNOVATION 2019

‌innovation at the forefront This year saw a record number of products entered into the Route to Fastener Innovation Competition, underlining the continued commitment to product innovation across the global fastener industry. Here you can see every company entered into the competition, who might not have received an award, but successfully showcased their dedication to innovation at this year’s show.

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EXHIBITIONS

Fastener Fair USA reveals a robust conference programme Fastener Fair USA, which takes place on 22nd – 23rd May at the Cobo Center in Detroit, MI, has announced an in-depth conference programme with more than fifteen training, technical and process sessions taking place during the two day event.

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astener Fair USA will bring together manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and end users for the region’s only dedicated fastener, fixing and joining technology exhibition. The show offers a first-hand look at the latest solutions and technology available in the marketplace, and offers top-notch educational programmes developed and delivered by industry experts.

The eventful programme features educational sessions conducted by experts from an assortment of backgrounds and will cover topics on maintenance and repair; fastener basics for beginners to the industry; risk management; the fundamentals to help companies succeed; and much more.

New this year, Fastener Fair USA will feature two stages to help better serve the industries and positions in the industry. The Distributors Conference will aim to help fastener distributors gain competitive advantage, learn new technologies, and study best practices through presentation from industry experts.

The Tech Talks Theatre will be more technical in nature, giving insights into what pushes the industry forward, the latest products and technology, all the way down to what kind of material will work best for applications. Also, the Fastener Training Institute will be hosting, for a second time, the ‘Fastening 101 – understanding threaded fasteners with emphasis on automotive fasteners’ course. Held the day before the show and sponsored by the

Fastener Education Foundation, this course will delve into fastener engineering, automotive fastener basis, and trends in the industry.

Below are some of the key sessions at the Tech Talks Theatre: The key to Industry 4.0 success: ‘Why most projects fail and how you can learn from their mistakes’ – presented by Graham Immerman, director of marketing for MachineMetrics.

This session will feature a look at digitalisation and how manufacturers are failing to succeed in trying to pursue it.

Risk management – presented by Carmen Vertullo, founder of Carver Consulting, and Rob LaPointe, founder and vice-president of AIM Testing Laboratory. This session will uncover the ways successful businesses use quality management to identify, assess, assign and strategise for risk management.

The full line-up of sessions and speakers for both stages is available online.

Innovation, partnership and operational excellence Subcon returns on the 4th – 6th June 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. In its 43rd year, it remains the UK’s only dedicated event for subcontract manufacturing buyers to source suppliers, benchmark capabilities, and form new manufacturing partnerships.

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or 2019, Subcon has unveiled the Subcon Launchpad and Launchpad Awards to showcase cutting-edge innovations from across the industry. The Launchpad aims to propel manufacturing and engineering-based start-ups by giving them an opportunity to share their innovations with thousands of professionals with the power to guide them to success. The showcase and awards will deliver an unrivalled platform for eight engineering start-ups and a GB£10,000 prize package to the winner.

As with every previous year, Subcon will deliver the contacts, connections and content engineering and manufacturing businesses in the UK need to succeed. Visitors will be able to harness new innovations from over 300 world-class suppliers to help increase capacity, optimise productivity and improve flexibility, while driving down costs to stay competitive in a global market.

Maximising the value of the event, Subcon is once again co-locating with The Engineer Expo and Advanced Manufacturing Show.

The Engineer Expo delivers the innovation, inspiration and insight businesses need to optimise future engineering and manufacturing strategies. From an exhibition of next generation design and technology solutions from the UK’s most groundbreaking suppliers, to an unrivalled conference programme featuring industry leaders responsible for some of the UK’s most inspiring engineering and manufacturing projects, The Engineer Expo will keep visitors abreast of the biggest issues around, from BREXIT and Industry 4.0 to the challenges of diversity and skills.

The Advanced Manufacturing Show will showcase live demos and the latest efficiency boosting innovations from hundreds of world-class suppliers. This is an unparalleled opportunity to review outsourcing and procurement decisions and bring tools and technology up to speed, to reduce costs, cut lead times and increase productivity to stay competitive in a global market.

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EXHIBITIONS

Make an appointment in Guangzhou Organised by Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd, and known as the barometer of the world metal and metallurgy industry, the 20th Guangzhou International Exhibition of Metal and Metallurgy Industry will be held on 13th – 15th June 2019 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex.

A

fter 20 years of hard work, this metals fair will continue to maintain its leading position as Asia’s largest metals fair with its strong combination of exhibitors and a high-end platform bringing together the latest products and cutting-edge technologies.

In fact the Guangzhou Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition will showcase raw materials, processing technology equipment and products. Due to its large-scale, strong professionalism, and the interdependence of exhibitors’ products, it has formed a complete industrial chain, played a huge industrial chain effect, and made numerous fruitful transactions.

Exhibition scale is expected to increase by 30%

This exhibition has been highly recognised by many enterprises. 90% (1,200 booths) of the floor space has already been fully booked, and it is estimated that the scale of this exhibition will reach 30,000m2.

Exhibition highlights

As of 18th March online pre-registration includes visitors from more than 30 countries including India, Indonesia, Italy, Thailand, the United States, Britain, Malaysia, Pakistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Australia, Spain, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Vietnam, Russia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

IFS China 2019 Shanghai, China 11 Jun – 13 Jun 2019 En.Afastener.com The professional fastener show in China

Fastener Tech™

Fastener Expo Shanghai

it: INDUSTRY TOOLS

Vietnam Manufacturing Expo 2019

Hardware + Tools Middle East

HUSUM Wind

Guangzhou International Metal & Metallurgy Exhibition

International Fastener Expo

wire Russia

Hand Tools & Fasteners Expo

Shanghai, China 26 Jun – 28 Jun 2019 http://shcn.fastenerexpo.cn Asia’s Fastener Trade Fair.

Illinois, USA 3 Jun – 5 Jun 2019 www.fastenertech.com Fastener manufacturers, distributors and users.

Hanoi, Vietnam 14 Aug – 16 Aug 2019 www.vietnammanufacturingexpo.com Industrial parts manufacturing.

Bilbao, Spain 4 Jun – 6 Jun 2019 www.ferroforma.eu Spanish hardware and DIY show.

Husum, Germany 10 Sep – 13 Sep 2019 www.husumwind.com Wind energy trade fair.

Dubai, UAE 10 Jun – 12 Jun 2019 www.hardwaretoolsme.com Tools, hardware, materials and machinery.

Las Vegas, USA 17 Sep – 19 Sep 2019 www.fastenershows.com Fasteners, machinery formed parts, tooling and packaging.

Guangzhou, China 13 Jun – 15 Jun 2019 www.julang.com.cn Metal industries and materials including fasteners.

Moscow, Russia 18 Jun – 20 Jun 2019 www.wire-russia.com International wire and cable trade fair.

Fastener Fair Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico 19 Jun – 20 Jun 2019 www.fastenerfair.com The fastener event for Mexico.

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TM

EXPO

Mumbai, India 20 Sep – 22 Sep 2019 www.iihtexpo.com Handtools and fasteners exhibition.

22nd Mechanical Components & Materials Technology Expo Osaka

Osaka, Japan 2 Oct – 4 Oct 2019 www.mtech-kansai.jp/en/Home/ Asia’s leading B2B trade show for mechanical components/processing technology.

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EXHIBITIONS

wire Southeast Asia showcases Thailand’s potential ‘Fast and innovation driven’ describes Thailand’s economic development in a nutshell. The country continues to sharpen its profile as the business hub of the ASEAN states; with the aim of expanding existing industries such as the automotive, electronics and robotics sectors, as well as establishing new sectors of industry.

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hese sectors strongly rely on machinery, equipment and products from the wire and cable industries as well as from the tube industry, which is reflected by the exhibitor numbers registered at the leading regional trade fairs wire and Tube Southeast Asia – held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) from 18 th to 20 th September 2019.

Across the three days 370 exhibitors will be showcasing current machinery, equipment and services from the wire, cable and tube segments against the backdrop of Bangkok’s vibrant investment climate. Exhibitors predominantly hail from neighbouring countries such as Myanmar,

Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and China. There will also be exhibitors from European countries travelling to Thailand from Germany, Great Britain and Austria.

For the second time now, wire Southeast Asia will encompass a separate special show on Fastener Technology, where in the ‘Fastener Pavilion’ companies from the fastener and joining technologies industries will showcase their innovations.

In excess of 8,000 trade visitors from more than 50 countries are expected over the three days of the trade fair. One third of visitors will not come from Thailand; instead they will be travelling here from India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

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22.05.2019 - 23.05.2019

Fasteners and tools since 1937

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

100 year milestone for Rawlplug It is 100 years since the Rawlings brothers incorporated The Rawlplug Company Limited. In his second year as UK managing director, Pietro Grandesso might be a relative newcomer to the company but he’s certainly no stranger to the UK fixings industry. We caught up with him at Fastener Fair Stuttgart.

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he iconic Rawlplug actually predates the company that took its name by eighteen years. Patent 22680/11 was granted to John Joseph Rawlings in 1911, then running a small electrical engineering company in London with his brother.

His invention was catalysed by a contract with the British Museum that required electrical fittings to be installed unobtrusively and without damage to the Museum’s plaster walls. Rawlings developed an extraordinary solution – a plug made from jute soaked in animal blood and glue, which could be inserted into a carefully pre-drilled hole.

The flexible material expanded when a screw was driven into it, securing the fixing into the hole. The pioneering solution rapidly gained recognition in the construction industry and the RAWLPLUGS™ trademark was registered in 1912. By 1919 the product so dominated the business that it was renamed ‘The Rawlplug Company Limited’.

In 1930 Rawlplug broke historically significant new ground again, with the invention of the RAWLBOLT; the first mechanical expansion anchor in the world and forerunner to the array of designs now relied upon by the global construction industry.

By 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War, Rawlplug had ten manufacturing plants in the UK, throughout Europe and in the United States. Rawlplug solutions were used quite literally “from Iceland to Fiji”.

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By 1967 Rawlplug began producing and marketing a more advanced alternative to the jute plug: Its first range of wall plugs manufactured from extruded plastic. In 1969 manufacturing was focused in Glasgow, still the UK company’s distribution centre and offices.

Between 1968 and 2005 Rawlplug’s ownership changed four times – a period of turbulence that unquestionably undermined the business, as the market around it became increasingly competitive and technology driven. The global recognition of the brand itself, however, remained largely undiminished.

In 2005, the Koelner Group acquired Rawlplug, returning the business to family ownership and introducing real stability, investment and commitment to the future of the brand. This magazine interviewed Radoslaw Koelner at the time and there was no doubt about his personal commitment to continuing production in Glasgow. However, the overriding rational of efficiency and productivity eventually led to the relocation of the machinery to one of Koelner’s production plants in Poland.

That plant, in Łańcut, near Poland’s eastern border with the Ukraine, has its own extraordinary history. Conceived and located by the Soviet occupiers of Poland in the 1950s, the ‘Srubex’ (it simply means screw) factory was one of the biggest employers in a small rural town, alongside the all important vodka factory, employing thousands.

Functioning behind the Iron Curtain, through necessity it developed remarkable self-reliance in the maintenance and repair of its production machinery.

While the equipment has most definitely changed, the legacy of engineering expertise has carried forward into the ownership by the Koelner Group.

Now read on to hear from Pietro Grandesso about today’s Rawlplug UK operation and its ambitious development plans as the company enters its second century.

100 years of expertise in fixings, fasteners and tools

From London to Mars in 1919 1934 1948 1998

2012 2019

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years The Rawlplug Company Ltd was founded 1st Mechanical Anchor 1st Metal Cavity Fixing 1st British company to obtain an ETA certification Rawlplug products on MARS (curiosity rover) Rawlplug’s 100 year anniversary

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RAWLPLUG® is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialist anchoring and fixing systems, used in construction, industrial and retail markets, with 100 years of industry experience.

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Face2Face:

Pietro Grandesso, managing director, Rawlplug UK

B

orn in Padua, Italy, Pietro Grandesso arrived in the UK in 2001, to take up the managing directorship of fischer fixings UK. A BA from the University of Modena was honed by more than six years managerial development and experience with the global fixings group. In 2009 he was appointed managing director at VJ Technology (part of SIG Plc at that time), making a successful transition from supporting distribution to first hand engagement with major construction contractors. He was appointed managing director at Rawlplug UK in January 2018, immediately injecting his unique combination of personality and drive to the business.

“You are quite right,” says Pietro, “in saying that Radoslaw Koelner really wanted to keep manufacturing in Glasgow for as long as possible. However, there were unexpected challenges and moving the machines to Poland made massive sense from the Group’s point of view. Even then, Radoslaw Koelner was careful to look after the people in Glasgow”.

“We have two main manufacturing plants in Poland now. Łańcut has always been a fastener plant, and it now manufactures all our heavy-duty metal anchors and screw bolts.”

“The plant has progressed a lot over the last five years. Major investments in the latest cold forging and coatings technology have hugely increased our capabilities. That commitment to investment and development is one of several reasons that motivated me to join the Group.”

Originally, two Nedschroef cold formers were transferred from Glasgow. The plant’s extraordinary reservoir of engineering skill and experience was rapidly brought to bear on the machines, resulting in almost immediate improvements in productivity. “Now we have another two new Nedschroef and a number of top range Italian and German machines,” says Pietro.

There are also major levels of investment in the second manufacturing centre, at Wrocław, which is also Koelner’s headquarters. “There is an ongoing programme to replace our older injection moulding technology with advanced electric moulders. In all there are around fifty moulders and half have already been replaced.”

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Both plants have adopted lean manufacturing techniques, delivering greater efficiency and productivity, as well as ensuring the stringent quality controls essential for modern construction fixings.

“85% of our products are now made in-house,” explains Pietro.

“We are reaping the advantages of advanced German and Italian manufacturing machinery, together with eastern European manufacturing processes, delivering consistently high product standards at advantageous cost levels.”

“In Glasgow, we receive almost a truck every day from Poland, with shipments based on careful forecasting, which ensures high-levels of availability to UK customers. We are also able to obtain products quickly from Poland when necessary.”

“What is also really exciting,” continues Pietro, “is the research and development capability within the Group. There are excellent developments in external wall insulation products and new frame fixings. Following Koelner’s acquisition of Stahl and the relocation of production to Wrocław, there are also new vinylester hybrid resins and epoxies being developed. Our screw bolt, again developed in-house, also has very interesting loadings”.

Reflecting on the 100 year anniversary, Pietro Grandesso notes, “Rawlplug operates actively in more than fifty countries around the

world and is recognised and supplies to double that number through international distributors”.

“Today, Rawlplug is around a third of the total Group turnover.

We have Rawlplug subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, Nordic Countries and the Middle East, with export demand serviced direct from Poland, where we have a dedicated export sales team.”

“Rawlplug has brought real strengths to the Group. Koelner was historically focused on the European market and was particularly strong in the DIY and own-brand sectors. The strength of the Rawlplug brand, especially in Commonwealth countries where it has long been recognised and respected, has opened new potentials. It’s an excellent fit.”

In the UK, Rawlplug has continued to command a market leading share of the DIY and trade markets but Pietro Grandesso is passionate about the opportunities for its more technical products.

“At the moment Rawlplug UK has a market share in DIY and trade of more than 40% but only 12% in technical, including EWI (External Wall Insulation). Our work is to bring the balance in our business between technical and DIY/trade closer to 50-50.”

“The historic strength of the brand is a huge asset. There was a recent newspaper report, looking at the Top 50 UK brands, and Rawlplug still ranked number 27. In DIY our strength has historically been mainly with plastic plugs. Now we are demonstrating to people that recognise and respect the brand, that it is about far more – a comprehensive product offer that also delivers the value and reliability, synonymous with the name Rawlplug. Our new ‘Shop in a Shop’ point of sale concept is really important to growth; keeping it simple but attractive and making it easy for the consumer to select the right product for different substrates.”

“Merchants that have trialled the range, have found that the Rawlplug brand sells 10% more than a similar own-brand offer.

Interestingly, put alongside own brand products, they both sell more as a result. This validates our approach and the research we have put into the right packaging and the right pack count, as well as colour coding the product by substrate.”

“Training is also incredibly important. As well as Rawlplug’s in-branch training support our customers are now nominating their own training champion, into whom we put maximum effort so they can go back and pass it on to colleagues. That is part of the reason we have invested in the Rawlplug Academy, which opens this May, and will deliver both e-learning and hands-on product education.”

Developing Rawlplug technical sales will take time, Pietro Grandesso acknowledges. “There are two routes. One is working on specifications, running CPD seminars, making engineers aware of Rawlplug’s full technical package, including technical documentation, BIM, software for calculations, and so on. The second is to make sure the Rawlplug offer through technical distributors is fully supported on-site – whether in testing or technical advice and documentation.”

The Rawlplug UK structure reflects Grandesso’s triple objectives.

“We will constantly innovate to maintain UK market leadership in DIY and trade. In our other two divisions, Technical and External Wall Insulation products, we will keep on bringing new developments to the market and provide the intensity of technical support and education, in order to become market leaders.”

“Of course, the proof is in the pudding, but already after one year I can see definite improvements in the areas we wanted to improve.”

Pietro Grandesso brings a potent mix of management skills, technical knowledge and experience but he is clear: “It’s not just about what I do but about the entire Rawlplug team in the UK, and the team behind it in Poland. A lot of our people have worked for the company for many years and seen a lot of things happen during those years. It has been really important to them to recognise there is clear direction and commitment from the top and that the brand is here to stay.”

Pietro Grandesso is confident the UK market welcomes the re-energisation of the Rawlplug brand. “We hear from customers

Rawlplug operates actively in more than fifty countries around the world...” regularly, that ‘it is good you are here after 100 years; and good you are strengthening your presence in market sectors that have historically become weaker for you’”.

Celebrating the 100 years anniversary will be pivotal, Pietro believes. “Our campaign in the UK starts now and will run through to the Build Show at the NEC, Birmingham, in October, where Rawlplug will have a big presence. There will be a big celebration in Poland for all our employees and there will be plenty for our customers to get involved in, too. As well as media and digital campaigns we will also have the arrival and tour of the RawlTruck, currently making its way around all our major European markets.”

What about Brexit? “I see always the positive in everything,” Pietro smiles. “If you believe in what you do, you can always find advantages and opportunities, even amongst the current uncertainties.”

“Rawlplug will this year receive the biggest investment it has experienced in more than twenty-five years. Of course, we have worked on the contingencies, and we think we have a solid plan in place.”

“The market is still buoyant and Rawlplug has not seen a negative impact in the first quarter. The important thing is to have the strategy in place, and if you have the right strategy and the right people in place, the results will come.”

“As much as looking at the history of the company, this anniversary is about looking forward – it is important for our people and all our customers to see the depth of commitment to the Rawlplug brand.”

“We have invested strongly in our people – particularly in both product and functional training. We have a great team, committed to the brand, and to winning the growth that will ensure it and their future prosperity.”

“What better time to celebrate 100 years of an iconic British brand?” www.rawlplug.co.uk

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM 87

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

A strong and reliable partner One year on from its rebrand, Deputy Editor Claire Aldridge visited the Netherlands headquarters of the Eurofast® Group to find out more about the rebranding process and how it is intent on supplying high-quality products for the European construction market.

O

riginally known as Van Roij Fasteners Europe B.V – Eurofast® has been a recognised specialised brand name since the seventies. “In January 2018 we finalised a change in our name.

We realised we had a strong, recognised brand name within the industry that had been on our boxes for years, and we simply weren’t using it well enough. That’s when we became Eurofast,” comments Kjell Verdonschot, group sales manager at Eurofast.

Eurofast focuses on the development, manufacturing and production of fastening systems for the flat roofing, cladding and ventilated façade sectors. It also is a specialist in fastening systems for flexible roofing membranes for flat roofs, as well as fasteners for mechanical fixing insulations. The company also provides solutions for a large number of base constructions and roofing systems, supplemented with a wide assortment of tools, machines and accessories.

“Our aim is to be a one-stop-shop for the roofer,” proudly states Kjell. “We don’t just sell the fastener – we specialise in selling the best solution.” It’s this combination that has led Eurofast customers to rely on the expertise, and industry know-how within the company.

With 65 staff based at its 10,000m2 logistical hub in Deurne, as well as its dedicated technical department, Eurofast also specialises in supporting customers with pull out tests and applying for wind load and tapered roof calculations – providing information about the right fastener needed, and the right quantity needed 24 hours a day, 5 days a week.

“Thanks to the versatility and technical expertise of our employees we can provide quick and professional assistance, reliability, and a great service – that is why our customers do business with us. We have a 95% delivery rate within the EU within 24 hours, so if a customer wants stock tomorrow morning we will get it there, and we can ensure it’s of the highest quality,” comments Frank van Kalkeren, product and marketing manager at Eurofast.

