Fastener + Fixing Magazine #123

In this issue…

JRP technical excellence Made in the UK Marine applications fastenerandfixing.com ≡ Issue 123: May 2020

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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES Since 1955 ND Industries has specialized in the development of innovative materials and processes which increase the safety and reliability of fastener assemblies.

ND serves a global market with divisions across the continental US, Taiwan, 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.

From two base products in 1965 to currently over two hundred twenty, ND continues its tradition of cutting edge research and development with the regular introduction of unique materials along with competitive brand offsets.

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.

THERMOSEAL™ A high temperature, high pressure thread sealant which withstands up to 40MPa. Offering thread locking breakaway torques greater than 20Nm and a maximum temperature of 428°F (220°C). Thermoseal is an extremely versatile product for challenging sealing conditions.

THERMOLOC® 1500 ND’s highest temperature chemical threadlocker. Initially performs like a vibration dampening compound. Once temperatures reach 750°F (400°C), a secondary activation begins, causing the fastener to be permanently locked in place. Tested to over 1500°F (850°C).

AUTHORIZED APPLICATOR Did you know that ND is an approved 3M applicator? Further proof why ND should be your one stop shop for pre-applied fasteners.

ND PATCH® HI-TEMP Highest temperature pre-applied nylon threadlocker in the industry. Unlike the competition, ND’s application process requires only 120°C, preventing plating damage. However, once crosslinked, it can withstand temps up to 260°C. Meets MIL-DTL-18240F / QPL-18240.

THREAD ARMOR® GP Prevents galvanic corrosion in assemblies with dissimilar metals, such as aluminum, and steel, by electrically isolating the fastener. Specially bonded to the fastener, ND Galvanic Patch 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.

EPOXY-LOCK® NUTS This pre-applied threadlocker consists of separated epoxy hardener and expoxy resin.

Upon fastener installation, the two materials mix and activate. When fully cured, EpoxyLock provides greater breakaway torque than conventional nylon fastener locking devices.

EXPAND-A-LOCK® A unique pre-applied microencapsulated expanding threadlocking & sealing compound. Increases in volume 20-50% on installation, penetrating the gaps in fastener threads typically unfilled by conventional threadlockers.

Scan QR Code for more info.

CONTACT US www.ndindustries.com www.vibra-tite.com info@ndindustries.com

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

VIBRA-TITE® PRODUCTS Vibra-Tite, the bottled product division of ND Industries, is one of the world’s market leaders in anaerobics, cyanoacrylates, epoxies, and ultraviolet technologies.

CONTENTS NEWS 10-36 Financial reports, acquisitions and trade duty news

COVER STORY 38-39 JRP technical excellence

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40-59

MADE IN THE UK

An insight into UK fastener manufacturing

INSIGHT 62-74 From distributor to service provider Hafren expands to meet the growing demand for security fasteners Technical training that impacts the bottom line In memory of Robert H. Lench

EXHIBITIONS 76-82 CONSTRUCTION 84-98 FIXINGS Dr Stefan Nรถken, member of the executive board, Hilti Group

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62 100

MANUFACTURING 100-108 TECHNOLOGY

MANAGEMENT + 110-114 SYSTEMS APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

116-132

Design engineers and fasteners Meeting the requirements of megatrends

PRODUCTS + 134-145 TOOLS 6

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE โ ก ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

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S B B O LT S

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Will Lowry, editor, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

Part of the Mack Brooks Group

Romeland House, Romeland Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL3 4ET, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1727 814 400 www.fastenerandfixing.com

The ‘new normal’ To everybody within the fastener and fixing industry, I hope that you are safe and well in these strange and difficult times. At the magazine we have been in the fortunate position to continue working (from home) and have therefore strived to produce an issue that shows how Covid-19 has impacted the sector, and the steps companies have introduced to adapt to the ‘new normal’.

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o start, within our Industry News section, we have an article that goes into detail about how Covid-19 is impacting the European fastener industry, as well as the key supplier markets. Plus, we have financial reports from leading companies that discuss the effects of the coronavirus.

In this edition we also have a special ‘Made in the UK’ feature that looks at the manufacturing capabilities available within the UK, as well as the niche products and services companies are able to provide. Alongside the unknowns around BREXIT, companies also concentrate on the challenges of Covid-19.

Our Cover Story focuses on the successful launch within the UK of the JRP line, by Hexstone, and the important role technical support and quality have played in this success.

Before lockdown was enforced, I had the opportunity to visit Lederer GmbH, celebrating its 50 th anniversary in 2020, and discussed with Managing Director Volker Lederer how the company has developed from a standard distributor into a service provider.

Plus, I stopped by GRASS Befestigungstechnik and spoke to Managing Director Christoph Schulte about how GRASS’ investment strategy, into automated CNC machinery, has enabled the business to position itself at the forefront of turning products.

To add to this, we also have an exclusive interview with Dr Stefan Nöken, member of the executive board at Hilti Group, who gives an incisive vision on how digitisation will play a critical factor in the construction sector over the coming years.

Other articles include Peter Standring, technical secretary at Industrial Metalforming Technologies (IMfT), focusing on the relationship between design engineers and fasteners; as well as Tom Francis, global segment leader for chassis and powertrains at Saint-Gobain S.A, talking about the role fastening technology can play within megatrends.

Subscribe for free at www.fastenerandfixing.com

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Publishing Director Jamie Mitchell jamie.mitchell@fastenerandfixing.com Editor Will Lowry will.lowry@fastenerandfixing.com Deputy Editor Claire Aldridge claire.aldridge@fastenerandfixing.com Editorial Consultant Phil Matten phil.matten@fastenerandfixing.com Sales Manager Mac Rahman mac.rahman@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – Italy Emiliano Pagliaroli emiliano.pagliaroli@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – DACH Beata Csano beata.csano@fastenerandfixing.com Business Development Manager – Europe Chantal Ridings chantal.ridings@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 2020.

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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NEWS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF KEY INDUSTRY NEWS

How Covid-19 is impacting the European fastener industry At the end of April, Editorial Consultant Phil Matten asked colleagues from across the European fastener association networks, for their assessment of the impact of Covid-19. Unsurprisingly, many issues were common, but the progress of the disease and individual government responses also meant significant variations.

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he coronavirus hit Italy early and aggressively, as Gian Marco Dalpane, president of UDIB, attests. “The Covid-19 pandemic in Italy began in early February, exploding in the middle of the same month.” The disease mainly affected Northern Italy, especially the heavily industrialised areas of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia Romagna. Infections were also detected in southern Germany late in January, with clusters developing by the end of February. The German Government moved into its containment phase on 13th March.

The French Government applied strict lockdown conditions on 17 th March. Spain, as Jorge Cámara, export manager at Chavesbao, puts it “abruptly entered the tunnel” on 27 th March, the same day that the United Kingdom and Irish Governments implemented tight restrictions on business and communities.

The automotive manufacturing industry and its supply chain has been hardest hit, with most activity coming to an

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

abrupt cessation. In Spain, says Ramón Cervalls of CELO, many automotive OEMs ceased production in the second half of March, although tier 1 and 2 manufacturers continued production for a further two weeks, to ensure a full pipeline ready for assembly resumption. Orders on the fastener supply chain plummeted, initially by 70%, with April and May automotive order levels expected to remain down by 50%.

Jacques Barrier, of Prismefix, reported automotive demand falling by 85% in France. In Germany, FDS members expected April sales across industry to have declined by as much as 50%, with automotive hardest hit. The UK automotive sector was at a standstill throughout April, resulting in some fastener manufacturers and service providers furloughing most employees. In Italy, all production activity, with the exception of strategic agribusiness, biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors, was at a complete standstill during April.

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NEWS - CORONAVIRUS The European automotive industry is now gradually focusing its restart plans during May. However, with dealerships closed and consumer and business demand confidence heavily depressed, initial production volumes will clearly be low and the ramp up tentative. Several OEMs are prioritising output of AFVs and all are closely monitoring existing inventories and demand potential by model to determine production levels. Automotive entered the coronavirus crisis in powertrain transition, with suppressed demand and heavy inventory. As it fights to recover from the Covid-19 shock, it will still face those other challenges. As a result, there can be no expectation of a return to pre Covid-19 demand for several months, probably longer.

Construction activity in most countries also took a dramatic ‘hit’. In Spain demand from the sector slowed by around 20% in the second half of March, but orders shrunk by 75% during April. In France demand fell by around 60% in April. In the UK, initial confusion over whether construction sites were allowed to remain operational, plus concerns over safe working practices, resulted in almost complete closure of all bar the most critical operations. Most sites in Scotland and Ireland ceased activity. Demand for construction fixings was mainly limited to online supply chains to the consumer market, as DIY activity under lockdown burgeoned.

Supplies to the craft sector in Germany also held up.

In France and Italy, however, tighter restrictions over people’s movement throttled DIY demand.

Estimates vary but there is reasonable evidence that construction demand will recover more strongly.

In the UK, housebuilding had weathered the BREXIT turmoil fairly well. However, consumers – concerned about job security – will be more cautious about major financial commitments. Nevertheless, prospects for housebuilding recovery look reasonable. Infrastructure throughout Europe will be dependent on government investment to boost economic recovery. Some is already evident, including renewed UK Government commitment to the still controversial HS2 rail project. Commercial and industrial construction clearly depends on business confidence, likely to take longer to recover. In Spain the tourism industry will be seriously impacted, at least in the short-term, by the coronavirus. However, Ramón Cervalls believes that, unlike the 2009 – 2012 aftermath of the financial crisis, construction is more likely to return strongly.

Fastener demand from general industry appears to have remained stronger in most countries, except Italy. Typical reports from Germany indicate demand shrinking by 20% to 30%. NEVIB in the Netherlands reports a 5% to 15% shortfall against the previous year.

Overall fastener sales in the UK look to have fallen by around 50% in April, although the range by company is literally 0% to 100%. Some fastener companies, supplying critical applications or responsive manufacturing services, reported higher demand, although their response was curtailed by safe working protocols and in some cases raw material and subcontract service availability. In France, overall fastener demand during April also looks to have halved. In Italy, because of the severity of the lockdown on industry, the reduction in fastener sales in April is expected to be close to 75%.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Estimates vary but there is reasonable evidence that construction demand will recover more strongly.”

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NEWS - CORONAVIRUS With demand suppressed, fastener inventories are inevitably building, particularly as shipments from China ‘catch up’. The long range supply tap is slower to turn off but that clearly is now happening, with reports of Asian fastener factories on short time working. For importers, liquidity and actual storage space to accommodate increased stocks are the short-term issues. The next challenge for manufacturers and importers alike will be to cope with volatile and unpredictable demand. With demand down, overall inventory levels will be deep for some time. However, gaps will develop and are likely to present opportunities for local manufacturers that can respond flexibly. China’s rapid emergence from the coronavirus, will foment calls for increased trade defence measures to protect European manufacturers. How the EU responds, given American protectionism has already demonstrated the risks to global trade, remains to be seen.

It is too early to gauge the wider supply chain implications the coronavirus will generate. There is talk of the death of globalisation, of major reshoring activity to secure supply chains. However, the cost advantages of global supply chains will not fundamentally change – nor will the growing demand for goods from rising economies, particularly in Asia.

Unquestionably the major concern right now is company liquidity.

Supply chain payment strategies have varied. In Italy the trend of customer non-payment started at the end of March. In the UK, behaviour polarised. Some, through need but many through policy, stopped April payment or unilaterally increased payment days.

By contrast, others are consciously paying to terms or sooner to support their supply chain. As several have noted, memories of these behaviours will be long.

Unprecedented government support programmes have been targeted to protect businesses and jobs in the short-term, by paying a significant proportion of furloughed worker salaries and ensuring preferential loans to businesses. Some companies are clearly averse to increasing their debt burden for as long as it is avoidable. The next issue, as government support schemes taper, and with depressed sales

continuing, is the risk of large-scale redundancies. Governments, already committed to unprecedently deep debts, must wrestle with the choice between incurring further debt to provide continued, flexible furlough support, versus the social, political and welfare costs of escalating unemployment.

A final, and consistent thought from all our ‘correspondents’. There will be no return to a pre-coronavirus normal. The new normal will be very different, for the foreseeable future – living and working alongside Covid-19. Technologies have been proven during this crisis – whether robotics or online sales communications, remote working systems or data management – and they will continue to have relevance in, and influence, that new normal.

There is also the harsh reality that some fastener businesses simply will not survive. In the short-term through lack of liquidity, perhaps longer term by not being able to recover real viability or simply through opportune acquisition.

Governments, too, will need to service the massive debts currently being incurred – and that eventually must mean a heavier tax burden for business and individuals.

They say the sword is tempered by the fire. This furnace is the fiercest most will ever have experienced. However, the fastener industry has long demonstrated its resilience against the odds. Stay safe.

Unquestionably the major concern right now is company liquidity.”

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Limited space makes it difficult to do full justice to all of the generous contributions reflected in this article. Some responses are published more fully on the fastenerandfixing.com website and provide an intimate insight.

The support of all of the following is deeply appreciated: Jacques Barrier, Prismefix, France Jorge Cámara, Chavesbao, Spain Ramón Cervalls, Gruppo CELO, Spain Gian Marco Dalpane, UDIB, Italy Alexander Kolodzik, FDS Germany Vincent van Dijk, NEVIB, The Netherlands BIAFD and CBM, United Kingdom

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

Bossard ‘holds own’ in first quarter 2020 Bossard Group reported first quarter net sales of CHF 218.9 million (€207.7 million), saying that in an extraordinarily challenging market environment, it had held its own. In view of the growing market turbulence caused by the Covid-19 pandemic the company said its first quarter results were better than it could have expected.

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ossard Group’s first quarter 2020 net sales of CHF 218.9 million, was a decline of -5.7% on the previous year.

However, the drop was largely due to the stronger Swiss franc, with the fall in sales in local currencies less pronounced at -1.8%. In particular, Bossard said, business in Europe stayed the course with only a slight drop in sales in local currency, maintaining virtually the same level as last year. In Asia, where the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was most evident in the first quarter, Bossard was seeing the first signs of market normalisation, primarily in China.

European sales were CHF 133.1 million compared with CHF 138.9 million in Q1 2019, but only down -0.2% in local currency.

The acquisition of Boyson last July made a positive contribution to this outcome. Bossard says the Covid-19 pandemic has appreciably affected business in Europe in recent weeks.

The Group is currently taking a number of actions to maintain operational performance and ensure liquidity, including introducing short time work in Switzerland. Affected employees will see a maximum reduction in pay of 4%, and the board of directors, executive committee and management have committed to a similar salary reduction.

Bossard was already ‘facing considerable headwinds’ in America during the second half of 2019. Sales for the first quarter of 2020 were CHF 54 million, down -7.1% (local currency -4.3%) against the same quarter of 2019. However, sales increased 5.5% against the final quarter of 2019.

Asian results were described as ‘respectable’ with demand reduced as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic. First quarter 2020 sales were down -9.7% to CHF 31.8 million, again substantially affected by the strength of the Swiss franc. In local currencies sales were down -4.5%. Record sales were posted in Taiwan, with double-digit growth in India and Singapore. Bossard says individual Asian markets are showing some signs of normalisation, with suppliers and customers rebooting production.

Bossard describes the outlook as a challenge and says it is looking at a difficult second quarter, adding “a quick recovery from Covid-19 is not currently foreseeable”. The drastic reductions in economic activity in Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland will “have repercussions for Bossard’s business”.

Strong start to Q1 slowed by Covid-19 Bulten has reported net sales amounted to SEK 821 million (€77.1 million) in the first quarter of 2020, which is an increase of 1.4% on the same period last year. Operating earnings (EBIT) for the quarter totalled SEK 43 million (Q1 2019: SEK 58 million), equating to an operating margin of 5.2%. nders Nyström, president and CEO at Bulten, commented: “The year started off strongly for Bulten and was in-line with the high order intake at the end of 2019. Since then, the situation for Bulten and the global automotive industry has changed dramatically due to the effects of Covid-19. Already in February, car production stopped in China, and during March most of Bulten’s customers closed down their production units in Europe and North America. As a consequence, Bulten has had significantly lower production and sales than planned during the first quarter.”

“The decline in the market was reflected in the order intake and net sales for the quarter, the effects being partly offset by the acquisition of PSM. Net sales increased by 1.4% and order intake decreased by 6.1%.

The prevailing uncertain production situation in the automotive industry means that the development in the coming months remains difficult to predict. At the end of the quarter, however, vehicle production in China

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

started to recover from the Covid-19 situation – but has still not reached previous levels.”

Anders continued: “We have taken measures to adapt the company’s operations to the situation in each market. Different forms and degrees of working time reductions and furloughs for around 1,200 employees are now in place at Bulten’s units in Europe and North America. Further measures have also been taken to reduce costs.”

“Our focus is also on the capital structure and measures to improve cash flow, a restriction on investments is now in place and the SEK 250 million – SEK 300 million real estate investment in Poland has been postponed to a later date. The Board’s previous dividend proposal is withdrawn to the 2020 AGM. It is not possible to predict at this time how vehicle production will be affected during the year. The measures we have taken do, however, enable the company to increase production at short notice.”

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

Healthy growth in Q1 for Bufab Bufab Group has reported healthy growth in the first quarter of 2020 with order intake amounting to SEK 1.321 billion (2019: SEK 1.084 billion) and net sales rising 21% to SEK 1.316 billion (2019: SEK 1.091 billion).

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rganic growth was -5%, partly driven by the market turbulence that has arisen in the wake of the corona pandemic.

Accordingly, the underlying demand was lower, but the market share was unchanged compared with the first quarter of 2019. The gross margin was lower in the quarter compared with the preceding year.

The decrease was mainly attributable to segment North through the acquisition of HT BENDIX A/S, as well as a poorer business mix in segment West relative to the comparison quarter. The share of operating expenses was 17.2% (2019: 16.9%). This key figure was negatively affected by low organic growth, but positively by a lower share of operating expenses in acquired companies, as well as contributions from the group wide efficiency programme that was initiated in the third quarter and has now been further intensified.

Operating profit rose to SEK 126 million (2019: SEK 119 million), equal to an operating margin of 9.5% (2019: 10.9%). Compared with the preceding year, exchange rate fluctuations impacted operating profit negatively by SEK -6 million, volumes negatively by SEK -16 million, the price/cost/mix/other positively by SEK 5 million and acquisitions positively by SEK 24 million.

The impacts of Covid-19

Jörgen Rosengren, president and CEO at Bufab, commented: “The first quarter of 2020 started well but came to be increasingly dominated by the coronavirus and its effects on customers, suppliers and Bufab’s operations. China and South-east Asia were already affected in January by the restrictions implemented after the Chinese New Year. Our subsidiaries in Asia had to rapidly prepare action programmes to enable them to conduct operations safely and efficiently despite the epidemic.

This experience was very valuable when the virus subsequently spread to Europe and North America.”

“At an early stage, we established three main priorities: Health and safety, quality and deliveries to customers, and financial stability. We quickly reorganised work

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in all of our subsidiaries so that it could be conducted safely and with a minimal risk of spreading the virus. We also had to handle large fluctuations in our customers’ manufacturing and delivery plans.”

“Our suppliers, first in China, then southern Europe and thereafter all of Europe and North America, were affected by reduced capacity or complete closure of their operations. We are very satisfied that we have kept our customers supplied without disruption or quality defects throughout this period. Towards the end of the quarter, demand returned in China and South-east Asia. At the same time, it became clear that many customers in Europe and North America had to close operations or reduce capacity.”

Jörgen Rosengren added: “During the first quarter, we reorganised the business into four operating segments instead of the previous two. The segments have been impacted in different ways by the crisis. In segment East, demand was weaker at the beginning of the quarter in China, but stronger at the end of the quarter. Segments West and North, on the other hand, had a rather strong start, but experienced a sharp slowdown towards the end of the quarter. This was particularly noticeable in certain industries, such as automotive and furniture/kitchen, as well as in countries with particularly strong restrictions, as for example France and Austria. Finally, segment UK/North America had a strong start to the quarter.”

Bufab reports Covid-19 sales hit in April

In a Coronavirus update, Bufab reported negative organic sales growth in

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

April at -30%. Including currency effects and acquisitions total sales growth was approximately -20%.

Bufab said: “Toward the end of April, we received some positive signals in the form of a slight demand recovery in some geographies, as well as information from several customers intending to resume operations in May. On the other hand, the development of the pandemic itself, as well as future government countermeasures, are impossible to predict.”

“In summary, we are expecting a significant impact on sales and orders at least during the remainder of May, and it is currently difficult to say how long it will last. However, Bufab’s operations are stable, we are getting deliveries from suppliers worldwide, and are able to deliver to customers in all countries.”

“All impacted subsidiaries have implemented short-time work schemes according to the rules in each country.

During April, the reduction of paid working hours was in-line with organic growth. It is our ambition to succeed with this also during the rest of the second quarter.”

Jörgen Rosengren summarised: “This is a difficult period for everyone. Bufab’s primary concern is keeping our staff and partners healthy and safe, and to continue to provide uninterrupted supply to our customers worldwide.”

“The tough measures we have taken to reduce cost are now starting to show results. I’d like to again thank all team members for their excellent teamwork, customer focus and personal dedication in these tough times.”

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

No better time to be better informed The British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors (BIAFD) has long had an exceptional record for keeping its members better informed. With all the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic is presenting to UK and Irish fastener distributors, there really has never been a better time to be better informed – and a member of the BIAFD.

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ince 23rd March when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that UK citizens and businesses would enter a Covid-19 ‘lockdown’, BIAFD has sent out more than 60 email bulletins to its members. The majority of these resulted from collecting, collating and analysing UK and Irish Government announcements on support for businesses. BIAFD has rapidly, often within hours and on occasions minutes, delivered a concise and clear summary of the information, plus all the necessary links to supporting documentation and forms, to ensure members are able to act effectively to protect their business.

As the managing director of one member said in a recent video meeting, not entirely joking: “I thought about telling my accountants they risked becoming redundant, because I was receiving the information far quicker from BIAFD.” In common with many organisations BIAFD was obliged to cancel the Spring meeting it planned for the end of April, and has made the rapid transition to using online video conferencing for meetings of its management board and, at the end of April, its Executive membership.

Key amongst the discussions in that Executive meeting was a review of the results of the BIAFD Covid-19 online survey, which has now also been circulated to all General and Executive members of the association. The survey, supported by some 60% of the membership and therefore a viable reflection of conditions in the sector, has provided an invaluable benchmark on the impact of Covid-19 on sales levels; on being able to applying for Government financial supports; and on beginning to consider business conditions once restrictions begin to be eased.

BIAFD continues to provide updates to its members, pretty well on a daily basis, on government announcements but also on a range of other authoritatively sourced information. Throughout the crisis, the association has also used all available channels to feedback the concerns of its members to the UK and Irish Governments.

So, when it is crucial to be better informed, and you are an Irish or British fastener distributor, best to belong to the BIAFD. For more information on membership visit the BIAFD website. www.biafd.org

Turkey applies additional import tariffs to fasteners According to the Turkish Government Official Journal of 18th April (No. 31103 – 2424) certain fasteners imported to Turkey will be subject to additional tariffs from that date.

T

he tariffs appear to be part of a wider programme of additional duties covering an extensive range of products. From 18 th April to 30 th September imports of what appears to be the majority of fastener classifications will be subject to an additional 30% customs tariff. This will take the total tariff for countries categorised ‘9’ by the Turkish Government, which include China, Taiwan and Japan, to 33.7%.

From 1 st October, the additional tariff level adjusts to 10%, taking the Category 9 total to 13.7%.

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

Tim Graham, Archerdale MD, dies of Covid-19 The UK fastener industry was shocked to hear that Tim Graham, managing director of Archerdale Ltd, tragically died from Covid-19 on Thursday 23rd April in Airedale Hospital.

T

im, who was sixty in March this year, leaves his wife, Amanda, and children, Sam and Sara.

Archerdale chairman, Glyn Brown, had worked with Tim Graham for some forty years in a number of Yorkshire fastener companies. Archerdale was established in 1983, with Glyn joining the family business in 1992 to form the fastener segment. Tim Graham joined him a year later. “A recruitment I was never to regret,” says Glyn, “which is not to say we didn’t have some moments when the relationship crackled – but that was always a measure of Tim’s personal strength, his commitment to the business, and to getting it right.”

Tim was appointed managing director of Archerdale, taking on the operational responsibility at the end of 2019, when Glyn stepped back into the chairman’s role. “He was already doing an outstanding job,” says Glyn Brown, “and will be sorely missed by all in the company. Everyone, though, despite their personal feelings at our loss, is determined to step up to the mark, because they know that is exactly what Tim would expect of them.”

Archerdale, a manufacturer and distributor of fasteners and associated products, has been operational throughout the UK response to the coronavirus pandemic. “We have a significant number of key customers operating in essential industry sectors, who are reliant on Archerdale

maintaining a reliable and effective supply chain,” explains Glyn Brown. “As a result, and I believe combined with our performance as a supplier and quality of our team, we have not really experienced the top line impact felt by many other companies in the fastener sector.”

Glyn Brown has resumed his previous role as managing director “to ensure that Tim’s plans and vision for the future of Archerdale are carried out”.

Separation of Arconic into two standalone companies complete Arconic Inc has now been separated into two standalone companies – Howmet Aerospace Inc and Arconic Corporation. Howmet Aerospace specialises in advanced engineered solutions and will start trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ‘HWM’. n 2019, the businesses comprising Howmet Aerospace generated more than US$7 billion (€6.47 billion) in revenue, up 5% from the prior year, with more than 70% of Howmet’s revenue derived from the aerospace market.

The new company will be led by Co-Chief Executive Officers John C. Plant, who will also serve as executive chairman of the board, and Tolga Oal, who previously served as president of Arconic Engineered Structures.

Howmet has been a trusted brand for over 90 years and has the technological capabilities to support the innovation and growth of next generation aerospace programmes. Composed of engine products, fastening systems, engineered structures and forged wheels businesses,

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Howmet Aerospace is transforming the next phase of more fuel efficient, quieter aerospace engines and sustainable ground transportation.

“Howmet Aerospace, an iconic and storied brand in the aerospace industry, launches as a standalone company. With strong market positions, differentiated technology and collaborative relationships across our customer base, the company is well positioned to benefit from a strong and growing aerospace market. Today is the culmination of a year of focus and hard work by our team to establish a strong and competitive company. We will build on that work and continue to serve our customers with precision engineered and highly innovative products,” said Mr Plant.

Stainless steel fasteners.

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NEWS - NORTH AMERICA

US fastener industry sheltering in place

By Jason Sandefur, contributing editor, GlobalFastenerNews.com Industrial fastener companies in the US have cut travel and limited face-to-face interactions with customers in an attempt to keep employees safe and minimise the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

G

ary Cravens, president at Advance Components, told customers: “Effective immediately, we have suspended all business travel including on-site visits to our customers, as well as travel to trade shows and conferences. We will also no longer be receiving visitors here at our facility in Carrollton, TX, other than those absolutely required to maintain business operations.”