Having an in-house quality control centre is fundamental to maintaining the high standard Eurofast’s customers have come to expect. “At our quality control centre we continuously monitor our products to ensure they meet the highest international quality requirements and standards – a long lifespan for our fasteners is essential. For instance, as well as our fasteners, our metal decking plates also meet the minimum requirement of 15 cycles of the Kesternich test according to DIN 50018 S2,0L with less than 15% red rust,” explains Frank.

88 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

With the most important part of a screw for flat roofing being corrosion resistance the Kesternich test is an extremely aggressive test that exposes a specific number of fasteners to a humid atmosphere containing sulphur dioxide (SO2). The test is run in a closed chamber of a specific volume and heated for 8 hours and then vented at ambient temperature for a further 15½ hours. The products are further inspected and a new cycle is started.

Also now based in Deurne is Eurofast’s own production hall for tubes for roofing membranes and insulation, with the company producing 60 million tubes annually. As part of its commitment to quality, Eurofast also conducts extensive testing on its tubes, as well as pull out testing on both the tube and fastener combination – in order to have full confidence in the advice given to its customers. “For 50 years roofers have used metal decking plates and a fastener – but that is changing more and more. We have to keep up with market trends and buying the tubes and importing them was not an option for us – you end up paying to transport air,” explains Kjell.

Keeping up with market trends is paramount for Eurofast and innovation continues to be a priority. “In the end it’s just a fastener, so for us innovation comes in the form of collaborations with membrane manufacturers, and innovations in different materials for our manufacturing – stronger, more cost-efficient or biodegradable for example such as our BIO-tube. We maintain contact with professionals within the industry to develop these solutions and are always looking further than the fastening systems we supply,” comments Frank.

As part of this commitment to the industry Eurofast has its on-site Academy where it educates roofers, distributors and customers about its products. This includes how to drill them, and how to fix them, as well as the basics of flat roofing, metal cladding and ventilate façades. The Academy has also given the company the facilities to speak to its customers directly and provide solutions for any issues they are experiencing. For example its Eurofast processing equipment, developed for the roofer to make fixing in an upright position possible to ensure less back injuries.

Another innovation launched recently was the EAS – Eurofast® Adjustable Screw, launched at Fastener Fair Stuttgart. The EAS

provides easy fixation of waterproofing membranes and insulation into concrete substructures with tapered insulation. It also enables mechanical fixing of roofing systems into concrete substrates that are uneven. The EAS can be used as a combination with all Eurofast tubes and guarantees clamping of the roofing membrane due to a unique patented design of the fastener.

“Our plans for the immediate future are to continue to concentrate on Europe. We’ve exhibited at many shows in the last few months including Fastener Fair Stuttgart, BouwBeurs, and the RCI Show. The Eurofast brand is now present in more than 25 European countries - with divisions in Belgium, Germany, the UK, Denmark, Poland and Hungary,” comments Kjell. “We are also expanding our warehouse and sales office in Budapest in order to become more efficient.”

With investment plans in place, and constant innovation top priority, Eurofast is in a strong position to supply its customers, reliable and high-quality mechanical fasteners and associated tools for flat roof and cladding. With its technical centre, quality control centre, and manufacturing facilities, it’s clear Eurofast is focusing on quality products. Its specialised knowledge is also apparent, and the company is dedicated to using its technical expertise to find the correct solution.

“Our business is about collaboration – working together to get a good result on the roof. We’re a small but important part of the bigger picture,” proudly concludes Kjell. www.eurofast.nl

HIGH QUALITY, STRONG AND RELIABLE MECHANICAL FASTENERS FOR FLAT ROOF AND CLADDING

www.eurofast.nl

sales@eurofast.nl | T +31(0)493 315 885 Eurofast® is the trade name of Van Roij Fasteners Europe B.V.

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Structural steel connections Bolted connections can be divided into preloaded and non-preloaded structural bolting assemblies – with pgb-Europe NV having a product range covering both types.

P

reloaded bolts (EN 14399) are specially designed for high demanding connections. There are two different systems within the harmonised standard: EN 14399-4 (HV) and EN 14399-3-6 (HR sets). pgb-Europe already has HR available from stock from M12 to M30 and a new range of HV will be available from June. Typical to those systems, are the pre-lubricated nuts with black colour – this is an extra treatment as a supplement to the hot dip galvanising. pgb-Europe’s product range in SB assemblies for structural bolting – EN 15048 – includes bolts according to EN ISO 4014 and 4017 in Grade 8.8 and dimensions from M10 up to M36, in both zinc plating and hot dip galvanising. Bigger sizes are available upon request. The full range is packed in solid carton pgb-boxes with clear label and CE Marking, according to the Construction Products Regulation. The Declaration of Performance can be downloaded from pgb’s website.

Brand new App now available

pgb-Europe has launched a new App that can be downloaded via the App Store and Play store and enables customers to order products and manage orders.

“Whether you are in a store, on the road or at a job site, the pgb App has everything you could possibly need,” states pgb-Europe.

Fast scanning and ordering

With the built-in barcode scanner users are able to scan products in no time. They can also finish an order via their smartphone or simply put the scanned products into a shopping basket. This leaves them with the opportunity to check their scanned products on their PC before confirming the order.

Everything in one place

Apart from a simple ordering process, users are also able to browse for product information, check the availability of products and follow their delivery status. Every product has its own detail page, giving customers direct access to approvals, DoP information, technical information and much more. www.pgb-europe.com

TIMco welcomes new additions to team TIMco has further expanded its growing team with the appointment of Charles Du Pré as head of marketing and Mark Ormanroyd as regional business consultant for the south-east of the UK.

C

harles (top picture) joins the TIMco team with a wealth of marketing and communications experience, having previously held managerial positions within companies such as Morrisons, Asda and B&M. Since joining at the end of 2018, Charles has spent time fine-tuning his knowledge of the industry and the TIMco business, as well as its customers and current range of marketing activity. Initially, Charles will be responsible for updating the TIMco website, with a particular focus on improving the user experience.

Charles will also be focused on continuing to provide bespoke local marketing support for TIMco’s wide range of current and potential customers, as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing industry leading support to its merchants.

Mark (bottom picture) joins the TIMco team with a vast amount of industry leading experience, having spent nine years with Marcrist International as a regional sales manager before moving to Simpson Strong Tie where he has served as a national account manager for the past five years. Mark joined the TIMco team in March 2019 and is undertaking his induction across the business. He will be responsible for the south-east region, following the impending retirement of Tim Juke, who is leaving TIMco after eight successful years.

Simon Midwood, managing director of TIMco, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Charles to the team as our new head of marketing. With his impressive experience in delivering effective marketing campaigns and communications strategies, we have no doubt that Charles will be an invaluable member of our team. We are also thrilled to be welcoming Mark to our outstanding team of regional business consultants, who will continue Tim’s fantastic work in the south-east region.”

90 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

No. 0780-CPR-152097

No. 0780-CPR-172114

EN 14399-4

EN 15048

HV BOLTS

SB BOLTS

EN 14399-3 HR BOLTS

pgb-Europe nv

Gontrode Heirweg 170 | B-9090 Melle T: +32 9 272 70 70 | F: +32 9 272 70 99 www.pgb-europe.com | info@pgb-europe.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Screw-Tite®2: The next generation Tite-Fix Ltd states that its next generation Screw-Tite®2 incorporates all the benefits that make the Screw-Tite great but with a number of new advancements.

S

crew-Tite®2 features the Tri-lock™ TS threadform, which still offers all the benefits of a twin and single thread on one screw, allowing a fast insertion with an enhanced start to ensure a perfectly balanced and straight drive – with no kicking over on entry. The improved, acute Tri-Lock shank reduces torque helping the screw to go in easy and this, teamed with the coarse, single thread portion, locks into the substrate making sure once it’s in, it’s in. The high strength of Screw-Tite2’s core means that with the majority of applications there is no need to use a pilot hole and it can be used in almost anything.

Tite-Fix points out that traditional screws used to act as both a fixing and a dowel in one – the dowel portion preventing lateral movement and reinforcing jointed timbers, whilst the threadform provided a strong fix – a feature lost on modern screws. Screw-Tite2 reintroduces this concept with the unique Dowel-Tite® shank acting as a dowel, removing the need for additional support and reducing lateral movement whilst the Tri-Lock TS threadform provides a fast and firm fix. The new dowel ream reduces timber splitting, allows screwing close to the edge and drives the perfect clearance for Dowel-Tite.

Screw-Tite2 is powered by the patented and award winning Stick-Tite® drive system, a specially designed recess that gives the ultimate grip between bit and screw. This tight fit ensures screws stick fast to the bit allowing them to be driven one handed or at awkward angles, there’s no cam out so no damage to the recess and, if needed, the screws can still be driven with a standard Pozi bit.

METAL SHEET STAMPING

PLASTIC & RUBBER INJECTION

WIRE COLD FORMING

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

New INDEX Fixing Systems catalogues for 2019 In the new 2019 catalogues from INDEX Fixing Systems, customers will find a wide range of new products and tools that will help make customers’ daily work easier and increase the profitability of their businesses.

I

NDEX Fixing Systems has launched one general catalogue and three special catalogues focusing on plumbing & HVAC, fixings for wood; and fixings and accessories for drywall.

Online and PDF versions of the catalogues are available through the company’s website and all the products featured in every catalogue are listed.

INDEX Fixing Systems points out that for 2019 it has also updated its range of chemical anchors, with new products, assessments and a simpler and more intuitive appearance. “The new range has been adapted to the needs of the market with an improved formula and features that increase the loads supported, as well as increase the range of temperatures of handling and curing; and greater flexibility in depths of installation,” explains INDEX Fixing Systems. “We have also increased the range by optimising the vinylester and hybrid resins, with the aim of meeting the needs of the customers.”

The updated chemical anchor range includes a renewed image and design, which will help improve the identification and management of the products. INDEX Fixings Systems has also achieved the Seismic C1 and C2 assessments for its Mopure and Mopur3 products.

The company has also introduced the new Metal Sleeve Anchor (CH), which has a new ETA Option 7 assessment and has major improvements in terms of its features and dependability. “The improvements applied to this assessed version mean that the performance of the new anchor increases by 20%, placing it above the main anti-spin anchors on the market,” states INDEX Fixing Systems.

There is also the new Metal Male Anchor (MTH) in SS304 (A2) stainless steel, which is ETA Option 7 approved. The new MTH-A2 anchor, a stainless steel version, broadens the range of options when choosing the anchor that best suits customers’ needs. “We guarantee maximum quality and safety through ETA and Fire Resistance approvals, the durability and weather resistance of A2 stainless steel and the high performance of the authentic MTH, now with up to 40% more load capacity,” comments INDEX Fixing Systems.

94 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Other products include the new Metal Anchor for heavy loads (SL-PT), which is ETA Option 1 assessed, new sizes in its range of self-drilling hardware and high-performance threaded screw (TEX), which is zinc plated and has a TX recess, as well as a wide range of clamps – including clamps with 7mm diameter. www.indexfix.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

IDEA StatiCa partners with Hilti to advance anchor design technology Hilti Group and IDEA StatiCa s.r.o have entered into a software development agreement focusing on a component-based, finite element method (CBFEM) for anchoring/footing topologies to help improve workflow efficiency.

H

ilti and IDEA StatiCa have entered into an agreement to further improve the speed and accuracy of steel to concrete connection analysis for structural engineers.

With this development, Hilti and IDEA StatiCa will strengthen seamless workflows and increase the productivity and safety in construction projects.

The new software solutions will support structural engineers with advanced base plate design, weld and stiffener design and finite element analysis. Oliver Glockner, head of application software product management at Hilti, said: “We see that connections and anchoring, as well as workflows, are getting more and more complex. We are looking to support structural engineers with the latest analysis technology to further help them improve their speed, accuracy, and processes.”

New solution launched

To solve future challenges, a fundamentally new approach to steel to concrete connection analysis was needed. With Hilti’s

knowledge of anchors and concrete and 10+ years of construction software experience, combined with IDEA StatiCa’s knowledge in steel design and FEM, a unique solution for these problems has been developed.

The new approach is based on a robust finite element solver with accurate material models, as well as a unique description of the anchor behaviour to allow a realistic design of the full connection. In addition, the two companies have been working together to solve challenges in the current design process such as multiple, manual data transfers; design assumptions that don’t fit together, such as rigid and non-rigid baseplate; and improving the management efficiency of changes across the workflow.

“We believe that the new component-based finite element method (CBFEM) is the right approach to break the limits of anchoring/footing topologies while keeping safety first. We put the CBFEM into the core of our product, IDEA StatiCa Connection, and Hilti has integrated it into their new PROFIS Engineering Suite,” said Lubomir Šabatka, CEO at IDEA StatiCa.

info@blumorgana.it

HECO®-Schrauben Innovation.

Safety.

Future.

CHEMICAL ANCHORS FOR UNDERWATER FIXINGS NEW > TESTÉ

BY I NP

High end products for professionals

PNEUMATIC DRILLING

HOLE CLEANING

ANCHOR INSTALLATION

PULLOUT TEST

CERTIFIED INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

ETA

ETA ETA

ETAG 001 TR023

VINYLESTER RESIN STYRENE FREE

ETAG- 001 TR023 ETA 09/0246 ETA - 11/0345

Rebar

ETA

ETAG 001 Part 5 OPTION 1

ETAG 001 -Part 5 OPTION 1 ETA 09/0140

ETA - 11/0344

Option 1

ETA ETAG 001 Annex E EOTA TR049

SEISMIC

Annex E-C2

P U R E E P O X Y R E S I N

1937 HECO-Schrauben GmbH & Co. KG, Dr.-Kurt-Steim-Straße 28, D-78713 Schramberg Tel.: +49 (0) 74 22 / 9 89-0, Fax: +49 (0) 74 22 / 9 89-200 E-Mail: info@heco-schrauben.de, Internet: www.heco-schrauben.com

2017 fastening systems

w w w . b o s s o n g . c o m

1962 ®

> CERTIFI

P

INPP

ED

PAR

2017

BOSSONG S.p.A. Fastening Systems Zona Industriale 2 - Via E. Fermi, 49/51 24050 GRASSOBBIO (Bergamo) Italy Tel +39 035 3846 011 - Fax +39 035 3846 012 info@bossong.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Recent European Technical Assessments for fixings Following an agreement with the European Organisation of Technical Assessments, here is a list of recent ETAs published in the last two months on the EOTA website.

ETA NUMBER

TRADE NAME

COMPANY

ETA NUMBER

I

t is important to note that existing ETAs may be amended or withdrawn so this list should not be considered definitive.

For further information and a full list of valid ETAs visit EOTA’s website. If you have recently received an ETA, and would like to have it included in our table, please email us the full details at editor@fastenerandfixing.com www.eota.eu

TRADE NAME

COMPANY

EAD 130019-00-0603 Dowel type fasteners with resin coating

EAD 330232-00-0601 Mechanical fasteners for use in concrete

ETA - 16/0535

ETA - 14/0374

Anchor Sissy Stud

Joker Industries Co. Ltd.

ETA - 16/0934

Sormat through bolts S-KA+/SKAK+/S-KAH+/S-KAH+HCR

SORMAT OY

ETA - 16/0945

Sormat Concrete Screw Anchor S-CSA

SORMAT OY

ETA - 17/0647

Anchor Fasteners Industrial anchor type ADA

Anchor Fasteners Industrial Co Ltd

ETA - 17/0835

EJOT concrete screw JC2

EJOT Baubefestigungen GmbH

ETA - 18/0219

EJOT through bolts; BA-V Plus/ BA-F Plus/ BA-E Plus / BA-E Plus HCR

EJOT Baubefestigungen GmbH

ETA - 18/1064

ESSVE EUS

ESSVE Produkter AB

ETA - 18/1065

AMBFAST europe Screws

Ambrovit SpA

ETA - 18/1130

KINFIX

Kinex Oy

ETA - 18/1138

Concrete screw EUS2, EUSA4, EUSHCR

ESSVE Produkter AB

ETA - 19/0029

HWALLY WA LOCK Torque controlled expansion anchor

Hwally Products Co. Ltd

ETA - 19/0070

DM-PRO and DM-LIP-PRO

DEWALT/POWERS

ETA - 19/0168

fischer Hammerset anchor EA PLUS

fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG

haubold staples d=1,53 – 1,80 d=2,00mm fasteners for timber constructions for long term or permanent load duration withdrawal capacity

ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH

EAD 130118-00-0603 Screws for use in timber constructions ETA - 11/0027

fischer Power-Fast screws and fischer construction screws

fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG

ETA - 11/0106

REISSER Screws

REISSER Screws

ETA - 12/0197

SWG “Timtec”, “Timtec Isotec” and “Timtec Plus VG” screws

SWG Schraubenwerk Gaisbach GmbH

ETA - 13/0091

FUSHANG self-tapping screws

FU SHANG CO., LTD.

ETA - 18/0386

TEX Screws TEX-ZT, TEX-ZP, TEXBT, TEX-BP, TECBT,TXAB

Index - Técnicas Expansivas S.L.

ETA - 18/0817

Screws for use in timber constructions

Klimas Sp. Z o.o.

ETA - 18/1161

EFG PowerCut, EFG PowerCut 2.0, EFG PowerBuild

Heco Italia EFG Srl

ETA - 19/0072

HSI PowerCut, HSI PowerCut 2.o and HSI PowerBuild screws

Heco Italia EFG Srl

EAD 130324-00-0603 Inserts for use in timber constructions

EAD 330499-00-0601 Bonded fasteners for use in concrete

ETA - 12/0481

ETA - 17/0280

Atlas Fixing AC500

Atlas Fixing Inc.

ETA - 18/0994

R-KEX - I

Rawlplug S.A.

EAD 330030-00-0601 Fastener of external wall claddings

ETA - 18/1031

RESPESF

ADI Supply Ltd

ETA - 16/0784

HSU-R

HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

ETA - 19/0057

Mungo Srl

ETA - 18/1109

Panaria KEIL undercut anchor KH

Panariagroup Industrie Ceramiche SpA

MUNGO Injection System MIT SEISMIC for concrete

ETA - 19/0058

CHIMIFISS Bonded anchor, injection type

PROCHIMICA New Technology Srl

ETA - 19/0088

BOSSONG BCR EPOX

Bossong SpA

ETA - 19/0110

Injection system FCR M PRO

Tfix Polska Sp. z.o.o.

ETA - 19/0112

Injection system FCR V PRO

Tfix Polska Sp. z.o.o.

ETA - 19/0121

QEP400

ÂNCORA CHUMBADORES LTDA

ETA - 19/0127

AQI380PRO

ÂNCORA CHUMBADORES LTDA

ETA - 19/0141

TCM CPRO Injection System

Trutek Fasteners Polska Sp z o.o.

ETA - 19/0151

SMART S-RE1

PGB-Polska Sp. z o.o

ETA - 19/0153

TCM MPRO / CFM PESF Bonded anchor

Trutek Fasteners Polska Sp z o.o.

RAMPA A, B, BL, BV, C, CV, SK, SK330, SKL and SKL330 inserts

Hans Brügmann GmbH & Co

EAD 330076-00-0604 Metal injection anchors for use in masonry ETA - 18/1118 ETA - 19/0059 ETA - 19/0103 ETA - 19/0109 ETA - 19/0122 ETA - 19/0124

UHU BUCHA química – Resina de Poliéster

UHU GmbH & Co. KG

CHIMIFISS Bonded anchor, injection type

PROCHIMICA New Technology Srl

2KPS PolyPrime Injection system FCR M PRO QPO300 AQI380PRO

2K polymer systems Ltd Tfix Polska Sp. z.o.o. ÂNCORA CHUMBADORES LTDA ÂNCORA CHUMBADORES LTDA

ETA - 19/0152

SMART S-IRP

PGB-Polska Sp. z o.o

ETA - 19/0188

2KPS VESF, VESF-E, VESF-C

2K polymer systems Ltd

EAD 330087-00-0601 Systems for post-installed rebar connections with mortar

EAD 330747-00-0601 Fasteners for use in concrete in redundant for non-structural systems

ETA - 14/0237

2KPS EX1 for rebar connection

2K polymer systems Ltd

ETA - 18/1043

Chemofast Injection system UM-H for post-installed rebar

Chemofast Anchoring GmbH

Drop in Anchor TRSO (without collar), TRSOK (with collar)

BSK Technika Zamocowań Sp. z o.o.

ETA - 16/0762

ETA - 18/1126

KINFIX

Kinex Oy

ETA - 18/0993

R-KEX - I

Rawlplug S.A.