While Brighton-Best International remains “open for business”, the importer has also eliminated staff travel, both domestic and international. “All visits to our offices and warehouses by suppliers or vendors have been suspended for at least 60 days or until further notice,” BBI stated in a letter to customers. Likewise, any BBI employee returning from overseas will be asked to self isolate before returning to work. BBI has also started sanitising its offices and warehouse every four hours.

Taking similar precautions

“We have suspended sales calls for our outside sales team over the next two weeks and are limiting visitors to both facilities,” stated Marty Nolan with manufacturer’s rep agency R.L. English Co in Cleveland “As things seem to be changing daily, we will pivot accordingly!”

“Half of the sales staff are working from home,” Jay Cee Sales & Rivet stated on Twitter. “No outside visitors.”

Jeff Adams said manufacturer’s rep agency Wing-Hamlin Co is taking a “block & tackle” approach to sales. “Phone calls, Skype for business, Microsoft Teams, text messages, email, and FaceTime,” Adams stated on Twitter. “It isn’t the most convenient or efficient, but I can still do my job effectively while respecting everyone’s space and acting socially responsible.”

At work, precautions are being taken to keep work areas as clean as possible. Safety measures at Advance Components include additional health training, dispensing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and scheduling routine wipe down for all common surfaces.

“We want customers to know that we are fully prepared for this situation and are taking every precaution necessary,” Cravens explained. “We are training and planning for every potential eventuality. Our intention is to remain open during regular business hours for the duration of this situation and we have no plans to close.”

Beyond immediate measures, some businesses made strategic decisions months ago to minimise disruptions. “Last year, we moved all our servers and data to the cloud, which allows us much more flexibility and security,” Cravens noted. “We also dramatically increased our internet bandwidth and VPN capabilities. Investing in this technology allows all our team members to work remotely as necessary. We have also implemented a training regiment so that our team members are prepared.”

After a hiatus, fastener production has resumed in China.

Factories are “pretty much back up to capacity”, BBI’s Jun Xu declared

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

while serving on a panel of importers added to the Pacific-West Fastener Association and National Fastener Distributors Association joint meeting in March.

Vertex Distribution’s direct contacts in China said about 80% of employees are back to work in China’s fastener factories, president Rich Megliola reported.

“As factories ramp up there will be a backlog in the shipping lanes,” Jun Xu warned. “Regarding the factory situation in China, we have seen continuous weekly improvements and BBI is no longer concerned about access to products manufactured in China,” the company added in its 16th March letter to customers. “The vast majority of our factories are up to 80% – 90% capacity. Taiwan has not been impacted

by Covid-19 significantly so there are no supply issues there.”

Impending problems from the coronavirus beyond production include freight constraints on lifts or trucks, Xu explained. There is also concern about lower inventories of raw materials and backlogs in the finishing process.

Xu has cancelled international travel not just because of the possibility of catching the virus, but other complications involved.

“What you don’t want is to get quarantined,” he pointed out.

Advance Components and other suppliers have plans in place to keep fasteners available. “To minimize any supply chain disruptions, we are beefing up what is already a substantial commitment to inventory,” Cravens noted.

Brighton-Best holds “a lot of inventory and today that’s a good place to be”, Xu added. “Inventory is our job.” Xu suggested there is “more worry” about demand than delivery as recreational travel, hotels and restaurants close due to the virus. Importing fasteners “will self-adjust”, Xu predicted. “We’ve been through difficulties before.”

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NEWS - NORTH AMERICA

by John Wolz, editor, GlobalFastenerNews.com

FINdex plummets amid pandemic Reversing strong results in 2019, the FIN Fastener Stock Index fell 30.3% in the opening quarter of 2020, compared to a 22.4% drop in value for an index of related industrial stocks.

U

S stocks dropped sharply in the first three months of the year as worries about the global coronavirus pandemic and its impact on businesses and the economy grew, CNN reports. The Dow recorded its worst start to a year in its history, down 23.2% for the quarter. The FINdex gained 33.7% in 2019, besting a 24.4% increase by an index of related industrial stocks.

No publicly traded fastener companies increased their stock value during Q1. Fastener companies losing 30% or more in value during Q1 included Arconic (down 47.8%); ITW (down 47.1%); Lawson Products (down 48.7%); MSC Industrial (down 30%); Nucor (down 36%); Park Ohio (down 43.8%); Stanley Black & Decker (down 39.6%); and Tree Island Steel (down 40%).

CBP drops plan to delay tariff payments Bowing to pressure from domestic producers, the Trump administration rescinded its proposal to allow importers more time to pay tariffs during the coronavirus pandemic, Law360 reports.

A

lex Lawson of Law360 writes: “Just six days after Customs Border Protection told importers it would consider delaying tariff payments on a case by case basis, the agency issued a new bulletin to ‘notify the trade community that CBP is no longer accepting requests for additional days for payment’.” Any owed duties that were not paid in the wake of CBP’s initial tariff delay reportedly were due to the agency by 27th March. On 20 th March, US Customs and Border Protection issued communication #42097586 through the Cargo Systems Messaging Service noting that CBP will grant on a “case by case basis additional days for payment of estimated duties, taxes and fees due to this emergency”.

The CBP notification further indicated that a more comprehensive, longer term policy may be forthcoming through the CSMS. However, the notice doesn’t specify how long any reprieve from tariff payment would last.

US steel producers were quick to reject the policy shift. “Any efforts to delay or reduce the collection of duties on unfairly traded steel imports, or imports that threaten to impair US national and economic security, will ultimately hurt US workers and businesses during this unprecedented moment,” the American Iron and Steel Institute and other domestic producers stated in a 24th March letter to CBP. Trump has publicly dismissed the idea of tariff reduction as part of his coronavirus strategy, while White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has floated an executive order that will strengthen “Buy American” government procurement rules for drugs and medical devices as a means of reducing the government’s reliance on imports.

President Donald Trump’s original duty on fasteners from China was applied in September 2018.

Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports six months earlier.

Washer repurposed as mask noseband Howard Reiter, owner of Rome Fastener Corp, has repurposed a steel washer to serve as a noseband on medical face masks, the Hartford Courant reports.

H

e said he has shipped 150,000 in two days from the Con nec t icut-based company. Rome Fastener’s work is part of a state wide effort by hundreds of manufacturers to make surgical gowns, face masks and other equipment and components to help stop the spread of Covid-19, according to the Courant.

Orbitform building sanitising machines for medical masks Orbitform is repurposing its facilities to produce sanitising machines for medical masks, WKHM reports.

O

wner Mike Shirkey said the Orbitform machine, which still requires testing before being put into production, will improve the use of the masks and help conserve inventory.

“The development of this sanitising machine will not only prove valuable to the medical industry but has helped give the Orbitform team a purpose during a difficult time,” WKHM reports.

Jackson, MI-based Orbitform designs and manufactures orbital forming riveting machines and forming, fastening and assembly automation equipment.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

NEWS - RUSSIA + CIS

by Alexander Ostashov, editor, Fastener, Adhesives, Tools and... Magazine www.fastinfo.ru

Meeting focuses on import substitution A meeting of the Coordination Council for the development of the Russian production of fasteners for the automotive industry recently took place in Belebey, Russia, with a focus on substituting imports of metal products and improvement in the quality of Russian hardware for mechanical engineering.

T

he event was held as part of the Intersectoral Work Programme for the development of new types of fasteners, and the improvement of the quality, of metal products for the automotive industry (the ‘Programme’), which was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and valid until 2023.

Participants of the Coordination Council noted that while there were some problems arising with wire rod, grade composition and standard sizes, new technical specifications have been developed and there are examples of successful import substitution in Russia. One participant, BelZAN JSC, has – since the approval of the Programme in 2018 – doubled production of hardware from 1,200 tonnes to 2,500 tonnes per month, and switched to the purchase of domestic materials.

BelZAN JSC works with alloy and boron containing steel grades in accordance with TU-14-1-5675-2019, developed by TsNIIChermet.

Volgograd hardware plant gets funds for fastener production The Volgograd hardware plant has received a loan of 45 million rubles (€560,800) of federal and regional industrial development funds, to facilitate the production of new types of fasteners.

L

ocal news sites say the Volgograd plant specialists will launch production of bolts and nuts in popular diameters. According to the reports, the plant intends to produce screws and self-tapping screws for the construction industry in the future.

With the help of the investments, targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises, the plant aims to master the production of new products and also increase production volumes.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Participants of the meeting agreed to use steels according to these specifications. After refinement in conjunction with European standards, companies are now ready to take them as a basis for the production and calibration of steels and products for delivery, primarily to KAMAZ PJSC and AvtoVAZ JSC. In addition, the meeting discussed a number of issues related to the development of hardware production, improving the quality of domestic metal products and tool materials, expanding the product assortment and the diversifying of supplies.

The meeting was attended by the representatives from JSC BelZAN, SSC FSUE TsNIIChermet named after I.P. Bardina, OJSC MMK, OJSC MMK-Metiz, OJSC Severstal-Metiz, PAO KAMAZ, JSC AvtoVAZ, OJSC Rechinsky Hardware Plant (Republic of Belarus), JSC Beloretsky Metallurgical Combine, LLC EcoTech, and Russian Federal Nuclear Center – VNIITF.

INSTRUM-RAND launches production of digital torque meters The enterprise INSTRUM-RAND ZAO has started series production of new electronic torque measuring instruments.

D

igital torque meters are designed to measure (reproduce) torque with high accuracy. They can be used as standards of the first category according to GOST R 8.752-2011 for checking, tuning and calibrating all types of torque wrenches – including electronic versions with ranges from 0.4Nm to 2,000Nm. They may also be used to check and adjust static thread tightening tools.

These exemplary digital torque meters are able to replace similar imported meters, used by the metrological services of a number of enterprises in the engineering industry and others.

Digital torque meters are registered in the State register of measuring instruments: Registration number SI 75733-19.

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NEWS - RUSSIA + CIS

Space launch postponed due to low quality bolts The first launch in 2020 of the Proton-M space rocket was postponed from late March to late May due to components failing to conform to the necessary specifications.

A

lexey Varochko, general director of the State Space Research and Production Center by Khrunichev (GKNPC), told RIA Novosti that the reason was components failing to comply with the necessary parameters. In order to fulfil the contract to launch two telecommunication satellites (Express-80 and Express-103) into geostationary orbit, the decision was made to replace the defective elements.

As reported to Vedomosti by a source close to the GKNPC management, the defects were discovered on two Protons assembled in 2015 – 2016. The first rocket was intended to launch two Expresses, and the second destined for the July launch of the most important

Russian-European scientific ExoMars 2020 mission to Mars. Both rockets had problems with bolts used for internal fixings of the Proton elements. Examinations indicated that the bolts had been over tempered, negatively affecting their strength.

Troubleshooting will take approximately 45 days, so the Proton launch of the Mars mission should remain on schedule.

A commission has been established to identify those responsible for the technology violations. The employees who identified defects in the process of preparation for launch, will be recognised and rewarded, according to the decision of Dmitry Rogozin, general director of Roscosmos State Corporation.

Draft national standard for self-tapping screws discussed On 31st March the draft standard GOST R ‘Self-tapping screws.

General specifications’ was submitted for public comment.

T

he document was developed by the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Central Research Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy named after I.P. Bardina and introduced by the Technical Committee for Standardisation TC 375: Metal products from ferrous metals and alloys.

The developed national standard has no analogue amongst international and regional standards. This standard applies to self-tapping screws and includes standardised requirements for design, size, mechanical properties, acceptance rules and inspection methods.

RIVCLINCH® used in new automated process In 2019 Böllhoff realised its first RIVCLINCH® automation project in Russia, working with a Russian integrator from the city of Elektrostal.

T

he project was successfully implemented for use in the racking industry.

Automation of the production process involved the use of the RIVCLINCH® 0705 P35S system. Böllhoff has ten similar projects initiated in Russia.

Mariya Valiakhmetova, editor in chief, Metiz Magazine, Ukraine

BSW increases sales to Africa by 80% According to its 2019 results OJSC Byelorussian Steel Works – Management Company of Byelorussian Metallurgical Company Holding – dispatched more than 427,000 tonnes of metal products to African countries, worth US$167 million (€152 million).

R

elative to the previous year, that equated to 80.8% growth in volume and 53.4% growth in value. The most important region for BSW exports in 2019 was the European community together with countries of the Russian Federation. Africa took third place with a share of 14.5%.

During 2019 the Belarusian metallurgists supplied mainly wire rod, construction rebar and cast billets to sixteen African countries. Kenya and Uganda were also new markets for wire rod. More than half of all the product went to Egypt, ranking it amongst the top five export countries for BSW metal products. Russia, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Israel also featured at the top of the list.

2019, as a whole, was characterised by a tense situation in the metal products market due to protectionism and the fall in price. For BSW this resulted in the average export price falling 11.4% compared with raw material and resource costs only falling by 5.5%, significantly impacting profitability.

During 2019 BSW produced 2.6 million tonnes of steel, 2.3 million tonnes of rolled products, 120,000 tonnes of pipes and 366,000 tonnes of wire products. A total of 2.2 million tonnes of metal products worth US$1.16 billion (€1.06 billion) were exported to 65 countries around the world.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

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NEWS - ASIA The exchange news received from Chinafastener.com for this issue provides a clear insight into the emphasis the Chinese Government is placing on revitalising international trade.

China takes steps to stabilise foreign trade and investment China will establish new pilot zones for cross-border e-commerce, support trade and host an online Canton Fair to stabilise foreign trade and investment amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to an executive meeting of the State Council.

T

he meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, also decided to continue preferential tax policies to support small and micro-businesses, and self-employed individuals to tide over.

The accelerating spread of the pandemic brought shocks to the global economy, international trade and investment. The State Council said authorities at all levels must continue with the opening up policy, by adopting measures to stabilise foreign trade and investment to blunt the pandemic’s impacts on the country’s economy and especially the job market.

In addition to 59 cross border e-commerce pilot zones already set-up, China will establish 46 new ones and exempt retail export goods in all pilot zones from value-added and consumption tax, while encouraging companies to jointly build and share overseas warehouses.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic across the globe, China will host the 127 th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) online in mid to late June. With the help of advanced information technology, companies from all over the world will be able to display

their products and have negotiations online, as well as place orders and do business from home.

Further efforts should be made to smooth international freight channels, such as China-Europe freight trains, and improve cargo connections in a bid to stabilise global supply chains and fast track work resumption, said the meeting.

China will also extend some expired preferential tax policies to the end of 2023 to support small and micro-businesses, self-employed individuals and farmers.

China vows to support foreign trade firms

Manzhouli port sees rising China-Europe freight trains

China pledged continued support to aid its foreign trade firms and minimise the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, as the virus hit the global economy and international trade, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said.

Manzhouli, the largest land port on the China-Russia border, saw a rising number of China-Europe freight trains during the first quarter this year.

T

he country’s imports and exports improved in March, and work and production resumption of foreign trade firms has also been advancing in an orderly manner, said MOC spokesperson Gao Feng during an online press conference. He noted that more than 76% of key firms in the sector had recovered over 70% of their production capacity so far.

Gao highlighted collaboration among governments, companies and business organisations to cope with the lack of production materials faced by foreign trade firms due to disrupted global industrial and supply chains.

China will strengthen macro-economic policy coordination with relevant countries and regions to facilitate customs clearance and logistics of important raw materials. While encouraging foreign trade firms to avert risks by exploring new business opportunities and increasing spending on innovation.

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I

n the first quarter of 2020, the number of freight trains running between China and Europe via Manzhouli increased 8% year-on-year to 591 – transporting a total of 52,947 standard cargo containers. The number of outbound freight trains grew 13.8% to 339 and inbound trains increased 1.2% to 252.

There are currently 52 routes of China-Europe freight trains via the Manzhouli land port, promoting trade between 60 Chinese cities and 28 cities in 13 European countries including Germany, Poland and Belgium.

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NEWS - ASIA

New TFTA chair speaks of plans At the beginning of 2020, Josh Chen, of Yung King Industries Co Ltd, officially took the position of chairman of Taiwan Fastener Trading Association (TFTA) for the next two years.

P

reviously Mr Chen had been active in association affairs and has a wealth of experience in the operation of TFTA. In an interview with Fastener World Magazine, Mr Chen identified the focal points of his tenure as “participation of the younger generation, interaction with global associations, exhibiting at international trade shows and arranging more training courses”. Mr Chen also said he hoped global partners to Taiwanese fastener suppliers would recognise the Covid-19 pandemic is currently under very good control in Taiwan and the production and delivery are still normal.

According to Mr Chen, 2020 is the 31 st anniversary of TFTA and its membership has shown a significant increase to more than 300.

In this fast changing era, the industry must be active in making quick responses to new trends and support more participation and contribution from the younger generation, which will help bring in new changes to the conventional industry. Mr Chen noted: “The

industry must never stop its improvement. Through experience sharing and learning amongst generations, I’m convinced that the positive and effective advancement within the Taiwanese fastener industry could be rapidly observed.”

Speaking on international interaction, Mr Chen said invitations will go out to global fastener associations, including NFDA, EFDA and IFI, to participate in events around the Taiwan International Fastener Show, now scheduled for 14th – 16th October 2020.

At the end of the interview, Chen emphasised: “The survival of the fastener industry depends on if we can work with each other.

Through mutual collaboration the whole world can definitely see the strengths of the Taiwanese fastener industry. Of course, more participation and interaction of our members are important.

By doing so, the Taiwanese fastener industry can be effectively and rapidly upgraded and show the whole world the strength of Made-in-Taiwan products.”

The below reports are from our Indian news partner – the Fastener Association of India:

Sundram starts production at Sri City Sundram Fasteners has begun operations at its new SEZ unit at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India. he new facility, set-up with an initial investment of INR 100 crore (€12.2 million), will manufacture and export high precision engineering components to a leading European manufacturer for onward supply to its global OEM customers for existing as well as new programmes.

The new facility commenced commercial production and made its first shipment to Germany on 27th January.

Established in 1966, Sundram Fasteners has grown into a global

T

Aero Fasteners joins Enduralock India’s Aero Fasteners has agreed a strategic partnership with US-based Enduralock for manufacturing and distribution of the latter’s patented fasteners. ased in Rohtak, Haryana, India, Aero Fasteners is an AS9100D certified company, engaged in manufacturing high-quality fasteners and machined components – catering for aerospace, defence, marine, electronics and other segments requiring micro and precision components.

Enduralock is the patent owner of special locking fastening solutions, which are permanent, reversible and reusable.

This strategic partnership will benefit the fast growing Indian defence and aerospace segment.

The memorandum of understanding was signed at a ceremony held during Defexpo 2020 at Lucknow, India, in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Sh. Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Sh. Rajnath Singh.

B

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leader, manufacturing critical, high precision components for automotive, aviation and wind energy sectors. Its wide product portfolio includes fasteners, powertrain components, sintered metal products, iron powder, cold extruded parts, radiator caps, water and fuel pumps, and wind energy components.

Through the new facility, the company aims to add products to its portfolio and diversify its export customer base – providing further impetus to its exports.

Germany’s Kamax Group plans production in India Automotive high strength fastener manufacturer, Kamax Group, is the latest entrant to acknowledge India’s growing importance in the global automotive scene. he Indian Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative is also proving a substantial benefit to global companies looking to manufacture in and export from India.

Kamax Group is a manufacturer of high strength fasteners and a competent partner for the development and production of complex cold formed parts. The company has a €750 million turnover, 3,500 employees at 12 locations worldwide, and produces 201,000 tonnes, equating to some 3.5 billion fasteners and complex cold formed parts. 72% of its business comes from supplies to passenger vehicle OEMs and the rest from commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Aiming to get closer to Indian customers and gain cost competitiveness, the company plans to begin its Indian operations within the next two years. It has been supplying the Indian market for more than a decade and set-up a sales office in Bangalore three years ago.

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

Brazil records automotive output growth in 2019 Statistics from the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) show that Brazil was one of only two countries amongst the ten biggest global motor manufacturers to record growth in 2019. hile the global health sector and public authorities focus on finding solutions to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is hard to write about the fastener business during this period of huge volatility and uncertainties.

Analysis of 2019 is a little late, but demonstrates that Brazil was walking comfortably but steadily to economic recovery. Last year began with the disaster at Brumadinho (50km from Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais State) where the dam owned by Vale S.A collapsed on 25th January.

That disaster rocked the first quarter of the year, impacting Brazil’s GDP. Nonetheless the country ended the year with a positive growth result of +1.1%, slightly less than the +1.2% achieved during 2017 and 2018. However, from the second to fourth quarters of 2019, the country achieved good results, confirmed by using automotive production as a reference (not considering motorcycle production).

According to OICA, amongst the 10 biggest global motor vehicle manufacturers only Brazil (+2.2%) and Spain (+0.1%) kept out of the red – a general condition that cannot be attributed to Covid-19, which only began to impact in 2020.

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Global production of motor vehicles China

27,809,196

25,720,665

-7.5%

USA

11,314,705

10,880,019

-3.7%

3.

Japan

9,728,528

9,684,298

-0.5%

4.

Germany

5,120,409

4,661,328

-9%

5.

India

5,174,645

4,516,017

-12.2%

6.

Mexico

4,100,525

3,986,794

-2.8%

7.

South Korea

4,028,834

3,950,617

-1.9%

8.

Brazil

2,879,809

2,944,988

+2.2%

9.

Spain

2,819,565

2,822,355

+0.1%

10.

France

2,270,000

2,202,460

-2.9%

hat great learnings emerge from difficult moments, scarcity and unexpected troubles, we all know. It is not a matter of opportunism to address this issue now and in a technical publication, but it is reasonable to note that we are in the midst of the dilemma of maintaining the routines of the business environment and maintaining the safety of people. However, one depends on the other, and stopping everything, as some countries have done, can be the source of even greater collapses.

The manufacturers and supply chains, and their target markets, have branched out a lot around the world. So intensely that it is the time to ask if this structure should not be redrawn? We deal with production sites installed in every part of the planet because we seek good deals, as simple as that.

But what if these chains suffer a breakdown, as in the situation we are living through? What to do? It is not possible, suddenly, to develop new domestic suppliers in a short period of time.

Having domestic production is important and it is not a question of closing trade borders, an act that is as possible as it is disastrous. However, we need to review how to have a more balanced environment to produce in Brazil too – reducing the bureaucracy and increasing the efficiency – to help ease the environment for the local fastener manufacturers and to provide better conditions to produce and sell more, at least in the domestic market and, hopefully, for export.

After all, when an automatic forming machine is working, it does not know if it is working in Brazil, Russia, India or China... It will be working at the same speed and precision wherever it is.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Variation

1.

Eduardo Lopes, co-founder of Inox-Par Parafusos, reflects on what Brazil needs to learn from the implications of the coronavirus pandemic.

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2019

2.

What can we learn from the Covid-19 crisis?

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2018

Source: www.oica.net

Brake calliper fastener triggers Jeep Renegade recall In February the Brazilian unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) initiated a recall of 1,877 Jeep Renegade models, produced in 2019 and 2020.

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ccording to FCA, the potential for breakage of one of the fastening points in the rear brake callipers on the right side was detected – a situation of obvious risk that could compromise the braking capacity of this crossover vehicle. The repair, expected to take at least one hour, requires analysis and, if necessary, replacement of the rear brake calliper assembly.

THE VALUES WE HAVE RELIED ON FOR 47 YEARS

HIGH QUALITY SOLUTION PARTNER RELIABLE

GLOBAL SCALE PERSONAL CARE COOPERATIVE EXPERT CUSTOMER FOCUSED

HAVE MADE US ONE OF THE LEADING FIRMS IN THE FASTENER INDUSTRY normcivata.com.tr normholding.com.tr

COVER STORY

JRP technical excellence In March Hexstone, which trades as Owlett-Jaton, successfully launched its new JRP range into the UK market. In addition to over 1,000 lines of high-quality rivets, rivet nuts, and tools, the JRP range is also supported by a first class technical support service. Editor Will Lowry spoke to Technical Manager Reza Jafari about the importance of this technical support and the role quality plays within the range.

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hen Hexstone first contemplated the launch of the JRP range it decided to use the same business model as its JCP construction fixings range, which was successfully launched over a decade ago. “The introduction of the JRP range has almost been a mirror image of how the JCP brand was introduced to the market,” states Reza Jafari. “A key factor in the success of JCP was the technical support we could offer alongside the range and we quickly realised if this new range was to be successful, it would need a similar commitment to the technical knowledge of rivets.”

Reza continues: “There are a multitude of considerations a user needs to make when picking the correct rivet and as a wholesaler we needed to be able to support our distributor customers with this technical insight.

It was only once we had added this type of knowledge within Hexstone that we were able to push ahead with the launch of JRP.” That technical understanding and insight was first used when agreeing the quality requirements with the manufacturers chosen to produce the rivets. “We travelled to China to audit the factories, visiting 15 factories within 5 days, and we looked at which manufacturers could meet our specifications and standards,” mentions Reza. “Normally when you visit a manufacturer you focus on what quality controls, and traceability, it has within the production process. This includes how the raw material is stored, the specific grades

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of materials it can produce, even what type of housekeeping it has on the production floor. Whilst we carried out all these checks, we also had technical specifications for the products we needed the manufacturers to meet – often going beyond the DIN 7337 standard requirements for rivets.”

Reza adds: “DIN 7337 provides uniform tolerances on key dimensions, such as a minimum and maximum diameter on the body, maximum diameter on a head, etc. However, when putting together the JRP range we had certain requirements that were higher than those set out in DIN 7337. For instance, as part of the standard, the protrusion of the mandrel from the head of the rivet is a critical dimension, but only as a minimum distance. When produced, if a rivet is only slightly below that minimum requirement then the setting tool will not be able to grab hold of the pin to set the rivet – so the application will fail. We have therefore increased the minimum requirements of the mandrel length so we can avoid any issues.”

Through the technical know-how within the business, and through understanding the needs of the customers, Hexstone increased key requirements for certain aspects of its JRP rivets above the DIN standard. “Rivets are quality products that go into critical applications and we needed to make sure the technical aspects of every rivet we sell meet the highest standards,” states Reza.

What is the thickness of the materials to be clamped? What is the grip range? How big is the hole to install? What head style is wanted?

What is the length? What is the finish? By training our sales team to ask these key questions they can then suggest the correct options from the range.”

Dedicated technical catalogue and website

Another part of the rivet production process that Hexstone focused on was the heat treatment. “Heat treatment is very important for rivets and rivet nuts as it is used to help create the ‘crimp’, which is where you want the product to ‘snap’ when correctly installed,” explains Reza. “If the heat treatment process is not done properly then it could lead to the rivet mandrel snapping in the wrong place, which can create a whole host of problems and lead to improperly installed rivets. We therefore paid great attention to where manufacturers were getting products heat treated and if it was a subcontractor, we visited them as well.”

By checking the quality procedures in place; increasing the production specifications; as well as the practices in place regarding heat treatment; Hexstone was able to use its technical insight to create a complete set of criteria to ensure the very highest quality rivets and rivet nuts for its JRP range.

Complete riveting portfolio

The JRP range includes a wide selection of rivets, including standard, sealed, multigrip, peel, grooved, load spread, load spread with washer, and structural rivets.

Each type is available in a variety of materials such as aluminium, steel zinc and Clr Tri3, A2 stainless steel, A4 stainless steel, and copper. The sizes available range from 2.4mm up to 9.8mm depending on the product.

Head types include dome head, countersunk and flange.

The rivet nuts within the JRP range include flat head knurled round open, flat head knurled round closed, countersunk head knurled round open, countersunk knurled round closed, reduced head knurled round open, reduced head knurled round closed, flat head full hexagon open, reduced head full hexagon open, flat head part hexagon open and reduced head part hexagon open. These are available in aluminium, steel zinc and Clr Tri8, A2 stainless steel and A4 stainless steel – from M3 to M12, depending on the product.

There are also seven tools within the JRP range, including three for rivets and four for rivet nuts. Plus, there are over 50 lines of spares including replacement heads and additional sized heads. The range is supported by its own branded recyclable packaging – making it easier for customers to identify the JRP range.

Training, training and training

After ensuring the production process was of the very highest standards, and agreeing on the portfolio of products, the next step was to make sure the technical support its sales team could offer customers was also first class.

“Rivets are very technical products and if you are going to become a leading supplier then you need to be able to help customers with technical questions and that means training, training and more training,” states Reza.

This training focused on how rivets are made, what purposes they serve, how they work, what applications they can be used in, as well as common technical problems. “There are a lot of issues that end users face every day that our distributor customers might not be able to answer themselves, which is why we wanted to provide the answers and ensure the right riveting products are being used for the right applications.”

To help customers with these questions, Hexstone has created a selection guide to support its sales team in suggesting the correct products. “When it comes to rivets the primary factors are going to be the shear and tensile forces needed for the joint,” points out Reza. “There are then a whole series of questions that can be asked such as what materials is the application made from?

To go alongside the technical training of its sales team, Hexstone has also introduced a JRP Technical Catalogue and website to support customers, which is broken down into five rivet product groups – standard, multi-grip, sealed, specialist, and structural, as well as two rivet nut product groups – round and hexagon.

“The catalogue describes in detail all the different types of rivets and rivet nuts we are able to supply, the different head styles available, and the key features and benefits of each product,” explains Reza. “It also includes technical data on how to measure and install rivets and rivet nuts, as well as a handy table that breaks down the types of products in the JRP line – plus the materials and dimensions available. There is even a product suitability guide, which shows which type of rivets/rivet nuts are most commonly used in certain industries.”

Reza concludes: “We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to add the JRP line to their portfolio. That is why we have worked closely with manufacturers to guarantee quality; why we have added technical knowledge within our team to confirm products details; as well as why we have introduced technical data and insight via a catalogue. The same technical information is also available on the website along with the option to download the catalogue. By doing this we can give distributors all the information they need so they can be confident in joining the JRP family.” www.jrprivets.co.uk

QUALITY • SERVICE • PERFORMANCE

CATALOGUE 2020

www.jrprivets.co.uk

www.fastenerandfixing.com

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MADE IN THE UK

The voice of British metalforming The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) represents the interests of manufacturers of forgings and pressings, fasteners, as well as cold rolled and sheet metal products – the building blocks for the UK’s industrial base.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

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s the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has swept across the British industrial landscape, the CBM has never been so active in supporting its members and, in particular, feeding back their concerns to the UK Government.

Core to CBM’s effectiveness in these deeply challenging times has been the solid links its president, Stephen Morley, and CEO, Geraldine Bolton, have forged with the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with which the CBM currently holds twice weekly conference calls. “These calls, which include a cross section of our members to provide first-hand feedback and comment, have been vitally important,” says Steve Morley. “They mean we have the earliest and clearest understanding of Government intentions in relation to the Covid-19 crisis generally and support for business specifically, as well as providing a clear insight into the practical implications in the manufacturing industry of Government strategy.”

The CBM also works closely with major UK industry bodies, including the CBI, Make UK and SMMT, which through their representation of a huge number of British manufacturers have direct and regular access at the highest levels of UK Government strategy making.

CBM members are regularly informed on all developments relevant to their businesses through email bulletins, the CBM website news and events pages, and brief weekly video conference meetings organised by CBM’s sector specialists. “The weekly video meetings are invaluable,” explains Geraldine Bolton. “Not just in providing members with immediate updates in this rapidly changing business environment, but also in hearing concerns that can be fed back to the government. The meetings also provide an excellent forum for sharing best practice, particularly for safe working as members either maintain output or plan to return from temporary furlough.”

CBM has also intensified its seminar programme and successfully translated them to online delivery. Recent informative webinars have included providing guidance on employee wellbeing, particularly those working from home, and other health and safety and HR issues. The forging sector is about to present its second online workshop, focusing this time on putting lean manufacturing into action and aligning business strategy to KPI metrics. Other webinars will focus on cyber security, recognising it as an increased risk in current conditions, and continued support on HR and health and safety issues. thecbm.co.uk

THE UK MARKET LEADER

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MADE IN THE UK

The high-quality Aerotight® Thanks to its manufacturing techniques, procedures, and years of expertise, Aerotight Manufacturing Ltd has built a reputation for reliable and high-quality products, including the renowned Aerotight® nut.

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erotight Manufacturing, the in-house manufacturing division of Apex Stainless Fasteners Ltd, became part of the business in 2005, after Premier Screw and Repetition Company went into administration. “This was potentially going to leave a big hole in the Apex selling profile, as the Aerotight® nut at the time represented around 10% of Apex’s sales by value,” explains Jim Carter, operations manager at Apex. “As the largest authorised distributor and licensed seller for the Aerotight nut we realised this was an opportunity to both ensure continued supply whilst also adding manufacturing capabilities to the business.”

Apex therefore purchased all rights, including the trademark copyright, for the Aerotight nut and recruited both experienced production staff and acquired the machinery and equipment to continue production. “It was a major decision for us to add the manufacturing arm, but the Aerotight nut was a niche high-quality product for which we already had a loyal customer base,” states Jim. “In addition to the product itself, it was vital we also acquired key former Premier Screw employees and machinery, as major aspects of the production process were the know-how within that business and the bespoke machinery.”

Aerotight Manufacturing now supplies the distribution trade exclusively through the Apex branch network. Alongside the Aerotight all metal self-locking nut, the company also produces specialist stainless steel products including hexagon rivet bushes, allthreads and bespoke turned parts to drawing – in both A2 (304) and A4 (316) stainless steel.

“All the products we manufacture are comparatively specialised or bespoke in design and application,” explains Phil Barnes, works manager at Aerotight Manufacturing. “We can produce products from 2mm to 44mm diameter in both high and low volumes, as well as in a variety of materials such as steel, stainless steel, brass and other alloys.”

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Jim adds: “The beauty of the relationship is we have this manufacturing knowledge within the business and available to our branches. If any staff have technical questions from their customers, regarding the Aerotight nut or other specialist requirements, they can talk directly with the Aerotight team to get speedy answers.”

The all metal self-locking nut

The Aerotight nut was originally designed and produced by GKN Screws & Fasteners in the 1940s. It is an all metal self-locking nut that is vibration resistant and requires no special tooling for installation. “The key feature of the Aerotight nut is that it is all metal, which means there are no vulnerable plastic inserts that could potentially be adversely impacted by heat or oil,” points out Phil. “The Aerotight nut can also be reused several times, as the self-locking function will remain effective and it will stay in position whether tightened down or not – providing the locking element is engaged.”

Phil continues: “Available in steel and austenitic stainless steel, including a low carbon mild steel version, the Aerotight nut can be produced in metric (up to M24), imperial, and unified thread forms, with a range of plated finishes as required.

Customised specials are also available to specified thicknesses and can encompass differing specifications of material. Larger dimensions are also available upon request.”

“The Aerotight nut has built a reputation over many years for quality and reliability with a well proven design that has been established throughout our industry,” adds Jim. “This is thanks to our ability to carry out all the production and machining operations on-site, from bar through to finished product, including packaging and cleaning – with plating subcontracted. In addition, excellent quality is ensured with all material fully certified with batch identification and we can also offer full product traceability, with both mechanical and chemical analysis, throughout the production process.”

With a range of multi-spindle autos, single spindle cam autos, as well as four sliding head CNCs, Aerotight is continuously looking to modernise its technology to ensure it can keep producing products to the high-quality customers expect. “For a number of years, we have been going through a gradual modernisation process of the machinery, with the move towards the CNC route,” explains Phil. “The knowledge base to maintain and run the more traditional machinery is gradually declining and by upgrading to newer machinery it ensures business continuity.”

Phil continues: “The manufacture of the Aerotight nut has always been a fairly labour-intensive process involving between two and four operations on the older type of machinery. However, with the new CNC machines certain product types can be produced in one operation, which results in a lower work in progress level and a reduced labour cost – helping offset the much higher machinery costs associated.”

“That is the balance you have to consider as a UK-based manufacturer,” mentions Jim. “Investing in new machinery is very expensive but in the long-term we expect to see the benefits, which include reducing the number of operations required to produce the part; reducing labour cost content while improving productivity; and still maintaining the high-quality of the products.”

The benefits of UK production

By using the latest technology, and investing in a new manufacturing plant and equipment, Aerotight Manufacturing is not only able to produce high-quality products but also remain competitive. “Having a UK manufacturing operation enables us to provide the very best service and speed of supply to our UK customers,” states Phil. “We have a quick delivery time and lower transport costs compared to overseas manufacturers, which helps in this regard. UK manufactured products are still highly respected in the marketplace and there is the ongoing assurance of a commitment to quality.”

Phil adds: “It is about delivering on what you promise, which is why we look to maintain significant stock levels on all popular sizes within our core product range – so we can supply customers when they need products. We also have raw material in stock to cover usage throughout 2020, originally ordered in preparation for BREXIT, but equally important now due to Italian and Spanish mill delivery issues following the outbreak of Covid-19.”

“The first quarter of 2020 has seen a solid start for us as a company and we have so far largely maintained the trading levels achieved in 2019,” concludes Jim. “However, Covid-19 has created a significant issue within the marketplace and the second quarter will clearly be a challenge both for us as well as the fastener market in general. We will continue to ensure continuity of supply, service, and support, to all our distribution customers in the months ahead, largely on an ex stock basis across our product range.” www.apexstainless.com

www.fastenerandfixing.com

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MADE IN THE UK

The finest hose clips in the world Manufacturing in the UK since 1921, Jubilee® Clips held the very first patent for worm drive hose clips. The brand has since become a registered trademark throughout the world. Here Managing Director Ian Jennings explains the benefits and challenges of being a UK manufacturer and the company’s targets for the future.

What makes Jubilee® Clips different to other competitors within the market?

“Jubilee® Clips occupies the enviable position of being the brand leader in the UK, as well as offering the best quality hose clips on the market. What makes us different to competitors is that we do not rest on our laurels and become complacent. We are constantly looking for new ways to improve our products and production even further, so that we continue to hold our position at the top.”

What are the benefits of being a UK manufacturer?

“From our headquarters in Gillingham we are able to dispatch Jubilee manufactured products to every continent. Jubilee clips are in demand all over the world because the Jubilee brand is globally recognised as a mark of quality.

Due to the significant expansion of our business in recent years, we moved part of our production back into a factory 1 16/02/2017 buildingQuarter that page lay Add.pdf dormant for over10:33:03 a decade. Reopening this part

of the site increased our manufacturing floor space by almost 50%. Our heavy-duty presses are now located there, leaving space for more automated machinery and to streamline existing production lines, as well as for production machinery for new product lines.

The highly skilled manufacturing workforce, and access to key markets for both raw materials and critical sales channels, are some of the main benefits for a UK-based company. However, the skills level in UK manufacturing can also be a challenge, with skills shortage beginning to become a factor. There is a generational skills gap in engineering, which Jubilee Clips has actively sought to combat by investing heavily in apprenticeships, ensuring existing skills are passed on and enhanced by the next generation of engineers.”

As a business how do you encourage innovation within your company? Where do you see innovation opportunities in the future?

“We encourage innovation by inviting all members of staff involved in the production of our clips to come forward with ideas of how to improve the product and the manufacturing process. As a company, we are always looking at ways to improve our products, be it product performance or the overall quality level of our product offering. We have seen a lot of new demand in the fields of renewable energy and hybrid power trains for vehicles, no doubt these sectors will become even more important in years to come as governments strive to meet ambitious CO2 emission targets.”

How do you see the shape of the UK fastener supply chain changing in the next ten years?

“Over the past few months we have seen further consolidation in the market of fastener distributors and we anticipate further developments in this respect over the next few years.

Regarding manufacturers of hose clips, the UK supply base at the top end of the market seems fairly strong, so we do not anticipate much movement there. At the lower end of the market there may be some consolidation where weaker manufacturers are swallowed up by those on the acquisition trail.

However, we see opportunities in developing markets, where the trend towards overall product value over pure cost per unit continues.

Issues such as corrosion resistance, higher clamping force and durability are also becoming more important.

Challenges will present themselves in the aftermath of the Covid-19 restrictions, both regarding the supply chain of components and raw materials, as well as the distribution of products to the end user. It can reasonably be expected that some companies will not survive this period of uncertainty, but at Jubilee we are in a strong position to continue to grow as a business.” www.jubileeclips.co.uk

UK production of non-standard washers Established in 2002, The Washer Factory Ltd is a manufacturer of non-standard and special washers, as well as light pressings.

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ased in Wolverhampton, the company supplies customers around the world – serving a variety of markets, such as offshore/petrochemical, white goods, general engineering, construction and automotive.

“Everything we do is with the aim to maximise customer satisfaction,” states David Webb, director at The Washer Factory. “We are at our customers’ disposal and manufacture everything to specific orders. We have the ability to react quickly and rather than just chase the high volume orders, we endeavour to give our customers’ whatever they want, when they want it.”

The Washer Factory’s production team has many years of washer manufacturing experience. Using traditional methods of manufacture, the company is able to offer a flexible approach and extensive tool stock, which means it can offer a fast turnaround.

“We keep training and production methods simple, and try to ‘upskill’ where possible, to make sure that we can continue to provide the quality products, and service, customers have come to expect,” points out David. “Our focus recently has been to develop our material inventory, which in turn will enable us to improve lead times and provide an even better service to customers.”

As a UK manufacturer, The Washer Factory is able to quickly source most materials (including non metallics). In addition, by using local suppliers, products can be supplied in any surface finish – ranging from simple zinc to organic plating – and can be heat treated or machined.

“In many cases our products are far from the standard perception of a washer. Thanks to the partnership with critical suppliers we are able to provide special products according to customers’ needs. We believe there will always be a niche for non-standard products, produced quickly and competitively.”

When it comes to Covid-19, The Washer Factory has been able to continue its production during lockdown. “Taking into account safe working practises, we have been business as usual. We are very thankful for our customers’ support and pleased we have been able to help, in some way, to the effort.”

David concludes: “It will be very challenging for the UK as a whole to recover once the lockdown is lifted. However, we believe we have the necessary skills and flexibility to adapt to the needs of the market. We have no minimum manufacturing quantity or minimum charge and can provide a friendly, fast, and reliable, service supported by a quality product.” www.washerfactory.co.uk

T: 01902 865 777 F: 01902 864 777 E: sales@washerfactory.co.uk

here to serve…

MADE IN THE UK

The experts in blind riveting Based in Keighley, UK, GESIPA UK was first established as a subsidiary for German-based GESIPA Group in 1971. Today it is the Group’s centre of excellence for threaded fasteners, and structural rivets, and is constantly looking to increase capacity and produce new innovative products.

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y looking at the trends of the markets, such as lightweight fasteners, GESIPA UK is focused on producing innovations and new products developed internally. “Innovation is the lifeblood of our business and comes from listening to the markets you serve. This includes looking at new applications, changes to manufacturing processes and/or new ideas for cost savings.”

“Within the Group we also look at market trends and future needs for the fastening technology – such as asking ourselves what we need to change with our current fasteners to meet these requirements. Obviously, this is not just related to products but also the way we engage with our customers,” comments GESIPA UK. “That is why we have launched a new online ‘chat’ function, as a way of connecting with current and potential customers.”

The difficulties in the automotive market over the last nine months, and the uncertainty of BREXIT, has made it a challenging time in the riveting market. “Our strategy for BREXIT has been to manage the ever-changing situation and ensure that we make it as easy as possible for our worldwide customers to trade with us,” explains GESIPA UK. “We need to stay one step ahead as potential tariffs and extra export paperwork going forward could cause issues.”

With BREXIT being a key focus for most UK businesses over the last 3 years, GESIPA UK is also keen to point out the benefits of being a UK manufacturer, such as its employees.

“We have a very strong, reactive, loyal and stable workforce who align to the values of the business. Our employees are highly skilled and this ensures we can support our customers with sample design. We also offer technical advice direct to our customers.”

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Demonstrating its range

To showcase its wide variety of tools, GESIPA UK has a demonstration centre at its Keighley site, which includes battery powered hand tools in its Bird Series – including AccuBird® and PowerBird® – as well as its popular Taurus® series of pneumatic hydraulic blind rivet setting tools. There are also robotic riveting systems on display, such as the GAV range of automatic riveting machines.

Also included in the centre is a flow drill riveting tool – FDR® – which is a pre-punch-free riveting method that GESIPA says will revolutionise mechanical joining technology. Designed as an automated process, with full process monitoring, the FDR method requires no pre-punching and no hole finding – combining drilling and riveting in one process. With a rotation of 6,000 revolutions a minute the FDR system’s specially designed rivet head, rotation, and joining force, allow the blind rivet to penetrate into both light metals and plastics.

“The FDR system is perfect for working with aluminium material and is an example

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

of how we are constantly moving forward with new technology,” points out GESIPA UK. “This is the forefront of design. It might not be something for every company, but it shows we are offering brand new technologies for the leading players.”

Having the demo centre enables GESIPA UK to show customers the range of tools it is able to supply. Customers can also get ‘hands on’ experience of using the tools and see how the automated systems will benefit their operation. “We love showing people around, so they can fully understand the products and services. We often find customers will come to us with a set idea with what they want, but after using the tools and understanding the different capabilities, they often decide on a different type.”

“We offer the complete solution – fasteners, tools, process control and automation – with our technical teams working directly with the customers. GESIPA is a respected brand manufacturer with excellent relationships, which we pride ourselves on.” www.gesipa.co.uk

Clevedon installs sorting machine CBM member and cold forming manufacturer, Clevedon Fasteners Ltd, has taken delivery of its most advanced optical sorter yet. The state of the art machine has four cameras and an Eddy current checking station, which can be used for comparative testing – ensuring parts are to the correct heat treatment specification.

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s Clevedon’s sales of threaded parts in general continue to increase, with clinch studs in particular, the Sutton Coldfield company wanted to provide customers with a greater level of security regarding the product’s property class – rather than simply supplying a second party heat treatment certificate.

The cameras on the optical sorter not only check for contamination and dimensional inaccuracies, but also incorrect aesthetic elements such as misshapen heads, clinch ring defects, and colour – as well as lettering and other non-dimensional problems.

The parts that pass the camera and Eddy current scrutiny are fed directly into the dispatch boxes ready for shipment to the customer. This ensures no post-sort contamination.

The combination of these technologies ensure Clevedon moves nearer to its goal of defect-free products, and enables it to build upon its already impressive quality record.

Last year Clevedon celebrated its 80 th anniversary, having been founded by Bert Godwin and Fred Wood as Clevedon Rivet and Tools in 1939. The company developed carbide steel cold forming tooling and ventured into aluminium alloy rivets, which were installed on, amongst other wartime aircraft, the iconic Supermarine Spitfire.

Today, Clevedon Fasteners specialises in the manufacture of cold formed components for use in the commercial and automotive markets worldwide. From its roots in the aircraft industry it has always maintained the disciplines of technical competence, combined with outstanding customer service, to forge a reputation for quality, reliability and rapid response to customer needs.

FAST. RELIABLE. ECONOMIC. • PROCESS RELIABILITY Increased Torque Resistance during the assembly process • FAST Reduction of the costs and the process time per assembly • CUSTOMIZED Different plating is possible depending on corrosion requirements • COMPATIBLE WITH COMPLETE GESIPA® SYSTEMS Joint integrity control possible with process control

BLIND RIVET NUT

Torque Resistant THE LOCKED THREAD FOR ALUMINIUM EXTRUDED PROFILES! The perfect solution for any application with one-side access to the riveting position

• ECONOMIC Increasing of the economy in comparison to a hexagonal blind rivet nut

The experts in riveting technologies

GESIPA Blindniettechnik GmbH Nordendstraße 13-39 64546 Mörfelden-Walldorf

T +49 (0) 6105 962 0 info@gesipa.com www.gesipa.com

MADE IN THE UK

Specialist fastener manufacturing With a history that can be traced back to the middle of the 19th century in Atherton – the former northern bolt manufacturing centre of the UK – Smith Bullough manufactures standard and special hot forged and cold formed bolts, set screws, and industrial fasteners, in both metric and imperial.

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riginally formed as a result of a 1995 merger between two of the UK’s oldest and most established fastener manufacturing companies – Bullough Fasteners and Thomas Smith & Sons (Atherton), Smith Bullough combines more than 150 years of experience in the manufacture and distribution of industrial fasteners.

Since 2006, Smith Bullough has been located in Hindley Green, Greater Manchester. “As a UK manufacturer of special parts, with in-house tooling capability, we are able to supply and develop parts quickly and in joint collaboration with stockholders and their end user customers if required,” explains Tim Garton, managing director at Smith Bullough. “That is why we are always encouraging customers to come and visit our site, so they can understand all aspects of the development and the processes involved in our production.”

“We believe that customers who understand the products they sell are more likely to be successful. Knowing how nuts and bolts are made and where they can be efficiently, effectively and safely used, is a big challenge for the fastener industry. Whether you are a big or small player – you need to understand your products in order to be profitable. This can also help when it comes to innovation and understanding the different applications the products can be used in.”

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Immense product and machining capabilities

Smith Bullough manufactures a vast range of non-standard and special parts, including special nuts, bolts, studs, etc, in all types of steel from Grade 4.6 to 12.9 or even higher. Other materials also include stainless to A4/80, exotics, and titanium.

Recently, the company also introduced bar fed machinery to expand its manufacturing capabilities and to make it more competitive in the production of non-standard studs.

The company’s extensive manufacturing capabilities include forging, machined and rolled threads, CNC and conventional turning, milling, grinding, drilling, broaching and in-house tool and jig manufacture. Heat treatment and surface coatings are also available using approved subcontract specialists.

Recent additions to the manufacturing process include an increase of the forging length to 750mm long, and the addition of bar fed machining, as well as internal broaching to form hexagon sockets in steel and stainless. A drilling section has also been recently created, with a pool of custom-made jigs, to enable hole drilling through the shank and head as required.

“In exceptional circumstances we have even drilled very small 1mm diameter holes, which is a great achievement through hardened steel,” proudly states Tim. “Within the drilling section there is also the Wedgelok threadlocking production, which

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Cross drilling through the head of stainless socket screw offers effective anti-loosening properties compared to the commonly used thread coating chemicals.”

Alongside its extensive stock range, Smith Bullough also holds in stock high volumes of cold formed and hot forged blanks to ensure a rapid turnaround. The company’s induction heated hot forging unit is geared towards an equally rapid response to the requirements and specifications of its customers. “Working together with our customers is so important. We’ve found that one of our biggest challenges within the global marketplace is educating our customer base on our capabilities. We have a unique manufacturing capability and range – far more than just BSF/BSW thread form parts,” comments Tim.

Business development

One of the biggest challenges for Smith Bullough, and the market in general, is the situation regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At Smith Bullough we are following the UK Government’s guidelines and social distancing requirements, but we are still operating,” states Tim. “We have forging capability and have been busy innovating and producing parts for use in key industries.”

Innovation is critical for Smith Bullough, as it enables the business to continue to improve and offer new products and

Part of Smith Bullough’s machine shop

services to customers. “We are continually looking for improvements, however small they may appear at the time. R&D can originate from ideas generated from our teams – from machine operators to sales people looking to solve a customer’s requirements,” points out Tim. “These R&D concepts are discussed internally and then escalated within the business. Sometimes we need to invest time on a production machine or capital expenditure is needed, but as a small privately owned company, decisions can be made very quickly.”

Tim believes that innovation will continue to create opportunities in the future. Especially when it comes to digitisation in the manufacturing process. “Digitisation will undoubtedly have an impact on the manufacturing process by improving production processes and the efficiency throughout the production cycle,” explains Tim. “Any efficiency gained will be key to us continuing to supply our products on time and at a competitive price.”

With this in mind, Smith Bullough has recently implemented a route tracking system, which allows the company to create barcodes for all jobs and then capture data at strategically located recording stations throughout the manufacturing process. This provides easily tracked parts within the factory and enables customers to obtain on time delivery and measure efficiency, productivity and cost allocation.

“To further develop this, we are very interested in capturing dimensional measurements at point of production and allowing ‘real time’ analysis for a single or group of machines. This is a digitisation process that we want to develop in the future. As a manufacturer of non-standards and specials, we are interested in the opportunities that 3D printing offers and we have also linked with a local university who has expertise in additive manufacturing,” concludes Tim. www.smithbullough.com

Grade 12.9, M22 fine pitch track bolt

Smith

Tel: 01942 520250 Fax: 01942 520251 sales@smithbullough.com www.smithbullough.com

Bullough

Special Fastener Manufacturing Non-Standards are our Standard • • • • •

Non-Standard & Special Fasteners Forging, CNC Machining & Threading Metric, BSW, BSF, UNC, UNF Diameters M6 to M64, 1/4” to 2 Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Exotic Alloys, Super Duplex

MADE IN THE UK

Local design, global supply SPIROL® Industries Ltd has been a major force within the specialised fastener industry since its foundation in 1961 as Spirol Pins Ltd. Originally based in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, the company was the first subsidiary of its US parent company, CEM Co Inc, to be established outside the US and was pivotal in the importation of the SPIROL® pin into the European market.

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ollowing continued growth, the company then moved to Feltham, Middlesex, and was renamed SPIROL® Industries Ltd. A manufacturing facility was established in Crediton, Devon, following the success of the SPIROL® pin. Finally, in 1976 both sales and manufacturing sites were combined within a single unit in Corby, Northamptonshire, where the company is sited today.