ETA - 19/0071

DM-PRO and DM-LIP-PRO anchor

DEWALT/POWERS

ETA - 18/1157

Chemfix 100 bonded anchor for post-installed rebar connections

Chemfix Products Ltd

ETA - 19/0169

fischer Hammerset anchor EA PLUS

fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG

ETA - 19/0044

MUNGO Injection System MIT SEISMIC for post-installed rebar connections

Mungo Srl

ETA - 19/0087

BOSSONG BCR EPOX Bonded anchor for rebar

Bossong SpA

ETA - 19/0111

Injection system FCR V PRO for rebar connection

Tfix Polska Sp. z.o.o.

98 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

ETAG 001 used as EAD Metal anchors for use in concrete used as an EAD ETA - 17/0168

Hilti nail anchor HFB

HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

ETA - 17/0645

Anchor Fasteners Industrial anchor type ADA

Anchor Fasteners Industrial Co Ltd

, Hall 1 56 9 Stand

CELO — your partner in fixings!

CELO Befestigungssysteme GmbH • Industriestraße 6, D-86551 Aichach www.celofixings.com • info@celofixings.de • +49 8251 90485 0

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Connecting what belongs together The fischer Group of Companies presented new and classic products on its stand at the recent Fastener Fair Stuttgart – ranging from heavy-duty fixings for professionals to the new NO TOOLS, JUST HANDS products especially for DIYers.

f

ischer showcased its expanded DUO-Line of intelligent anchors with an innovative combination of materials, among other things. A new addition is the self-drilling gypsum plasterboard anchor DUOBLADE. A testing station at the fair gave visitors the opportunity to try out the newcomer and how it enables quick and easy installation in plasterboard and light cement board – thanks to its three effective cutting teeth and other technical ingenuities.

Anyone who tested the DUOBLADE was able to gain an impression of how the anchor, with its intelligent combination of nylon and polyethylene, expands in the appropriate level of simple and double plankings while providing an optimal fit.

The ULTRACUT FBS II family for applications with high loads in concrete was another highlight for fischer at the show. The A4 variant is new to the market and is suitable for wet rooms and outdoor use.

Another newcomer is the 6mm diameter version with an approval

for multiple fixings of non load-bearing systems such as service ducts. The overall range of fischer concrete screws now ranges from diameters 6mm to 14mm in the zinc plated variants and 8mm to 12mm in the stainless steel variants, covering a broad range of applications.

Depending on the diameter, the various types are suitable for different screw-in and anchor depths that correspond to the existing load.

There is also a wide selection of different head types.

The fixings expert also displayed its wide range of screws and chemical fixing systems. Another component of the Fastener Fair appearance included the new NO TOOLS, JUST HANDS products range that is targeted at DIYers, which includes tool-free fixing solutions and is currently being further expanded in an internal company spinoff. The range already includes 25 products that are divided into categories called SMART HANGING, REPAIRING and GLUING.

Think Fixing

G&B UK warehouse Quality products with a service to match available

for next day delivery direct from our branch in Sheffield (UK mainland only).

Contact our experienced staff to assist you for all you need.

G&B GROUP, the Italian company

www.gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi S.r.l. Italia Corso Savona, 22 10029 Villastellone (TO) tel. +39 011 961 94 33 fax +39 011 961 96 39 info@gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi UK warehouse Unit 16 Riverside Court Don Road - Sheffield - S9 2TJ (UK) tel. 0114 242 0074 fax 0114 242 0075 uksales@gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi Vertretung Deutschland johnengebfissaggi@gmail.com G&B Fissaggi Ibérica gbiberica@gebfissaggi.com G&B Fissaggi Benelux info@gebfissaggi.com G&B Fissaggi France p.carlu@gebfissaggi.com

Fasteners and fastening systems 4.0

SPECIALINSERT® FASTENERS WE’RE CHALLENGING YOU TO DO WITHOUT! Specialinsert®, since 1974 in the world of fasteners, thanks to the experience matured and to the continuous research, today it is able to supply the most innovative fastening systems.

SPECIALINSERT.IT

UNI EN ISO 9001:2015

IATF 16949:2016

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Bolted joint consistency with stainless steel fasteners

By Derek Dandy, market development engineer, Bodycote Abstract

Bolted joint design can be a challenging task when faced with the number of factors that lead to a safe and reliable joint. Failure to understand these factors can be catastrophic if proper attention is not given to each and every component in the joint. In this article an approach to minimise fluctuations with respect to coefficient of friction when using stainless steel, as well as nickel-based and cobalt-based fasteners, will be presented.

Introduction

Bolted joints are the primary means of fastening in automobiles, but also a common cause of warranty failure.

Typical vehicles use 4,000 bolts1 . What is the probability that some of these bolts are loose? As it is well known in the fastener industry, ~90% of installation torque can be lost to friction under the head of the fastener and in the threads.

Due to the fact that this percentage is so high, minimising any variation with fastener behaviour can have a significant impact on the consistency of the clamp load generated in the joint. The dimensionless number that dictates the friction is commonly referred to as Coefficient of Friction (CoF) and can vary from 0.04 to 1.10. The relationship between CoF and clamp load is explained using the formula: T = k*d*F T = input torque, k = torque coefficient (CoF), d = nominal fastener diameter and F = clamp load Using example values of 0.38 to 0.42 for CoF, there can be up to a 10% difference in the joint clamp load. In an ideal installation, a complex piece of equipment can be used to measure clamp load at each and every fastener – this can be costly and time prohibitive. In addition, these given CoF values are initial values and do not take into account surface degradation from adhesive wear, commonly known as galling.

Stainless materials self-generate an oxide surface film for corrosion protection.

During fastener tightening, as pressure builds between the contacting and sliding thread surfaces, protective oxides are broken, possibly wiped off, and interface metal high points shear or lock together. This cumulative clogging-shearing-locking action causes increasing adhesion. In the extreme, galling leads to seizing – the actual freezing together of the threads.

Several methods are currently used to reduce the CoF and with it the risk of galling in fasteners, but they do come with some disadvantages. One method is minimising the speed of assembly to reduce the localised heat generated due to friction, but this method isn’t entirely bulletproof and doesn’t always carry over to disassembly. Applying coatings, lubricants, or waxes, can be highly effective, but introduces potential sources of contamination. Lubricants can escape from the connection and coatings have the potential to delaminate from the base

102 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

material. This is a substantial risk in applications in processing food, beverages and pharmaceuticals, as well as packaging machinery. Using dissimilar materials (e.g. Grade A2-C2, A4-C4 or A2-A4 bolt-nut combinations), faces the risk of galvanic corrosion when an electrolyte is present.

In many cases fasteners are reused as a cost savings measure. In other cases, with more exotic materials, reuse would be a great cost advantage but many of these joints are so critical in nature that replacing the fastener is mandated as part of a preventative maintenance schedule.

Bodycote S³P – proven surface technology

Bodycote, the world leader in thermal processing services, has just the solution to these common threaded fasteners issues. Kolsterising®, part of the Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P) group with Bodycote, has been shown to eliminate the above mentioned issues with respect to CoF. Kolsterising is a low temperature carbon-based diffusion process that increases the surface hardness up to 1,200 HV0.05 (~72 HRC). This hardened layer has a gradual profile allowing the surface to retain its ductility with no risk of embrittlement. As opposed to some other high temperatures processes, this hardened layer is part of the base material therefore there is no risk of cracking, chipping or delamination.

No concessions have to be taken as far as fit/form/function as gauging as there will be no change to the dimension of the part after Kolsterising. The temperature used in this process is merely used to accelerate the diffusion process, yet is low enough to not initiate any phase changes or risk of carbide precipitation causing negative impacts to the corrosion resistance of the base material.

Lastly, unlike with common practices mentioned above, there are no foreign additions being applied to the surface of the fastener, so there is no risk of contamination in sensitive environments such as the semiconductor and medical industries, among others. Below, recent testing has been conducted with commercially available F593G hex bolts and comparable hex nuts and its impact on CoF.

Sample ID

Bolt condition

Torque (ft-lbs)

% Yield of bolt

No. of installs

Galling

Description

S1

Untreated

54

40

100

Not seized, spins freely

Visible thread damage

S2

Untreated

81

60

100

Not seized, spins freely

Visible thread damage

S3

Untreated

108

80

8

Seized

Visible thread damage

S4

Untreated

94

70

100

Not seized, spins freely

Visible thread damage

S5

Untreated

101

75

100

Not seized, spins freely

Visible thread damage

S6

Treated

108

80

100

Not seized, spins freely

No or minimal damage to threads

S7

Treated

121

90

100

Not seized, spins freely

No or minimal damage to threads

S8

Treated

135

100

100

Not seized, spins freely

No or minimal damage to threads

Table 1: Fastener test parameters and results for various test conditions.

Procedure of applying torque by torque gun: Loosen/back-off four revolutions, repeat, and inspect every 25 cycles

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Bolted joints test results

The parameters for various test conditions and results can be seen in Table 1. Based on the untreated test conditions S1 - S5 the point at which minimal installs could be performed before the surface degradation became so significant that the joint galled itself and seized completely, could be determined.

This occurred at 108 ft.lbs (80% of yield strength).

But even at 54 ft.lbs (50% of yield strength), which represents the industry recommended dry installation torque for the ½ inch – 13 stainless steel fasteners, visible thread damage was observed. As reference, carbon steel and alloy steel fasteners recommended installation torque values can be closer to 75% – 80% of yield strength. For the treated fasteners, S6-S8, a torque of 108 ft.lbs was set as starting point. 100 installs with a treated bolt and untreated nut were performed and had no signs of galling or thread damage.

The installation torque was continually increased, and ended up in a torque to yield condition (S8), yet there were still no signs of thread degradation. One particular point to highlight is that only the bolt was treated in this test matrix.

In instances where the fastener is assembled into a large mating component, drastic improvements can be achieved by only treating the fastener. Another approach is to treat a nut to be used in conjunction with various lengths of the same diameter and thread pitch bolt.

A magnified comparison of conditions of S1 and S8 can be seen in Figure 1 (below), which shows the surface degradation that can occur upon subsequent installs. The negative impact that occurs to the thread surface can clearly be seen when installed in a dry condition using industry recommended torque values. Treated fasteners can prevent this from occurring, not only at recommended torque value, but even when torqueing to yield conditions.

Figure 1: SEM images of threads in untreated and treated condition. The flank of untreated S1 fastener (left image) displays signs of adhesive wear and possible galling after repeated installs at 54 ft.lbs. With this magnitude of surface deterioration at the flank the fastener will behave inconsistent and not be able to archive the desired clamp load for a given install torque. Whereas the treated fastener’s flank (right image), with repeated installs at 2.5 times higher torque (135 ft.lbs), is smooth and free of such defects resulting in a system that will efficiently and consistently transfer torque into clamp load

While a completely cold welded joint is the worst case scenario, we should also consider the surface condition. This was investigated by K. Clark2 on various types of fasteners, including B8M Class 1, B8M Class 2, and Hastelloy® C-276 fasteners. It was observed for the untreated condition that as surface degradations occurs, the CoF increases and, if the same installation torque is being used, the clamp load of the joint can be decreased significantly. Figure 2 shows fluctuation of clamp load over subsequent loading cycles, while Figure 3 shows the translation to CoF over the same loading cycles for Hastelloy®

104 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Figure 2: Measured clamp load over 75 loading cycles of untreated and treated C-276 fastener when torqued to 50% of bolt yield strength

Figure 3: Calculated friction factor over 75 loading cycles of untreated and treated C-276 fastener when torqued to 50% of bolt yield strength C-276 fasteners. As shown, the behavior of the treated fastener remains constant as the treatment prevents galling and adhesive wear from occurring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is a well known fact that while the fastener may fail, it is typically not the fastener to be identified as the problem but more likely the root cause is due to improper fastener selection or improper installation.

Kolsterising can be a great option to explore when looking to achieve a more consistent clamp load in a joint where stainless steel fasteners are being used.

In addition, because the safety factor can be truncated, more than 40% of the fastener’s potential can be utilised. This can also be an opportunity to use fewer fasteners or potentially move to smaller fasteners. Both of these can be opportunities for fastener cost saving, as well as less drilling/tapping operations in the manufacturing process of the mating components in the joint.

1 Nutek Inc (2014), Design and behavior of bolted joints, Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA 2 K. Clark (2017), The effect of low temperature carbon diffusion treated fasteners on thread galling resistance, 2017 ASME Vessel and Piping Conference, Hawaii

Kolsterising® can be a great option to explore when looking to achieve a more consistent clamp load in a joint...”

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

From wire coil straight to full-thread screws – all in one machine A new all in one machine from AMBA-Aachener Maschinenbau GmbH produces full-thread screws of 300mm length, and an outside diameter of 10mm, directly from the coiled wire. Typically, in the screw making industry, 30 to 40 threads are rolled per minute – but this does not include the forming of the screw head. AMBA points out that this new machine achieves a rate of more 100 screws per minute, including the screw head.

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MBA states that its machine is the world’s first to produce screws of this length and diameter, from the coiled wire to the finished product, in just one continuous cycle – from paying off, cutting to length and straightening the wire, forming the head and thread rolling.

Manfred Houben, one of three managing directors of AMBA, explains that the new machine is exemplary of a current trend to manufacture long metal components, with varying cross sections along their length, via cold forming instead of machining. “Cold forming processes achieve much higher throughput rates than machining operations because the items do not have to be individually fed, clamped, machined and ejected. In this way, discontinuous manufacturing becomes a quasi-continuous process. In certain applications this may result in a productivity improvement of one order of magnitude.”

The all in one principle is transferrable to other products, such as pinned joints for bicycle rims. These joints used to be individually turned in a time-consuming process. Now a new machine developed by AMBA produces up to 100 joints per minute by cold forming. The company is currently planning a project intended to replace a three-digit number of automatic turning machines and the associated bar loaders with three AMBA machines.

The machine forms the screws in one continuous cycle from up to 7.8mm thick wire directly fed from the coil

AMBA on a growth course

AMBA order intake has been growing continuously for several years. As early as in 2018, the company more than doubled its workshop area and increased its staff from 50 to more than 70 people. Through the takeover of automation specialist Klinken Automation, AMBA now combines mechanical design and automation know how under one roof.

Manfred Houben (left) and Lars Henning (right), both managing directors at AMBA, are inspecting one of the 300mm long screws

106 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

The new all in one machine produces more than 100 up to 300mm long screws per minute in one continuous cycle AMBA recently opened a new hall large enough for three machines up to 12m long, and weighing up to 35 tonnes, to be assembled at the same time and commissioned under real conditions prior to being shipped to the customers.

Manfred Gottschalk, managing director commercial of AMBA, is very happy about the growing interest in AMBA technology: “We have been receiving more and more requests from manufacturers who make large quantities of products from wire or tubes as input material. Other projects or requests are in connection with new types of components, particularly for the automotive industry, which for the time being can be produced by conventional techniques nowhere near profitability.”

AMBA has also adjusted its corporate structure to the rapid growth. In January 2019, Lars Henning joined the company as third managing director. He is responsible for all technology related areas at AMBA – project management, electrical and automation systems, and development.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Black zinc flake system for the highest demands The TL180 specification, which applies to various kinds of fasteners – including metric parts, outlines Volkswagen’s high performance standard for black zinc flake finishes.

V

olkswagen’s TL180 specification has some of the most complex corrosion protection and colour stability requirements. In addition to these high corrosion protection and chemical resistance demands, the most challenging aspect is achieving Volkswagen’s desired coefficient of friction properties and heat loosening requirements.

When Volkswagen updated its TL180 specification, it simplified the pretreatment process. In response, Atotech was able to introduce simplified approved coating sequences to further improve performance standards. The latest developments in zinc flake coatings from Atotech include the Zintek® 300 HP black base coat and Techseal® Black SL VA/Techseal® Black S T top coats, which help to reduce the number of chemicals compared to the previous systems.

Zintek 300 HP is Atotech’s high performance black base coat, with excellent corrosion protection, increased delay of white corrosion, and top notch drying and flowing characteristics. With these features, Atotech states that its Zintek 300 HP is the best base for black zinc flake finishes. To fulfil VW’s strict assembly requirements,

Atotech’s process for Volkswagen’s TL180 standard: Zintek® 300 HP + Techseal® Black S T

a sophisticated top coat is also needed: Techseal Black SL VA. This organic top coat, with a semi-bright deep black appearance, provides very good coverage and chemical resistance. Most importantly, it meets the challenging requirements for multiple mounting on e-coat and aluminium with low deviation and, simultaneously, limited heat loosening properties.

For parts that require a lubricant-free finish according to TL180, Atotech offers Techseal Black S T, an approved finish that provides exemplary chemical resistance along with an attractive black matt appearance. The ductile coating can be used for clips and clamps, as well as other fasteners, and is compatible with patch lockers. Both of these approved top coats show minimal signs of abrasion.

With these outstanding finishes, Atotech supplies the leading zinc flake process for VW TL180. Well received by many applicators, the process has been praised as the best approved system with the highest performance standard and easiest handling process. www.atotech.com

Specialised in cold forming Founded in 1973 in Italy, Essebi Srl specialises in the production of a complete range of cold forming machines for the manufacture of standard or special small or medium sized pieces.

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ssebi states that what distinguishes and sets it apart from its competitors is its great flexibility during the construction phase of a machine.

There is no longer a standard press, but a machine built according to the customer’s needs, around the piece that must be produced.

Added to this is the excellent quality/price ratio, with all Essebi machines guaranteeing excellent performance at competitive prices – working with any type of wire with a diameter between 3mm and 17mm.

“Our best seller is the SB506, a 5-die progressive machine that can be operated manually, with slow or fast pulses, in reverse gear or automatically,” comments Giuseppe Parroco, general manager at Essebi. “The secret to our success? The ultra-compact dimensions, which allow customers to optimise space without affecting the production capacity, and the extreme ease of use by the operator.”

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A TLM is forever.

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Answering tomorrow’s challenges

By Lammert de Boer, global director for Zinklad, DecoKlad & XMAPP, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions According to Marklines1 , by 2023, some 20% of all vehicles produced will be electric (versus gas), bringing with it new challenges for fastener coating engineers working on electric vehicles.

Considerations include electrical conductivity, the use of lighter materials to maximise vehicle range per charge, contact corrosion, galling, premature corrosion and warranty.

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pecifiers need to select the right surface coatings for fasteners in electric vehicles to ensure effective grounding, resistance to galvanic corrosion, and predictable coefficient of friction coupled with excellent corrosion protection. These factors must also be consistent throughout an electric vehicle’s life.

Powertrain composition ratio prediction for global light vehicle sales

Keeping up with an evolving electrical landscape

Electric vehicles and hybrids will naturally need more electric and electronic components. Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), integrated circuits, and connectors, are increasingly being used for this purpose, but reliable ground connections are also required. Coatings on fasteners for electric vehicles will need to be extremely reliable in terms of preventing screws from insulating – this is a critical factor in the ever increasing use of electrical components in today’s vehicles. Components with surface protection must therefore offer the longest possible protection against wear and corrosion to avoid the risk of electrical properties changing over time.

Lightweight construction is also essential for electric vehicle development. However, light metals pose a further challenge for surface technology – not only do they have to be protected against corrosion, but their negative potential can also cause galvanic corrosion when they are installed with a material that has different electrochemical potential. Another approach to lightweight construction is the use of high strength or ultra high strength steel fastener materials. For these materials, pre-treatment and surface protection systems must be selected based on their ability to minimise the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. This requires not only information about the respective components involved, but also detailed knowledge about connecting components, environmental conditions and stress in use. Typically, these decisions need to be made during the design phase.

Supporting automotive fastener engineers

It is a crucial challenge for the automotive industry to both innovate and adopt the use of proven, consistent surface coating technology solutions that will support specifiers and fastener engineers to meet the requirements of electric vehicles. MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions has introduced ZinKlad® 750 – the latest standard from the world-class ZinKlad portfolio developed for coatings of steel fasteners in electrical grounding applications.

ZinKlad 750 is a tin-rich sacrificial coating, which passes stringent automotive cyclic corrosion testing and 1,000 hours of neutral salt spray, while still being able to perform its electrical grounding functionality. After application of a trivalent chromium

110 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

IC Only: Internal combustion only MHEV: Mild hybrid electric vehicle FHEV: Full hybrid electric vehicle PHEV: Plug in hybrid electric vehicle BEV: Battery electric vehicle EREV: Extended range electric vehicle FCV: Fuel cell electric vehicle Source: https://www.marklines.com/en/forecast/index passivate, a unique double top coat provides both exceptional corrosion resistance and a consistent coefficient of friction. On fasteners, the coating retains its finish over extended periods of time without the presence of excessive white or red corrosion products, thus maintaining metal-to-metal contact.