Since the move to Corby the company has continued to expand, adding new products to its range of SPIROL pins and also a European sales and distribution office in Reims, France – servicing the European mainland. In 2005 SPIROL also purchased certain assets of its major competitor in the UK, G E Bissell – a manufacturer of slotted spring pins – commonly referred to as ‘Bissell pins’. With this purchase, SPIROL added disc springs to its already large product range. Today, the range consists of coiled pins, slotted pins, solid pins, inserts for plastics, compression limiters, disc springs, shims and spacers.

“We are introducing new machinery this year that is capable of producing a wide range of coiled pins in standard sizes and all types of materials. Special sizes can be produced after engineering and production evaluation. The production rate will also be significantly improved, as these machines are more robust for the demands on heavy-duty pins – therefore reducing downtime and increasing RFT through the process,” points out SPIROL. “We are able to provide the products our customers’ need through detailed market analysis and customer surveys. SPIROL is a manufacturer of fasteners and components designed to facilitate the assembly process and meet the performance requirements of our customers. We are committed to be the supplier of choice to the international markets we serve, by providing a positive customer experience in all things that we do.”

SPIROL prides itself on being a solution provider, working in collaboration with its customers in developing both commercial and technical solutions with the goal of lowering costs, as well as improving performance. “We appreciate the need to be a resourceful company that addresses opportunities and problem solving with an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit – dedicated to the highest standards for product quality, service and value.”

“That is why we continually strive to create more effective processes, products, and ideas. Implementing new ideas and improving services is managed by our internal engineering facility – looking at global

best practices and implementing them accordingly.

Through innovation, we change our business model and make changes in the existing environment to deliver better products or services that are required by our customers. We will continue to enhance our ‘right first time’ capabilities in-line with automated vision inspection. Supporting the markets demand on low ppm with zero being the optimum.”

To enable it to continuously support customers, SPIROL has an established highly skilled workforce working to extremely high standards in a demanding environment. “We are a central hub to Europe with excellent supply chains to support our wide range of customers with short lead times. The UK is and always has been close to engineering facilities and a key supplier into the automotive and aerospace industries. The challenges have always been the costs associated with manufacturing in the UK compared to lower cost European facilities.

However, quality does come at a cost and it is a fine balance. In essence it is a partnership that has been forged over many years.”

“We recognise that a key strength of our company is its people.

We will provide an environment in which we can thrive as individuals while collectively delivering superior operating results and value to our customers. To accomplish this, we have a high performance employee climate in which employees take pride in their work, strive for excellence and are actively engaged in executing the company’s mission.”

We are a central hub to Europe...”

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Part of the company’s mission is to adapt to customer and market needs. This has never been more apparent than during the current Covid-19 worldwide pandemic. “At the moment, we’re in very uncertain times, with the automotive market slowing and of course Covid-19. We approached this unprecedented situation in two main ways. Firstly, we needed to protect all our workforce and their families by taking a phased approach to at risk individuals. Secondly, we have ensured we have kept everyone employed throughout the crisis so we have an ongoing business to return to. We have kept all critical processes running at reduced capacity to ensure lead times and orders are covered.”

“In the short-term, we are currently focusing on medical applications and the opportunities for us in this market, but it’s so important to look at other customer goods markets to develop in the future. In order to reach into new markets, we must become a more digitalised company.” This digitalisation began in November 2019 when SPIROL launched a new e-commerce platform in the UK and Germany to allow European customers to purchase coiled pins online, as well as download 2D and 3D drawings online.

“We are a solution-based company that works closely with our customers. We set the industry standard for product quality, service, and value, by exceeding customer expectations. SPIROL will always strive for continuous improvement.” www.spirol.com

MADE IN THE UK

Meeting the challenge For over 100 years Mayes & Warwick has been producing thread and form rolling dies to the very highest standards – thanks to the experience and knowledge within the business, as well as its commitment to using the latest technology to stay at the forefront of the industry.

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ayes & Warwick Ltd is able to produce a full range of flat thread rolling dies, in a wide variety of thread profiles, for rolling all types of screws, bolts, and fasteners, as well as a variety of lockbolts and rivets.

“We have built our capabilities within thread rolling dies up over the last 100 years and have a vast amount of experience within the company,” states Peter Lawrence, managing director at Mayes & Warwick. “Within the industry we are also recognised for our quality. For instance, our dies are produced to such an accuracy that each die is interchangeable and can be set in a stack, off the machine and so optimises the best tool life and machine running time.”

Leading brands

Alongside its range of dies for standard products, Mayes & Warwick is also licensed to produce a selection of branded products, including Taptite® products, MAThread® products, REMFORM®, Powerlok, FASTITE®, EXTRUDE-TITE®, EJOT® DELTA PT® screws, as well as Huck® bolts, rivets and blind rivets.

“As a business we have always looked to be involved with licensed products at an early stage, so that we are in a good position to help develop the products if they gain traction within the market,” explains Peter. “This is exactly what happened with the Taptite licence in the mid 1980s and it proved very successful. Licences help us compete at the front end of the industry and shows the quality of products we are able to produce.”

Peter continues: “When you look at products like the Taptite® PRO™ and MAThread® VR, these are leaders within their fields and to be able to produce dies to support these products is a real ‘feather in our cap’ and shows the capabilities we have within the business.”

Mayes & Warwick also finds that when customers order licensed products, and see the quality the company is able to produce, they start to buy dies for more standard products. “Whilst we are proud of our capability to produce such premium brands, we are still committed to manufacturing dies for standard machine, chipboard, and wood screws – both metric and unified threads, as well as Whitworth threads,” states Peter. “Being able to offer both enables us to start up conversations with customers about their requirements and build long-term relationships – by meeting all their thread rolling die needs.”

Bespoke solutions

Mayes & Warwick can also work alongside customers on designing new dies for bespoke products.

“We are able to work on a lot of special projects thanks to the knowledge and experience we have within the business. We are always happy to take on customers’ challenges and we are determined to succeed.

Every day we are developing and working on some form of design. It is very satisfying to help customers find a solution

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to their needs. We want to challenge ourselves and it helps us to continuously improve.”

Peter points out that the demand for bespoke products has only increased in recent years, with customers looking for a high variety of products at low volume. “Within the UK fastener industry, we seem to focus more on specialised niche products, and you need to have this focus if you are going to be competitive as a UK manufacturer. We can still produce the standard products, but it is the special products that provide real opportunities for us.”

Latest technology

A vital part of Mayes & Warwick’s ability to supply such a wide range of specialist dies is its investment in the latest CNC machinery, including milling, grinding, lathes and turning equipment.

“Having the latest technology is crucial if you want to be at the cutting edge of technology. The advantages of having CNC machinery is it gives better accuracy, better tool life and better surface finish.

Also, once you set-up the right program, the machine repeats itself perfectly – guaranteeing the quality of the parts.”

Ensuring it has the latest technology also helps the company when it comes to attracting new employees. “We have found some of the older skills are dying out and it is difficult to get experienced operators. By having computer-based CNC machinery we can attract a younger generation who are more computer literate. Also, because the machines are computer-based everything is stored on the system, which means we can manage the changes as younger staff come in.

We can then ensure that experience is passed down, whilst at the same time making processes more digital.”

Another advantage of modern CNC machinery is it helps improve the production process. “Whilst a grinding machine will only grind at a certain rate, having an automated multi-axis machine means more operations can be carried quicker, which helps speed up the production process and means single operators can manage several machines at once.”

Targeting growth

Whilst Mayes & Warwick already supplies products around the world, the company is still looking to grow even further. “Exports count for well in excess of 50% of our business and we already supply customers in Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, India, and even

China. However, I still believe there is a huge market out there for us and plenty of potential. That is why we are looking to expand our sales and customer service team. We can see there are opportunities, but we can’t wait for them to come to us. We need to go out and talk to the customers.”

“Obviously at the moment everything has been impacted by Covid-19, which is very serious, but I am sure the markets will recover.

We also still have BREXIT to think about in the future and what that will entail. These are big factors that in many ways are out of our control. All we can do as a business is look to keep contact with our customers and ensure we are providing the service customers have come to expect from us.”

Peter concludes: “As a UK manufacturer we cannot just sit back and hide behind the ‘Made in the UK’ reputation, which I believe is still respected around the world – especially in the fastener market.

We need to be more proactive and go to customers and show the knowledge and quality we have within our business. Going forward, we will continue our core principles of investing in technology and automation; working with customers on new projects and features; as well as looking to see how we can get better step-by-step every day.”

Showcase in Düsseldorf

Mayes & Warwick will be showcasing its range of products, and first class service, at the rescheduled wire® Düssedorf show from 7 th – 11th December 2020 in Germany. “We were disappointed the first show dates were cancelled, but we fully agreed with the organiser’s decision to reschedule to December,” mentions Peter.

“We are still planning on exhibiting and look forward to talking to existing and potential customers about the wide range of products and services we can provide.” www.mayesandwarwick.com

MADE IN THE UK

Looking Forward Forward Fastener Manufacturing, based in Aston, Birmingham, has established itself as a key partner for customers, thanks to its dedication to design, guidance, prototyping and the manufacturing of all types of male threaded fasteners.

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orward Fastener Manufacturing Ltd can produce a wide range of products, with its expertise lying in screws and captivated washer assemblies (SEMS), double ended studs, trilobular and paint clearing threads, self-tapping and wood screws, cap screws, specialised forgings, as well as bespoke security fasteners. “Our product range has really evolved over the years,” points out Phil Rose, operational managing director. “Traditionally we focused on sizes M2.5 to M8 – in various materials. However, our range has grown to meet customers’ needs and is now at a stage where we can offer products from M1 to M18 – in lengths 4mm up to 400mm – and we are looking to take this up to M22 diameter.”

“Customers are asking for us to become a ‘one stop shop’ where they can get their standard M4 – M8 products, but also larger diameter parts,” adds Martyn Cleaver, managing director at sister company Forward Industrial. “Everybody can produce products between M4 – M8, but we realised it was outside these diameters that there was an opportunity. We have, therefore, added these capabilities and now customers can get the whole range from us.”

One of Forward’s key strengths is its ability to work with customers on products to drawings. “When it comes to the development of products, we have the manufacturing knowledge and insight to work closely with customers and offer a unique design, development, and trial service, to find the perfect solution,” points out Terry Hasson, works manager. “We can do this thanks to our own in-house tool room, wire drawing, manufacturing and testing facilities.”

As part of the design, development and trial service, a dedicated machine is set to focus solely on the part. By working together with the customer, the in-house tool room, and using the experience and knowledge of its employees, Forward is able to come up with a solution that aims to meet individual customer’s needs. “We are committed to providing customers with a first class service and product and being able to provide these added services, and work with customers, is a big positive,” adds Terry.

Guaranteeing quality

Forward’s extensive product range is all supplied in accordance with BS/EN/DIN/ISO and other recognised industry standards. “Quality is very important to us, which is why we are accredited to the ISO 9001 (2015) standard and also why we offer full traceability on all parts – along with accompanying quality documentation including ISIRs, FMEAs and PPAP Level 3,” mentions Phil. “We currently work in a variety of sectors that demand high-quality products, including rail, aerospace, telecommunication, civil engineering, security, and automotive, and therefore being able to meet the very highest quality is critical.”

Martyn adds: “At the moment we are working with automotive tier suppliers, so we are involved in producing PPAPs and we are also researching our options regarding IATF 16949 accreditation in the future. However, we are not wanting to focus solely on automotive, we want to be a UK manufacturer for a whole spectrum of industries.”

Martyn believes that being a UK manufacturer is a big

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positive within the market, especially when it comes to customers’ expectations. “Made in the UK is still a respected mark of quality within the fastener sector. Whilst we are not necessarily able to compete with the high volumes of Far Eastern imports, we can deliver extra services – such as rapid turnaround and guarantee of quality – and build relationships that provide an all round better service.”

Martyn continues: “Being a UK manufacturer is not easy and we have seen a lot of UK fastener manufacturers disappear in the market. We have kept going through keeping experience within the business, investing in staff and machinery, as well as keeping the quality of the products high and working closely with our customers to meet their needs.”

The impact of Covid-19

Covid-19 has undoubtedly had a big impact across the fastener sector, however, for Forward it has seen an increase of sales between 30% – 40%. “We haven’t needed to furlough anybody or ask for any government help yet as we have been ‘flat out’ producing products.

One of the main reasons for this is that many of our customers supply essential services such as the NHS, Ministry of Defence and utilities, which means we are a key supplier to these businesses,” explains Phil.

“It is nice knowing the work we are doing is playing a small part in helping to overcome the challenges of Covid-19.”

Forward is also planning for when Covid-19 passes and the market becomes more active. “Cash flow is going to be a critical factor over the next twelve months due to Covid-19, and therefore customers are going to be looking at suppliers and where they can potentially save money,” states Martyn. “Rather than having to buy 500,000 pieces from Asia and having a large sum of money tied up, we can offer customers smaller quantities as and when they need them.”

Forward planning

Forward’s main aim for the future is the diversification of its product range and to target key markets such as rail, aviation and construction. “To do this we are going to continue to modernise equipment and invest in new technology, which will help us increase our capabilities, such as adding size M22 to our range, as well as creating further capacity to meet customers’ needs.”

Martyn concludes: “We are always moving forward as a business and looking to continuously develop. We have the product range and the machining capability. Plus, we have a great core of employees – in their mid 30s and 40s – who have already developed their experience and knowledge, which is invaluable to our business. This means we are in a very strong position to grow in the future.” www.forwardfasteners.co.uk

MADE IN THE UK

Thread tooling excellence

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Being at the cutting edge of the industry and technology is something normally associated with multinationals. However, the family business of RLS Tooling Ltd proves this isn’t always the case.

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

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

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

ounded in 1989 as a specialist form rolling die manufacturer, RLS Tooling has since expanded to provide a comprehensive range of tooling for most thread rolling applications, as well as form rolling.

RLS’ product range includes flat thread rolling dies, tangential chasers, knurling dies and circular thread rolls. These products are sold worldwide either direct or through one of its agents or representatives. The company’s manufacturing operation extensively uses CNC machine tools and its technical staff have CAD systems to assist the development of special tools and forms.

“Our high performance thread rolling dies are used worldwide by manufacturers of fasteners for the construction, automotive, rail, white goods, aerospace and wind turbine industries. We make a full range of flat dies for standard threads, many special thread forms and licenced thread forms. RLS hold licences to manufacture thread rolling dies for the Taptite® range, as well as MAThread® and Excalibur Screwbolt® products,” explains Marcus Smith, managing director at RLS Tooling.

To complement its extensive range of flat dies, RLS Tooling also manufactures a range of circular thread rolls. It makes rolls for most two roll machines – up to a maximum diameter of 315mm – and the Fette three roll system. In the interest of maximising tool life, RLS also offers a regrind facility for a large part of its range.

The trend towards rolling tougher and more demanding materials has continued, and this has in turn made RLS review its steels used to produce rolling dies. The company now offers dies made from D2, a range of traditional high-speed steels and a range of powder metallurgy type steels. Tool life can be further enhanced using a variety of coatings.

RLS uses its ISO 9001:2008 quality system to control all operations and processes from point of order to despatching of completed tools.

“This quality system is used throughout our organisation to ensure that we consistently manufacture tools that match the needs of our customers. Our responsibility for quality is shared by our entire workforce who are all committed to continuous improvement of our processes and procedures,” comments Marcus.

RLS also operates a personal improvement programme for its staff, which encourages individuals to improve existing skills and to take on additional training that will enable them to become multiskilled – a benefit to both the company and staff members.

Regg Rolling agent

RLS is also the UK agent for Regg Rolling, a designer and manufacturer of high precision two and three dies spline and thread rolling machines.

Regg Rolling produces very robust machines for cold rolling of high-tensile materials such as 12.9 steel, titanium, Inconel and other exotic alloys.

The machines are supplied with PLC or CNC controls for a quick machine set-up and simple use. A newly designed hydraulic system allows a shorter cycle time and less maintenance. The combination of all these factors allows a high repeatable production combined with a longer die life. www.rlstooling.co.uk

Coming up this July: FASTENER DISTRIBUTION: TAKING STOCK A feature on the worldwide fastener distribution market.

In this challenging global situation how is your business being proactive and letting potential customers know about the stock, products and services you can provide?

To advertise:

Email sales@fastenerandfixing.com or phone +44 (0)1727 814 400

MADE IN THE UK

TR Fastenings – keeping it local For over 45 years TR Fastenings’ UK manufacturing plant in East Sussex has produced millions of products, including its own highly regarded Hank® brand.

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he current purpose-built factory, which opened in 1992, houses 50 single and multi-spindle machines and produces 3 million parts each month. The multi-spindle machines can form, turn, drill, knurl and part off a steel component in as little as 1.2 seconds.

In an era where manufacturing is usually focused in the Far East, TR Fastenings is proud to have retained its manufacturing unit in the UK to maintain a competitive advantage through greater flexibility with pricing, volumes and short lead times. Additionally, sourcing raw materials locally allows faster production times to meet customer demands.

As the only producer of the genuine Hank® Rivet Bush, the site also manufactures K-Series® nuts, as well as bespoke items in aluminium, brass, stainless steel and steel. The diverse range of machines enables TR to produce products as small as M2 and as large as M36, which are used across a host of industry sectors.

Looking to the future, TR Fastenings’ UK manufacturing plant will continue to make the product it is famous for – the Hank Rivet Bush. As well as the design and manufacture of new products, such as the recently introduced K-Series® Thin Nuts, TR will continue to work with customers on any application requirements and manufacturing of bespoke parts, when required.

Simon Lockeyear, production manager – who has worked for TR Fastenings for the last 37 years, comments: “The company is proud of its factory, the quality of the products we produce and the loyal and skilled workforce. In a day of dominant foreign imports, it is a breath of fresh air to have a UK producer holding its own in a very competitive market place.”

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Bespoke tension system components Brooks Forgings Ltd specialises in the production of non-standard components not readily available ‘off the shelf’. The UK-based company is heavily involved in the construction industry and often offers bespoke solutions, including in a recent project where special tensioning systems were required to fit a unique application.

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ather than using conventional fork clevis ends the application required a ‘hook’ system that is not available in the marketplace.

With its comprehensive manufacturing capabilities, Brooks Forgings was able to assist the customer and offer a solution.

A total of 12 tension system sets were required, 6 spanning 5.6m and 6 spanning

FM 28879 AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2008 • BS7751 • BS7752 • MA/MS standards • DIN 8140 Fully traceable product.

4.4m. The hook ends were formed on the end of each tie bar creating a unique one piece system, first by hot pressing the material down to 30mm thick over a 455mm length and then hot bending to a 44º angle. Next, these were then threaded to M42. Each set included a single forged M42 hexagon turnbuckle and lock nuts for added

HIGH STRENGTH Stainless Steel Wire Thread Inserts Providing strong threads in a variety of materials and applications.

Precision engineered in the UK to international standards.

For further information contact: Helpline: 01530 416888 Email: sales@wti-fasteners.co.uk

www.wti-fasteners.co.uk

A CO B M RIT PA ISH NY

Extensive range of coatings and platings.

adjustment. All components were supplied in a red oxide finish for extra corrosion protection and durability.

“By keeping all processes in-house we were able to meet the required delivery date and provide all of the necessary traceability and certification required. If you have a current or future project requiring a fully bespoke solution, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can help you,” commented Brooks Forgings.

INSIGHT

takING a look into the INNER workings of fastener companies

From distributor to service provider

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family-owned company from Ennepetal, Germany, Lederer was founded in 1970 and quickly gained a reputation, in a growing market, as a specialist for standard stainless steel fasteners. “For the first 25 years we were a distributor for stainless steel standard parts to distributors and industrial customers,” states Dr Volker Lederer, managing director. “It wasn’t until the 1990s that we started to look at developing our range.”

Initially Lederer branched out to supply special parts to drawing, items in special materials, as well as carbon steel fasteners. However, the real development came when the company looked to introduce C-parts management for its customers. “In the middle of the 1990s we had an industrial customer in northern Germany that decided to consolidate it purchasing into one single supplier,” explains Volker. “We were one of the candidates who could offer the full range of products, but at that time we didn’t have much experience with C-parts management. Nevertheless, we entered our services and the customer chose us as their partner going forward.”

Volker continues: “After a lot of hard work we were able to meet all of the customer’s needs and we realised that C-parts management was a good opportunity for us to create a completely different relationship with customers – a long-term relationship.

This would enable us to get away from the competition of pure

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In 2020 Lederer GmbH celebrates its 50th anniversary – having established itself as one of the market leaders for stainless steel fasteners and standard parts, special parts by drawing, as well as efficient C-parts management.

stainless steel distribution and we therefore decided to develop the C-parts management concept as a new service for the business.”

Today, Lederer’s C-parts management service is able to take into account customers’ special requirements and the company can offer a ‘made to measure’ concept for each individual customers’ C-parts requirements – from procurement and storage to supply and quality assurance. “We can manage all fasteners needs – stainless steel, carbon steel, special materials, non-ferrous metals and plastics – as well as specific manufacturer bounded items such as electrical goods, tools and consumables,” mentions Volker. “We even help with the procurement of suitable shelving systems and the selection of appropriate information channels for the system, including classic analogue, optical (via scanning) or fully digital via RFID technology.”

Two distinct services

Introducing the C-parts management model was a big step for Lederer, but it allowed it to diversify its service and create two different focus points as a business. “We still have our stainless steel specialism and we are still very much committed to our stainless standard items for our distributor customers,” points out Volker.

“However, through the development of the C-parts management service, our range now includes special parts by drawing, manufacturer specific C-parts, packaging, labelling and assembly capabilities, as well as complex logistics and Kanban

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INSIGHT solutions. This has enabled us to build close relationships with our distributor customers and ensure we can provide the products and services they need.”

Regarding its industrial customers, Lederer believes its size is a key advantage.

“When it comes to C-parts management for industrial customers we are one of the smaller sized players, which is a big advantage as we can be a lot more flexible and make decisions very quickly and tailor our service,” states Volker. “We look to understand our customers’ needs and then put together a proposal on what we would be able to deliver as a business.”

Volker is clear that Lederer’s main strength in C-parts management is when the order is predominately stainless steel focused. “We know the stainless steel market very well and we know C-parts management very well. In these cases, where stainless steel is the majority of the order, we have a good chance to be competitive. If a customer has a large demand in carbon steel fasteners then we can still provide products, but it is not our prime target.”

Foundations in place

With the development of its C-parts management service, and its continued growth and commitment to distributors, Lederer has also invested in its facilities and the automation of its logistics over the last ten years – helping it to meet the growing demands of customers.

“Going back to almost 14 years ago, we realised we needed to introduce automation, but we didn’t have the necessary space.

Luckily, around 2010, we started a conversation with a neighbour and we agreed to buy an additional 15,000m 2 of land – to add to our existing 15,000m 2 . This meant that in 2012 we could start to plan our new

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logistics centre, which has played a crucial role in us becoming more efficient, more flexible, as well as ensuring safer processes.”

Volker continues: “We invested in a new building for logistics, packaging and outgoing goods, as well as an automatic small parts warehouse, which provides almost 60,000 locations. The expansion of the automatic small parts warehouse, and the conveyor technology, also means a further increase in capacity and speed in picking and shipping. Making such a big investment, and committing to automation, really helped to underline our dedication to being service orientated. When customers now come to see us, they can’t help but be impressed with how modern and innovative we are as a business and it gives them confidence we are able to handle their requirements in the future.”

Ahead in digitisation

Lederer is also leading the way when it comes to digitisation, with the company having its own online shop for the last 15 years – with live availability and prices – as well as offering EDI interfaces and new cloud solutions for customer-specific information and document exchange.

“Our online shop has grown every year and represents around 5% – 6% of total turnover, although the percentage with distributor customers is much higher,” explains Volker. “Customers like to check their individual prices, and check availability, but they are not necessarily placing their orders through the shop. As a business, if you monitor the success of the online shop through the orders that come through it, then I think you get the wrong result. Our shop offers a lot more than just the opportunity to place an order and our customers are definitely using it as a resource.”

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

Plans for the future

Today, Lederer is characterised by short response times, a worldwide procurement network and fast delivery. In addition, customers appreciate the mixture of experience, personal support, and sophisticated digital processes, that enable Lederer to provide a first-class product portfolio and leading services.

“We have invested a lot of money over the last 10 years and now we have the prerequisite to build on this and be successful over the coming decade,” concludes Volker.

“We have extended our warehouse, we have extended our administration building, and we have implemented a new ERP system. We have created the preconditions for future organic growth, but now we need to put everything into action.” www.lederer-online.com

Stanztechnik

Your fair and reliable partner Products With a high demand of flexibility, reliability and quality, the mid-sized and in fourth generation family-owned and managed company PĂœHL, based in Plettenberg (GER), manufactures standard, ISO-, DIN- and special stamping parts for mechanical connections.

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STANDARD PARTS

Service State-of-the-art manufacturing technology with 20 stamping machines and pressing forces up to 1,000 tons and a substantial warehouse of raw materials and finished products allow a fast production and delivery to competitive conditions.

SPECIAL PARTS Reliability Wholesalers and end users in the sectors of wind energy, steel construction, traffic engineering, railway engineering, agricultural machines and the automotive supplier industry, value the quality and the competitive conditions of the products.

PARTS ACCORDING DRAWING

INSIGHT

GRASS 3.0 Fastener + Fixing Magazine last visited GRASS Befestigungstechnik in 2017 when the business was still in the early stages of a restructuring process. Editor Will Lowry therefore once again visited the company’s production site in Hagen, Germany, to see first-hand how the business has continued to develop its products and capabilities.

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anaging Director Christoph Schulte is matter of fact when looking back at GRASS’ production capabilities three years ago: “Everything was old fashioned, there was almost no CNC technology and everything was done on traditional machinery. It was only due to the knowledge and experience of our employees that we were able to produce the high-quality products that our customers had come to rely on, but the overall process was time-consuming and needed to be optimised.”

GRASS therefore started investing in the latest CNC technology to ensure it could grow and develop its production capabilities, whilst still supplying high-quality products. “By introducing new CNC machines, we could keep delivering the quality products our customers had become accustomed to, whilst also creating capacity to target new customers as well as widen our range of products,” explains Christoph.

Rather than investing in standard CNC machinery, GRASS decided to take an additional step in its development and invested in automated CNC machinery. “We have almost skipped a level and gone immediately to automated CNC machinery, which was a big decision but also necessary to enable us to increase our production speeds, as well as capabilities,” states Christoph. “We are now at the forefront of the industry for the technology we have within the business.”

In total, GRASS has added five fully automated CNC machines and is an expert user for its CNC machine supplier. “The partnership with the machine supplier has really enabled us to understand the machinery and make sure our employees are fully trained,” mentions Christoph. “Some had been working on the same machine for over twenty years, so it was a big step to ask them to use a new CNC

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machine, which is automated and needs programming. It was very demanding, but they have adapted very well.”

Operators now work in pods and manage different machines at the same time, with a quality management system for each machine ensuring all the products are produced to the highest standards. “Our employees can see the investments we have made in production and this is making their jobs easier, and is making processes quicker,” points out Christoph.

Diversified product range

The addition of the new automated CNC machinery means that GRASS can now produce parts with an outside diameter from 10mm up to 450mm and has freed up production capacity significantly.

“Developing a wider range of products was a big factor behind the investment in new machinery,” mentions Christoph. “In the past, there was a focus on only special machined nuts, even though we could produce other products. By introducing the new CNC technology, we are able to significantly increase our capabilities to a point that we are now able to turn all parts in general, not just special nuts.”

Christoph adds: “Simply put, we can turn parts where the stamping process stops or comes economically at its limits, for instance washers with a thickness over 12mm. Through the new machines, and work we have done internally, we now have a set of standard products that we can produce, which can meet a variety of needs.”

In addition to its standard products, GRASS is also able to work with customers on new products to drawing. “We regularly receive enquiries from customers for a variety of different parts, such as spacers, bushings, special washers, as well as machined parts and turned parts,” points out Christoph. “When we get these requests, we look into the feasibility of the part and the technical requirements, before making a quotation.”

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INSIGHT GRASS can also offer frame orders to customers, which means customers can order larger product quantities and then have the flexibility to receive the products in batches as and when required.

New ERP system

In addition to the investment in production machinery, GRASS has also invested in a new ERP system, which it has been working on since the beginning of 2020.

“We are slowly migrating across to the new system step-by-step to ensure that we get everything correct,” explains Christoph.

“We are only a small team, so it is a relatively simple process, but we still want to take our time and make sure everything is working properly. This will help us get the maximum benefit from the system.”

The new ERP system, which was already successfully introduced two years ago by the GRASS Steel Service division, provides a better overview of the entire production, which will enable GRASS Befestigungstechnik to optimise its processes and improve productivity.

Market growth

After investment in the machines, and a new ERP system, GRASS is now looking to grow its customer base. “We have already established ourselves as a supplier of high-quality products to the agriculture, machining, wind power, steel construction, and crane sectors,” states Christoph. “A key target for us now is to explore new markets and attract new customers. The brand is well known, but we have not been proactive over the last 10 years, so there is a lot of potential within the market.” To help it grow, GRASS has enlarged its sales team and has welcomed two new members with professional backgrounds: Julia Kordt as key account manager and Julia Dichmann as account manager.

Christoph continues: “I believe that the demand for reliable European manufacturers with an efficient and cost-effective production, that can also provide quick delivery and high-quality products, will continue to grow in the future. Purchasers are already looking to keep a percentage of their demand within Europe, to mitigate any problems that may occur with long range manufacturers, such as geopolitical issues. Customers like to have security of delivery and we can offer this whilst delivering flexibility of supply, as well as added services that will help us build long-lasting partnerships.”

GRASS 3.0

GRASS has undoubtedly changed over the last three years, with the business now looking to take the next step in its development. “Three years ago, we talked

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GRASS has five fully automated CNC machines about GRASS 2.0 and it was a good summary of how we had changed as a business,” concludes Christoph. “Three years later and we are now GRASS 3.0 as we are again unrecognisable as a business. We have expanded our capabilities, and product offering, and are now looking to target new customers and markets. We will continue to be a partner for nuts and turning parts for our existing customers. However, we can now help both old and new customers with products that cannot be stamped, cold forged or hot forged. We have a wide product offering, the latest CNC technology, and a young and motivated team, and I am excited to see how we will develop as a business over the coming years.”

May 2020 update: Production continues during Covid-19 crisis

The Coronavirus pandemic is impacting people and their economies worldwide in

a dramatic way and will remain a huge challenge during the next couple of months, maybe years.

From the beginning, GRASS has acted carefully and proactively to this crisis. The company installed frozen and time-shifted production teams, and fully equipped it administration staff with home office work places. Within the factory, GRASS established the highest hygienical standards including disinfection devices, masks, gloves, as well as minimum working distance.

Christoph Schulte states: “In March it was impossible to get enough masks for our staff – therefore we imported them by airfreight directly from China. We have done everything to protect our workers to enable us to continue the production for customers and any urgent demands from the market.”

GRASS products Precision produced

GRASS produces special and standard nuts with the highest levels of precision in round, square head, hexagon and octagon – dimension range M24 – M150. The company is DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certified.

According to customer preference, the nuts can be individually annealed and surface coated. All products are usually identified with RG manufacturing marking, along with the hardness class and traceability number. 3rd party accreditations are available.

Materials

ASTM A 193/194, free cutting steels, hardened and tempered steels in accordance to C45R, 42CrMo4+QT, 34CRNiMo6 – 30CNiMo8, temperature resistant, heat and ageing resistant steels, rust and acid resistant steels, brass and bronze, etc.

Turning, milling and processing

The portfolio includes the turning of steel parts with diameter up to 4mm to 800mm from bar and chuck rotation parts with 350mm and 650mm lengths.

Materials

Free cutting steel, structural steel, alloy steel, case hardened, as well as annealed steels, brass, copper and aluminium.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS

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INSIGHT

Hafren expands to meet growing demand for security fasteners The 9th March 2020 was a momentous day for Hafren Security Fasteners as it cut the ribbon on its new purpose-built storage facility – adjacent to its head office in Newtown, Wales.

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atthew Lynes, managing director at Hafren, commented: “It is a great day for Hafren as the global home of security fasteners expands again. This new building is more than 3 times larger than our current warehouse facility; we have built it to meet and exceed the growing demands of our clients, to safeguard and create more jobs, and to keep us one step ahead in everything we do.”

To help celebrate the completion of the storage facility Hafren was visited by Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, who cut the ribbon for the official opening. Russell commented: “I’m delighted that this growing company is securing well paid jobs in the Newtown area. Hafren is committed to Wales and this investment further secures the company’s future to the local area, which supports the local economy.”

Having more storage space will provide Hafren with increased capacity and flexibility to enable it to offer distributor customers an even better service, in terms of stock availability and delivery speed.

It also helps to future proof the business ahead of supply chain threats and transportation issues that could crop up due to external unforeseen incidents, such as BREXIT and Covid-19. The extra space can also be used for expanding the range of specialist security fasteners and adding more unique and bespoke solutions to the company’s range.

Matthew Lynes adds: “2020 is our 25th year in this market. It has already seen the launch of one new range and we’re putting a lot of time and investment into R&D and innovation. We are globally the first company to stock a range of A4 stainless steel security screws, which will no doubt be popular with customers looking for a security fastener that can withstand the harshest environments.

Sustainability is key to our business and in-line with our ISO 14001 certification we have launched our new range of 100% recycled cardboard packaging. We have also just added our first fully electric vehicle to our fleet. Watch this space on new products and many more exciting developments to come!”

Hafren is continuing to innovate and bring new and bespoke products to the market. A few months ago, it added a former TWR Racing/Jaguar

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Land Rover engineer to its R&D team – helping to continually keep the company ahead of the ever developing threat and requirement for new and unique security screws, nuts and bolts.

Securing the UK’s deserted streets

With the UK in lockdown and social distancing measures introduced, scores of businesses, hospitals and other key infrastructure sites are vulnerable to opportunist thieves.

So, what can be done to help protect unmanned premises?

Hafren Security Fasteners’ specialised screws, nuts, bolts and enclosures can be used in a wide range of applications to increase resilience to tampering and attack. These applications include CCTV, perimeter security such as fences and barriers, lighting, access control, alarm systems, and window and door security.

In fact, they are used anywhere property and infrastructure needs to be secured against tampering, theft and vandalism. The principal is simple; deny, deter, delay and detect. The added safety measure of security fasteners deny removal with conventional tools – as they are either permanent or only removable via the matching security tooling.

This increased layer of security will often deter criminal from attempting theft as it may appear too difficult and if they do attempt tampering with the assemblage, the special design and hardened stainless steel will make it extremely difficult to remove (the delay element). While the criminal is being delayed by the security fasteners it means the crime is much more likely to be detected, as their efforts to overcome the security fasteners will likely be heard or witnessed. www.hafrenfasteners.com

INSIGHT

Educating the fastener

By Jo Morris, marketing director, Fastener Training Institute The Fastener Training Institute (FTI), a US-based 501(c)(6) non-profit organisation, was created to fill the fastener knowledge gap in the US market and was launched by experienced fastener industry professionals. The breadth and depth of its fastener product training and continuing education grows every year, with live classes offered throughout the USA.

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he Fastener Training Institute’s core purpose is to enhance fastener use, reliability, and safety, by providing fastener product and technical training at all levels. Its objective is to elevate the level of technical understanding and expertise of individuals in the fastener industry. Presented by recognised industry experts, the FTI’s beginning and advanced training on fastener products, standards, and specifications, remains unparalleled.

The beginnings of the FTI took place in the early 1970s with an industry group called the Los Angeles Fastener Association (LAFA). Those who were a part of LAFA decided that, individually, no one had the bandwidth to train new employees but collectively they could offer solid education. So began the first basic industry training classes. FTI then became a standalone, registered 501(c)(6) non-profit in 2014 – and that’s when it grew from a regional association to a national training platform. The classes evolved from very basic (which are still offered) to highly advanced.

Changes in fastener production

Until the late 1960s, most fasteners were produced domestically by US manufacturing companies. They employed field sales executives and engineers to work with their distributors and end users on the proper fastener selection and installation. Factory-based product managers and application engineers stood behind their work.

The advent of the 1970s saw fastener production shifting steadily offshore. The move was economics driven, with emerging countries trying to develop their own manufacturing base. The trend to reposition production overseas continued through to the present day – now, most commodity standard fasteners are imported. Some standard fasteners continue to be produced in the US, but production is limited to higher quality, engineered fasteners.

It’s critical to note that the efficiencies fastener companies instituted over the past three decades resulted in an inadvertent yet significant gap in industry experience and knowledge. While domestic producers strive to offer great product support, simple economics limit their capability to do so.

Fastener resellers and end users have been forced to get lean, doing more with fewer people. When employees retire, the folks who step into their positions have 20 – 30 years less experience. The burden on these newly promoted professionals to get up to speed is enormous. The integrity, reliability, and safety of assembled products depend on an educated fastener supply chain. Employees who specify, order, and install fasteners absolutely must have a good background in fasteners.

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The solution: Innovative training to increase fastener knowledge

In today’s technologically advanced world, it’s more important than ever to have digital training courses for remote working options. Online courses can keep employees engaged and foster productive, educational discussions within the company.

To help bridge the knowledge gap, FTI offers more than 40 ‘on demand’ digital training courses for fastener and manufacturing industry professionals through its Online Learning Library. Novice, intermediate and advanced courses are available for sales, purchasing, engineering, quality assurance, warehouse, receiving and operations personnel. The videos are accessible on any device and both rental and subscription plans come with reference materials and quizzes.

Each month, the FTI hosts a live webinar on a popular fastener topic that includes a 60 minute presentation and 30 minute Q&A session. The live webinars are led and produced by recognised industry experts. The FTI is also willing to develop customised corporate trainings for any business.

Perhaps the biggest impact the Fastener Training Institute has provided to the US industry is its certification programme. Developed in 1998 under the guidance of Joe Greenslade, retired IFI director of engineering technology, the Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) advanced technical training programme is the most noteworthy measurement of technical aptitude for fastener professionals.

With more than 1,400 alumni of the CFS programme, the Fastener Training Institute has helped professionals and businesses nationwide advance the fastener and manufacturing industries by improving safety and championing professional development. Now more than ever, FTI is dedicated to its mission of providing fastener product and technical training at all levels to enhance fastener use, reliability and safety and strengthen the industry and its personnel in all segments.

industry

Fastener Training Institute monthly webinar schedule 2020 15th May: Machine screws and tapping screws – understanding ASME B18.6.3 19th June: Non-threaded fasteners – rivets, pins, retaining rings, keys, keyways and washers 17th July: Fastener finishes and K factor determination – when tights is right 28th August: Why does that part cost so much – exploring fastener cost drivers 11th September: Fastener materials – non steel stainless, aluminium, titanium, copper alloys, nickel alloys 23rd October: Understanding the most important metric fastener material standards 20th November: Oil and gas industry fastener standards usage and issues 18th December: FREE - IFI technical resources Visit fastenertrainingevents.com/ webinars.htm for details and to register.

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INSIGHT

In memory of Robert H. Lench A personal tribute from Marco Guerritore, editor-in-chief of Italian Fasteners Magazine, on the death of Robert H. Lench who passed away on 22nd January 2020 at the age of 89 years.

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hen I received the tragic news, I could not believe it for a moment and then a deep and sincere sense of pain swept over me. Robert H. Lench left us on 22 nd January 2020 at the age of 89 years due to a sudden worsening of his illness. For some time now, perhaps because of his state of health, Robert had withdrawn from the daily operations of the European Industrial Fasteners Institute (EIFI) but had maintained a certain connection with an organisation that had long been one of his key reasons for living.

Robert belonged to a family with a long tradition in the English fastener industry and ran his family business Thomas William Lench Ltd, based in Warley, West Midlands, until he was forced to close it due to changes and uncertainties in the market.

His in-depth knowledge of the fastener industry enabled him to skilfully hold the position of EIFI president, leading it out of the impasse in which he found it when he took on the role. Robert spared no physical and economic effort to promote operational contacts with the organisations representing fastener manufacturers in the USA, Japan and Taiwan, to name the main ones. He also worked hard to expand and strengthen EIFI by including new national fastener associations in Europe, such as those in Spain and Poland. Under his presidency, EIFI set-up the structure that still characterises it today.

He always paid particular attention to relations with the European institutions and first and foremost with the EU Commission, as well as other important offices, where he had the opportunity to promote and successfully manage important initiatives.

Robert Lench was an affable, likeable man and an excellent speaker who knew how to express himself very well in both personal and business meetings. He had the gift of knowing how to manage and resolve the tensions that can inevitably arise in the context of an international association. He had to rely on his diplomatic sense on numerous occasions in order to resolve unavoidable disputes within EIFI caused by commercial competitiveness.

His natural cordiality and kindness did not mean that he was submissive, on the contrary, Robert was strong willed and decisive.

I remember that we were at an annual EIFI meeting. The discussions were over and all of us in attendance were heading to the business lunch room when I saw Robert in pain from a sciatic nerve issue, hunched over his walking stick. I approached him with the clear intention of helping him. Robert sensed what I was about to propose.

He looked at me sideways and with a strong gesture of his hand, almost indignantly, pushed me away, clearly making it understood that he did not need and did not want any kind of help. This was Robert H. Lench.

An important piece of the history of EIFI, and the European Fasteners industry, disappears with his passing.

Robert H. Lench’s funeral was held on 7 th February 2020 at St. Cassian’s Church in Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire.

His in-depth knowledge of the fastener industry enabled him to skilfully hold the position of EIFI president…”

Marco A. Guerritore with Robert and Brenda Lench

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EXHIBITIONS

PREVIEWS AND REPORTS FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS

Fastener Fair Turkey held successfully Fastener Fair Turkey 2020 took place from 27th – 29th February 2020 at Tuyap Exhibition Centre in Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 2,500 trade visitors from 53 countries came to Istanbul to experience Turkey’s buoyant fastener and fixing market and network with other industry professionals.

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total of 147 companies from 13 countries exhibited at Fastener Fair Turkey 2020, 58 of these were exhibiting for the first time. Although 43 exhibitors from Asia could not attend due to the evolving Covid-19 situation – mainly affecting the Asian continent at the time of the show – the exhibition succeeded to draw attention to Turkey’s potential as a strong fastener and fixing market. The show attracted 2,500 trade visitors from 53 countries – 14% coming from abroad.

“The exhibition was very well organised and we had a successful exhibition despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” commented Mustafa Tecdelioğlu, chairman of the board of directors of BESİAD – the Association of Turkish fastener industrialists and businessmen, and the official show partner of Fastener Fair Turkey. “I would like to thank all the participants and visitors who came to the show. I am looking forward to the next Fastener Fair Turkey 2022, hopefully again under better circumstances.”

Over the three show days, the exhibition brought together senior managers, engineers, distributors, suppliers and other industry professionals from various key sectors. Fastener Fair Turkey provided both visitors and exhibitors with the opportunity to have face-to-face meetings, gain new business opportunities, strengthen partnerships and commercial networks, showcase new products and increase brand awareness.

The visitor profile of Fastener Fair Turkey consisted of end users, fastener and fixing manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, who play a vital role in the supply chain for resellers and end users.

35% of visitors were managing directors or board members, 31% were engineers and purchasers, while a further 31% were department heads and senior managers.

Leading companies visit

Fastener Fair Turkey was once again attended by key industry companies from a vast variety of countries. At this year’s show, the most strongly represented industrial sectors included the automotive, hardware and DIY, construction, mechanical engineering, furniture manufacturing, agricultural/off-highway machinery, electrical products/domestic appliances, civil engineering and aerospace industries.

In addition to automotive industry leaders such as Tesla Automotive, Ford Otosan Sanayi A.Ş, Honda Türkiye A.Ş, Mercedes-Benz Turkey, Tofaş, Toyota and Oyak-Renault, aerospace companies such as ASELSAN A.Ş, Coşkunöz Aerospace, PFW Aerospace, and Roketsan Inc also visited the exhibition.

Manufacturers of materials for solar panel systems – such as Vergo Energy Systems, Cegelec Groupe, and VINCI Energies – also attended Fastener Fair Turkey, as well as Technopartner Srl, iSi Automotive Austria GmbH, Schock GmbH, PE Automotive GmbH & Company KG, TCDD (Republic of Turkey State Railways) and Baku Shipyard.

Fastener Fair Turkey returns

The next edition of Fastener Fair Turkey will return to Istanbul in 2022, with dates to be announced. The show will take place again at the Tuyap Exhibition Centre.

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吀攀挀栀渀漀氀漀最礀 戀攀栀椀渀搀 琀栀攀 猀琀愀最攀

眀眀眀⸀戀椀爀氀椀欀戀愀最氀愀渀琀椀⸀挀漀洀 ⴀ 戀椀爀氀椀欀䀀戀椀爀氀椀欀戀愀最氀愀渀琀椀⸀挀漀洀

exhibitions

Fastener Fair India – New Delhi rescheduled for September Organisers have announced that Fastener Fair India – New Delhi, originally scheduled for 8th – 9th May 2020, has been rescheduled to take place on 4th – 5th September 2020 – still at Pragati Maidan exhibition centre.

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he show’s organisers stated: “We have carefully monitored the global health emergency related to coronavirus (Covid-19), which has now been globally declared a pandemic and a notified disaster in India. It is imperative that we prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved in Fastener Fair India – New Delhi; employees, customers and exhibitors.”

“We have taken this very difficult decision due to an extraordinary situation in the region and around the world. We consulted with all our stakeholders, especially key exhibitor and visitor groups, and national pavilions, and took our decision in alignment with the directives and advice from the Indian public health authorities and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi regarding public events, as well as travel to and from impacted countries. We are grateful to our customers for all their support and constructive input during this challenging period.”

“We will continue to closely monitor the ongoing situation and remain in close contact with all Fastener Fair India – New Delhi stakeholders over the coming weeks and our thoughts remain with all those impacted by the virus.”

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exhibitions

HANNOVER MESSE to go digital For the first time in its 73 year history, HANNOVER MESSE will not take place this year due to the increasingly critical situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic. However, organisers are now working on a digital platform to enable networking.

F

rom now until the next HANNOVER MESSE on 12 th – 16th April 2021, a digital information and networking offer will provide exhibitors and visitors with the opportunity for economic policy orientation and technological exchange.

“Given the dynamic development around Covid-19, and the extensive restrictions on public and economic life, HANNOVER MESSE cannot take place this year. Our exhibitors, partners and our entire team did everything they could to make it happen, but we had to accept that in 2020 it will not be possible to host this event,” explained Dr Jochen Köckler, chairman of the board of management, Deutsche Messe AG. Dr Jochen Köckler added: “The need for orientation and exchange is particularly important in times of crisis. That is why we are currently working intensely on a digital information and networking platform for HANNOVER MESSE that we will open to our customers shortly.”

Various web-based formats will enable HANNOVER MESSE exhibitors and visitors to exchange information about upcoming economic policy challenges and technological solutions. Live streams will transport interactive expert interviews, panel discussions and

Fastener Fair USA postponed to March 2021 After careful consideration and due to the escalation of Covid-19 in the United States, Reed Exhibitions has announced that the next edition of Fastener Fair USA will now take place 23rd – 25th March 2021 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, Ohio. nitially optimistic that the event could be held in late July, as the pandemic has continued to escalate and the challenges it has brought to the industry, it is clear that July is no longer a viable option. “This decision was made in response to unprecedented challenges we are facing as an industry. We know this decision impacts our exhibitors, attendees and stakeholders and was not made lightly,” said Bob Chiricosta, event director, Fastener Fair USA. “We believe we have made the right decision to postpone Fastener Fair USA to 2021 at a time when the industry is ready and able to get back to business,” said Randy Field, group vice-president at Reed Exhibitions.

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‘best case’ presentations all over the world. The online exhibitor and product search is also being enhanced, with a function that enables visitors and exhibitors to contact each other directly.

“We firmly believe that nothing can replace direct, person-to-person contact and we are already looking forward to the time after Covid-19. But especially in times of crisis, we must be flexible and act pragmatically. We want to offer orientation and sustain economic life during the crisis. We are doing that with our new digital offering,” stated Köckler.

IFS China postponed Organisers of the International Fastener Show China 2020 have decided to postpone the event until 3rd – 5th November 2020, to ensure the health of all participants. The venue of the show will remain the same – the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center.

D

espite the Covid-19 situation in China generally being controlled and moving towards a positive direction explained organisers, the situation continues to get more serious globally, and as such the situation cannot be mitigated in a short period.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the postponement.

At the same time, we truly appreciate the continuing support from all exhibitors, visitors and partners of IFS China,” continued organisers. “At the moment, the IFS organising committee is actively coordinating with our partners, pavilion organisers and the exhibition centre to ensure the show will be successful. We also hope all exhibitors can have enough time to adjust their plans and products so the November IFS China will be as high-quality as before.”

As an integrated international trading and communication platform for the fastener industry, IFS China provides a space for exhibitors to achieve their goals of expanding the market, building their brand and selling during the event. The show attracts fastener experts from all over the world for its complete service chain, various products and activities.

“We sincerely appreciate everybody’s understanding and support and would like to reiterate that the development of the fastener industry depends on us overcoming the difficulties together. Please take care during this special period and we look forward to seeing everybody in Shanghai, where we can celebrate the prosperity of the fastener industry, together.”

exhibitions

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Fastener Fair France postponed Mack Brooks Exhibitions has announced the postponement of Fastener Fair France due to the escalation of Covid-19 in Europe and globally.

New dates are to be announced in due course.

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he 2 nd edition of Fastener Fair France was scheduled to take place from 27th – 28th May 2020 at the Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles, France. Speaking about the announcement, Nicola Hamann, managing director of organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions, said: “The health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors, and staff, is our number one priority. After many weeks closely monitoring the evolving situation around Covid-19, and the notices issued by the World Health Organisation, as well as the French Government, and in close coordination with all partners involved, we have decided to postpone the exhibition.”

Nicola Hamann added: “Our customers, partners and the Fastener Fair France team worked incredibly hard on this event.

While it is disappointing to postpone, it is imperative that we prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved. Our goal remains to provide the best customer value for everyone attending Fastener Fair France by delivering a high-quality exhibition at a later date.”

Mack Brooks Exhibitions trusts that the decision to postpone the show will enable it to continue to serve as the dedicated platform in France for every aspect of fastener and fixing technology in the secure and safe conditions needed. Together with the venue, the Fastener Fair France team will communicate closely with customers and partners over the coming weeks to confirm the best available dates.

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS news and information dedicated to construction fixing products

Dr Stefan Nöken Member of the executive board, Hilti Group Fastener + Fixing Magazine last interviewed Dr Stefan Nöken in 2017 – where he focused on how the digitisation of the construction process would affect stakeholders. Here Editor Will Lowry speaks to him about how the construction sector has developed over the last three years and the key trends he predicts for the future.

The last interview with Fastener + Fixing Magazine was in 2017. What have been the key developments for Hilti in that time?

“The fast and strong development of digitisation has been the most important event in recent years – not only for Hilti but for the entire construction industry. I thoroughly believe the changes we are experiencing right now, and over the next decade, will be more significant and fundamental to the construction industry then what we have experienced in the last 100 years. A big reason for this is around data and new technologies, which offer a great opportunity for productivity.

The topic of productivity through digitisation has certainly been a key focus for us at Hilti. We have significantly stepped up our investment and activities in digitisation to help us respond to customers’ needs and to digital opportunities. For instance, we have developed Building Information Modelling (BIM) services, which involves BIM framework, design and modelling, BIM drawing, and pre-fabrication. This is a comprehensive service offering we did not have five years ago and is something we have developed, which is not only demanded but enjoyed by our customers.

Another practical example is IoT, which we use for our App called Hilti Connect as well as OnTrack, our asset management solution. This involves all our devices and tools having communication chips inside them – allowing customers to identify and localise the device and enabling customers to initiate a repair pick up.

The final area where the industry has changed a lot is the accelerating trend towards cordless. It is amazing how fast this change has happened, as the batteries have become more powerful – enabling users to get better performance on a lower weight battery.”

A key focus for Hilti last time was its Champion 2020 corporate strategy. Did you achieve what you set out to do and what is your corporate strategy now?

“As part of the implementation for the Champion 2020 strategy we carried out ongoing annual control meetings to discuss the success of the strategy. From doing this we concluded that the strategy was working, and we were progressing very nicely on the key imperatives.

We therefore asked ourselves ‘if that is the case do we need a new

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strategy?’ To decide we went back to the assumptions we made in 2012/13 when developing the Champion 2020 strategy and agreed that the assumptions hadn’t fundamentally changed – such as the macroeconomic environment, the competitive landscape, and technology trends. We realised that there is still much potential for our strategy. Therefore, we decided to extend the time horizon to 2023 – helping us to maximise the benefits of our well working strategy.

However, at the same time we made a few adjustments due to topics becoming more prevalent compared to the situation seven years ago. The first is the topic of sustainability, which is now being discussed on a completely different level to what it was in 2012/13. We have integrated our corporate sustainability strategy, which focuses, in a nutshell, on CO 2 footprint, circularity, installer health and safety, building and occupant safety, employee health and safety, business standards and ethics, as well as social responsibility.

The second change is that we now have an even higher emphasis on the digitisation of the business. This is focused on three key areas: The offer to customers, where we have become more digital and intelligent – through digital services and software solutions; the digital interaction with customers, including the digital sales and marketing process; and finally, the digitisation of the operational back-end, including industry 4.0 in our manufacturing all the way to our digital archive in intellectual property. We believe digitisation will continue to play a critical role, which is why we have highlighted it in our updated Champion 2020 strategy.