ZinKlad 750 has completed the GMW3200 conductivity test for fastener grounding applications and meets the hydrogen embrittlement requirements of GMW4700. ZinKlad 750 also offers a combination of unrivalled corrosion resistance, low electrical resistance, good conductivity and reduced formation of corrosion products. The benefits of this include maintaining conductivity and low coefficient of friction to prevent galling during fastener assembly. These benefits are being realised on today’s highly connected passenger vehicles. Using this coating, the industry will be able to deliver high-quality and consistent fasteners, which meet tomorrow’s challenging requirements. www.macdermidenthone.com/industrial 1 https://www.marklines.com/en/forecast/index

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Seeing quality control with the future in mind During the three very successful show days of the 8th Fastener Fair Stuttgart, Dimac Srl confirmed its worldwide reputation as a reliable benchmark for fastener OEMs committed to a zero-defect target.

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eneral Manager Massimo Agrati commented: “We are grateful to all of our customers that visited our booth bringing their partnership and friendship. This represents our best reward. During the show we exhibited the latest generation of MCV1, MCV5 and SPC-LAB.” In a stimulating atmosphere, the international guests were able to test the machines personally, experiencing the tooling simplicity and software intuitiveness, as well as creating inspection plans and sorting cycles.

Master of control and versatility

The latest release of MCV1 impressed visitors for its versatility and flexibility, as well as its software intuitiveness and changeover easiness. The high-speed eddy current NDT cracks and heat treatment control stations accuracy have been positively received by quality managers and engineers coming from the highly demanding automotive industry.

This new machine is the result of Dimac’s close partnership with two leading players, SK Control and IBG. Dimac points out that SK Control GmbH is among the most trustworthy and dynamic German companies – committed to target the strictest quality control standards expected from the automotive supply chain, whilst IBG NDT Systems Corporation is a market leader in the manufacture of eddy current test instruments for non-destructive testing of metal components.

The threefold collaboration was sealed concretely during the Fastener Fair Stuttgart show, as IBG exhibited the Dimac MCV1 on its own stand as a symbol of the NDT technology excellence applied to the high-end inspection and sorting machinery.

Another new release, the MCV5, was also appreciated by visitors – who showed great interest in its special controls. The MCV5 is an automatic sorting machine with glass rotary table – especially

112 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

conceived to sort flat and cylindrical fasteners. The special features that gained attention include the profile check for high-res scanning of the part profile; the in-thread-ok function to check the quality of the inner threads; and the double face check for the simultaneous inspection of two opposite faces of the parts.

Just like MCV1, Dimac highlights that this machine can benefit from the heat treatment control station based on the eddy current method, equipped with a coil probe positioned and set over the glass plate, which can check materials with various structures such as alluminium and stainless steel.

Statistically proven controls

Also at the show, Lean Industry production managers involved in PPAP were able to see with their own eyes and touch with their own hands the applicability of the new SPC-LAB to their assembly lines.

They had the opportunity to calculate and gauge, using their own sample parts, parameters such as head/shank diameter, length, concentricity, thread dimensions, and quality – praising its advantages in terms of cost reduction and OEE. “This equipment is designed to support the manufacturing process with accurate data collection, putting any production shop on a virtuous cycle of better measurement, analysis, improvement and control.”

Besides SPC-LAB, among the other solutions for the Statistical Process Controls, Dimac was part of the Route to Fastener Innovation Competition and was named a 2019 Fastener Technology Innovator finalist for the SPC-ROBOT mobile unit.

SPC-ROBOT consists of a multi-station, control and data collection unit, equipped with an anthropomorphic collaborative robot, a turbo clean station and an optical measurement station with HR digital cameras.

Massimo Agrati concludes: “At Fastener Fair Stuttgart we established new contacts with new potential partners from China, Taiwan and Russia as emerging countries where the production of automotive fasteners is growing fast as is the need for top quality inspection machines.”

The next show for Dimac will be Fastener Fair USA – Detroit in May, where it will be co-exhibiting on stand 401 with its US partner and official distributor in North America, Angor-Intools. www.dimacsrl.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Secondary operation machine – DOM-16 The DOM-16 automatic double operation machine from SAPSI Talleres S.A is a reliable and versatile secondary operation machine that can point, drill and broach parts from M2 (0.078 inches) to M16 (0.629 inches) and lengths from 4mm (0.19 inches) to 150mm (5.9 inches).

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ASPI points out that one of the key features of the DOM-16 is that every part is held as close to the end as possible during the pointing, facing or drilling process regardless of the length. This helps avoid vibrations at maximum speed and ensures the precision and finishing quality of the part.

The DOM-16 is a 3 in 1 machine with a quick and easy changeover thanks to its fully motorised set up (centring, rails, top rail, cutting depth) and high precision centring system controlled by the touch screen.

“The DOM-16 machine is used for pointing and facing, drilling and broaching all type of materials, from different steel alloys to materials used in the aerospace industry such as titanium and inconel,” explains SASPI. “This type of machine is highly appreciated for its speed and precision, as well as its high technology and versatility.” www.saspi.es

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Axial fatigue testing of bolts and fasteners on 1,000Hz testing frequency High fatigue strength is an important characteristic of high strength bolts used for connections that are subject to high alternating loading. Here RUMUL looks at the best options for testing for high fatigue strength.

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xial fatigue testing is part of the specification of high loaded bolts used, for example, in aero and car engines, with resonant fatigue testing machines ideal for testing bolts.

Thanks to the high testing frequency of about 40Hz up to 250Hz, the test duration is short compared to servo-hydraulic testing machines and they require extremely low energy and maintenance cost.

In 2015 RUSSENBERGER PRÜFMASCHINE AG (RUMUL) presented a new resonant fatigue testing machine, allowing a testing frequency of 1,000Hz. The dynamic load (maximum: 50kN peak-peak) is produced by an electro-magnetic system, similar to established resonant fatigue testing systems. The static load (maximum: +/-50kN) is provided by two mechanical spindles. Any load ratio can be selected.

A high testing frequency may affect the fatigue strength, depending on material and loading. Damping related to microscopic, plastic deformation is transferred to heat and is proportional to the loading frequency. The change of material properties related to temperature rising is one of the most dominant frequency-related effects on fatigue life. Maintaining the specified temperature range is therefore a basic requirement for fatigue testing.

RUMUL carried out a fatigue test at 1,006Hz on a M9 x 1.25 bolt. The mean load was set to 37.9kN, and the amplitude to +/-8kN. The crack was initiated after approximately 120,000 load cycles. A reduction in frequency by 0.5Hz was related to a change of the stiffness of the specimen and indicated the crack initiation. The temperature of the bolt was measured by a type K thermocouple during testing and recorded. The temperature increased by only 0.5°C.

“The RUMUL GIGAFORTE allows the reduction of time needed for fatigue testing of high strength bolts – with one million loading cycles reached in less than 17 minutes – and also requires less energy compared to servo-hydraulic fatigue machines,” explains RUMUL. “We recommend carrying out a pre-test at RUMUL to evaluate any effect of the testing frequency on the fatigue life.”

CAN-ENG delivers new aluminium high integrity heat treatment system CAN-ENG Furnaces has been chosen to design and commission a high capacity, heat treatment system for a tier 1 global automotive manufacturing company. The new system provides T-6 and T-7 processing capabilities for lightweight alluminium High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC) automotive components.

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eatures of the system include CAN-ENG’s proven Lean Manufacturing robotically integrated part handling system; individual part processing features that deliver predictable metallurgical and part dimensional properties; Precision Air Quenching (PAQTM) Technology; Level 2 automation system for the managing of individual component parameter traceability; system diagnostics and CQI-9 reporting. The system is scheduled for commissioning in Q1 2020 and will support a next model generation Luxury SUV being released in 2021.

CAN-ENG Furnaces International is a global provider of state of the art thermal processing systems for ferrous and non-ferrous metals and is a significant supplier to the automotive community through direct and tier supply.

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Zinni® 220 Acid zinc nickel electrolyte

Increase your productivity

Meet us at booth 85, 21 – 23 May, 2019

Zinni® 220 is a highly innovative improvement of the well-known and established predecessor Zinni® 210. The new electrolyte combines the outstanding corrosion protective properties of Zinni® 210 with an improved throwing power resulting in higher thickness in low current density areas. A homogeneous nickel incorporation of 12 – 15% is achieved within a wide current density range. Depending on the requirements, Zinni® 220 allows to choose between bright, semi-bright or matt coatings.

Zinni® 220 was especially developed for the direct plating of cast iron in rack applications.

The production proven process is approved by the brake caliper industry.

The new electrolyte is perfectly suitable for high volume bulk production and fulfils the requirements of the white goods and automotive market.

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Marposs Monitoring Solutions for SMART forming

Production management

Process data collection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Industry 4.0 Marposs, through the acquisition of Brankamp, is a market leader for process monitoring, offering innovative technologies for real time monitoring on forming, stamping and assembly machines.

Decades of experience in the cold forming, forging and stamping industry are embodied into its systems to improve productivity, part quality and reduce production costs.

Tool protection

Quality control

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

B Set up aide Machine protection Productivity increase

Process optimisation Big Data analysis

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rankamp systems have become an integral part of manufacturing operations, providing relevant production information for data collection systems and integration into Industry 4.0.

Process data in forming and stamping technology is becoming particularly important for high-quality parts, especially for the aerospace and automotive industries. Force signals and related envelope curves can be transmitted via network, stored automatically and one available to users for immediate analysis and for assessment later in case of customer complaints, for internal analysis and improvement measures.

By regularly storing the process data with date and time, they can easily be found and evaluated.

Via the XBrowser process data is transmitted via network and stored on a customer server in the event of process faults or in time or stroke intervals. In the XViewer those files can be analysed offline in the office, be recalled, evaluated and analysed even weeks later.

With the Brankamp tuning board a variety of important process data can be summarised and displayed for immediate information on the shop floor or in the office. This overview enables direct access to the current production situation on each machine (speed, scrap, etc), the setting of the monitoring limits and the stability and productivity of the process.

To analyse the actual production situation the online access to each monitoring unit enables a powerful tool for the production, quality control department, and tool design, to check the machine and tool set-up, load distribution, process stability and global production situation. With continuous process data collection, the gap between the regular SPC controls can be closed and conclusions can be drawn about the species or the origin. In metal forming operations, this sensor data can only come from the existing monitoring devices. www.marposs.com

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

WAFIOS restarts mature technology In the first quarter of 2019, WAFIOS Umformtechnik successfully delivered two type ND 91 tandem double-blow forming cold formers to a well known German customer, having restarted the mature technology when it took over responsibility for the ND machines from WAFIOS Group.

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he high performance ND tandem double-blow cold former can be used for the production of long blanks up to 300mm and for drywall screws, wood screws, sheet metal screws (DIN 7970) and similar parts in wire from 2.2mm up to 5.2mm diameter (0.087 inches – 0.205 inches).

Technology

This very well proven technology has been used on the world market for many years, but when it comes to the above wire range, WAFIOS Umformtechnik states that its ND type of machine is the fastest on the market.

Common double-blow machines are generally limited to the production of short screws, ranging from 25mm to 50mm (0.985 inches – 1.97 inches) and outputs between 400 – 600 pieces/min. However, the tandem principle allows output numbers up to 1,400 pcs/min for 70mm (2.758 inches) blanks and 700pcs/min for lengths up to 170mm (6.698 inches).

Working principle

Common punch stroke

Short punch stroke – long tool life

The pictures to the right show the reduced punch stroke of the ND machines in comparison to the common production principle with closed dies. Independent of the screw length, the punch stroke of the ND series is always as long as the necessary volume to form the head. With conventional cold formers the punch stroke is at least as long as the length of the pin, resulting in large Punch size punch slides, higher wear stroke and problems when series ND centering the tools.

The short stroke principle of the ND series allows more time for the forming process itself and tool life is increased.

Quality control

Performance and driving system

The wire is fed from a driven pay-off into a roller straightening unit. As an option, a rotary straightening spinner is available. A steplessly adjustable sliding infeed guides the wire into the cut-off bushing.

The wire pins are positioned in the transport system. Two gripper belts lead the pins to the tandem punching stations for separate preform and finish punching. At the preform punching station the first blow forms the pin end. The finish punching station forms the final size and the head of the screw. In the last operation, the double-headed blank is separated into two single blanks.

The cam shafts for the punching and pressing tools are located on either side of the transport system. An additional cam drives the cutting system for the separation of the blanks.

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An integrated process monitoring system for the ND machines allows ‘operator-free’ production. The quality control processes include the length measurement of the wire pin in the cutting station, sensor monitoring of the cutting and forming processes, and control of the cut in the last work station. WAFIOS can also prepare the machine for adaption to a common monitoring system for the product, the production, the machine, as well as SPC and PC interfaces.

Quick changeover

WAFIOS points out that the ND line of machines are easy to set-up and almost maintenance free. For changeover to another length of blank, with the same diameter, only minutes are required.

Punching tool change cassettes also reduce the amount of time for a changeover from one diameter to another.

Environmental aspects

The ND machines work with clean bright wire, which is cheaper than phosphated material and does not pollute the environment. In addition, for the forming process only the ends of the wire pins are mist lubricated – the reduction of oil consumption this creates is significant. www.wafios-umformtechnik.com

Cold Former ND 91 Hilgeland Kieserling EWMenn Nutap

Made in Germany Cold Former ND 91 Tandem Double-Blow Former With „Tandem“ principle simultaneous production of two different head shapes and lengths possible High output up to 1000 pcs / min (separated double blanks) Multicut unit for special point designs Less phosphates – less wire costs Precision Parts Forming Machinery

WAFIOS Umformtechnik at the „International Fastener Show China 2019“ 11th – 13th June 2019

Manufacturer WAFIOS Umformtechnik GmbH Im Rehsiepen 35 42369 Wuppertal · Germany Phone +49 (202) 46 68-0 sales@wafios-umformtechnik.de www.wafios-umformtechnik.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Optimum screw connections thanks to new lubrication A new lubrication from Dörken MKS provides a high-level of corrosion protection and simultaneously enables a smooth fastening.

I

n order to prevent thread rolling screws from corroding, it is now possible to use a coating system from Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co KG consisting of a zinc flake basecoat and the DELTA-LUBE® 50 lubricant.

The basecoat determines the corrosion characteristics and ensures cathodic corrosion protection, while the colourless lubricant brings with it the properties of the otherwise used topcoat. Further increasing the corrosion protection and influencing both the coefficients of friction and thread forming torque.

Thread rolling screws with the Dörken MKS DELTA-LUBE® 50 lubricant show no red rust even after 1,000 hours (as per DIN EN ISO 9227 salt spray test)

Test results show that the coating system fulfils high corrosion protection requirements. It achieved 3,000 hours in aluminium without any red rust, and more than 1,000 hours in steel (salt spray test according to ISO 9227).

At the same time the system also achieves low levels of thread forming torque, thus enabling thread rolling screws to be reliably used. If the screw needs to be coated in colour, it is necessary to apply a topcoat before the lubricant. The surface protection from Dörken MKS is globally available and fulfils high-quality standards.

TAPTITE® PRO™ thread rolling dies from RLS RLS Tooling has held the licence to manufacture REMINC/CONTI tooling for many years now, and has announced that it is now able to supply the latest product – TAPTITE® PRO™ thread rolling dies – from M6 to M12 diameter.

R

LS Tooling Ltd has manufactured thread rolling dies since 1989 and continually reinvests in more advanced CNC machinery, CAD/CAM software, and its staff, to assist in making quality tools that meet the high demands expected by its prestigious customers.

“We have held the licence for REMINC/CONTI tooling for a long time and we are expecting the TAPTITE® PROTM thread forming fasteners to be a popular choice by any industry involved in large volume fastener installation due to the development of the Parabolic Profile™ thread form,” explains Marcus Smith, managing director at RLS Tooling.

“The innovative new thread form, combined with the TRILOBULAR® cross section, provides low thread forming torque, excellent resistance to vibrational loosening, along with high axial pull-out and reduced overall cost of assembly.”

RLS can manufacture the TAPTITE PRO thread rolling dies from various materials to suit the customer’s needs and can also offer coatings to further enhance the tool's performance, especially when rolling hardened parts.

“We have also been working on a new barcoding system that has now been fully implemented on the production floor,” points out Marcus. “The new system enables us to track the tooling through production, from start to finish, and optimise the processes. We have been able to highlight bottlenecks in production and rectify them quickly. As a result we have a quicker turnaround on tooling and we can more accurately predict delivery times.”

Marcus concludes: “Our mission is to remain a competitive manufacturer and supplier of quality threading tools with a commitment to continuous improvement of our methods and procedures.” www.rlstooling.co.uk

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Manufacturer and stockist of Quality Threading Tools

www.rlstooling.co.uk Product range • Flat thread rolling dies • Flat knurling dies • Flat form rolling dies • Circular thread rolls • Tangential chasers

email: info@rlstooling.co.uk tel: +44 (0)1543 271 808 fax: +44 (0)1543 277 571

Licenced Products • Taptite 2000® • Duo Taptite® • Powerlok® • High-Torque® • Taptite II® • Taptite® CA • Plastite® • Screwbolt® • Mathread® • Remform®

A construction screw with Dörken MKS lubricant heats up to only 80°C due to the low clamping pressure and low thread forming torque

Apex Business Park, Walsall Road, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 9PU, England

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

Navigating uncertainty

By Sam Rothwell, team lead, HSO In light of the current volatile and uncertain political and economic environment, manufacturers increasingly need to find efficient ways of running their operations in markets where the future is more and more difficult to predict. One of the biggest focuses of concern for many such businesses today is the supply chain. Manufacturers across many different sectors are either planning to, or already stockpiling, in a bid to ensure business as usual.

T

he fastener and fixing industry has not been invulnerable to this. As early as November 2018, Diploma, the engineering firm that supplies a range of products from hydraulic seals to engine repair gadgets for Formula 1 cars, said that it had started building inventory levels of parts ahead of the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The company said it was stockpiling some of its “faster moving product lines” in the UK. That includes wires and fasteners used by motor and aerospace clients. More recently, Hexstone, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of fasteners and fixings, put over GB£3 million of extra stock in place as a contingency for BREXIT difficulties in the supply chain.

Today though, we are seeing examples of stockpiling in a wide array of different manufacturing sectors across the UK. Indeed, the latest snapshot survey from IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, released at the beginning of April, found that UK manufacturing reported a surge in production and stockbuilding in March as companies prepared for BREXIT. The survey found that manufacturers were keen to build safety stocks of raw materials, with the Stocks of Purchases Index ‘hitting 66.2, far exceeding the prior survey records seen in the previous two months’.

Stockpiling is, however, getting harder as the amount of warehouse space available diminishes. Ian Wright, chief executive of the food and drink federation, told MPs towards the end of last year that warehouses around the UK for frozen and chilled food are “for all practical purposes booked out at the moment”.

Many manufacturers see the current political situation as an area of risk over which they have minimal control. In-line with this, a recent HSO commissioned survey asked decision makers in the manufacturing industry to name the main risk factors organisations face in running their supply chains. 39% of respondents referenced ‘risks associated with the broader political or economic environment (including BREXIT)’, while just 6% stated ‘there are no main risk factors faced’.

So, apart from stockpiling, what can manufacturers do to lessen the risk posed by political uncertainty to their extended supply chains? For some, particularly those in less regulated or globally integrated industries, the long-term answer might be to bring their supply chain closer to home.

That said, in the current environment, it is critical that manufacturers focus, above all, on best meeting short-term needs. That focus will certainly require enhanced supply chain visibility, especially regarding the location of product components and finished goods.

As they can’t directly influence the supply chain situation at a macro level, manufacturers must instead concentrate on ensuring information flows quickly from the supply chain to manufacturing decision makers, so they can make fast and accurate ‘flex-plans’ and best optimise operations to deal with any challenges arising.

Technology will of course be vital in delivering this operational flexibility and enhanced visibility. In-line with this, we may see some manufacturers redesigning the supply chain architecture, a process likely to include the implementation and integration of a range of new technologies from data analytics to the Internet of Things (IoT) to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). ERP can play a key role across this extended supply chain by offering manufacturers the opportunity to reduce overheads and operational costs through workflow automation. This is at the same time as giving them the flexibility to adapt to meet a changing market or customer circumstances, or future business growth and expansion. Moreover, there are likely to be fewer IT issues to manage as manufacturers will be operating a more controlled and connected environment.

At the same time, we are also seeing supplier collaboration portals rise up the agenda. These provide a single shared view of data, enabling manufacturers to collaborate more closely with supply chain partners and resolve problems faster and more efficiently.

Together with ERP and general business software, they will be especially important in keeping that crucial conduit of information flowing across the supply chain and providing enhanced supply chain visibility to key supply chain players.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

Yard management with inconsoYMS

Process automation along the entire supply chain is becoming increasingly important, now also encompassing the interface between the warehouse and transport. inconsoYMS (Yard Management System) is a software solution for planning and controlling the yard activities of plants and depots – with a new release offering expanded key functions, yard control via an App and expansion modules for the ‘smart yard’.