The final adjustment to the strategy was regarding our people. We believe employee engagement is a decisive factor in the success of a business. Highly engaged team members engage our customers and by doing that drive our business. We therefore have a much stronger emphasis on people engagement.”

Hilti is focused on front-loaded engineering and visiting customer’s sites. Why is the Group committed to this direct to site service and supply? How does the Group present a consistent service to customers around the world?

“For more than 70 years we have believed in direct sales. This will not change, even with the development of digitisation. There are two main

I thoroughly believe the changes we are experiencing right now, and over the next decade, will be more significant and fundamental to the construction industry then what we have experienced in the last 100 years.â&#x20AC;? www.fastenerandfixing.com

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS reasons why we believe in a direct sales model.

The first is that by being out on the job site with our customers – we have 20,000 sales people who can make 250,000 customer contacts a day – we create a vibrant dialogue, which puts us in the position to really understand our customers’ needs, applications, and workflow.

This customer contact also plays a big part in our innovation, because you cannot innovate unless you completely understand the real work on the job site.

The second reason we believe in a direct sales model is that it enables us to convey our value proposition whilst talking to customers. The essence of the value proposition has to be explained, they sometimes don’t explain themselves.

Technically high standing solutions, for example, which help prevent buildings from fire or seismic events, have to be explained and demonstrated to the customer.

Whilst we are committed to a direct sales model, it is quite a demanding process to make sure 20,000 people deliver a high-quality customer experience – every time.

To do so, and to guarantee real consistency and quality, we have global standards, processes, and systems, as well as having a sharp focus on training. We are on a continuous learning journey and we regularly provide our whole sales force with an ongoing training on everything including new products, new software, new service solutions, as well as how to professionally support customers.”

How do regulatory requirements impact you as a business? How do you stay ahead of the demands?

“Regulatory requirements have a significant impact on our business, but rather than seeing it as a challenge, we see this as an opportunity to raise the building standards worldwide. We want to protect buildings and occupants, and we want to protect the users of our products. That is our intention and therefore increasing standards, whether it comes from building integrity, sustainability or health and safety can help a lot.

It is very important to be on top of these developments. We do this through people who are experienced on how the standards work and where they apply. For instance, the standards in Japan are different from the ones in the EU, and different in the Americas.

We have several dedicated people working with the authorities, increasing the building standards. That is why I feel confident in saying we know about upcoming changes in regulations and we are already integrating them into our product development.”

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How important is it to have a recognised quality standard for construction products?

How do you get users to adopt those products over cheaper alternatives?

“The trade off between high-quality products that meet standards, and ensure safe buildings, versus inferior products that are just sold for a price, is another key issue. At Hilti we are focused on high-quality products and promoting the importance of them. It is very sad but a matter of fact that the relevance of these solutions is often not realised until it comes to an accident or disaster. A prime example is the Grenfell tower tragedy in the

I am very happy to see digitisation has arrived in the construction industry and most companies regard it as an opportunity to tackle the productivity challenge that has not yet been mastered within this sector.”

UK, which increased the awareness of the importance of fire protection of buildings. The same happened in Italy with seismic products, due to the earthquake events that have happened over recent years. These tragedies have become catalysts for the industry to get more serious about the topics involved.

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At Hilti we have two roles to play.

Firstly, we drive building standards, as we previously discussed. We also develop the products accordingly to build safe buildings.

Secondly, we want to educate our customers – the building owners, the architects, the general contractors, as well as the sub-contractors. We need to explain how serious these topics can be, and that they are worldwide issues. It is not about spending more money for a certain product, it is about getting a safer solution, which will stand for the next 50 – 100 years.”

Previously we spoke about digitisation of the construction process and how it will affect stakeholders. How has this area developed over the last three years – both for Hilti and the construction market?

“I am very happy to see digitisation has arrived in the construction industry and most companies regard it as an opportunity to tackle the productivity challenge that has not yet been mastered within this sector. The construction industry is the only industry where there have been no real productivity gains over the last few decades.

Most construction companies recognise that digitisation is a big opportunity to organise themselves better. For instance, having a digital representation of a building to highlight any potential issues or concerns, before building it physically. There is also an opportunity regarding building life cycle management, with digitisation helping with the designing, building, as well as the maintenance of buildings. Digitisation is definitely becoming a crucial factor within the sector and we are at the forefront of this technology.

At Hilti we have further extended our digital offering to support the different stages, be it BIM modelling, design

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS optimisation, pre-fabrication, advanced logistics – to track and trace deliveries, as well as documenting what is being done on the job site, including verification and validation.

Without doubt it will be a big change process, but if you look at other industry sectors, such as automotive and aviation, they had the same experience and went through the same change process.

There is no question: It will be the way we will be working in the future in the construction industry. Therefore, we are investing €100 million on our digital journey every year and dedicate a big part of our R&D spending on digitisation.”

What is your impression of the current markets and how do you deal with challenges such as Covid-19, trade wars, etc, which could potentially have a big impact on the market?

“We had a very good year in 2019 and had growth all over Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, with local currency growth of around 6.3%. When you look at the global construction output the growth in 2019 was around 1.5% – 2%. This was also the projection for 2020. However, social and business life has changed dramatically due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is already having a serious impact on economic growth, construction market growth, and our business, for the remainder of 2020 and beyond.

When it comes to topics like these, I think flexibility, adaptability, and agility, are the key words that describe our attitude, but it is also important to realise this is nothing new. Back in the financial crisis in 2008/09, and the currency devaluation of the Swiss Franc in relation to the Euro in 2011 and 2015, we learnt the importance of flexibility, adaptability and agility. Volatility is the new norm and there are always external factors influencing the market and our business.

Covid-19 is actually a prime example. Nobody could have predicted at the start of the year how it would develop or the challenging situation it has created.

The outcome is still not clear and there are a number of layers involved. The first priority for us as a Group was to care for our people and make sure we established around the globe, with 30,000 employees, strict health and behavioural standards that protected our people.

The second priority was to serve our customers and secure supply of our products.

After those immediate actions we are now in the phase to manage the recession, limit the financial impact but seize the opportunities and, at the same time, prepare for the rebound.

We have a long-term strategy and believe that, eventually, the signs for the construction industry are positive. The reason for that is a growing population and prosperity around the world, which means there will be a need for infrastructure, housing and energy supply – especially in emerging markets.”

The second big trend is health and safety. The UK is very much at the forefront regarding health and safety, but lots of other countries are not as far advanced. Worldwide there should be zero incidents and accidents on the jobsite. For Hilti that means we have to provide solutions that reduce physical stress as far as possible and help avoid any accidents.

Number three, and this is a more fundamental transformation, is the industrialisation of the construction sector. Through digitisation, as well as related technologies – such as pre-fabrication, pre-assembly, robotics, augmented reality, 3D printing – it will be possible to industrialise the construction site, rather than every project being a unique construction. The potential this could offer to everybody involved within the construction market could be monumental.

Number four is sustainability, with the growth of this trend significantly increasing over the last couple of years. A key topic is around CO 2 neutrality, which involves everybody within the construction market. At Hilti we strive to become CO 2 neutral by 2023 and to introduce products that fulfil ecological standards. We are also looking at circularity, where we want to lead the industry. If you think about our tools, we have a completely vertically integrated business model, from development through manufacturing and supply all the way to repair and fleet management. We control the entire value chain and this means we can lead the way in circularity and help make a real difference.

Another relevant topic related to sustainability, which I believe will become a big construction trend, is the use of wood as a construction material. In many ways wood construction has been ignored or neglected because there is the wrong perception that it is unsafe, especially when it comes to fire.

However, this is not the case. For instance, it is amazing what can be done with cross-laminated timber construction, such as multi-storey buildings that are 10 – 20 storeys high. I believe wood as a construction material has a very exciting future.

Finally, I can see pre-fabrication becoming a growing trend within the sector. With pre-fabrication operators can pre-produce in a factory environment, and fully compose the structure in a matter of hours or days. If you compare this to the normal concrete work, which is done on-site and takes significantly longer, it is a huge increase in productivity. Pre-fabrication also offers a big advantage from a quality angle, as it is easier to control quality in a manufacturing environment than it is on-site. This will once again improve productivity and guarantee safer buildings.”

At Hilti we believe there are going to be five main trends that will impact the construction sector.”

What do you see as being the main construction trends for the next 3 – 5 years?

“At Hilti we believe there are going to be five main trends that will impact the construction sector. The first, and one of the most obvious and biggest issues customers are feeling, is the labour shortage. Finding skilled people that are willing to perform the work is proving difficult.

The construction market is not the most attractive and it is more and more complicated to get skilled labour. However, as a business this creates opportunities for us, such as continuing to develop solutions that are simple and easy to use, all the way to solutions that can perform the work by themselves – such as on-site robotics.

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About Dr Stefan Nöken

Dr Stefan Nöken has been a member of the Hilti executive board since the beginning of 2007 and is responsible for fastening technology and logistics. Born in 1965, he joined Hilti in 2000 as the head of corporate engineering. In 2004, he took over responsibility for supply chain management within the global plants, procurement and global logistics.

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Tecfi invests in concrete screws Believing in the great advantages that a concrete screw can offer compared to a torque controlled expansion anchor – in terms of time saving, ease of installation, edge distance and spacing – Tecfi SpA has continued to invest in its concrete screw range, which now includes the HXE-CONCRETO®, and three new A4 stainless steel concrete screws.

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he HXE-CONCRETO® is C2 and C1 certified on diameters 16mm and 12mm, and while diameter 10mm reached the category C1, it is also ETA-CE certified in Option 1 for cracked and non-cracked concrete and classified R120 for fire resistance (from diameter 8mm to 16mm).

The HXE range is very wide, including a hexagonal flanged washer head screw (HXE01), a flat countersunk with six spline recess head screw (HXE03) and a double thread screw with nut and washer (HXE02), which is also available with a large washer (HXE12).

Tecfi has also launched a line of A4 (AISI 316) stainless steel concrete screws – available with a hexagonal flanged washer head in diameters 6mm, 8mm and 10mm. The company is also planning to launch three new A4 stainless steel concrete screws – a flat countersunk with a six spline recess head screw (HX73), a pan with a six spline recess head screw (HX75) and a pan washer with a six spline recess head screw (HX76).

Tecfi also offers a line of concrete screws with special finishing under the Steel Saver® brand. This includes the HX41 screw with hexagonal flanged washer head with 1,000 hours in salt spray test; the HXB02 double thread screw with nut and washer and the HXS01 screw with a flat countersunk six spline recess head – both with 500 hours salt spray test. Finally the HXT01 screw with mushroom six spline recess head – with 500 hours salt spray test is also available.

To further demonstrate this investment into concrete screws, Tecfi states that it was the first company to achieve the C2 and C1 Performance Category for the installation of its concrete screws in high seismic hazard zones in April 2015. www.tecfi.it

Kee Klamp proves useful for Covid-19 testing stations As the Covid-19 situation continues to spread around the globe, diagnosis is one of the key factors that can help combat and contain the outbreak. For this reason, the Primary Health Care Department for the Ministry of Health in Malta has worked to erect multiple Covid-19 testing stations for the population. wo of the makeshift stations, located in Hal Farrug and Luxol Grounds, urgently required canopy frames to provide weather protection for the outdoor waiting area to the testing stations. The shelters needed the correct safety measures in place to maintain a sound structure.

Kee Safety’s Maltese distributor, Joseph F Spiteri & Co, worked to a tight turnaround and supplied the Primary Health Care Department with the necessary galvanised Kee Klamp fittings and steel tubing to allow the stations to be swiftly assembled.

“Kee Safety is pleased to have been able to help in this time of need, and would like to thank and applaud the many healthcare workers and personnel in these difficult times.”

T

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PLANT 1

PLANT 2

PLANT 3

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Hydrajaws heavy-duty tension testers Heavy-duty construction projects require heavy-duty solutions. When properly installed into sound base materials, heavy-duty anchors will give a project many years of service. However, if the base material is of poor quality or has been incorrectly installed then these products will not be able to give the required service.

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The advantages of the M2008 over a traditional hydraulic cylinder set-up – for loads up to 145kN – is that the unit is much more portable. It is a one box compact solution on wheels easily transported to a job site. The telescopic legs and bridge level bubbles also enable an easy and balanced set-up.

The M2008 comes with a standard Hydrajaws digital gauge, which gives highly accurate readings and is compatible with the bluetooth digital gauge system. This enables a pull tester to be paired with any iOS or Android device through the Hydrajaws App. This system generates a digital test report with a results graph, GPS location, and time stamp, to authenticate job completion. The test report is saved in the cloud and can be emailed from the test site allowing a more streamlined reporting process.

CHEMICAL ANCHORS FOR UNDERWATER FIXINGS NEW

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INPP

BY I N P

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

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ETAG 001 -Part 5 OPTION 1 ETA 09/0140

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

1937

2017 fastening systems

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hen it comes to site testing heavy-duty anchors, Hydrajaws Ltd has the M2008 tester, which has been used on many different construction projects around the world. This includes parapet installations – helping to ensure the UK standard ‘National Highway Sector Scheme 5B’ is met.

The M2008 is capable of pull testing heavy-duty anchors up to 145kN (approximately 14.5 tonnes) and was designed to pull test threaded studs that have been post-installed into a base material. The standard kit has adapters to pull test standard metric threads from M12 to M30. These adapters enable users to proof test resin fixed anchors, giving extra peace of mind. Furthermore, with additional adapters, the Hydrajaws M2008 is capable of pull testing heavy-duty lifting eyes and rebar – up to 22mm in diameter.

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

Free travel in Amsterdam with innovative fastening technology The longest and second widest land tunnel in the Netherlands is currently under construction in Amsterdam – helping reduce noise and air pollution for local residents. Over 1.7 million fischer nail anchors, FNA II in stainless steel (A4), have been used in its construction to help attach fire protection panels to walls and ceilings, as well as for other applications.

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he construction project is part of the Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere project in the Netherlands, which aims to increase the capacity of several expressways and thereby better develop the Randstad area. Part of the project is the new tunnel, which will be the longest land tunnel in the Netherlands, at completion, at 3km long.

With a width of 73m, it is also the second widest land tunnel in the Netherlands.

The fischer Group of Companies has already successfully completed the fastening of fire protection panels to the walls and ceiling in close cooperation with the construction company Kaefer Construction GmbH. The purpose of retrofitting tunnel clothing is to protect the concrete structure in the underground traffic system in the event of a fire.

“The type of fire protection was determined in advance. The focus was placed on, among other things, the service life, visual appearance, economy and duration of installation,” explains Sven Burgard, head of passive fire protection for buildings and tunnels at Kaefer Construction GmbH. “In the end, several fire tests were carried out to ensure its suitability.”

“The fact the FNA II A4s are demonstrably ideal for tunnel fire protection and can be processed easily and quickly was one of the big factors for their use,” emphasises Daniel Jäger, head of industrial key account management at fischer Deutschland Vertriebs GmbH. “The FNA II also meet the high requirements for wind suction loads and longevity in the project, as well as being suitable for sensitive concrete as an anchoring base.”

Only a few installation steps are needed for the correct installation of the anchor. The fire protection plates are simply positioned on the wall or ceiling, before creating the drill hole through both and then placing the dowel in a push-through assembly using a compressed air tool. The FNA II spreads automatically when loaded. The cone is pulled into the expansion clip and braces it against the borehole.

“In addition to the timely production and delivery of the large number of FNA II, our wide range of services also made the difference,” points out Daniel Jäger. “This is how we successfully accompany our customers through all project phases – from planning and calculation to pull-out attempts in advance, as well as on-site support through training and certification of the contractors.”

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

EAD 090034-00-0404 Kit composed by subframe and fixings for fastening cladding and external wall elements ETA - 20/0139

GFT 111 Urban

GFT Fassaden AG

ETA - 20/0287

GFT 99 Hidden Fix

GFT Fassaden AG

EAD 130118-01-0603 Screws and threaded rods for use in timber constructions ETA - 20/0098

DM self-tapping screws

NINGBO SINOAN BUILDING METAL PRODUCTS CO., LTD.

EAD 330087-00-0601 Systems for post-installed rebar connections with mortar ETA - 18/1157

Chemfix 100 bonded anchor for post-installed rebar connections

Chemfix Products Ltd

ETA - 20/0125

Injection system Hilti HIT-RE 500 V3 for rebar connection

HILTI Corporation

ETA NUMBER

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I

TRADE NAME

COMPANY

EAD 330232-00-0601 Mechanical fasteners for use in concrete ETA - 17/0647

Anchor Fasteners Industrial anchor type ADA

Anchor Fasteners Industrial Co Ltd

ETA - 20/0286

EJOT Through Bolt BA-C NC Torque controlled expansion anchor

EJOT Baubefestigungen GmbH

EAD 330499-00-0601 Bonded fasteners for use in concrete ETA - 20/0203

CHEMITOOL CHEMIRES VINYLESTER 400ML

Lusavouga – Máquinas e Acessorios Industriais, S.A.

ETA - 20/0323

Multifix VSF+ Seismic injection system for concrete

EJOT TEZMAK Baglanti Elemanlari Teknolojileri

ETA - 20/0328

POLY-GPG® WINTER

Simpson Strong-Tie

EAD 330747-00-0601 Fasteners for use in concrete in redundant for non-structural systems ETA - 17/0645

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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

Anchor Fasteners Industrial anchor type ADA for multiple use

Anchor Fasteners Industrial Co Ltd

Weather tight tape gains BBA Foam sealants specialist ISO Chemie GmbH has gained British Board of Agreement (BBA) product approval certification for its ISO-BLOCO ONE self-adhesive weather tight tape. This confirms its resistance to the passage of wind driven rain, snow, run off water and dust into the interior of a property.

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SO-BLOCO ONE provides a longer lasting seal for window and door joints up to 30mm wide and installation compliance to BS 8213-4:2016. It is impermeable to driving rain at a minimum of 1,000Pa – which ISO Chemie states is 66% higher reliability than most conventional joint sealing tapes.

“BBA certification has reinforced the product’s outstanding weather protection performance, ensuring its suitability for use in passive energy installations,” comments Andy Swift, sales and operations manager – UK and ROI at ISO Chemie GmbH. “As a business we are strongly committed to providing customers with high-quality innovative products, so BBA certification is another significant achievement for us.”

ISO-BLOCO ONE offers a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.

The external seal area provides weather resistance and breathability, while the intermediate seal area provides extra

thermal and acoustic properties and the internal one air tightness and humidity regulation.

The internal air tight seal has been tested at 1,000Pa pressure difference (20 times more than UK building regulations) and was found to give less than 0.1m³ of air loss. At the same time, depending on tape width, it will also supply a U-Value of 0.55 and reduce sound by 63dB. Once installed the tape ensures structures are better protected from elemental factors, such as wind, dust and moisture ingress, by accommodating the changes in structural movement caused by environmental, cyclical and settlement factors. The product also complies with energy saving regulations (EnEV) on windows and doors, as well as the RAL quality assurance association and can accommodate extremes of temperature changes from -30°C to +80°C.

HEICO FASTENING SYSTEMS

Global Inch - Fasteners

for more than 40 Years

The best value to secure and tighten bolted joints!

HEICO-LOCK® WEDGE LOCKING SYSTEMS Innovative wedge locking products providing high quality anti-vibration security for bolted joints.

HEICO-TEC® TENSIONING SYSTEMS The simple, fast and reliable way to tighten large bolted joints!

Tel.: +49 (0) 71 32/99 60-0 • Fax.: +49 (0) 71 32/99 60-60

www.schroederschrauben.de

WWW.HEICO-GROUP.COM

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

INDEX ’s wide range of anchors ®

Spanish manufacturer and distributor of fixing systems, INDEX®, offers a wide range of anchors for heavy loads, which allow structural fixing in cracked and non-cracked concrete and/or masonry of solid stone.

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or instance, the company’s high load anchors are suitable for the most demanding projects thanks to their high performance, even for bindings where they will either suffer loads with seismic risk, or be exposed to strong vibrations. “In order to guarantee the highest quality in our products, we carry a rigorous control of the manufacturing processes,” states INDEX®.

“Our obsession with perfection means we continuously expand our certifications and approvals of independent laboratories. This includes the main official bodies that guarantee the highest quality in both products and management systems.”

When it comes to mechanical and chemical anchors, INDEX has a wide range in both families. Firstly, in metal anchors INDEX has its MT throughbolt anchors for heavy loads – with ten different models designed according to the required needs. Available in steel, A2 and A4 stainless steel, the shaft and component coating can vary from being sherardised, galvanised or hot galvanised. There are also a wide variety of versions, lengths and diameters available.

Another range within the family of

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high performance metal anchors is the MTP range, which is ideal for demanding projects. This range is seismically approved in cracked concrete and is also available in sherardised, galvanised and A4 stainless steel.

The TH concrete screw anchor – with silver ruspert coating – is also available from INDEX. This anchor is fast and easy to install, as well as being suitable for reduced distances between anchors and edges, and can be used in cracked, non-cracked and reinforced concrete. The TH concrete screw anchor is also 100% removable and available in a variety of lengths, diameters and types of heads.

Suitable for many applications, the TH concrete screw can be used in glazing, windows and shop windows, shelving and racks, indoor handrails and banisters, as well as steel, wood and concrete structures.

INDEX has also adapted to the needs of the market by expanding and updating its range of chemical anchors. These chemical anchors have an improved formula, increased loads supported, increased range of temperatures of handling and curing, as well as greater flexibility in depths of installation. The chemical anchors also have a renewed image and design to improve their identification and management.

INDEX has also increased its range of vinylesters, optimised its hybrid resins, and expanded its range of certifications with the aim of meeting the needs of its customers. www.indexfix.com

Schäfer + Peters GmbH Tel. +49 (0) 7941 6094-0 info@schaefer-peters.com www.schaefer-peters.com

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 IbĂŠrica gbiberica@gebfissaggi.com G&B Fissaggi Benelux export@gebfissaggi.com G&B Fissaggi France export@gebfissaggi.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Anchor solutions from JCP JCP Construction Products, a specialist supplier of construction fixings, has a dedicated heavy-duty product portfolio containing a range of heavy-duty anchors, all suitable for use in cracked and non-cracked concrete, to fulfil particular project needs of designers.

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he JCP ETA (Option 1) certified heavy-duty anchor is a high performance through fastening anchor system, for use in cracked and non-cracked concrete C20/25 to C50/60. Available in three head styles, it features a compression ring to prevent turning and stop torque slippage, while a three part expansion sleeve allows for smaller spacings and edge distances with high loads.

Approved for use under seismic actions C1 and C2, it offers high tension and shear resistances. The JCP heavy-duty anchor range offers a resistance under fire exposure of 30 – 120 minutes and has a fire classification of A1 – meaning it will not contribute to the fire. Available in a hexagon bolt, hexagon nut and stud, and a countersunk head, all are CE certified. Designed for harsh environmental conditions, the hexagon nut and stud version are also available in the A4 stainless steel class.

With a reputation for expertise, technical back-up and experience in applications and fixings, JCP provides professionals with guidance when choosing the right anchor for a specific application. Key considerations such as load-bearing capacity, environmental conditions, concrete class, anchor spacing, edge distances, and loading type, must all be taken into account.

Support with anchor calculations

Available as a free download from its website, JCP’s Anchor Calculation Program includes a wide range of information and data, including fire and seismic requirements, and can accurately suggest suitable anchors based on the connection configurations.

It allows engineers to design connections using a user-friendly design tool to take

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into account loadings, spacings, and edge distances. All relevant information can be entered into the program, and a selection of suitable anchors will be displayed. The designer can then select the one that is most applicable for their particular circumstances. Calculations are carried out in accordance with the current European Guide TR029 for bonded anchors and ETAG 001 ANNEX C for mechanical anchors.

Its most comprehensive catalogue yet

JCP has also launched its 2020 catalogue exclusively for distributors, featuring a new design refresh and more information than ever before. Dedicated technical support information, a product application finder, and a whole merchandising section, have all been added, along with a revised product order for ease of navigation, and an index designed to help find products easily.

The catalogue also includes a whole host of new additions, including the full range of BlindBolts of which Owlett-Jaton is a master wholesaler. Other products include grooved nails – suitable for fixing roofing and insulation plates, plastic sheets and wire mesh; wall screws – light-duty fire resistant carbon steel fixings for direct use in non-cracked concrete and masonry base materials; low profile Metalfix – self-drilling screws for steel to steel fixing (available in June); and drill bit sets – straight shank and SDS (also available in June).

JCP products are available for next day delivery throughout the UK and customers can order online 24 hours a day, seven days a week through its online trade portal. www.jcpfixings.co.uk

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

JCP provides professionals with guidance when choosing the right anchor...”

SHORT PRODUCTION TIME WIDE PRODUCT RANGE FROM THE STOCK FAST

DELIVERY

EUROPE AN MANUFAC TURE R AND DISTRIBUTOR OF

FA STE NE RS

AND FIXINGS

Marcopol Sp. z o.o.

Oliwska 100 Street, 80-209 Chwaszczyno, POLAND +48 58 55 40 410,

export@marcopol.eu www.marcopol.eu

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY IN-DEPTH COVERAGE OF THE FASTENER MANUFACTURING PROCESS

Fail safe joints thanks to Kistler’s universal fastener test stand One of REYHER’s aims is to maintain its long tradition of professionalism in supplying and advising customers across many different industrial sectors – and to help it in achieving this goal, it has put its trust in an ANALYSE system by Kistler Group.

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or over 70 years F. REYHER Nchfg GmbH & Co Kg has supplied fasteners and fixing elements for threaded joints of all types from its base in Hamburg, North Germany. REYHER operates as a wholesaler to supply over 11,000 customers across the globe – from a range comprising of 130,000 different articles. The company also advises customers on selecting suppliers, choosing coatings and generally on how to implement the most suitable threaded joint.

Aftercare and troubleshooting also feature in the company’s portfolio.

Drivers of quality requirements

Frank Poggensee has been with REYHER for the last 14 years. As head of quality technology it is his responsibility to make sure the characteristics of the company’s fasteners are correct. “My personal

100 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

background is in the automotive industry, which is traditionally the main driver of quality requirements. However, wind power has also become an increasingly critical factor for REYHER in recent years.”

It is a fact that up to 11 tonnes of fasteners can be built into one single wind turbine plant. “This is an environment where exceptionally demanding requirements have to be met. Of course, safety is a critical priority in wind turbines – there’s no telling what would happen if fasteners were to fail in one of these plants,” continues Poggensee.

“REYHER is located in the vicinity of many wind turbine installations – another reason why the firm has focused increasingly on this technology and the relevant standards for threaded joints.”

Since Poggensee joined REYHER, the product and quality management department has grown from eight people to a team of 40. This is partly because the threaded joints segment has become

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Tel.: 34 - 943 85 02 62 Fax.: 34 - 943 85 34 45 E-mail: saspi@saspi.es

*SECONDARY OPERATION MACHINES -POINTING -DRILLING -BROACHING

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY far more complex. “More and more surfaces and coatings are available, and the service component is also growing, which involves offering recommendations and advice; providing support for our own products; and training the customers. Of course, we shouldn’t overlook the issues of traceability and transparency. It’s increasingly desirable and necessary for customers to know how each fastener is designed, which tools are used, and which standards have to be observed,” points out Poggensee.

Wind turbine installations, for example, make use of high strength preloadable bolt fittings. For these components, the relevant quality requirements have to be met with the help of special material inspections, testing procedures and production processes – and end-to-end traceability of the production history is generally required as well.

This means that it must be possible to identify each individual bolt or screw.

Documentation is needed for every step – from the starting materials and the machining processes in the individual production batches, all the way through to final delivery. If one of these fasteners should fail, it is possible to investigate how closely the failure is related to its production history.

Sound advice depends on analysis of friction coefficients

REYHER’s intention is to position itself appropriately in this segment so that it can reliably meet its customers’ ever increasing quality requirements. To achieve this objective, REYHER began operating an ANALYSE system from Kistler early in 2018.

Friction coefficient tests can now be carried out far more efficiently in-house – for fasteners up to M48 such as threaded bolts, hexagon and hexagon socket bolts and screws, as well as high strength preloadable (HV) fittings.

“In the past all we had was a mobile two channel test system for fasteners up to M24.

We were gradually reaching the limits in terms of capacity, as well as quality. Thanks to the ANALYSE system from Kistler, we have improved our ability to meet customers’ requirements, so we can guarantee a higher level of quality,” comments Poggensee.

REYHER can now carry out in-house testing of M48 bolts for the wind energy sector to ISO 16047, which was previously impossible. “In the past, these fasteners had to be sent out of house for testing. That involves using various service providers, to avoid being entirely dependent on just one. This was how we first came into contact with Kistler. However, a cost-effectiveness analysis showed that an investment in our own Kistler ANALYSE

Thanks to its laboratory, equipped with the new ANALYSE system from Kistler, REYHER can now carry out even more extensive testing to meet its customers’ increased quality requirements

system would be worthwhile to cope with the continuously increasing scope and growing requirements,” explains Poggensee.

REYHER had already commissioned Kistler to carry out regular tests on fasteners beyond the scope of its own in-house capabilities.

Experience gained during this collaboration was positive, so the two companies entered into new discussions about the next step towards an in-house solution.

“Every ANALYSE system is a three channel measuring instrument that precisely determines the tightening torque, thread torque and preloading force of a threaded joint. Each system is individually designed to meet the customer’s requirements.

For instance, we can align the test stand either horizontally or vertically, so either very small or very large fasteners can be tested. This approach creates a customised solution precisely tailored to the specific requirements,” comments Olaf Schuhknecht, sales engineer with Kistler Group.

Performance scope is expanded with add-on modules such as ultrasonic measurement or vibration units to allow even more accurate analyses, as well as simulations of real loads.

Higher quality despite greater complexity

The Kistler ANALYSE system used at REYHER offers maximum torque of 8,000Nm. Screws, bolts and nuts from M5 to M48 can be tested thanks to the extensive range of sensors deployed for torque/rotation angle,

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preloading force and thread torque.

“Our torque/rotation angle sensors measure directly on the test object, so they are not subject to any falsification due to drive shaft torsion,” adds Schuhknecht.

“This system fully meets our expectations in every respect, and it helps us to reliably fulfil our customers’ quality requirements – which are increasing all the time.”

Poggensee continues: “We looked at several offers, but many factors persuaded us to opt for Kistler. For instance, they provided the range of sizes we needed up to M48, and their reputation with suppliers is good (as we know from the audits we regularly conduct for our customers). Our existing business relationship and the availability of service were also key advantages.”

About Kistler Group

Kistler Group is the global market leader for dynamic pressure, force, torque and acceleration measurement technology.

Some 2,200 employees at more than 60 facilities worldwide are dedicated to the development of new solutions and offer application specific services at local level. Ever since it was founded in 1959, the Kistler Group has grown hand in hand with its customers and in 2018, it posted sales of CHF 475 million (€449 million). About 8% of this figure is reinvested in research and technology – with the aim of delivering better results for every customer.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Unmistakeable Ingramatic forming design There are a variety of materials that cannot be formed at ambient temperature due to the risk of cracks or abnormal tool wear – causing the production to be unprofitable. However, through the use of induction heaters, capable of warming up parts of screws, it is possible to form such materials – whilst still obtaining the right geometrical quality of the part and ensuring normal tool wear.

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aterials such as aeronautic titanium, aluminium alloys series 2000 and 6000, nickel superalloys such as Inconel® or Waspaloy®, stainless steels or 100Cr6 steel are all prime examples of where a heating unit is required. However, this unit still needs to be designed in such a way that the heat from the inductor, the feeding rails, and the tool holder, do not propagate into the machine. Without this, dimensional precision and permanent process temperature control are not possible.

Ingramatic has answered this problem with the latest addition to its RP220 range – the RP220-WF – available in TR1/TR2 sizes or W1015/W10. In the RP220-WF version the stationary tool holder, the feeding rails, and the inductor heater, are chilled in a closed circuit cooling system. For temperature control there is also an optical pyrometer checking the temperature of each part before the threading operation.

Ingramatic points out that the machine combines the heavy-duty design and features of the revolutionary I-Thread, and provides a significant increase in thread quality, productivity and efficiency by rolling all shapes of bolts, screws and parts made of materials difficult to roll.

The machine has many other features including one piece iron casting integrating the contrast block; new feeding rails for the installation of an induction coil with an exclusive design; as well as a generator and a high frequency inverter box.

Other features of the RP220-WF includes a set of selectors that manage the parts at the end of the heating process to ensure they are consistently oriented to the starter unit at the correct temperature. The repeatability of the heating is assured by using a longer induction coil compared to what is currently available on the market. As per SACMA headers, this induction coil design allows quick and easy connection of the coils according to the diameter of screws needed to be warm rolled. Consequently, this warm forming roller provides quick changeover – making it ideal for the small lot sizes in the aerospace fastener market.

As usual for the machines made by SACMA Group, the R&D involved has enabled a fully integrated machine to be developed – both for the hardware equipment and management of the heating unit. For instance, the I-Panel provided by Ingramatic allows the machine to manage the heating unit in automatic mode during the start up of the production but also during the stoppage of the machine.

This means the critical operations normally made by the operators manually are now directly managed by the PLC of the machine.

When the machine starts the production, the PLC manages the heating unit until the correct temperature is reached, then starts to feed the starter unit with a precise amount of warmed parts. It is possible to set-up a tolerance for the temperature and reject the parts not at the right temperature.

This helps to ensure the perfect integrity of the threads and also to avoid any damage of the material structure. During the start-up operation, the machine automatically rejects the parts that are not at the right temperature thanks to the optical pyrometer driving directly the rejection device. During production, to manage the quality and the repeatability of the

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part dimensions, the pyrometer and the load monitor check each part and automatically reject the non-conforming parts without stopping the machine and the heating unit.

Ingramatic explains that for a complete changeover, 30 minutes is necessary and for a changeover consisting only on the part length, 10 minutes is enough. This makes the RP220-WF very competitive for the aerospace market where the production quantities are very low.

This quick changeover is possible because the RP220-WF is part of the I-Thread machine design – the revolutionary line of thread rolling machines emphasised by the following features: Quick set-up: All adjustments fully motorised.

Rigid: The exclusive new design one piece iron casting has been optimised by using FEM software with a ‘C’ shaped stiffener, specifically designed to counter the stresses caused by thread rolling of heat treated parts and special profiles.

User-friendly/ergonomic: I-Panel touch screen controls with all WF functions integrated in a page dedicated to the warm forming unit. Constant control is possible thanks to the main page showing the real temperature and the kW necessary to warm the parts. Values in mm and inch are available.

Flexibility: Single starter unit driven by a direct drive motor with the self learning adjustment of the starter finger stroke.

4.0

MES software SK-go!

Machine terminals Process monitoring

Leading MES software in the fastener industry wide range of data collection terminals SK 400 to SK 800 process monitoring specialist with more than 19.000 machine terminals installed worldwide high competence through international sales & service partners more than 30 years experience

New line of process monitors: Simple to use: For the operators, the electronic handwheel can be used for all machine adjustments eliminating the use of hand tools.

High-speed and reliability: Thanks to the precision of the starter unit, the unique design of the feeding rails and the square design of the frame.

Regarding the spare parts and service, Ingramatic uses the same components as SACMA. This guarantees the immediate availability of spare parts ensuring the best service for customers and enabling Ingramatic to provide a tested and approved complete machine.

Already leading the market of headers made for exotic materials, SACMA Group completes its whole range of machines with this new WF line and is now able to provide any kind of machinery for the aerospace market, as well as other industries using special materials for making screws and bolts. The Ingramatic and SACMA warm forming machines can also be used in cold forming mode making them flexible and competitive to guarantee payback. www.sacmagroup.com

SK 4.10 and SK 5.12 with the latest hard- and software components and a completely new mode of operation We are exhibiting: WIRE 2020, DĂźsseldorf December 07 - 11, 2020 Hall 16, Stand A 25

Schwer + Kopka GmbH Herknerstrasse 4 D-88250 Weingarten (Germany) Fon ++49 751 56 164 0 www.schwer-kopka.de

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Process optimisation with new generation of tool movers RUD, a manufacturer of integrated chain and component solutions, states that its new Tool Mover takes the strain out of tasks, such as unmounting heavy tools from injection moulding machines or dismantling machine parts weighing several tonnes, which previously needed a crane and at least two operators.

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he new Tool Mover offers major benefits for operators, workshop managers, workplace safety inspectors and financial controllers, as it makes handling tools safer, more efficient and effective in terms of costs or processing. It also provides users with a much larger working surface at the lowest possible working height.

RUD’s Tool Mover can be supplied in configurations that suit exact requirements.

For example, the smallest ‘slim version’ can handle weights of up to 10 tonnes on its sturdy 800mm table surface. The Tool Mover system has been designed for use in the tool and mould making industries, with injection moulding and pressing tools, and with pressing, bending and forming technologies. It is also ideally suited for applications in the automotive, electronics and packaging industries.

Designed to axially rotate tools and machine components weighing up to 64 tonnes, the Tool Mover rotates and turns over even the heaviest loads, reliably and safely – using their centre of gravity. The Tool Mover’s work table has a frequency regulated drive to ensure it stops and starts smoothly, without juddering. It is also fitted with a high-end drive system from the TECDOS range. An Omega Drive at the core of the system also ensures perfect rotation during turnover.

Plugs or cooling hoses that usually have to be dismounted for safety reasons during component maintenance using a crane can simply stay in place when the Tool Mover is used to turn over the components.

“If you’re looking for a win-win situation for everyone involved in maintenance, you can’t do better than Tool Mover,” explains Anne Kühling, product manager in the conveyor and drive division at RUD Ketten Rieger & GmbH und Co KG. “Financial controllers are also pleased, as the machine pays for itself in less than a year. Operational managers and workshop managers also benefit from much shorter maintenance processes and service teams can work more efficiently without risk of injury, thanks to the machine’s ergonomic design.”

When designing the latest generation of the Tool Mover system, RUD’s engineers reduced the height of the working surface on the smallest model to 595mm. “Enabling users to work as ergonomically as possible was really important to us. This lower working height means that opened tools can be maintained directly on the working table. Operators can also work more comfortably in a natural posture, and there are fewer set-up costs,” says Klaus Pfaffeneder, head of design at RUD (conveyor and drive division).

The Tool Mover has revolutionised maintenance procedures, enabling operators to work in full compliance with occupational health and safety regulations (such as the German BGV). “Anyone who uses a crane to haul or pull loads across the floor is not only creating a fire hazard but also working in contravention of current standards. For instance, paragraph §37 of the German trade association’s accident prevention regulations for cranes specifically prohibits this,” comments Kühling.

The Tool Mover can also protect existing infrastructure such as the production hall floor, because tools and machine components no longer have to be dragged over to maintenance points.

In some cases, users can save a great deal of money by installing a Tool Mover in a workshop instead of investing in an expensive crane system. The Tool Mover can be moved easily with a forklift truck or pallet truck, etc and installed exactly where it is needed.

“This gives companies entirely new options for planning production sites. Maintenance procedures and logistics can be completely rethought to benefit from the potential for new hall layouts and innovative handling processes,” explains Anne Kühling.

RUD manufactures the Tool Mover at its headquarters in Aalen, Germany. Available in six standard sizes, the Tool Mover is ideal for a wide range of tool sizes. The smallest version, with a table area of 800mm x 1,300mm (L x W) can handle up to 10 tonnes. In contrast, the THS 64 (the largest standard version) can rotate tools and machine components weighing up to 64 tonnes safely and smoothly on its 3,500mm x 2,500mm table area (L x W).

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

High corrosion resistance from Atotech Developed specifically for fasteners and other parts in the automotive industry, Atotech’s new passivate, Tridur® ZnNi H5.2, combines high corrosion resistance with a flawless black appearance and a low environmental impact.

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ridur® ZnNi H5.2 is a black passivate that is applicable to alkaline and to acidic zinc-nickel surfaces. It can be plated on parts and easily combined with aluminium alloys. It also minimises contact corrosion making it suitable for the automotive industry.

The application of this new passivate also results in an extended lifetime compared to the market standard. This directly translates to reduced costs for customers, constituting a clear competitive advantage in the market. As with all of Atotech’s other passivates the Tridur ZnNi H5.2 exceeds the requirements of DIN EN ISO 19598.

“We are particularly proud the automotive industry approved Tridur ZnNi H5.2, which complies with the REACH regulations far beyond the year 2021, because it is both cobalt-free and fluoride-free,” comments Sabine Sengl, corrosion protection expert at Atotech Deutschland GmbH. Tridur ZnNi H5.2 forms a long-lasting, homogeneously spread, deep black colour to surfaces at 12% – 13% incorporation rates of nickel (well within OEM standards), ensuring a very high corrosion protection against red rust. Combined with Atotech’s sealers, the post dip Tridur® Finish 300 or Atotech’s zinc flake top coats, Tridur ZnNi H5.2 offers remarkably high-levels of corrosion protection against white and red corrosion (240 hours / 720 hours) according to DIN EN ISO 9227. www.atotech.com

Limitless possibilities . . .

No matter what kind of corrosion protection you need, we have the right tool for you. Atotechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corrosion protection solutions meet and exceed all industry requirements and cover the full spectrum of coating technologies: from pretreatment, zinc and zinc alloy plating processes, as well as zinc flake coatings to a comprehensive range of posttreatment systems with suitable coefficients of friction. The various possible combinations of our exceptional product range ensure outstanding corrosion protection with an attractive appearance and durability. Our unique products, global availability, and unsurpassed service capabilities make us a trusted partner for the fastener industry worldwide.

Learn more about our products at: www.atotech.com

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE FASTENER SECTOR

MRO consolidators: What are they and why might you need one?

By Jamie Mitchell, key account director, Brammer Buck & Hickman When it comes to managing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products, many organisations go down the traditional route of in-house stores management.

This includes ordering MRO supplies directly from manufacturers or through a distributor to then be collected from a local branch or delivered to which site.

H

owever, management of the on-site store often results in issues, including diverting resources from the main business. To avoid this, some companies hand over inventory management to a third party.

For larger companies, a further option is available in the form of an MRO consolidator which can provide services and dedicated personnel on-site.

What is an MRO consolidator?

An MRO consolidator is a third party that aims to consolidate and streamline MRO processes within a business. Embedding itself into the heart of a company, a good MRO consolidator integrates into a business and becomes an extension of the team.

It also delivers all the benefits of an MRO distributor’s branch on-site, including high-levels of customer service and year-on-year cost saving delivery, through vendor optimisation and a reduction in the purchasing and transaction costs associated with indirect supplies; all with a single point of contact for orders and customer service enquiries.

As a part of Brammer Buck & Hickman’s Vendor Managed Services, the company offers a fully customisable MRO solution named Insite™ and currently has 99 Insite locations within the UK, with those located in key customer sites having saved GB£3.6 million (€4.1 million) in the last 12 months.

Roles of an MRO consolidator

There are four main types of work that an MRO consolidator will carry out. These are divided into core activities – performance measurement, supplier management and other services.

Core activities include product identification, order handling and expediting, as well as parts standardisation, technical support and supplier management. MRO specialists help by proactively identifying cost saving opportunities across these areas.

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Performance measurement involves monitoring progress against agreed KPIs and objectives, including service level agreements and the measurement of cost savings against achieved targets. This gives total transparency over performance.

Supplier management focuses on dealing with technical specialists, supplier engineers and regional teams, as well as supply chain partners.

There are many other services that an MRO consolidator can potentially perform depending on client requirements. These include store design and restructuring, providing and managing MRO e-commerce sites and online catalogues from which to order, employee training, condition monitoring, and designing and implementing improvement projects. These can bring lasting benefits to a business.

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS Pros and cons of an MRO consolidator

There are many advantages of implementing an MRO consolidator onto a site, with the biggest being the saving of time and money. This factor is what draws most people into the idea of employing a service of this kind. With the right company, you can expect to see high-level cost savings as well as a reduction in downtime and processing.

Alongside this factor, clients are also most likely to experience an increase in productivity as company processes are streamlined.

Another very important factor is the dedicated resources that can be received on-site. Usually, there will be a dedicated individual or team working on-site. This will allow businesses to establish a relationship with not just a company, but a person who can get to know an organisation in-depth and ensure the service is completely tailored to their needs.

Most consolidators sell based on unit cost savings and supplier reduction, but without engineering expertise, this is short sighted. If the supplier understands a business and its processes, it is more likely to see value creation through continuous improvement.

Whilst the advantages mostly outweigh the disadvantages, there still are a few factors a business needs to consider when looking to implement a service of this kind. The main one is the length of the contract. For a service of this sort, businesses can expect to be tied into a contract for a minimum of three years.

There is also the potential to damage relationships with existing suppliers who may be cut out of the supply chain by the MRO consolidator. Lastly, there is the cost of this kind of service.

Proposal and contract signing: After discussing needs, the MRO consolidator will submit a proposal. Read this carefully and be sure to go back to the MRO consolidator with any questions. Straighten out the fine lines and ensure the MRO consolidator is going to deliver all that has been set out to achieve.

The next step is, of course, accepting the proposal and signing the contract.

Set-up: When all the paperwork is signed, the set-up process begins. Although a business will play a significant role during this process, the majority of stages will be the job of the newly appointed MRO consolidator. It will need to source the right MRO specialist for the business, either from within its organisation or externally and ensure it has the tools necessary to do the job, from phones and laptops, through to training on network and company policies. All other elements of the service will also be put into place.

The arrival of the MRO consolidator on-site: After all previous steps have been completed it’s time for the MRO consolidator to arrive on-site. This will then begin the various company onboarding and training sessions. This part of the implementation can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks depending on the size of the site and needs of the company.

Continuous improvement and reporting: Having an MRO consolidator on-site is often a big investment, so it’s imperative companies can monitor results. This is done through continuous reporting as well as tracking all departments a MRO consolidator covers. A good MRO consolidator will have a reporting service in place, which includes monthly revenue meetings designed to keep KPIs in mind. It also gives a base to talk over other issues a company might have.

…a good MRO consolidator integrates into a business and becomes an extension of the team.”

Implementing an MRO consolidator

Here are the five steps a business should take to a successful MRO implementation: Discussion: All good MRO consolidators should begin the process by firstly discussing the needs of a company. Early discussions should involve those areas a business might need help in, particular cost savings to be achieved, or simply if a team or just a single person is needed to work alongside the business. These early discussions are the chance to map out time frames and budgets and to confirm if this approach is the right one for a particular business.

Remember, if you’re thinking of implementing an MRO service provider, it’s vital to do research. The service has got to work for the business, otherwise the kind of cost savings expected might not happen. Ensuring regular communication is maintained is paramount, as well as that all important upkeep of a good relationship.

Brammer Buck & Hickman is a UK-based supplier of MRO products and services. A key solution for MRO procurement and management is its Insite service – effectively a dedicated branch housed within a customer site geared entirely to meeting the needs of an organisation.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

Keep a safe eye on C-parts with ‘LISA’ With interaction, ‘real time’ data integration, and networking across company boundaries, all becoming increasingly important, Keller & Kalmbach GmbH has replaced its Kanban online platform with LISA – a web-based Logistics Information and Service Application.

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ean processes play a decisive role with C-parts, since the costs associated with procurement, storage and provision are many times higher than the price of the parts themselves. It is therefore not surprising that customers are increasingly focusing on these very parts and are looking for the right solutions.

“As soon as our customers have decided on a Kanban system, we talk about transparency and possible evaluations around logistic master and transaction data of the logistics system used, in addition to the digitalisation of processes,” explains Andreas Jäger, project manager customer logistic and services at Keller & Kalmbach.

“This is where LISA comes into play. It makes data available in ‘real time’ and ensures customers have a clear overview of their C-parts. With LISA, management, analysis and optimisation of C-parts can be achieved in no time at all.”

To make this work, Keller & Kalmbach mainly uses fully automated systems based on RFID, which allows objects to be identified contactlessly by radio – as the basis for triggering demand. The use of LISA does not require any software installation, which is often the only way for customers to carry out

detailed evaluations. LISA can also be used to determine high or low runners, create data exports and view project data.

Keller & Kalmbach has been using the platform since 2009 and is continuously developing the system in-house – with LISA now in an enhanced new identity. In principle, all Keller & Kalmbach Kanban systems can be mapped via the platform. Third party suppliers connected via eLogistics are also integrated so that statistics can be visualised across companies. eLogistics is an intelligent software solution from Keller & Kalmbach that is used for automated inventory management and enables the control of all material and information flows of articles with recurring requirements.

Looking at LISA’s new functionalities, customers can now verify and graphically display their forecast figures based on actual deliveries or call-offs. This allows production planning to be checked and improved. For Keller & Kalmbach, the function enables a fast planning response to ensure sustainable customer supply. A digital image of the implemented shelf and container infrastructure is also integrated – with a helpful traffic light system. With just one mouse click, comprehensive information on a Kanban container can be displayed – the

customer sees ad hoc how many containers are currently on the shelf and whether a subsequent delivery is already on its way.

In production logistics, the integration of mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets is becoming more popular. LISA has an integrated QR code and enables customers to use any mobile device to take a look at a desired shelf or specific container. This is a practical function if an employee is standing at a shelf and wants to call up information about a container, the articles it contains or the current stock. A QR code can also be printed on a container or attached to a shelf.

Böllhoff relies on optimised shipping from inconso Böllhoff Group has started productive operations at its new logistics location in Oelsnitz, Germany, with inconsoSDS (shipping and dispatch system) and inconsoTMS (transport management system) from inconso AG, playing a key role in the large modernisation project and helping to optimise all planning and control processes for storage, transport and shipping. he new logistics centre represents the largest single investment in the company’s history, with €50 million invested in the new building. The new centre which is designed for storing over 100,000 items with a 35m high automated high bay warehouse and a 20m high automatic storage and retrieval system.

“With highly flexible logistics IT, goods issue can now be controlled based on route planning and can even take short-term shipping changes into account. This is made possible by the parameter controlled buffering of packages that can be transported directly to doors via a dynamic shipping area in order to greatly increase process speeds in this area,” says Stefan Stübbe, head of IT projects, processes and consulting at Böllhoff.

“Due to improved response times, Böllhoff can react to customer requests on short notice with the new system landscape. Via the new

T

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web portal the shipping process can be modified at any time, while current shipping data is transferred electronically and in ‘real time’ to the service provider due to the completely digitised loading process.”

Böllhoff also becomes more flexible through functionalities for processing special cases, so shipping orders can still be changed at the latest possible time – packages and orders can be changed and goods removed while still on the loading conveyor. If a customer needs goods urgently, the order can be uncoupled and expedited through, for example, express shipping.

The shipping and dispatch system also provides the Group with several additional shipping options. The solution displays all processes, from CEP shipping to freight forwarding and courier shipping through to customer assigned carriers and self pickup. The processes can also be extended at any time thanks to the flexible shipping modules.

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Y E A R S

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY FASTENING SOLUTIONS FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

Design engineers and fasteners

By Peter Standring, technical secretary, Industrial Metalforming Technologies (IMfT)

Whilst only a few people could ever claim to have been educated in design, it rarely prevents the majority from exercising their opinions. Given the range of ‘professional’ design creations, from landmark buildings to the often outlandish, it is clear that money and creativity do not always equate to common sense.

I

the industrial and commercial world, some design decisions are obscured by matters that are only evident to those who assess them in a particular way. Take for example the Fiat Multipla car. Although it had many novel, very useful customer features, it is generally recognised as being one of the ugliest vehicles ever produced.