T

he new release of inconsoYMS provides comprehensive functionalities for efficiently controlling loading and unloading and managing all yard resources.

This includes the completely modernised graphical dashboard for improved tracking of yard processes and transports. inconsoYMS also includes extended functions for the management of multi-deep bridge and semitrailer locations, as well as collection points.

With sophisticated, configurable display options, the functionally expanded solution thus optimises various yard topologies.

The new version of inconsoYMS also includes the newly developed, multilingual business App with an integrated control system. It serves as a navigation

Straight-A logistics Berardi Fasteners is able to offer integrated logistics systems, not only for the easy supply of components, but also as tailor-made projects designed to save customers time and resources.

B

esides Kanban and Kanban Up – widely appreciated constant supply systems for fasteners, industrial components, fluidic and pneumatic fittings (all from one supplier) – Berardi has implemented the EasySelf24 vending machine service, which acts as another step towards Industry 4.0.

This innovative system was conceived to automate materials management, for example PPE, tools, first aid equipment, among others, making every transaction traceable. EasySelf24 automatically sends notifications, purchase orders, and consumption statistics, allowing for easy online data monitoring – simply, quickly and safely. www.gberardi.com

system for arriving trucks and a medium for communication between the planning level and the drivers. Thus, inconsoYMS is able to replace technical components, such as pager systems and local WLAN infrastructures for controlling yard movements. In combination with the App, inconsoYMS provides a comprehensive overview of planned truck arrivals for improved prioritisation of loading and unloading processes. inconsoYMS also allows for integrated voice control scenarios when used together with the standard releases of Amazon Echo, for example.

The system can also be seamlessly integrated into existing system landscapes, but in standalone operation, inconsoYMS provides high flexibility when managing the internal yard.

Fastener manufacturing and the fourth industrial revolution

As fastener consumers under the influence of the ‘Amazon effect’ demand faster and more customised products, fastener manufacturers are racing to adjust to this new generation of customers by building tighter, more efficient supply chains and digitising their operations. At the same time, manufacturers are trying to minimise their environmental impact and resource usage to remain both economically competitive and environmentally sustainable.

T

o meet this demand, ZAGO Manufacturing Company is harnessing fourth industrial revolution technologies (4IR), also known as Advanced Manufacturing or Manufacturing 4.0. This is where cloud-based computing systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence, meld together with human intellectual and emotional intelligence to exponentially increase efficiency and precision in production.

“In order to take the greatest advantage of 4IR technologies, leaders must take a long-term strategic outlook rather than focusing on immediate impacts, cultivate a network of like-minded partners and follow a people-centered approach using 4IR technologies not to replace humans, but to enhance their capabilities through collaboration between humans and machines,” explains ZAGO. “In addition, 4IR enables sustainable manufacturing via circular economy business models such as product life extension and product as a service.”

ZAGO is not just a user and advocate of 4IR, but also a critical partner to other manufacturers and distributors in promoting product life extension by protecting sophisticated equipment from environmental incursions and protecting the environment from fluid and gas leaks from operating equipment – thanks to the wide variety of sealing fasteners it produces, including sealing screws, bolts and nuts, sealing washers and switch boots. www.zago.com

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

A visual interpretation of trends Performance analysis is an essential part of any trading operation, delivering to businesses a crucial insight into areas that require improvement while also shining a light on what processes are proving successful.

However, often businesses don’t have the time to drill down into sales and despatch figures in any real detail and instead need headline information in an easy-to-digest format in order to make informed business decisions.

W

ithout access to this critical information, businesses can often find themselves overlooking key aspects of their daily operations, resulting in a false picture being painted and under performance continuing within key areas. From this, management can find themselves making decisions based on illinformed data that can ultimately damage bottom line profitability.

With OrderWise KPI dashboards, businesses are given the tools they need to ensure requirements are correctly identified and follow ups promptly actioned.

Through these KPI dashboards, businesses can gain a visual interpretation of trends, troughs and spikes on key performance statistics, allowing an accurate insight into the entire operation of the business.

The OrderWise KPI Dashboards have recently undergone a revamp, with existing capabilities enhanced to offer users even greater insights at-a-glance across 300 dynamic dashboard elements. These enhancements have been driven by a brand new, user-friendly dashboard editor, which allows businesses to effortlessly tailor their dashboards to display the key data that matters in a format that suits them.

Using this new dashboard editor, chart colours and styling can be customised to meet individual preferences or company branding. Additionally, OrderWise KPI Dashboards are now also available through the OrderWise Mobile App for the first time, meaning App users can now also access these essential insights on-the-go.

However, the real power of OrderWise KPI Dashboards comes when combined

with OrderWise Business Intelligence. By providing key statistics in a variety of chart formats, the at a glance interpretation offered by KPI Dashboards enables the early identification of trends that warrant deeper investigation within the OrderWise Business Intelligence module.

By utilising both OrderWise KPI Dashboards and Business Intelligence, businesses can harness a wealth of reporting functionality that not only enhances daily operations but also overall performance, growth and profitability.

OrderWise welcomes ten new faces and boosts robotics team

As well as revamping the KPI Dashboards, OrderWise is hitting the ground running in 2019 after welcoming ten more new faces to its growing team.

The news comes at an exciting time for the company; in February it announced that it had been shortlisted for two National Technology Awards including Best Tech Place to Work and Innovative Enterprise Product of the Year.

The addition of this month’s new starters means that 18 new members of staff have been employed at the multi award winning company in 2019 so far. Among the new starters are Steve Hilton, Haider Alzein, Alan Essom and Annie Bey who have been appointed to help strengthen the development and implementation of the

128 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

innovative OrderWise Warehouse Robotics Technology.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming even more local talent to our ever expanding team. We’ve invested over GB£2 million into robotics technology, which is due to launch later this year – we’ve boosted our staff numbers to keep up with demand and are proud that 40% of our new starters are electronic engineers or trained robotic specialists,” said David Hallam, managing director at OrderWise. www.orderwise.co.uk

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01522 704083 enquiries@orderwise.co.uk

Purchasing

Accounts

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eCommerce Websites

Warehouse Management

Sales

To get a price or to arrange a demonstration, contact us on:

www.orderwise.co.uk

Manufacturing & Kitting

Mobile WMS Devices

CRM & Marketing

Warehouse Robotics

“The thing that we found OrderWise are great for, are helping us develop as a joint partner; we don’t look at OrderWise as just a supplier. For us, OrderWise are a partnership, who work very, very closely with us. They come up with some fantastic ideas and they help us to continue to grow.”

Looking to connect with engineers and specifiers?

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Connecting Europe and Asia Once again Berdan Civata has been called upon to use its fastener engineering experience to connect Europe and Asia – with the company supplying anchor bolts for the Çanakkale Strait bridge, after previously working on the Osmangazi bridge.

T

he Çanakkale Strait bridge (named Çanakkale 1915 bridge after Turkey’s historic victory in the region during WWI) is a 3.7km steel suspension bridge being built over the Dardanelles Strait in the Çanakkale province of Turkey. Located at the western end of the Marmara Sea, the bridge will connect the Lapseki District to the Gelibolu District (Gallipoli) and is expected to become the longest suspension bridge in the world upon completion – surpassing the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, which is the current record holder at 1,991m.

The consortium contracted to build the Çanakkale Strait bridge – Daelim and SK E&C, along with Turkish companies Limak Holding and Yapi Merkezi – contacted Berdan Civata to manufacture steel anchor bolts and relevant fastening components due to the company’s experience within the industry.

Berdan Civata will supply 762 sets of M85 x 1,0178mm class 10.9 anchor bolts for the bridge, which once completed will have a central span of 2,023m and a total length of 4,608m – with space for three lanes of traffic in both directions. Berdan already has previous experience of supplying

Davut Dolgan, key account manager at Berdan Civata

SEE FOR YOURSELF

such a project after supplying the Izmit Bay Crossing suspended bridge (Osmangazi bridge), which opened in July 2016. The Osmangazi bridge has a central span length of 1,550m – currently making it the 2 nd longest in Europe and 4th longest in the world.

“Berdan Civata has become a reference manufacturer of fasteners for several ‘mega projects’ for sectors including stadium construction, rail, petrochemical and steel structures, water supply, natural gas pipeline projects, as well as wind energy,” states Davut Dolgun, key account manager at Berdan Civata.

“We supply sixty-five countries, from a series of production and assembly sites totalling 33,000m 2 , in which we employ more than 265 people – 33 of which are engineers.

We have a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, which includes our own heat treatment and eco-friendly surface treatment facilities - providing hot dip galvanising, electro plating, zinc flake, metalising and Xylan coating. Plus we have a fully equipped and accredited test laboratory to ensure the highest quality products.”

Davut continues: “We are very proud to be involved in the Çanakkale 1915 bridge project and we are already supplying products to help ensure the bridge opens on time in 2023 to coincide with the centenary of the Republic of Turkey.” www.berdancivata.com

FASTENERANDFIXING.COM 131

Berdan Produced Anchor Bolts for

• The Second Longest Suspended Bridge in Europe (İzmit) • The Longest Bridge in The World with 2023 metres (1915 Çanakkale)

In the bridges and mega projects Yesterday In Izmit Today in Canakkale Tomorrow all around the World

info@berdancivata.com www.berdancivata.com

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Huck® fasteners rolling out on chassis production lines Star Fasteners has recently helped truck and trailer body builders to eliminate the need for any welding in the construction of the subframe of a chassis, thanks to the use of Huck® BobTail® fasteners.

D

aniel Starbuck, director of Star Fasteners, explains: “I was first contacted by a long-standing customer who was looking to optimise the process of building the subframe of a chassis for their truck and trailers.”

“Originally welding was being used, which was very time-consuming and needed experienced operators, plus there were the added concerns regarding safety issues that are integral to the welding process.”

After working with the customer and understanding its requirements, Star Fasteners suggested the Huck® BobTail® fastener. “The BobTail fastener is a two part fastening system that consists of a pin and a collar,” explains Daniel. “This means the structure can be easily pre-assembled by hand allowing for additional alterations and checks. The fastener is installed using a direct tension technique, in which the pin is pulled and the collar is simultaneously swaged into Chassis joining plate

134 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

the locking grooves of the pin, deforming the collar into the grooves and swaging the material forward. It has been designed to provide superior joining strength and offers fast and secure installation.

Through its advanced fastener design, as well as easy to use installation tooling, the BobTail system offers a strong connection.”

Daniel adds: “By using the BobTail the customer is able to build a stronger subframe chassis. The material used to build the chassis is clamped together by the BobTail, which creates structure and strength. It also means the chassis can twist and flex, for instance when on the road, without any risk of welds fracturing or other bolted systems loosening.”

Using the BobTail fastener also means that only one fixing and one tool system is needed regardless of the size of the chassis. “The system is modular, which means that it can be used for all the different truck and trailer assemblies and provide a really simple and cost-effective solution,” points out Daniel. “The installation process is also a lot quieter, due to the jolt-free swaging action. It has also significantly reduced noise levels, typically less than 70dB, as there isn’t a pintail to break off – offering real, significant health and safety benefits to operators. The BobTail also significantly reduces the need for skilled welding operators, it has taken out the potential for heat distortion, and there is no need for painting afterwards. Plus, everything can be pre-galvanised, and pre-stamped/made.

Star Fasteners had another customer in Ireland who was also facing a similar challenge – welding the whole chassis as one piece before sending it to be galvanised, which was a significant cost due to the size of the structure. “Our customer in Ireland wanted a modular flat-pack chassis, where they could keep a variety of different sized components on the shelf and just fasten them together quick and easily,” explains Daniel. “We discussed the application with the customer and the benefits of the BobTail over the phone. We then

arranged a demonstration where I went over to Ireland with the tooling and the fixings to show how the BobTail would work in the application. The customer could see with their own eyes how quick and easily the BobTail installed, as well as its strength capabilities, and they decided to change from welding to using the BobTail.”

Daniel points out: “There are other bolted chassis solutions on the market, but the BobTail is quicker, cleaner and a better all-round solution. One key advantage of this fastener over conventional lock-bolting systems is that it doesn’t have a pintail to break off.

As a result, there is no waste material to collect and dispose of post-installation. Plus, there is an improvement in corrosion resistance by eliminating the exposed surface resulting from the pintail break.”

“In addition, the fastener can be removed if necessary – such as if there is accidental damage or the vehicle needs repairing.

The fact the BobTail retains its stud, enables the removal tool to engage on the fastener and cuts the collar cleanly into two halves without damaging the surface of the existing structure.”

Daniel concludes: “The BobTail is such a versatile product and can be used in a variety of markets, for instance it originally came from wind farm applications and is recognised by DiBT as ‘maintenance free’. That is why we work closely with our customers, so we can understand their applications and suggest products, such as the BobTail, that they may not have initially considered for a project. We can do this thanks to the knowledge and experience we have within the market, as well as our partnership with Huck as its largest UK distributor.” www.starfasteners.co.uk

16mm freightliner head Huck® BobTail – installed on a corner pillar of a curtainsider trailer

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Problem-solver alloy ISA-CON®450 for fasteners In addition to ultra-fine wires, cables and stranded wires made of ISA-CON®414, Isabellenhütte is now also manufacturing semi-finished products/preliminary materials for fasteners, such as screws and bolts, made of ISA-CON®450, another version of the copper-based alloy – helping to reduce electrical resistance and thus heat development in the system.

B

oth types of material, ISA-CON®414 and ISA-CON®450, are characterised by a high strength (similar to that of stainless steel) and high conductivity (similar to that of copper). With ISA-CON450, the tensile strength is between 450 and 550 megapascals and the conductivity is 80% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).

This combination makes the material ideal as a conductive fastener, for example as a bolt, screw, spring contact, plug connector or bus bar.

Problem solving with ISA-CON®450

When problems occur when using fasteners made of steel – for example, due to excessively high performance loss and heat development or due to space problems or too high of a weight – using the ISA-CON450 alloy is a worthwhile alternative.

With current carrying components, the electrical resistance, both in the material as well as at the contact transition, is reduced compared to steel.

This reduces the loss in performance significantly and the weight and diameter of components can be reduced. The direct connection, for example as a bridging of a distance between two bus bars with a supporting function instead of a steel bolt or pin for a plug contact, is a promising application.

Heat reduction by 50%

The requirements for the bolt application were Measuring set-up: Two bolts (silver plated ISA-CON®450 bolts), terminated to a shunt resistor, are used as a current conducting joining element a significantly reduced electrical resistance and thus a significantly reduced heat development of the bolt itself. Direct use here means that the entire current is conducted directly via the ISA-CON450 bolt, which connects a shunt resistor with a plug (see images on right). Thanks to the high conductivity of the alloy, there is only low electrical resistance with correspondingly reduced heat development in the contact bolt. In addition, the heat development, which usually occurs in the shunt resistor, is dissipated better and is thus overall reduced by 50% compared to a component with a steel contact.

ISA-CON450, like ISA-CON414, is also heat resistant, which means the bolt retains its mechanical strength in applications with higher ambient temperatures. Current carrying components made of steel – that take quite a bit of effort to cool or that have to be significantly oversized to ensure sufficient conductivity – can simply be replaced with ISA-CON450.

Mechanically supportive fasteners made of copper also often have to be oversized in order to comply with mechanical loads.

...the entire current is conducted directly via the ISA-CON®450 bolt”

136 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY ISA-CON450

To analyse the heat generation in a resistor, four different loading increments were used – 150A, 200A, 250A and 300A. The load time takes 30 seconds and during this time an Infrared video recorded the temperatures, the results are below:

Steel bolts

Steel bolts

Comparison of heat generation in a resistor by using ISA-CON450 bolts and steel bolts with load of 300A as an infrared image

150A

200A

250A

300A

ISA-CON®450 bolts

Cross-sections can be reduced while maintaining the same level of safety due to the increased strength of ISA-CON. This allows for a reduction in weight and space, which is, for example, usually very relevant in the automotive sector.

Screws for indirect use

An indirect connection replaces a previously non-current-carrying component, such as a steel screw, which presses a contact onto a bus bar. The pressed contact surface here, and thus the component surface, can be reduced – since part of the current can flow through the screw. The screw offers additional safety due to its high conductivity.

150A

200A

250A

300A

Positive feedback from users

The customer feedback at Isabellenhütte has been very positive so far. The direct use of ISA-CON450 bolts in particular has a very good cost-benefit ratio. “If heat development, electric conductivity and contact resistances are insignificant in application, steel or simple copper alloys, such as bronze or brass, may be sufficient.

However, if the aforementioned problems occur, ISA-CON450 is an ideal problem-solving alloy,” states Mr Brockhaus, business development manager at Isabellenhütte. “The alloy is of interest for all types of mechanically stressed plug connectors, which require high conductivity and a high level of reliability.”

138 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Bloodhound back on track Why would anyone want to drive a car at 1,000mph (1,609km/h)? The best answer is probably by President Kennedy, who when asked ‘why would anyone want to go to the Moon?’, said: “We choose to do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

T

he world is full of problems, so why create a new one that seems to have no practical value such as being the first car to travel over 1,000mph? It’s all to do with human nature and stimulating young people. Also, it does have huge technical value, though it might not be that apparent straightaway.

New investment

At the end of 2018, things looked pretty bleak for the Bloodhound SSC Land Speed Record (LSR) project. Breaking a land speed record has never been easy, particularly if the goal is to clear 1,000mph (1,609km/h). You need a highly engineered car, a rigorous test programme, and a suitable bit of land upon which to run it – somewhere flat and remote enough for the neighbours not to mind, but convenient enough that you don’t have to also build a bunch of new roads to get there. Bloodhound LSR found such a place in the Hakskeen Pan in South Africa. However, by October 2018, the project entered into administration when it ran out of funding.

By December, with no buyer found, it looked like the dream was over.

That has all now changed. Bloodhound LSR has a new backer in Ian Warhurst, who bought the assets from the administrators at the end of last year. It’s also got a new HQ, with the car moving from its former base in Bristol, UK, to SGS Berkeley Green University Technical College (UTC) on the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park.

“Since buying Bloodhound from the administrators last December, the team and I have been overwhelmed by the passion and enthusiasm the public have shown for the project. Over the last decade, an incredible amount of hard graft has been invested in the project and it would be a tragedy to see it go to waste,” Warhurst said. “Starting with a clean slate, it’s my ambition to let Bloodhound off the leash and see just how fast this car can go. I’ve been reviewing the project and I’m confident

140 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

By Ian Parker, freelancer, Ianfliesrussian@aol.com

there is a commercial business proposition to support it. I’ll provide robust financing to ensure there is cashflow to hit the high-speed testing deadlines we set ourselves.”

RAF Wing Commander Andy Green will still be Bloodhound’s driver, and many from the original team have also made the transition from Bloodhound SSC to Bloodhound LSR. The most noticeable change? A bright new coat of paint. The old blue and orange livery is no more; now it’s a white and red affair. This may change, though, as the plan is to offer title branding opportunities to potential sponsors to raise the sufficient funds to actually take the car to South Africa and run it for a recordbreaking attempt.

The importance of 1%

A key part of running a Land Speed Record car is being able to stop it.

Bloodhound will have a truly huge amount of energy at 1,000mph – about 660 Mega Joules. To put that in perspective, a high-speed train, blasting along at 125mph, has about 560 Mega Joules of energy – 100 less than Bloodhound. It’s enough energy to boil over 300,000 kettles, so it’s a safe bet that they can’t stop the car with wheel brakes alone.

Project aerodynamicist and performance expert, Ron Ayers, has calculated that about 52% of Bloodhound’s energy will be absorbed by aerodynamic drag, 36% will be absorbed by the airbrakes (and/or drag chutes) and 11% will be dissipated by the vehicle’s rolling resistance. That makes 99%. The remaining 1% will be absorbed by the car’s wheel brakes.

If the wheel brakes are only going to absorb a measly 1% of the energy, then why are they even bothering to fit them? Well, partly because they were needed for the UK runway tests at the Newquay Aero Hub, where the brakes had to do most of the work. For the runway runs, Bloodhound had brakes on all 4 wheels, with dual circuits, to give lots of stopping power and redundancy. The runway at Newquay is 2,700m (9,000 ft) long, which is huge until you’re doing over 200mph in a 6 tonne car – then it’s not quite so huge anymore. They used carbon-carbon brakes, the same as those used by aircraft and high performance race cars, to give the best braking performance on the runway.

On desert operations, the brakes are less important, as they are only doing 1% of the work. It’s an important last bit though. There’s no point in getting 99% of the braking done and then trundling off the end of the Hakskeen Pan at 50mph – that would just be

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY embarrassing. The wheel brakes will shorten the stopping distance by about half a mile and they will also let the driver slow the car down to walking speed, turn it through 180 degrees and stop right next to the turn-round crew. The FIA Land Speed Record regulations require two runs in opposite directions, within one hour, so turning round and stopping in exactly the right place is a key part of it.

There is a problem with wheel brakes on the desert, though. The driver won’t need to use them at 1,000mph, but they will still be along for the ride, at over 10,000rpm (that’s 170 revolutions per second).

The team tested a carbon fibre brake disc at 10% above this spin speed, to give a safety margin – the disc exploded. This carbon disc was one of the best in the world, the same specification as the RAF’s new Typhoon jet uses. “We already knew that no jet fighter has ever flown at 1,000mph at ground level, and now we know their brakes won’t survive it either. We needed another solution.” said Ron Ayers.

The proposed alternative is an unusual one, using steel discs.

No one uses steel for brake discs. Steel doesn’t absorb as much energy as carbon and it can be damaged by the extreme heat that race car brakes experience. Steel does have one key advantage though – it’s stronger than a carbon disc. Steel will survive the extreme loads at 1,000mph, but the question is, will it survive exposure to 1% of Bloodhound’s huge amount of energy?

To test the steel brake discs, the team went to AP Racing, where the rest of brake assembly has been made. “We cranked their rig up as fast as it could go, which equates to around 160mph for Bloodhound. The test team did 10 full stops from maximum speed on the same steel disc. Maximum temperature on the disc was around 1,100ºC, roughly the same temperature as the inside of a volcano.

Harsh conditions for a brake disc,” said Ayers.

“The good news is that the aluminium brake calliper (the fixed bit that holds the pads and brake mechanism) only hit 150ºC, so no problems there. The final bits of the test are to conduct a metallurgical analysis of our super-heated steel disc, to check it’s still OK, and then spin it up to over 10,000rpm (simulating over 1,000mph) to make sure it can still cope. Once it survives all of that, then we have found our desert wheel braking solution. It’s only 1%, but it’s an important 1%.”

All about the details

Travelling at 1,000mph brings some other interesting challenges.

Driver Andy Green explains: “To get into the cockpit, I will climb down through an oval canopy hatch positioned on the top of the cockpit.

This area is subject to very low pressure at supersonic speeds, as the air accelerates over the cockpit, and this low pressure will try to tear the cockpit hatch off the car. At supersonic speeds, that will make my 1,000mph 'office' more than a little windy. The hatch would then immediately be eaten by the EJ200 jet engine, destroying both hatch and engine, which is also not ideal.”

“To make sure that the hatch stays on, our stress expert Roland has put a lot of work into making sure that the canopy latches are strong enough. The finished result has just been delivered and looks great. The latch doesn’t look much, but it’s stressed to a normal working load of 2.5kN (quarter of a tonne) – that’s three large guys hanging off this little handle all at the same time.”

“Just behind the ‘office’, the HTP tank (containing one tonne of rocket oxidiser) needs to slot into the carbon fibre monocoque. The rocket will burn off the whole one tonne load of HTP in a little over 20 seconds, at the centre of the car, to make sure that the vehicle’s centre of gravity doesn’t move too much. This will put the HTP tank directly behind my cockpit, but I’ve been promised there are lots of bulkheads and seals to prevent the HTP joining me in the cockpit at any stage.”

“Meanwhile, the tank has now had its first test-fit inside the monocoque. It’s snug, but it all fits nicely, and we can reach all the key points to install the plumbing and to service it.”

The front suspension is also coming along well, with AMRC

142 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

completing the upper section and now working on the lower parts.

“They look simply stunning and I can’t wait to see them all on the car,” says Green. Each upper section was machined from a forged block of aerospace grade aluminium, provided by thyssenkrupp Materials, measuring the size of a coffee table and weighing 300kg.

After 180 hours of machining, the upper suspension item now weighs just 18kg, with over 280kg of material to be recycled for next time.

“This phase of Bloodhound’s engineering is all about details.

Any mistakes we make now will cost us dear, when we get to the desert in South Africa next year. If we’re going to have a world-class engineering adventure, and push the boundaries of physics at 1,000mph, and do it all safely, then we need to get the details right first time. It’s a fascinating process to watch, as it all starts to come together,” says Green.

“We are still putting the funding together for our record attempts and we have recently lost a couple of key suppliers. We still haven’t sourced replacements for the parts and, with time running out, we’ve finally had to accept a delay.”

“We have rescheduled for the second quarter of next year, rather than go later this year. While it’s a little frustrating to have to wait for another 9 months, it’s a slightly cheaper way of doing the test runs, as it reduces the time (and set-up costs) between ‘Bloodhound 500’ and the supersonic record runs late next year. The delay also gives us more time to prepare the car and, from my point of view as the driver, that’s a good thing,” says Green.

“With more time to get the car ready, we are now aiming to build a slightly different vehicle for next year’s runs. Instead of a 500mph jet car for this year, which we would then upgrade to a jet-plus-rocket supersonic system for next year, we are already starting to prepare the supersonic Car. ‘Bloodhound 500’ will be our 500mph jet-only test session next spring with this vehicle, then we’ll simply ‘plug in’ the rocket and target a new World Land Speed Record in the autumn. Our rocket team is going to hate me for saying ‘simply plug in the rocket’ – yes, it really is rocket science and no, it’s not simple, but you know what I mean.”

There are many technical innovations on Bloodhound, but perhaps the little noticed ones are the fasteners that keep the whole thing together. The car has about 3,500 bespoke components with more than 15,000 rivets in the rear section alone. All of them must do their job 100% if the run is to be a success.

For instance, the ‘slow-speed’ bodywork that was fitted for the 200mph test runs last year is also now being modified for high-speeds.

To do this, the Bloodhound build team has been hard at work adding the composite body panels to the rear sub assembly – drilling almost 100 holes, by hand, with millimetre accuracy to seat the ‘top hats’.

Top hats are inserts that spread the load from each fixing point into the composite panels. They are cylindrical in shape with a circular flange at one end – in other words, shaped just like a top hat.

Given the huge acoustic loads and aerodynamic buffeting that the rear bodywork will suffer, these little load-spreading devices are an essential part of keeping the back of the car in one piece.

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Stainless steel fasteners for the most demanding marine applications By Örjan Persson, BUMAX business development director and Anders Söderman, BUMAX technical director High strength and corrosion resistant fasteners are essential in a variety of marine applications to promote safe, long-life, low maintenance and cost-effective solutions – not least in the most demanding environments.

Stainless steel – the optimal material for demanding marine applications

Salty marine environments accelerate corrosion for any steel – with greater corrosion caused by increased salt concentrations and temperature. Stainless steel products are particularly useful in marine applications as they offer corrosion resistance.

As high salt concentrations can build up in areas where salt deposits cannot be rinsed away by rain water or maintenance, it is essential to select a suitable stainless steel grade to reduce the risk of corrosion. Stainless steel grades of A4 or 316 with a minimum 2% molybdenum content and a Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number (PREN) of approximately 25 or higher are recommended for marine environments. The PREN is a predictive measurement of a stainless steel’s resistance to pitting corrosion in chloride environments based on its chemical composition. For critical applications and longer life expectancy, a super austenitic, duplex or super duplex grade should be considered.

Stainless steels can also provide high strength and excellent fatigue properties. These properties can be essential in marine applications subject to vibration and dynamic loads, such as propulsion systems and offshore wind turbines.

In marine environments, cathodic corrosion protection is commonly used. Cathodic protection can cause hydrogen induced stress corrosion cracking (HISC) in ferritic or martensitic material.

Crucially, austenitic steels are not sensitive to this type of corrosion phenomena, which is why they are widely used in marine applications.

BUMAX® – beyond standard fasteners

BUMAX offers a wide range of fasteners to cope with any marine application. BUMAX stainless steel fasteners are already used around the world in a variety of demanding marine applications, from thrusters and sub-sea cable connectors, to seawater filter fastening systems and cleaning equipment for subsea oil and gas wells.

BUMAX fasteners have consistently proved they can deal with the most extreme marine applications – often where standard solutions simply cannot cope. The use of high strength and corrosion resistant stainless steel fasteners promotes safety, extends lifespan and reduces the need for maintenance. This reduces lifecycle costs as they simply last longer and require less maintenance than standard solutions.

144 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY BUMAX products commonly used in marine applications include: BUMAX® 88 – a premium A4 fastener with higher strength and better corrosion resistance than a standard A4 due to a minimum 2.5% molybdenum content and a nominal PREN of 27.

BUMAX® 109 – offers the same material as BUMAX 88 but with higher strength.

BUMAX® DX 129 – a product with extremely high strength combined with a nominal PREN of 36, which provides very good corrosion resistance.

BUMAX® SDX 109 – the optimum choice for extremely demanding marine applications where corrosion resistance is a critical issue with a nominal PREN of 42. The product will never corrode under normal marine conditions. BUMAX SDX can also be supplied in strength class 12.9.

BUMAX fasteners have also proved to have very good fatigue properties compared with standard fasteners in A4-80. This applies to BUMAX 88 but especially BUMAX duplex grades that have significantly better fatigue properties compared with both austenitic stainless steel and carbon steel fasteners. The key to higher fatigue resistance is the premium raw materials used for BUMAX fasteners, with minimal harmful inclusions and excellent surface properties. Rolled threads also enhance fatigue properties because of the compressive stresses created.

In addition, thread friction testing by third-party laboratories has demonstrated that BUMAX products have lower thread friction, as well as less variation in friction compared to competitor products.

This significantly reduces the risk of galling, which can be an issue with standard stainless steel fasteners. Less variation in the friction coefficient also ensures correct clamping force, as incorrect clamping force is a major reason why standard fasteners fail.

Application example: Vessel thrusters

BUMAX 88 bolts have been used by a leading propulsion system manufacturer to fasten thruster propeller blades. The manufacturer tested various fastener solutions and found that BUMAX 88 provides the best corrosion resistance, excellent fatigue resistance, improved assembly (less friction and galling) and overall premium quality. The thruster is also protected against corrosion by sacrificial anodes.

The bolts are critical as a fastener failure would potentially result in high repair costs and safety risks.

Application example: Subsea cable connectors

BUMAX SDX 109 bolts have been used to fasten the cable fibre optic connectors on the sea bed that are used to regulate subsea oil and gas wells. As the connectors are at a depth of up to 3,000m, it can be expensive to repair or replace critical elements such as fasteners, which simply cannot be allowed to fail.

BUMAX SDX 109 was selected as the very best option for corrosion resistant and maintenance-free fasteners in such demanding marine environments. Some customers have previously used titanium fasteners for such applications, although as these are expensive, BUMAX SDX 109 enables significant cost savings.

Application example: Seawater filter fastening systems

BUMAX LOCK, in duplex material, and BUMAX SDX 109 have been used to fasten two seawater filter fastening systems, 22m and 15m in diameter respectively, for a European nuclear power plant.

Following customer tests on various high security wedge locking systems on the market, BUMAX LOCK, which is a full metallic lock nut, together with BUMAX SDX bolts were chosen. The high strength and low corrosion solution will meet the strength requirements and cope with the corrosive seawater environment throughout each of the filter’s 30 year design lifespan.

The BUMAX solution also reduced the number of individual components required, and the free-spinning nature of BUMAX LOCK allows a quicker and more simplified installation process. BUMAX LOCK has a special thread design that will not cause it to disassemble when subjected to vibration and provides a constant preload. This ensures the filter will continue to provide critical cooling to the nuclear reactor to safeguard its safe operation.

Application example: Cleaning equipment for oil and gas wells

BUMAX DX 129 has been used to fasten subsea equipment for cleaning oil and gas wells. Regularly using such equipment to clear wells of debris is essential in optimising production and avoiding potentially costly issues. BUMAX DX 129 fasteners were selected as they are the only fastener solution capable of dealing with the extreme subsea environments – including very high temperatures and pressures, combined with exposure to salt water and hydrogen sulfide. DX 129 also ensures a strength class of 12.9, which is essential in this extreme environment.

About the authors Anders Söderman, techncal director Anders has worked in the stainless steel industry since 1995 and has been technical director at BUMAX AB since 2013.

Prior to BUMAX, Anders held various positions at Sandvik Materials Technology since 1999 – including five years as strategic technology and product development manager for Sandvik Wire and Kanthal®, six years as R&D manager for wire products and three years as a research engineer within the R&D organisation. Anders has an M.Sc. in materials science from Dalarna University. Örjan Persson, business development director Örjan has worked in the steel and tooling industries since 1987 with a variety of senior management roles. He has been the BUMAX business development director since 2013. Örjan’s previous senior positions at Sandvik include president of Sandvik Mining & Construction Sweden, equipment sales manager Surface Mining, vicepresident Surface Mining and president & CEO of Sandvik Smith. Örjan has an M.Sc. in Materials Science from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.

146 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Duplex – ideal for the maritime sector Duplex is a material with a lot of potential, and impresses with a number of advantages.

It meets the highest requirements in terms of quality, corrosion resistance and long-term strength – making it the ideal material for maritime applications in particular.

A

t the beginning of last year, the WASI product range was extended by articles made of duplex material 1.4462 in order to meet all market requirements and customer demands.

Above all, the clear advantages and various application possibilities have made duplex a popular product among customers, especially for the maritime sector. More and more engineers are already considering duplex material 1.4462 when planning projects.

Duplex – permanently seawater resistant

Resulting from its high chromium content duplex is extremely resistant to corrosion, in particular to intergranular corrosion, and has a high PREN value making it permanently resistant to seawater. Duplex also has high strength and ductility values and high resistance to frictional wear, as well as low thermal expansion.

The material can also be processed very well and welding, turning, drilling, and polishing are all possible.

Compared to purely austenitic steels, duplex steels have a lower nickel content, which makes them more price stable. Another advantage is the possibility to save costs, which is mainly due to the weight reduction and the possibility to choose a smaller diameter. As

a result of their high corrosion resistance, duplex steels also require less maintenance. Above all, there are some significant advantages of duplex in direct comparison with A5 stainless steels.

Predestined for maritime applications

Duplex fasteners have properties that make them extremely interesting for many applications. This material is suitable for a wide range of fields such as in marine technology – for example onshore, offshore, shipbuilding, swimming pools and pool construction.

Duplex steel fasteners are also amongst the strongest and most durable in the world. Duplex stainless steels are divided into five groups ranging from lean duplex to hyper duplex. These steels are characterised by a balanced austenitic-ferritic two-phase structure with a ratio of 50:50, combining the positive properties of ferrite and austenite. Duplex steels have a high strength – comparable to higher strength structural steels.

The WASI duplex range includes hexagon and hexagon socket screws, as well as hexagon nuts, threaded rods, washers, spring washers and chains. www.wasi.de/en

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We never lose sight of our aim to give the customer just what they want. And we always offer that little bit extra.

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In the course of the harmonisation of standards the category of Corrosion Resistance Classes (CRC) has been regulated by the Eurocode 3/DIN EN 1993-1-4, annex A. Many European countries are therefore encouraged to consider these newly determined stainless steel grades for the calculation and construction of steel structures.

TOBSTEEL is the only stockholder for fasteners who covers all Corrosion Resistance Classes (CRC) I to V according to Eurocode 3 – annex A.

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Schäfer + Peters GmbH ● Zeilbaumweg 32 ● DE-74613 Öhringen Tel. +49 (0) 7941 6094-0 ● info@schaefer-peters.com ● www.schaefer-peters.com

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Achieving the best clamp load retention in extreme conditions Threaded assemblies are the most important detachable parts used in machinery construction, installation and repair. Relaxation of tension and self-loosening is common for any machine but when it is operating in harsh environments, the need to minimise this deterioration with effective threadlocking is even more important.

Various methods are available but what are their respective strengths and failings?

M

echanical devices such as split pins and tab washers are only suitable for preventing the loss of nuts and bolts. Friction devices give some resistance to vibration but do not perform well under extreme conditions. Locking devices, such as tooth flanged and ribbed flanged bolts, nuts, and washers, are effective at preventing self-loosening but can damage the contact surface, need larger flange-bearing surfaces and are expensive.

Increasingly, threadlocking adhesives are taking the place of traditional mechanical locking devices because they deliver the greatest all round efficiency, especially when the going gets tough.

As well as preventing unwanted movement, loosening, leaks and corrosion, they resist vibration. They are free flowing liquids or semi-solid adhesives, which completely fill the gaps between mating threads of fasteners and joints.

Proof positive

To prove the performance of its threadlocking system against other methods, LOCTITE® submitted its products for independent testing in a transverse shock and vibration machine in which pneumatic hammers force relative movement of the stressed parts.

At the same time, the existing pre-stress force was continuously measured for the number of load cycles. Characteristic clamp load retention curves of the various locking methods were then compared.

While a similarly favourable load cycle performance was provided by the ribbed flange bolt, it does have other disadvantages.

It’s expensive, requires a relatively large amount of space for the flange bearing and causes unavoidable damage to the surface of the clamped parts around the bolt bearing.

A bolt with a saw-toothed flange also performed well but its teeth penetrated the bearings surface of the clamped material. The head and the nut were damaged during loosening, limiting their possible application to parts with hardened surfaces that cannot be reliably connected.

As well as performing well, the LOCTITE threadlockers are able to cut costs by replacing expensive special locking bolts or nuts, allowing less costly standard assemblies to be used.

If it’s good enough for Crossrail…

With such a good result for clamp load retention and cost efficiency, it is no wonder that when Herrenknecht AG was evaluating the best way to secure threaded assemblies on its tunnel boring machines for Crossrail it chose LOCTITE. It mainly uses LOCTITE 243 to lock bolts that must resist massive pressure as the machines eat into the subsoil. This is a medium strength adhesive suitable for all metals including passive substrates.

150 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

It’s a similar story with Local Motors’ Rally Fighter, a high performance, off-road racing car that needs to withstand extreme conditions without constant maintenance. Cars like the Rally Fighter are subject to jarring bumps and vibration that shake loose even the sturdiest of nuts and bolts. By applying a LOCTITE threadlocker mechanics knew that once they tightened the bolt or screw, it would stay tightened, even in the toughest environments.

Extensive choice

LOCTITE threadlocking adhesives are available in varying viscosities and strengths to meet the needs of a wide range of applications. They are single component and semi-solid adhesives that cure at room temperature to a hard, solid thermoset plastic when applied between steel, aluminium, brass and most other metal surfaces.

Low strength formulations allow disassembly with standard hand tools and are ideal for adjustment screws, calibration screws, meters, gauges and for thread sizes up to M80. Medium strength provides a greater degree of performance and is good for machine tools, presses, pumps, compressors and gearboxes.

High strength products are used where frequent dismantling is unlikely and may require localised heat for removal, as do wicking compounds that are widely used for pre-assembled fasteners.

Continuous development of LOCTITE threadlockers has greatly extended the application scope of these products.

They are now much more effective on passive substrates such as stainless steel and their greater oil tolerance makes them less sensitive to improperly cleaned parts. Importantly, these qualities have been achieved without compromising any of the products’ other key properties such as chemical resistance and shelf life.

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Complete torque traceability for vehicle component manufacturers For component suppliers to the automotive industry, delivering high-quality parts along with complete traceability is demanded by vehicle manufacturers. In the production process of cars, buses or motorcycles, each and every single component needs to be traceable back to its point of manufacture.

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n the event of a safety recall, manufacturers must be able to isolate any affected vehicles. For suppliers to these manufacturers, displaying good discipline and compliance in these areas makes them more likely to remain a preferred supplier. Quality verification is therefore a critical and vital area of their assembly process, ensuring the final quality and safety levels are always achieved, whilst also ensuring there is total traceability in their assembly data records, as required by law.

The final stages of quality auditing and verification are perhaps the most important of all the quality checks that occur during the entire assembly process. For component suppliers there is a requirement for solutions to enable them to measure and audit the installed torque on critical fasteners and joints contained within components of an assembled vehicle.

Crane Electronics, an expert in torque measurement, offers a series of tools and data collectors that allow production and quality departments to inspect, review and store important assembly data on their systems â&#x20AC;&#x201C; making it easy to trace and isolate any potential issues. This data can then easily be communicated to vehicle manufacturers.

Crane has an extensive knowledge and experience of supplying complete assembly torque assessment solutions for vehicle component manufacturers. These solutions include digital torque wrenches and torque transducers to measure the applied torque levels. Plus, torque data collectors and analysers, alongside intelligent torque management software systems, to view, record and store this important assembly data. The complete torque management solutions offered allow component manufacturers to deliver complete peace of mind to vehicle manufacturers who in turn can do the same for their end users.

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Getting the best of both worlds On the face of it, building the Kienlesberg bridge was a real life ‘mission impossible’. After all, how can you successfully bring together two completely opposing concepts?

L

ocated in Ulm, between the southern German cities of Stuttgart and Munich, the Kienlesberg bridge was to become a beautiful example of filigree architecture.

Stretching 270 metres in a smooth curve, this work of art was to feature specially fitted vantage points. Here, pedestrians and cyclists could pause to behold the historic city below them, and especially the glorious Gothic style Minster church, which boasts the world’s tallest steeple.

© Christian Frumolt

154 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

© Christian Frumolt At the same time, however, everything had to be about rules and reliability, safety and sturdiness. Requiring over 2,500 tonnes of steel, this construction had to be robust enough to support two train tracks.

Moreover, with a bustling Deutsche Bahn intersection below, the bridge meant complying with strict and uncompromising safety regulations. The endless rules governed everything from electrical cables to train tracks. Despite the seemingly impossible nature of the challenge, the solution came in the form of a dream team combination of two products. This included glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GRP) from Composite Technologie Systeme GmbH (CTS), and special washers from the Nord-Lock X-series bolt securing system.

There are two main reasons why Nord-Lock products were a perfect fit for this project. Severe vibration from rattling carriages on a high-speed train can lead to bolt loosening, but not when used with Nord-Lock X-series washers. The wedge-effect underneath the bolt head and nut means the washers cannot loosen unintentionally.

CTS found Nord-Lock washers to be highly reliable as they also passed Deutsche Bahn’s strict safety tests. CTS could now guarantee that their product – fitted using Nord-Lock washers – could withstand the vibration. www.nord-lock.com

ALL NORD-LOCK STEEL WASHERS verified for 1,000 hours corrosion resistance in salt spray test Increasing levels of humidity, heat and air pollution are making corrosion more common. Protect your critical bolted joints with the highest salt spray resistance on the market, verified according to ISO 9227.

Find out more at www.nord-lock.com

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

New PEM® SMTSK™ standoffs for printed circuit boards The new PEM® SMTSK™ unthreaded standoffs from PennEngineering® permanently surface mount on printed circuit boards to enable quick attachment and removal of stacked components without requiring screws or tools.

T

he unique barrel design of the PEM® SMTSK TM allows for a stacked board or panel to be slipped easily into place and then detached by simply sliding the component sideways and lifting it off. These standoffs will effectively serve to attach and space components either horizontally or vertically using minimal hardware and fewer assembly operations.

The standoffs are supplied on tape and reel – compatible with existing SMT automated installation equipment – and will mount on printed circuit boards in the same manner and at the same time as other surface mount components prior to the automated reflow solder process. These hardware solutions ultimately can reduce handling issues, risks of board damage, and costly scrap, while promoting streamlined production and ‘screwless’ designs of subassemblies.

PEM SMTSK standoffs are manufactured from carbon steel and available in unified lengths 0.125 inches, 0.25 inches, and 0.375 inches, and in metric lengths 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. They will install successfully in boards as thin as 0.06 inches and 1.53mm.

These standoffs are the latest addition to the complete line of PEM® REELFAST® surface mounted fasteners, which also include other non-threaded and threaded standoffs, standard and micro nuts, right-angle fasteners, and captive panel screws.

CUSTOM BUILD J,URNED­ -AND STAMPPARTS

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H-COIL THREADED INSERTS HAPARE.DE

Quarter page Add.pdf 1 16/02/2017 10:33:03

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THREADED INSERTS SPRING STEEL CLIPS SHEET METAL FASTENERS THREADFORMING SCREWS ELECTRONIC HARDWARE TURNED PARTS

Tel: +44 (0) 1246 296 930 fasteners@harrisonsilverdale.co.uk www.harrisonsilverdale.co.uk

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

A force to be reckoned with

Available from Star Fasteners, the Huck® Range ForceTM battery installation tool is designed to combine industry leading performance with superior reliability.

This new advancement in battery powered installation tooling is the only battery tool on the market with electronically adjustable pull force for installation of pintail-less lockbolts.

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he Huck® Range ForceTM battery installation tool can install the complete Huck® range of structural and non-structural rivets (up to ¼ inch/6.4mm) as well as two piece fasteners (up to ¼ inch BobTail®/Hucktainer®/ Magna-Grip®/C6L®). It’s also the only battery tool with electronically adjustable pull force control (which is required for BobTail).

In addition, it boasts exceptional quality for superior reliability and durability (tested to 50,000 installations). The high pull force is adjustable and it features a long stroke length, providing considerable versatility. What’s more, there’s cross compatibility with Huck noses and Makita 18V batteries.

Workshop services

With a fully equipped workshop and experienced team, Star Fasteners’ tool workshop services are reliable and timely, so there’s minimal down time and a quick turnaround for every job. The company’s comprehensive range of spares and genuine components ensure a timely service, with large stocks of spares from leading manufacturers such as Huck, FAR® and VVG®.

Star Fasteners can arrange to pick the tool up by itself or via courier. A quote detailing all parts and costs is raised. If required, Star Fasteners can guide customers through a process to make a decision and find the most economical outcome. Each tool also gets a unique reference so Star Fasteners can view its full maintenance history.

Service and maintenance

A regular maintenance programme supports production environment. It also: Helps to ensure fasteners are being installed properly.

Satisfies health and safety obligations.

Keeps production moving and ensures tools are operating correctly.

If tools are brought back into the workshop, a typical tool service will involve a complete strip down, degreasing and cleaning of all parts with a specialist hot parts washer. Once assessed, if necessary, Star Fasteners will replace seals and worn parts. Finally, the tool is reprimed, reset as required and thoroughly tested. Servicing can be arranged to fit in with

158 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

shutdowns or down time to suit factory schedules.

S t a r Fasteners’ extensive stocks of tooling spares (including for many obsolete models) are also on hand for those who prefer to carry out their own servicing and repairs. Generally, Star Fasteners can offer next day delivery and can talk customers through some simple preventative maintenance measures to get the most out of the tool and ensure minimal downtime, as part of the service.

Hire and service hire

Should a workshop suddenly become busy, or a specialist tool is required for a specific contract, Star Fasteners can offer short or long-term hire tools. The company also offers service hire whilst a tool is in the workshop for service or repair.

Sales

Star Fasteners offers quality tools that can stand up to the rigours of a busy workshop environment and can demonstrate the latest models and provide advice on tool options best suited to the application and the environment.

The company is committed to continuously improve and expand its tooling product portfolio to ensure that it remains at the forefront of modern assembly requirements.

“As the UK’s largest Huck fastener distributor, we have become synonymous with the constant quest for innovation. We offer factory visits to tailor a tooling package that can address issues such as noise reduction and trip hazards. When standard solutions do not fit, we work together to find a resolution,” comments Star Fasteners.

Training

And that’s not all – Star Fasteners is happy to send an expert member of the team to provide on-site training into a workplace or customers can visit the purpose-built workshop. “Our team are experienced in working in production environments and understand the complications that tool downtime brings. We can take the training back to basics, from checking optimum air pressures, to knowing what to look for when inspecting equipment. This knowledge then leads onto detecting and correcting potential problems ideally before they occur. Major downtime is then avoided,” explains Star Fasteners.

“If you partner with us, we can solve fastener installation issues, boost production output and therefore profitability. We are confident that our fast and reliable repair service will meet your requirements.” www.starfasteners.co.uk

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

stamping out the impact of theft globally

Not all fasteners are created equal

By Ryan Crawley, marketing executive at Hafren Fasteners Ltd You have standard fasteners that are of course very useful for fixing things, but they are vulnerable to attack, theft, vandalism and unauthorised tampering. So, when you need to secure something valuable or commercially sensitive you need to look at a solution that can resist the efforts of criminals.

T

hat’s where security fasteners come in. Security fasteners are specialist vandal/tamper resistant fixings and fasteners that have a varied range of uses but are primarily used to protect infrastructure/property from theft, vandalism and tampering. For over 25 years Hafren has developed a wide range of security fasteners with the objective of stamping out the impact of theft globally.

At Hafren we live and breathe security fasteners, in fact we only deal in security fasteners and are therefore constantly working to improve our offering through R&D – striving to achieve a range of security fasteners that can help protect and secure every application.

With that objective in mind we have created a 1 – 5 security fastener rating scale to help customers specify the most suitable fastener for the application. This in turn got us thinking about what is the best; ‘top of the trumps’ security fastener available? To do this we looked at the following comparative headings: Security rating – shows how resistant to the fastener is to attack.

Range size (from stock) – demonstrates the versatility and availability of the range (the more options there are available the more useable the fastener).

Corrosion resistance – level 1 = basic zinc plated, level 2 = thick zinc plated, level 3 = galvanised (including GEOMET® 500 B & Delta Protekt®), level 4 = A2 stainless steel and level 5 = A4 stainless steel.

Torque level – indicates how tightly the fastener can be fastened.

Innovation – indicates how unique the design is (many of the innovative designs we offer are proprietary and only available from approved Hafren distributors).

Style – because security isn’t the only reason to buy our fasteners. The novel designs add an aesthetically pleasing finish to many applications.

For more security fasteners visit; www.hafrenfasteners.com Or call us

+44 (0)1686 621 300 Or email

sales@hafrenfasteners.com Don’t forget to follow us

At the top of the security rating are products such as the Solok™ 2-way security drive, which ensures that each and every customer has their own unique ‘one-of-a-kind’ drive, which will only work to undo/tighten their exclusive fasteners ‘coded’ to the same drive. Manufactured to order in steel or stainless steel, the Solok offers each customer their own ‘strictly authorised access only’, lockable and unlockable security system making them very popular in high security sectors such as the custodial/ prison sector.

Another example of a high security fastener is the Nogo™ enclosure, this is a 1-way permanent fixing, once installed it is extremely difficult to remove. This enclosure can be used to turn any standard nut or bolt assembly into a permanent high security enclosure. Available as solid cap for bolts, or with through hole for nuts, which may have threads standing higher than the nut.

At the mid-level security range is the innovative Power6™ thread forming screw; although this screw has a 6-Lobe Pin design the geometry of the drive is slightly different making Power6 incompatible with standard 6-Lobe Pin tooling. The fact this drive can only be fastened/removed with the matching Power6 tooling (which is only available through Hafren approved distributors) helps to enhance this fastener’s security rating. With a corrosion resistant GEOMET® 500 B finish it is ideal for external applications, such as high security fencing.

At entry level security, there is the 6-Lobe Pin security drive. These high torque security fasteners are a very popular product and with a wide range of styles (including machine screws, self-tappers, self-drillers, barrel nuts and anchors); to choose from, it makes this drive an extremely versatile security option, enabling almost unlimited assembly possibilities to secure and protect property from theft, vandalism and unauthorised tampering.

So whether you are looking for the highest security available or a wide range (available from stock) and versatility to match, Hafren has a security solution for you. Take our short survey and nominate your favourite security drive: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TGCHC2K and we will let you know your choice for the ‘top trumps’ security fastener in the next issue of Fastener + Fixing Magazine. www.hafrenfasteners.com

160 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Felo – the German specialist for bits and screwdrivers Like hammers and pliers, screwdrivers are one of the basic tools in every workshop. However, unlike hammers and pliers, which have been in use since pre-historic times, screwdrivers are a relatively recent invention and first came into use only in the late middle ages for one specific object – the screw.

J

ust as screwdrivers are specialist tools, German Felo Werkzeugfabrik is a specialist in screwdrivers and bits.

Its history dates back to the foundation of Hammermühle (hammer mill) in the state of Thuringia in 1878. This factory specialised in the manufacture of hammers, pliers and screwdrivers. In 1950 the company relocated to Neustadt, changing its name to Felo.

The family business grew and supplied its products to many countries in the world, mainly Europe and the Americas, and its first US patents were granted as early as the 1930s. Through the years the principle goal of the founders was carried on from generation to generation: To produce tools of the best quality and with the most innovative features – with all process and production parts under one roof.

For many years the handles of screwdrivers were made of wood or even metal, both of which needed elaborate machining. In the 1950s the use of plastic, as cellulose acetate, proved a giant step forward in ergonomics.

Developed and produced in Germany

Today the development department of Felo works alongside the in-house tool and dies department to improve product lines and realise new product ideas. Many of the machines in use at Felo were designed and built in-house. For high performance tools production process reliability is very important. “This ensures that decisive quality features of our products exceed DIN and ISO requirements by up to 100% and that we are able to produce almost every customised solution of bits and screwdrivers,” explains Martin Holland-Letz, CEO of Felo Werkzeugfabrik.

State of the art machines guarantee compliance with Felo’s quality standards and cost-effectiveness. Test systems exceeding current international standards ensure the superiority of many Felo products and help to document continuous quality improvement.

Constant innovation

Automated industrial production methods gave rise to the demand for screw bits to be used with power tools or inserted into stationary assembly line machinery, which is why Felo offers a wide range of standard and special bits.

Bits coated with extremely hard titanium nitrate were another Felo first in 1989. The range also includes industrial bits catering for all types of screws and fasteners in daily use. All the ranges are offered in various lengths, from 25mm to 500mm, plus an extra slim option to fit the various heads.

162 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

To complete the bit usage, special bit holders were created such as the Felo 4Impact bit holder, with a 3 step torque absorption cascade that significantly extends the life of even standard bits when used with impact drivers. The Felo Star automatic holder also holds bits and screws, speeding up fastening operation. It virtually does away with dropped screws and provides extra safety in difficult working positions.

Through the years Felo has applied for and has been granted more than 260 patents and industrial property rights. Further Felo innovations include exchangeable blade systems for electricians, torque limiting screwdrivers, and multiple refinements of the screwdriver handle.

ERGONIC® – best in test 2018

Intensive research in the late 1980s led to a handle shape that became a market leader in ergonomics. The addition of a second rubbery material provided unprecedented grip and comfort and resulted in the first two component handles on screwdrivers.

A new era in ergonomics was inaugurated with the introduction of ERGONIC®, the first adaptable screwdriver handle.

Through a special injection moulding process, cells of a highly flexible gel are embedded in the handle allowing it to adapt to the pressure of the working hand, screwdriver handle and the user’s hand interlock. This provides optimal torque transmission and work comfort. ERGONIC is a worldwide unique tool, patented for Felo and produced by Felo in Neustadt.

Today Felo has more than 140 years of experience in the production of screwdrivers and bits, supplying 2,000 stocked items – and a multitude of customised tools – to more than 40 countries in the world.

“Felo has become a renowned world leader in screwdrivers and bits, carrying quality and innovation in its corporate DNA and handing it down to every new generation. Felo never stands still – we are always on the lookout for better and smarter tools.” www.felo.com

is your specialist with great experience in custom made items and solutions of the highest quality.

Felo Werkzeugfabrik Holland-Letz GmbH Emil-Rรถssler-Straร e 59 DE-35279 Neustadt Tel.: +49 (0) 66 92 / 88-0 Fax: 0 66 92 / 88-99

info@felo.com www.felo.com

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Stylish and protective slimBit boxes Hand tool manufacturer Wiha has been honoured with the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2019 for its new slimBit boxes – a compact transport, removal and storage option for 6 or 12 slimBits.

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iha’s product development looks to provide users with a significant advantage in handling slimBits during their day-to-day professional life. In the large sets, 12 slimBits with different profiles are stored in two boxes containing six bits each. This allows users to carry slimBits around safely and neatly arranged in a box. When open, the box offers an optimum view of screw profiles, enabling users to select and remove profiles quickly. Users can also handle profiles with a single hand thanks to the practical belt clip.

The company says its slimBits excel due to their slender shape and protection against electric shock, making them particularly advantageous for use in the electrician’s trade. The new Wiha solution has been developed based on new market knowledge and user surveys to offer a functional solution with added value.

“Being awarded the Red Dot affirms the high design quality behind the product. We are immensely proud that the special features in the product’s design have been recognised and honoured with the Red Dot,” says Ronny Lindskog, director of sales and marketing at Wiha Werkzeuge GmbH. The Red Dot Award: Product Design is one of the world’s largest design competitions. Designers and manufacturers from 55 countries submitted more than 5,500 products to the competition in 2019. The international jury composed of acknowledged experts from different fields who have been coming together for over 60 years to seek out the best designs. During the assessment process over several days, they attach great importance to criteria such as degree of innovation, form quality, functionality, durability and ergonomic design.

Never drop a screw again Magnet Driver, available exclusively in the UK from Chicago Brand UK, has a seriously powerful magnetic ring combined with a flexible rubber body providing simplicity, speed and security in all screwing tasks.

M

ore than just another magnetic bit holder, the Magnet Driver is a versatile power tool accessory. Available in a wide variety of sizes, it enables a user to instantly turn any manual screwdriver highly magnetic or adapt for use in electric drills.

The driver also features a powerful neodymium magnet to hold screws straight and true and a flexible rubber body that allows countersinking. Screws will not slip or cause damage to the work area.

The Magnet Driver is also colour coded for different screwdriver rod diameters, making it ideal for professional trade applications and suitable for use on concrete, wood and metal.

Reduce assembly time with new flanged nuts Philidas has released a brand new flanged nut range, debuting at Fastener Fair Stuttgart earlier this year. The all metal self-locking nuts, with a flange at the bottom, are available in both steel and stainless steel.

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he nuts lock on a bolt in any position, designed to create the most convenient and practical fastening method for any industry or domestic application. Even in high performance environments, where vibration may occur, the locking nuts are developed to stay in place. They also help reduce assembly time, use fewer components and are more cost-effective than alternative methods.

Philidas specialises in the design and manufacture of self-locking

164 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

nuts for a huge range of industrial and domestic applications, including automotive, rail, aerospace, earth moving plant equipment, mining, renewable energy and electrical appliances.

Philidas also offers technical support on new or existing applications where its technical team can work directly with the customer’s application engineers to offer new fastener design ideas to solve application problems. Having such capabilities enables new products to be designed and developed in an optimum time scale.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Loosening safeguard at full load bearing capacity The newly developed ecosynÂŽ-grip screw from Bossard Group combines the process reliability of an internal drive with the loosening safeguard of a ribbed washer and the load bearing capacity of an 8.8 screw.

Process reliability

The internal hexalobular drive is suitable for manual and automated assembly, it has low tool wear and the tool slipping and wobbling movements are reliably prevented. Due to the anti-loosening features of the screw, additional securing elements, such as washers, are not needed - an incorrect assembly is therefore ruled out, which additionally increases the process reliability.

Loosening safeguard

ecosynÂŽ-grip combines the wide contact surface of a button socket head with locking teeth.

The locking teeth anchor into the softer surface material of the component to prevent a counterclockwise rotation. This ensures that up to 80% of the preload force is retained after the screw connection is made, without requiring an additional securing element.

Load bearing capacity

Screws with an internal drive and small head height often have the disadvantage that the material recess for the drive leads to a weakening of the screw head. High torsional loads, such as very strong tightening, can therefore lead to a screw failure. ecosyn-grip combines the appealing design of an ISO 7380-2 screw with the load bearing capacity of an 8.8 screw, such as ISO 14579. The screw is fully load bearing and can thus also transmit even large operating forces, which is a significant advantage compared to screws with a low head. ecosyn-grip screws are in particular suitable for screw connections in sheet metal with increased requirements for safeguards against loosening or vibration. This includes car body construction, interior lining, covers, system construction, vehicle trim, sheet metal constructions, domestic installations, profile connections, cabinet construction, and transport system construction.

A RANGE OF JUST 5 TOOLS; MAKING LIFE SIMPLE FOR DISTRIBUTORS NO NEED TO PURCHASE ANY ADD ONS.. THESE TOOLS COME COMPLETE SERVICE SUPPORT FOR ALL TOOLS; INCLUDING COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SPARE PARTS 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON TOOLS. (WEARING PARTS EXCLUDED) FULL CE ACCREDITATION FOR COMPLETE BATTERY TOOL RANGE

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Constantly evolving stock

Threaded rods according to DIN 976 in the lengths of one, two and three meters are a common product on the European market. A significant portion of the threaded rod is further cut and processed in many ways by users in various industries. There is a growing demand for cut, chamfered and machined to a drawing threaded rods and parts, which customers expect to be delivered directly by fastener suppliers.

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he demand results from a progress in specialisation; increase in operational cost on the shop floor; and the construction site. Digital data generated from CAD systems together with procurement process automation require special lengths and drawing parts, rather than the threaded rod of the standard lengths. Labour constraints across whole sectors only further support the demand for ready to use parts.

Valenta ZT, as a threaded rod specialist, has long been focused on a broad range of materials and sizes. Now the company is responding to the market demands by enhancing its machining and secondary processing capacities.

Cutting, shearing, chamfering, facing, marking, precision straightening, end machining, are examples of a complex array of secondary operations.

The company‘s extensive stock of raw material, semi-finished and finished parts is essential for responding to customer’s needs.

“A gap between customer requirements and raw material suppliers lead times grew bigger in 2018, and this year doesn’t seem to be any different in this respect. Our stock helps us to compensate for that gap and provide a better service. Off the shelf specials such as fine thread, left thread, big diameters, are the strong sales point of Valenta ZT. At the same time, a variety of customer requirements seem to have no end. Every time we think our product range is broad enough, our customers show us, we are wrong, and ask for something off that range. An item such as threaded rod M36 pitch 3mm class 10.9 left thread, will hardly ever become a top seller. But there is someone out there, who definitely needs it,” says Martin Schwartz, production manager. Valenta ZT. www.valentazt.com

Special and drawing components More and more often, the standards on which many standardised product ranges are based no longer meet the requirements of the individual application – such as special thread geometries for unusual connections; drive forms for higher tightening torques; fast or automatic assembly; special materials for high temperatures and particularly corrosive environments.

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hese are just some of the special requirements with which customers confront WASI technicians and engineers. Due to the increased customer requirements in all branches of industry, WASI is now increasingly focusing on the engineering of individual fasteners, C-parts, and other stainless components, which has been practised for a long time.

From the development of prototypes to series production – from small and medium quantities to large series – when it comes to individual solutions, specials and drawing parts, the specialists at WASI are competent contacts. On the base of more than 50 years of experience, the WASI’s team advises in order to individually develop the technically and economically

optimal solution. WASI reliably converts the product concepts developed together into reality – and with clearly structured project management ensures that everything remains within the agreed time and cost limits.

The significantly reduced development and delivery times are supplemented by the selection of the right material and the customised manufacturing processes for the respective application. From machining, cold and hot forming, stamping and bending parts to coatings, assembly and labelling, WASI offers the entire portfolio. The high-level of quality is ensured throughout the entire supply chain. www.wasi.de/en

Crown Nail Company restarts exports to China On 10th October 2018, the Lion brand blued-cut tacks came back into circulation in the UK. A batch of three tonnes of fine and improved blued-cut tacks was imported, which sold out within six weeks.

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ore shipments followed, and in late March 2019, a fourth batch was on its way. There has been a very high-level of customer satisfaction due to the excellent quality of the products, which are made of top grade steel.

Originally established in 1850, the tacks are produced on original Crown Nail machines. With exports to Europe and Saudi Arabia growing, the Crown Nail Company received its first order from China in March 2019. China was a historical importer of the Lion Brand, and new owner Alfred Raj is very happy that exports to the country have resumed.

Although the brand went out of circulation for five years, Raj is happy to say it was not forgotten. He pays credit to the previous manufacturers who continued to produce quality tacks to the very end. The brand longevity is certainly testament to the previous owners.

The Crown Nail Company is now looking for global distributors. In particular, the company hopes to start selling in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, West Indies, Panama and Malta. These were important historical markets that Raj wishes to service again. Interested distributors are invited to contact the Crown Nail Company online.

170 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Fasten screw after screw with DuraSpin The Senco DuraSpin is a versatile screw system, designed to make users as productive as possible – increasing screw fastening speeds by more than four times and improving job site productivity by more than 30%.

S

enco DuraSpin uses collated screws, meaning users will not have to reach for new screws all the time, they simply move the device to fasten screw after screw. The collated screws are easy to load in less than a second and the nosepiece is adjustable without tools. Because of this, the Senco DuraSpin screw gun allows users to drive more screws faster and with greater accuracy. This results in quicker installations, lower costs and greater profitability.

The precise depth of drive adjustment with depth lock allows the DuraSpin to sink a screw 5cm below the surface of hard wood. Because of the corner fit feed system, users are also able to place screws in hard to reach places such as corners and tight spaces.

The high torque motor makes the tool a great fit for general contractors who need the versatility to do a wide variety of jobs. It provides plenty of power for composite decks, cement board, or applications where dense engineered materials are needed. Moreover, the DuraSpin is ideal for applications where drill point screws are used to cut through heavy steel.

Available in a cordless and corded design, the DuraSpin is perfect when high mobility is key. The battery is good for 1,400 shots per charge. The corded model offers a bit more power and has the advantage of not having to change batteries. Users can load the DuraSpin screw gun with either drywall, metal and wood screws.

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Fixi – constantly evolving Fixi Srl, an Italian family owned company since 1984, has established itself as a reliable partner within the fixing and fastening technology market. Fixi is always ready to implement new products in its range to optimise its service offered to customers, which includes its new battery powered riveters and comprehensive range of rivet nuts.

T

he most recent addition to its range of tools for blind rivets is Fixi’s new battery powered riveters for diameters 2.4mm to 6.4mm in all materials. Compact, ergonomic, lightweight and easy to use, these tools ensure comfort during handling and low fatigue during long working hours. Equipped with two long-lasting batteries and a mandrel collector, the new battery tools can work for extended hours ensuring excellent operating performances.

Furthermore, to fulfil the continuously growing demand for high resistant fasteners, Fixi has also recently added to its vast and comprehensive range of rivet nuts with a stainless steel 316 series. This range of fasteners, suitable for applications in corrosive environments, is available in a variety of different head styles and body shapes – open and closed end types.

Fixi’s vast portfolio of fasteners includes blind rivets, threaded inserts, clinching fasteners, welding studs, fasteners for plastics and inserts for tubes. Amongst these products offered, Fixi also offers all the related tools. www.fixi.it

Master Bond thermally conductive adhesives Master Bond EP30NG is a two part epoxy adhesive system developed for applications that require high thermal conductivity. It contains a speciality graphene filler that contributes not only to its high compressive strength, but also to its enhanced dimensional stability.

E

P30NG achieves an extraordinary thermal conductivity of 38.15 BTU•in/(ft2•hr•°F) [5.5 W/(m•K)] at room temperature while its compressive strength measures 22,000 psi – 24,000 psi upon cure. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion of 24-26 x 10-6 in/in/°C and exhibits a Shore D hardness of 85-95.

“EP30NG is ideal for bonding applications where some contact pressure can be applied. The minimum bond line thickness is 0.18mm, since graphene nanoparticles tend to agglomerate to form larger particles,” comments Rohit Ramnath, senior product engineer at Master Bond.

This epoxy system is formulated to cure at room temperature or more rapidly at elevated temperatures. Part A has a thick paste consistency and Part B is a low viscosity liquid.

EP30NG bonds well to a variety of substrates including metals, composites, ceramics, glass and many plastics. The service temperature range is -60°F to +300°F. The product is available in 30 cc jar kits, ½ pint kits, and pint kits.

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

A wide range of hose clamps from Tecfi During the second half of 2018 Tecfi SpA launched a wide range of hose clamps. Due to the success of the range, Tecfi will be introducing additional types in the upcoming months to complete this new line of products.

Included in Tecfi’s range of hose clamps will be: XD: DIN 3017-1 (W1) – a zinc plated steel hose clamp with worm gear drive, and zinc plated steel combi recess hexagonal washer head screw. Available with band widths 9mm and 12mm.

XE: DIN 3017-1 (W2) – an AISI 430 stainless steel hose clamp with worm gear drive, and zinc plated steel combi recess hexagonal washer head screw. Available with band widths 9mm and 12mm.

XG: DIN 3017-1 (W4) – an A2 (AISI 304) stainless steel hose clamp with worm gear drive and zinc plated A2 (AISI 304) stainless steel combi recess hexagonal washer head screw. Available with band widths 9mm and 12mm.

XH: DIN 3017-1 (W5) – an A4 (AISI 316) stainless steel hose clamp with worm gear drive, and zinc plated A4 (AISI 316) stainless

Zinc Alloy Inserts Steel Inserts Brass Threaded Inserts Furniture Connectors

Unit 4, Alma Industrial Estate Stafford Road, Wednesbury WS10 8SX United Kingdom

tel: fax: email: web:

+44 (0) 121 439 7329 +44 (0) 121 439 7346 sales@theinsertcompany.com www.theinsertcompany.com

steel combi recess hexagonal washer head screw. Available with band widths 9mm and 12mm.

XK: DIN 3017-3-C1-2 (W2) – an AISI 430 stainless steel hose clamp with DIN 933 hex head zinc plated steel screw 8.8 grade and cylinder nut.

Moreover, Tecfi SpA offers bands for cut to length hose clamps in AISI 430 stainless steel, in 30m length with plastic holder and in 3m length with eight enclosures in plastic holder with blister hole.

This whole range of hose clamps completes the wide range of cable ties, clips, bands and collars for fixing pipes, tubes and cables available from Tecfi. www.tecfi.it

K C O T S N I W O N

Range: M5 to M24 UK Office

22 Kelso Gardens, Wallsend Tyne & Wear, NE28 ODT Tel: +44 (0)754 7686079 Email: trevorwebb@prk-tech.com

Germany Office

Gutenbering 31, 22848 Norderstedt Hamburg, Germany Tel: +0049-40-38645555 Fax: +0049-40-38645557 Email: prk.sales@gmail.com

DIN 912 (12.9) GRADE

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

A useful addition to the workspace The Sykes-Pickavant deep magnetic bowl range presents a practical solution to containing metal tools and components whilst working. The 7710 series is available in four colours â&#x20AC;&#x201C; blue, green, orange and grey â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is suitable for every workspace.

T

he strong magnet on the underside of the bowl attaches securely to toolboxes, vehicle bodywork and any other metal object in a garage or workshop, whilst ensuring that tools and components are firmly secured. The unique shape of the bowl allows it to be positioned vertically or horizontally, keeping objects to hand at any angle.

With a diameter of 152mm, overall height of 135mm, and maximum inner depth of 113mm, the bowl accommodates components from small nuts and bolts to weighty handheld tools including spanners and even small torque wrenches.

The strong plastic design provides a sturdy storage solution, whilst the textured PVC magnet covering prevents surface scratching, allowing the bowl to attach to ferromagnetic surfaces without damage.

High Quality Bespoke Large Nuts & Fasteners

INDUSTRY SPECIALIST AT YOUR SERVICE

FASTENERS

Trojan supply to many niche markets with special industrial fasteners and

www.ldfasteners.com

focus on high quality, bespoke custom fasteners.

M4-M52 Metric, #10-2.1/2â&#x20AC;? Imperial/Unified thread Hex, square, flange, dome and round Nuts Castle, Slotted, All Metal Prevailing Torque Nuts Manufacturers of hard to find items Very fast manufacturing and delivery times Fully traceable manufacturing and delivery Fully compliant to ISO 9001:2008 quality standard Certificates in materials, heat treatment and plating Certificates of Conformity

www.trojansf.co.uk ISO 9001:2008

LD FASTENERS SRL Via Custoza, 1 - 20037 Paderno Dugnano (MI) Tel. +39 02 99.485.328 - Fax +39 02 99.500.516 info@ldfasteners.com

trojan.fasteners@gmail.com Tel: +44 (0) 121 789 8586 | Fax: +44 (0) 121 789 8006 18 Fortnum Close | Kitts Green | Birmingham | B33 0LG

Trojan Quarter page - Sep FFM 2017.indd 1

20/07/2017 15:13

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Monitoring system for Remote monitoring blind rivets and rivet nuts of elongation Rivit Srl’s CONTROLRIV4.0 is a monitoring system for blind rivets and rivet nuts, which helps to plan different placing operations, monitor the process of the work, and easily and safely analyse the resulting data.

CATHELAIN S.A, a French manufacturer of precision threaded components for the energy sector, has developed C-Bolt® – a concept that allows the remote monitoring of the elongation of elements of an assembly.

I

R

ivit’s system is connected to the riveting tools and, according to the working methods and to the predetermined settings made by the operator, the work of one or more tools is monitored in real time in order to avoid mistakes and deactivations. The results are improved productivity, higher standard of work and reduced waste.

Designed in modules, the system features a Master and 11 Slaves to obtain up to 12 workstations managed simultaneously. The Master, with a touch screen display and user-friendly software, can easily interact with a PC, a PLC, and download all the data of the work in a very simple way on portable storage drives. The Slave, more compact than the Master, only manages the operation of the riveting tool by indicating its status on integrated LEDs. Though all the work is managed by the Master, the Slaves – in certain configurations – can communicate with the PLC independently.

Monitoring of the assembling operations develops by the study of the curves, through piece and batch counters, and work lists. Work monitoring is supported by stored batch data, by all check activities, by implemented work lists and by the recorded curves.

For working phases, visual and sound alerts have been designed to highlight correct or wrong applications, particularly the lack of air in the latter case. In addition, in order to have a clearer and more visible reference from afar, a three colour luminous tower with alarm siren is also available.

Every single unit features a pneumatic valve that turns compressed air on and off, to safely secure the system; best distinguish the working phases from the configuration ones; and prevent further errors in the event of a wrong application result.

CONTROLRIV4.0 works with tools for rivet nuts RIV938, RIV939, RIV941, RIV949 and RIV916B, and with tools for blind rivets RIV503, RIV504, RIV505, RIV508, RIV511B and RIV300. www.rivit.it

ntended for safety assemblies that require vigilance (permanent or cyclic) to ensure the integrity of the tightening, the principle is to integrate an optical fibre sensor with screws, studs, and other threaded rods.

The optical fibre technology used is a patented process based on optical interferometry developed by the Canadian company OPsens. This process was developed in partnership with FT Measure based in Annecy, France. It makes it possible to detect the minute variations (at 0.5μm/m) due to the elongation of the bolt during its tightening, the external stresses (temperature, pressure, corrosion, etc) or its loosening.

C-Bolt® can be installed on all industrial sites and in all sectors of intervention. It is insensitive to radii, magnetic fields, distances (cable of maximum 3.5km), temperatures (from -268°C to + 320°C), ATEX zones, and frequencies. Moreover, by its passive constitution, it does not emit any disturbance to its environment.

The connection of the fibre is done before or after tightening by a connector. It connects the probe to a device called ‘interrogator’, which is deported by cable routing, at a distance of up to 3.5km. This instrument can support up to 1,300 probes at the same time.

Other sensors, based on this same technology, can also detect with very high accuracy, temperature, pressure, and displacements. It is the same ‘Interrogator’ that manages all these installed sensors.

In terms of safety, because during the operation of the devices, the facilities maintain their integrity through live monitoring of their assemblies, an alarm can be triggered and be coupled with the sending of mail, or the shutdown of the process.

C-Bolt allows for Conditional Preventive Maintenance (otherwise known as Predictive Maintenance). This method submits the intervention at the right time and in the right place.

This largely limits downtime and accurately targets the work to be done.

SPRINGS - HIGH PERFORMANCE

• Inconel • Nimonic • Hastelloy • Elgiloy • MP35N • Titanium • High-tech calculations

Lesjöfors Sales, Stockholm • Phone +46 8 445 88 88 • info.vby@lesjoforsab.com

A leading manufacturer of high performance springs and stampings – www.lesjoforsab.com

Made in Taiwan

ADVERTISERS INDEX 310Express Company............................................172 Abbey Clamps............................................................. 15 Achilles GmbH............................................................ 11 Acton............................................................................145 Advance Spares....................................................... 141 Albert Pasvahl............................................................. 9 ARK Group (Arpel)................................................ 129 ARK Group (Kamtech)..........................................165 ARK Group (Rivco)...................................................92 Alexander Paal GmbH............................................ 81 Alloy & Stainless Fasteners............................... 180 Ambrovit......................................................................13 Apex Stainless Fasteners ...................................145 Ariljemetal Doo......................................................... 81 Astrotech Steels Private Limited..................... 99 Atotech........................................................................ 117 Avon Stainless Fasteners Ltd............................145 Bendfast..................................................................... 180 Berardi Bullionare.................................................127 Berdan Bolt................................................................131 Birlik Baglanti Elemanlari San........................127 Bomet...................................................................... 1, 182 Bossong.........................................................................97 Bralo...............................................................................82 Brighton Best International................................25 Bulte.............................................................................. 141 Carlo Salvi...................................................................57 CELO Befestigungssysteme GmbH.................. 99 Cetin Civata................................................................65 Ceviz Pres Döküm San. ve Tic. A.S.................. 111 Chavesbao................................................................... 17 Ching Chan Optical Technology Co................124 Colombo Special Fasteners Srl........................... 41 Dell’Era Ermanno & Figlio Srl...........................159 Dimac...........................................................................113 Dipl. Ing. Fritz Lichthart.................................... 103 Don Quichotte.............................................................97

DS Fasteners.............................................................170 EFC................................................................................135 Eurobolt........................................................................55 Eurofast........................................................................89 Fareast Metal International Co Ltd...............179 Fastbolt........................................................................... 2 Fast Fair Turkey......................................................149 Fastener + Fixing magazine..............................173 FastFix Search................................................ 166,167 FastFix Technology............................................... 130 Felo Werkzeugfabrik Holland-Letz GmbH......... 161 Fixi Srl............................................................................39 Fong Prean Industrial Co Ltd............................159 G & B Fissaggi Srl................................................... 100 Gala Precision Engineering Private Ltd................ 27 Gesipa............................................................................ 15 Grand Metal .............................................................159 GWI Werkzeug und Stahl Vertriebs GmbH........103 Hafren Fasteners Ltd............................................158 Harrison Silverdale...............................................155 Harrsion Clough........................................................79 Haspl............................................................................173 Heco Schrauben........................................................97 Hexstone Group......................................................... 19 Index Tecnicas Expansivas Srl............................. 3 Industrial recence..................................................155 Inox Viti ......................................................................147 INOXDADI SRL........................................................ 150 Jeveka................................................................... 83, 151 Johan Smit.................................................................177 Joker Industrial Co. Ltd........................................ 99 Jubliee clips (L Robinson & Co).........................155 K&H Auto Parts...................................................... 164 KINFAST HARDWARE CO LTD..........................176 Kingwin Precision Co Ltd....................................105 Krumm & André GmbH & Co. KG.................... 154 LD Fasteners.............................................................177

Bolts • Nuts • Studs Sockets • Washers Specials Made

®®

® ®

Special Metals and Alloys

Over 150 Material Grades 10,000 Ton Inventory Over 250 Machines We Service All Quantities Serving Distributors Worldwide www.GoASF.com

info@GoASF.com

182 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE // ISSUE 117 MAY 2019

Lederer GmbH.......................................22, 24, 58, 59 Lesjofors.....................................................................178 Lusavouga SA...........................................................4, 5 Mac Precision Hardware.................................... 161 Macdermid................................................................ 111 Marcopol......................................................................53 Marposs......................................................................118 MBI INDUSTRIES (PVT) LIMITED....................179 Mecavit..........................................................................23 Merlin Business Software Ltd...........................127 MITOS Srl ..................................................................151 Mustad SpA.................................................................33 Nakashimada Engineering Works Ltd..........115 National Machinery................................................ 21 Ningbo Londex...........................................................37 Nord Lock...................................................................153 ND Industries............................................... 28, 29, 31 Norm Civata................................................................35 omniTechnik Mikroverkapselungs GmbH........... 67 Orderwise.................................................................. 129 Peter Schroder........................................................... 81 PGB - Europe NV........................................................91 Pinstructure............................................................... 15 Precision Technology Supplies.........................143 PRK Technologies...................................................175 Pühl GmbH & Co. KG............................................... 69 R+FK Schulte...............................................................49 Ray Fu Enterprise Co............................................163 Rexlen Corp.............................................................. 139 Rawlplug ......................................................................85 Reyher............................................................................39 Rotorclip.....................................................................137 Rivit..............................................................................181 RLS............................................................................... 123 Rosmil............................................................................78 Sacma............................................................................73 Sariv............................................................................... 51

Saspi Tallers..............................................................107 Schäfer+Peters........................................................147 Schnorr.........................................................................83 Schwer + Kopka...................................................... 103 SD Products...............................................................165 Shanghai Fast-Fix Rivet Corporation...........175 Sheh Kai Precision Co.............................................95 Shin Chun Enterprise............................................ 171 Sipa.................................................................................47 Smith Bullough........................................................170 Specialinsert.............................................................101 Spirol Ind....................................................................151 Stafa................................................................................. 7 Star Fasteners..........................................................133 Tecfi.................................................................................93 TR Fastenings............................................................. 71 Tecno Impianti........................................................ 123 Test GmbH..................................................................105 Teknoform................................................................. 169 TITIBI............................................................................101 TLM.............................................................................. 109 Tobsteel...................................................................... 146 The Insert Company..............................................174 Top Screw Metal Corp Ltd.................................... 96 Trojan Special Fasteners....................................177 UBK............................................................................... 161 Valenta....................................................................... 169 Vipa Spa........................................................................77 Wafios Umformtechnik........................................121 Wan Iuan Enterprise Co Ltd...............................119 Wasi..............................................................................147 WPI Services.............................................................114 WTI................................................................................ 141 YUYAO ALFIRSTE HARDWARE CO.,LTD.............157 Zago Manufacturing Inc.......................................27

RIVIT Srl ITALIA Bologna / Italy T. +39 0514171111 rivit@rivit.it / rivit.it

RIVIT INDIA Pvt Ltd Chennai / India T. +91 44 428 50 250 rivitindia@rivit.in / rivit.in

RIVIT MAROC Sarl Au Temara / Maroc T. +212 661 379 765 rivit@rivit.ma / rivit.it

UNI EN ISO 9001:2015