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¼ Turn Fasteners 12 Point Flange Bolts Abrasive Discs Abrasives Accessories for Fasteners Adhesives & Sealants Aerial Bolts Air Tools Allthread Studding 8.8 / 10.9 Allthread Studs Aluminium Fasteners Analysis & Strength Testing Anchors & Concrete Fixings Application Hosting Application Tools Assembly Machines Assembly Technology Assortment Boxes Assortment Kits ASTM A193 Fasteners ASTM A194 Nuts ASTM A320 Fasteners Automatic Loading Systems Automatic Tools for Riveting Automotive Fasteners Automotive Parts Bagging Machines Ball Pins Battery Tools Beam Clamps Belleville Washers Bi-Metal Screws Binding Screws Blind Bolting Systems Blind Fastening Systems Blind Nuts Blind Rivet Bolts Blind Rivet Nuts Blind Rivet Nuts for Composites Blind Rivets Blind Rivets Structural Bolt Makers Bolts Bolts – Tension Control Brass Bolts & Screws Brass Bolts & Screws DIN 84 Brass Bolts & Screws DIN 85 Brass Bolts & Screws DIN 933 Brass Bolts & Screws DIN 963 Brass Bolts & Screws DIN 964 Brass Dome Nuts Brass Full Nuts Brass Inserts Brass Machine Screws Brass Nuts Brass Thumb Screws Brass Turned Parts Brass Washers Brass Wing Nuts & Screws British Standard Hose Clips British Thread Fasteners BSW / BSF / BA Brushes for Chemical Anchors Builders Metal Work Building Chemicals Bulk Nails Business Management Software Cable & Pipe Clips Cable Ties Cage Nuts Capacitor Discharge Studs Captive Washers Carbide Tooling Carpentry Screws Carriage Bolts Cartoning Machines Cavity Fixings CE 14399 HV/HR - ZP AND HDG CE 15048 SB - ZP AND HDG Channel Spring Nuts Chemical Analysis & Strength Testing Chemical Anchors & Resins Chemical Cartridges Chemicals & Cleaners Chipboard Screws Circlip Assortment Boxes Circlips Circular Saw Blades Clamp Screws Clamps & Clips Clinch & Sheet Metal Fasteners Clinch Studs CNC Machinery CNC Stud Manufacturing CNC Turned Parts Coach Screws Coated Outdoor-Screws C4 Coating Equipment Coil Compactors Cold / Hot Forming Tools Cold / Warm / Hot Forming Cold Forming Components Cold Forming Machines Cold Headers Cold Heading & Associated Tools Collars Collated Nails Collated Nuts Collated Screws Computer Software & Services Concrete Anchors Concrete Repair Systems Concrete Screws Conical Washers Connectors Construction Screws Contact Pins Contact Rivets Conveyors Corrosion Protection Coatings Cr(VI) Free Finishes Crinkle / Wave Washers Cup Square Hex Data Cable Support Systems Data Collection & Management Decking Screws & Fixings Diamond Curved Washers DIES – Bolt & Screw Forming

DIES – Carbide DIES – Carbide Cut Off DIES – Carbide Drawing DIES – Carbide Heading DIES – Cut Off Knives DIES – Thread Cutting DIES – Thread Rolling Flat DIES – Trimming Din 6921 Flange Bolts Din 6923 Flange Nuts DIN 933/931 Disc Springs Dome Screws Double-Ends Stud Bolts Dowel & Engineers Keys Dowel Pins Drill Bits Drill Point Forming Machines Drilling & Cutting Tools Drop Nose Pins Drop-In Anchors Drywall Screws Dynamic Material Testing Machines Dynaplus Nordic Concept E-Business E-Commerce Ear Clamps Eco-Brass Inserts Ecoat/KTL Electronic (PCB) Fasteners Euro Screws Expanding Foam Extrusion & Knock Out Pins Eyebolts Eyebolts & Nuts Eyenuts Façade Fasteners Failure Testing Fastener Assortment Kits Fastener Testing Fasteners & Fixings Feeders Flange Bolts Flange Bolts - DIN 6921 Flange Bolts with Serration Flange Nuts Flat & Repair Washers Flat Thread Rolling Dies Flat Washers Folded Bolts Formed / Dished Washers Forming & Threading Equipment Forming Tools & Dies Foundation Bolts Frame Fixings Fuel Cells Full Nuts Fully Integrated Software Solutions Fully-Tubular Rivets Furnace Feeders Furnaces – Annealing Furnaces – Atmosphere Controlled Furnaces – Continuous Furniture Fasteners & Fittings Galvanic Coatings Galvanised Fasteners Galvanised Fixings Gas Powder Actuated Tools & Accessories Gauges & Gauging Systems German Standard Hose Clips Gimlet Point Dies Glass Fixings Grease Nipples Groove Pins Guard Rail Bolts & Nuts Gutter Bolts & Nuts Hammer Drive Rivets Hammer Drive Screws Hammer Fixings Hammerhead T Bolts Hand & Power Tools Hand Tools Hanger Bolts Heat Treatment Equipment Heat Treatment Equipment & Services Heat Treatment Services Heavy Duty Anchors Heavy Hex Bolts & Nuts Hex Flange Bolts Hex Head Coach Screws Hex Head Screws Hex Lag Screws Hexagon Bolts 10.9 Hexagon Bolts with Flange Hexagon Coach Screws Hexagon Fit Bolts Hexagon Head Bolts / Screws – Mild Steel Hexagon Head Bolts / Sets 8.8 / 10.9 Hexagon Head Screws Hexagon Set Screws with Small Hexagon Standoffs – Steel Hexagon Wrenches Hexalobular Flange Bolts High Strength Friction Grip Hinges Holesaws Hollow Anchors Holo-Krome Socket Screws Hook Bolts Hook Bolts & Nuts Hose Clamps & Clips Hot / Warm Forging Machines Hot Forged Fasteners HT Bolts & Screws – 10.9> HT Bolts & Screws – 8.8 HT Hex Blanks HT Sets, Nuts and Washers Assembled Imperial Washers In-Line Wire Drawers Industrial Aerosols Industrial Coating Injection Moulding Inserts for Composites Inserts for Light Metal Alloys Inserts for Non-ferrous Metals Inserts for Plastics Inserts for Wood

Inspection / Sorting Machines Internet Solutions Knurl Pins Knurled Thumb Screws and Nuts DIN 464 Knurled Thumb Screws and Nuts DIN 466 Knurled Thumb Screws and Nuts DIN 467 Knurled Thumb Screws and Nuts DIN 653 Knurling Dies L Bolts Large Diameter Fasteners Latches Lifting Tackle & Bolts Linch & Pipe Pins Load Monitoring Equipment Lock Nuts Lock-Bolts Logistics Long Length Bolts Lubricants Machine Rebuilding Services Machine Screws – Steel Machine Seal Screws Machinery Accessories Machines Marine Products Masonry Nails Masonry Screws Materials Handling Systems / Equipment Materials Testing MAThread® MDF Screws Measuring & Gauging Equipment Metal Brackets Metric Full Nuts Metric Washers Micro-Diameter Screws Microformers Mild Steel Bolts & Screws Mild Steel Products Nail Plugs & Hammer Fixings Nail Rolling Machines Nails Nails – Boxed / Small Box Network Solutions Nickel Alloy Fasteners Nord-Lock Washers Nut Formers & Tappers Nut Formers Cold Nut Formers Hot Nuts Nuts – Brass Nuts – Castle / Slotted Nuts – Combi Nuts – DIN 980V Nuts – Plain Steel Nuts – Rectangular Nuts – Rhombic Nuts – Rivet Nuts – Self Locking Nuts – Self Locking Nylon Nuts – Self Locking Steel Nuts – Shear Nuts – Steel Dome Nuts – Top Fastening Nuts – Wedge Nuts – Weld Round Hexagon & Square Nuts – Wheel Nyloc Nuts Nylon Anchors Nylon Fastener Products Nylon Plugs Nylon Products Ogival Dies Open Eye Bolts P Clips W1 – W4 Painted Blind Rivets Painted Rivets Parts Cleaning Equipment Parts Formers – Long / Extra Parts Parts Formers – Multidie Parts Formers – MultitudeTooling Petrochemical Fasteners Philidas Nuts Philidas Self Locking Nuts Phosphor Bronze PCB Circuit Board Screws Pig Tail Bolts Pin & Collars Pin Hexagon Pin Phillips Pin Torx Pins Pins Clevis Pipe Clamps & Mounting Plates Pivi Sink Clamps Plaster & Particle Board Fixings Plastic Clips Plastic Fastener Products Plastic Nuts Plastic Plugs Plastic Series Plastic Spacers Plastic Washers Plating & Coating Services Plough Bolts Pointers Pointing and Shaving Machines Pointing Units for Chamfering Machines Polymer Headed Fasteners Powder Actuated Tools & Accessories Power Driven Uncoilers Power Tool Accessories Power Tool Cases Power Tools Powerlok Dies® Pre-Pack Fixings Pressure plates for single/multi layered roofing membranes & insulation Process Control Equipment Push On Fixings Push Turn Fasteners PVC Window Screws Quick Release Fasteners Quick Release Pins Rapid Fastening Bolt Systems Remedial Wall Ties Remform Dies®

Repair Washers Resonant Fatigue Testing Systems Retaining Pins Retaining Rings Ring Bolts Rings Rivet Bushes Rivet Installation Tools Rivet Nut Tooling Rivet Nut Tools Rivet Nuts Riveting Systems Rivets Roll Forming Machines Roof Installation Screws Roof Installation Tools Roofing & Cladding Fixings Roofing Bolts & Nuts Roofing Screws Rotary Nail Making Machine S.S. A2 Screws S.S. A4 Screws Saddle Clamps Safety & Protective Products Sales Intelligence & CRM Salt Spray Testing Sanitary Fixings Scaffold Restraint Bolts Screw Bolts Screw Cases Screw Plugs Screwdriver Bits Screws For Plastics Seal Fasteners Seal Nuts Seal Screws Sealing Washers Secondary Operations Security Fasteners Security Fasteners & Fixings Security Fixings Security Sleeve Anchors Self Clinching Fasteners Self Drilling Screws Self Pierce Rivets Self Piercing Fasteners Self Tapping Screws Semi-Tubular Rivets SEMS – Manufacturer SEMS – Screw & Washer Assemblies Serrated Flange Nuts Set Screws Sex Bolts Shear Nuts Shield Anchors Sign Fixing Clamps Sleeve Anchors Slides Sling Hooks Slotted Grub Screws Slotted Pan Head Screws DIN 920 Slotted Set Screws DIN 417 Slotted Set Screws DIN 438 Slotted Set Screws DIN 551 Slotted Set Screws DIN 553 Snap Rings Socket Button Screws Socket Cap Screws Socket Cap Seal Screws Socket Countersunk Blanks Socket Countersunk Screws Socket Screw Blanks Socket Screw Products Socket Set Screws Socket Shoulder Screws Solar Fastening Systems Sorting Machines Special / To Drawing Fasteners Special Clamps Special Equipment for Fastener Products Special Parts Special Products & Materials Special Steel & Carbide Punches Special Washers Spirol Rings Split Nut & Pre-Bulbed Split Nut Split Pins Spring Pins Spring Pins – Coiled & Slotted Spring Steel Fasteners & Fixings Spring Toggles – Cavity Fixings Spring Washers Springs SQ Plate Washers S / C SQ.SQ Hex Holding Down Bolts Square Head Bolts Square Plate Washers Stainless Steel Coach Screws Stainless Steel Dome Nuts Stainless Steel Fasteners & Fixings Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Bolt Clamps Stainless Steel Heavy Duty Clamps Stainless Steel Hose Clamps & Clips Stainless Steel Hot Forged Fasteners Stainless Steel Inserts Stainless Steel Investments Castings Stainless Steel Lifting Tackle & Bolts Stainless Steel Machine Screws Stainless Steel Marine Products Stainless Steel Nails Stainless Steel Nuts Stainless Steel Pins Stainless Steel Rivet Bushes Stainless Steel Rivet Nuts Stainless Steel Screws Stainless Steel Self Clinch Studs Stainless Steel Self Drilling Screws Stainless Steel Self Locking Nuts Stainless Steel Self Locking Nylon Nuts Stainless Steel Self Locking Steel Nuts Stainless Steel Self Tapping Screws Stainless Steel Semi-Standard Stainless Steel Socket Screw Products Stainless Steel Special Products & Materials Stud Bolts Stainless Steel Split Pins Stainless Steel Spring Pins

Stainless Steel Studding – Threaded Rod Stainless Steel Studding Connectors Stainless Steel Studs Stainless Steel Threaded Rod Stainless Steel Turned Parts Stainless Steel U & J Bolts Stainless Steel Unified Thread Fasteners Stainless Steel Washers Stainless Steel Window Screws Stainless Steel Wing Nuts & Screws Stainless Steel Wood & Chipboard Screws Stamped Parts Standard Washers Standard, Multigrip & Sealed Rivets Staple Glues Staplers & Nailers Steel Anchors & Fixings Storage Cases Storage Systems Stover Nuts Straightening & Cut Off Structural 8.8 Bolts & Nuts Structural Rivets Structural Steel Fasteners Structural Steel Rivets Stud Welding & Plastics Studding – Threaded Rod Studding Connectors Studs Suppliers of Super Duplex Fasteners T Bolts Tab Washers Taper Pins Taper Pressure Plugs Tapered Socket Head Capscrews Tapes (Adhesives) Tapping Screws Taptite Dies® Tension Latches Thermal Insulation Plugs Thread Forming / Cutting Screws Thread Forming / Cutting Screws (Plastic) Thread Forming Screws For Plastics Thread Locking & Patch Products Thread Repair Kits Thread Rollers Thread Rolling Dies – Cylindrical Thread Rolling Dies – Flat Thread Rolling Dies – Grooving Dies Thread Rolling Dies – Knurling Dies Thread Rolling Dies – MAThread® Thread Rolling Dies – MATpoint® Thread Rolling Dies – Ogival Thread Rolling Dies – Planetary Thread Rolling Dies for Nails Thread Rolling Machines Thread Rolls (Cylindrical) Threaded Insert Systems Threaded Inserts Threaded Rod Threaded Rod Nuts Throughbolts Thru Hardened Washers Tie Rods Timber Connectors Titanium Fasteners Titanium Machining Parts Tool Clips Tool Hire Tool Service & Repair Toolboxes & Cases Tooling Tooling Design Training Turned Parts Twinthread Screws U & J Bolts U Shackles Undercut Anchors UNF – UNC High Tensile UNF – UNC High Tensile Bolts Unified Thread Fasteners Universal Screws Used Machines V Bolts Vibratory Feeders Wall Ties Warm Formers Warm Forming Washer Assembly Units Washers Washers – Copper Washers – Copper / Fibre Washers – Vibration Proof Watertight Rivet Nuts Wave Springs Wax Cone / Bolt Boxes Wedge Anchors Wedge Nuts Weighers Weighing & Counting Machines Weld Screws Weld Studs Welding Equipment & Accessories Wheel Bolts Wheel Nuts Wind uplift calculations and recommendations Window Frame Anchors Window Screws Wing Nuts Wing Nuts & Screws Wire Drawing Equipment Wire Feeders Wire Payoff Equipment Wire Pins Wire Pointing Machines Wire Straighteners & Cutoffs Wire Thread Inserts Wood & Chipboard Screws Wood & Construction Screws Wood Screws Worm Drive Clamps Zinc / Zinc Alloys Zincflake Coatings

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY However, that didn’t prevent the world’s other motor manufacturers giving it accolades for its design. Why? Because by using a steel spaceframe and composite panels it was possible to have an annual breakeven build number of just 30,000 vehicles. In an era before assembly line sophistication made it possible to build multi model/ variants at the same facility, OEM’s had low number cabriolets, station wagons, sports models, etc, produced by tier half suppliers. For Fiat to design an SUV with such a low breakeven number was recognised and heralded within the automotive industry as a genuine success.

Despite the occasional one off design crazes that sweep the world, promoted largely by social media, the most effective and successful designers are those who are able to link their knowledge with the experience they have gained working in the field. In many cases, this will be specific to the area in which they are specialist. In others, a wider, more general appreciation of what is required will pertain.

Both have equal significance and the designs they produce will be recognised in terms of desirability by what they bring to the table.

However, in a professional world, any professional is only as good as the message he or she carries. If it is not up to date, then, by virtue of that fact, it will not be complete.

It is this simple fact, coupled with the breadth of knowledge required, which should give all design engineers some thoughtful moments. Good as many people believe they are, it is a recipe for disaster to consider we know it all. From gambling to conflict, those who are convinced they are right always experience the hardest fall.

‘Measure twice and cut once’, is an axiom all design engineers should have tattooed inside their eyelids – particularly when working in an area that might be outside their comfort zone. Fasteners are one such area where this axiom is often very true. Sure, the fastener industry has specialist design engineers whose role in life is to create/ manufacture devices to hold other things together. OEM’s will (should) have design engineers to advise on fastener identification/usage within the company. For instance, General Motors began back in the previous century to develop a ‘de-proliferation’ (standardisation/ rationalisation) programme to reduce cost and maximise the efficient use of fasteners.

However, for the vast majority of design engineers, in whatever industry they serve, fasteners will not be their primary concern. That is despite the fact that in engineering there are very few single items/ standalone objects (notwithstanding those produced by additive manufacturing techniques). Therefore, the need to have a sound working knowledge of fasteners is fundamentally important. So, the question must be asked, from where would this information come?

The same situation will be found in most classroom-based ‘engineering’ courses. Given the often safety critical and functionally significant importance fasteners play in every aspect of life this is a surprise. Through no fault of their own, today’s digitally interactive, software-based student is often provided with a drop-down menu of options to select. Without the benefit of ‘real world’ practitioners on hand to pass on advice, the inevitable can and often does happen. A prime example is the youngster, who when attempting to increase the compression ratio of an engine, attached steel discs to the heads of the pistons using self-tapping screws and was surprised to find they melted.

The EU has just announced that it will seek a parliamentary decision on making all smart phones and tablets sold inside the community repairable. This is in addition to the Right to Repair Directive for White Goods, which comes into force in April 2021. The legislator’s purpose here, to help reverse the OEM tradition of ‘design for obsolescence’ and zero disassembly – thereby extending product life and saving primary resources. Under such regulations, permanent bonding by gluing, welding/ brazing, as well as mechanical cold forming, will all need to be replaced by the use of removable fasteners. So again, we might enquire, where will the designers of tomorrow learn about such matters?

...for the vast majority of design engineers... fasteners will not be their primary concern.”

Educating designers

In today’s market driven world, words say it all. The term ‘engineering’ in some cultures is highly regarded, in others it conveys an image of an oily rag. For educational bodies to hit the market sweet spot the term ‘engineering’ must be defined.

Aerospace, automotive, chemical, electrical, electronic all reflect a commercial sector. Cutting across these are a spectrum of specific and general areas of engineering relating to metrology, materials, manufacturing, design, etc. Within these are sub sectors that focus on particular and often ‘trendy’ career opportunities. Product design courses are typical of these, linking art, marketing and fashion with engineering, manufacture and materials. In all such courses, the time demands on the curriculum often leave little opportunity to consider much more than an overview of fasteners.

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Fastener information

One thing the fastener industry has going for it is a second to none portfolio of national and international standards on which its successful use has been based and is regulated.

In an age of computer generated graphics, virtual reality, etc, it is difficult to be surprised at the practicalities of real life. Tallest buildings constantly sprout up only to be relegated as such within a short period.

Before the ‘Digital Age’ kicked in, it was a significant achievement to design and build something that could repeatably measure a millionth of a metre. Today, with the discovery of graphene, folks are literally working at the atomic level to fasten things together. So, what resource is available to the design engineer to gain a practical knowledge of fasteners?

The problem is not a new one and was recognised some years ago by NASA, who created a manual as a source of reference to which all their

staff could have direct access and which would provide a comprehensive review of most fastener matters. In recent times, the freely available Fastener Design Manual (NASA) 1990 has been put into digital format by commercial entities and can be downloaded online, purchased as a hardback copy or accessed as a design course on YouTube.

All industrialised nations have their own national standards for fasteners, defining, specifying and inspecting them, etc. A first port of call for this knowledge would be a review of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Handbook for Fasteners and Screw Threads (1998). This comes in two volumes and presents a general reference and product standards.

As would be expected, national standards for fasteners are similar. However, because of the diversity of fastener element types, identifying, obtaining and assessing this information can be both time-consuming and complex.

Many fastener manufacturers have posted technical product information on their websites. These are often designed to educate and train potential users who in turn could become customers of the product.

Many academic lectures and series of lectures are currently available on YouTube providing often detailed analysis of fastener selection, assessment and application. Additionally, internet searches for fastener-based trainers and consultants will produce numerous positive results over and above the information sources offered by fastener manufacturing companies.

Trade bodies and specialist institutes are also to be found in many countries and these are generally linked with continental and global fastener bodies. Table One lists many of these sources and provides an introduction to those interested in the design and application of fasteners.

Conclusion

Given the widespread availability of fastener information from multiple global sources, awareness, or lack of it by designers, is evidenced in the design choices made. However, the best designs may not be based on selection alone. If this were so, little forward progress would be made. For those who are really good at what they do, the goal is to create tomorrow.

The best example I am aware of in regard to the use of fasteners was in an automotive engine. Here 22 different fastener types were employed requiring multiple different coated surfaces to deal with the various environmental conditions they faced. Having studied the problem, the design team instituted a research programme and found one surface coating that could satisfy all the conditions fasteners

Table One: Primary sources of fastener design information

General Fastener Design Manual (NASA) March 1990, R. T. Barrett Standard Handbook of Fastening & Joining 3rd Ed. 1997, R. O. Parmley Metals Handbook Vol I, Tenth Ed. Threaded Steel Fasteners Vol II, Failure of Mechanical Fasteners SAE, Fastener Standards Manual 2009 Ed.

Standards ISO Standards Handbook Vol 1, 1998 Ed. 4, Terminology and nomenclature, general reference standards Vol 2, Product standards Associated National Standards for Fasteners (all major countries)

Trade bodies European Industrial Fasteners Institute (EIFI) Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) USA The Fastener Institute of Japan (FIJ) Taiwan Industrial Fastener Institute (TIFI) Fastener Industrial Coalition (FIC) USA Korea Federation of Fastener Industrial Cooperatives (KFFIC) experienced within the engine. They also rationalised the 22 fastener types down to 6. The result, higher volume of standard parts, significant cost reduction â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whilst satisfying both quality and function.

It is an often stated fact that 95% of all manufacturing costs occur at the design stage. The selection of fasteners at the design stage can really make a significant difference â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either positive or negative.

Careful selection will satisfy the need, a thoughtful assessment of the problem could provide very much more.

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Take it to the limit The upper atmosphere can be tough on equipment.

Developing a rocket engine for this environment is a huge challenge. If there are complications in the process, the engine and its associated parts might be damaged.

Nord-Lock washers are designed to withstand extreme conditions including firing tests

S

panish aerospace company PLD Space develops launch vehicles and offers suborbital and orbital commercial launch services dedicated to small payloads and small satellites. Since its foundation in 2011, the company has gone from a small start-up to a flourishing company of 42 employees.

Choosing high-quality materials and components has been essential in the design and construction of the company’s MIURA 1 and MIURA 5 launch vehicles. “The materials we use are very specific.

For example, the bolts that join the components need to be extremely robust and reliable. This way, nothing moves out of place during a high-intensity flight,” says Raúl Torres, CEO and co-founder of PLD. Ismael Gutiérrez, head of propulsion, agrees: “Quality is key as we push every single part to the limit of its capacity. We must test different scenarios that might occur to ensure we comply with strict regulations and can ensure safety. If we don’t have the m a x i m u m properties that we can specify, such as ultimate strength, wear rate, all these type of parameters, we cannot comply with our test.”

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This is particularly true for the propulsion department, where compromised base material could lead to premature failure due to the high demands of the application. In a highly vibrational environment like outer space, maintaining the preload in the bolt is a top priority.

As the traditional locking wire couldn’t offer a viable solution, the PLD Space team started looking for another type of retention mechanism and came across Nord-Lock.

“We did a good assessment between different types of technologies and decided to go with Nord-Lock as their wedge-locking washers offered incredible robustness,” says Torres.

Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers are now used for most of the bolted joints in PLD Space’s rocket engines, as well as on the rocket launch platforms. “We have successfully used their washers for basically every bolted connection in the engine, and they’ve worked really well,” adds Gutiérrez. “The preload is kept in our firing testing, and we haven’t seen any loosening of the bolts.” By being able to rely on quality materials, PLD Space is now preparing for the first commercial launch of MIURA 1. www.nord-lock.com

NEWS

Adv-FastenerFixingMagazine-210x148mm.indd 2

24/04/20 12:20

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Meeting the requirements of megatrends Here we speak to Tom Francis, global segment leader for chassis and powertrain at Saint-Gobain S.A, about the importance of OEMs and engineers understanding the capabilities of fastening technology, as well as the role fastening technology can play within megatrends.

When it comes to chassis and powertrain applications, what fastening solutions can Saint-Gobain provide? What are the benefits of these solutions?

“The main product we focus on is the RENCOL® Tolerance Ring, which is essentially a radially sprung fastener. Typically, it uses a spring material in a circular arrangement with ‘bumps’ on either the outside or the inside. As you compress the tolerance ring between two cylindrical components, you squeeze these ‘bumps’ and they act like springs – helping to fix the two components together.

The RENCOL Tolerance Ring can be used in three different ways within applications. The first method is as a simple engineered fastener – for instance if the user is looking to fasten a bearing into an aluminium housing. The next is as a torque drive, for mounting a gear onto a spindle – by applying a torque through the tolerance ring.

The final method is as precision torque or overload protection, and this is essentially as a slip clutch mechanism. This is where we design a tolerance ring to slip at specific torques, if the user for instance wants to protect gears.

These different methods have a variety of benefits but all of them provide assembly process efficiency. For instance, by using a RENCOL Tolerance Ring as an engineered fastener, it can offer reduced assembly force over a traditional press fit of a system and it enables the user to relax tolerances on the mating components. It also allows for thermal differentiation expansion between two components, which is a big benefit. Whilst different materials will grow and shrink at a different rate, as they go through a

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thermal cycle, the tolerance ring helps maintain a good fit across the temperature range.

With the torque drive method, the tolerance rings provide assembly process efficiency through the use of less components, such as key waves or splines, which helps speed up the process and provide cost savings. With the precision torque method, it is an overall system cost, as tolerance rings are a reduced packaging solution – helping to reduce weight and save space. We can also design tolerance rings very specifically for the torque, which gives users more options compared to ‘off the shelf’ components available at only set torque levels.”

What are the key challenges when it comes to chassis and powertrain applications and how can fastener technology help to overcome them?

“There are four big challenges we see in the chassis and powertrain sector. The first is the efficiency of manufacture, which was explained in the previous question. The second challenge is NVH (noise, vibration and harshness), which is a big topic at the moment.

As the internal combustion engine (ICE) gets removed from the car, noises become more apparent and a lot of customers are focusing on how to eliminate them.

As a business we can help with NVH because our products are springs, which means we can design the stiffness of those springs. We are working directly with OEMs on NVH and using our sprung fasteners to help isolate noise and vibrations.

The third challenge is around the environment and carbon footprint – including recyclability and energy uses in factories. RENCOL Tolerance

METAL SHEETS

SOLID PARTS

PLASTIC

COMPOSITES

Crown-Nut is a revolutionary response to the need of creating threaded seats at the head of tubes, either round or square ones. It is a system that solves any anchoring issues of ontube machining processes, guaranteeing a superior holding performance.

Crown-Nut, like any Specialinsert® product, is guaranteed by the experience of a company that, since 1974, is a leader in the field of fastening systems.

IATF 16949:2016

FASTENING THE PRESENT. BUILDING THE FUTURE.

UNI EN ISO 9001:2015

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY Rings allow for much better recyclability of the application – compared to if adhesives were used in an application. This is because RENCOL Tolerance Rings can be pushed apart quite simply, resulting in the application being dismantled and recycled. It is much more difficult to recycle a system that has been glued together with adhesive.

The final challenge is around thermal management, which means either removing heat from the system or allowing the system to operate properly through a thermal cycle. We have actually developed a new product, an aluminium clad tolerance ring, which drastically improves the thermal cycle of the system. As a business we are always looking at how tolerance rings can be used to help ‘wick the heat away’ from systems.”

At what stage do you normally get involved with OEMs and tier suppliers on their applications?

How important is it to have a close partnership with customers?

“We would always prefer to be involved at the beginning of a project because when we work closely with customers, we can come up with a more effective solution for them. However, whilst the majority of what we do is with project teams, we still get customers who come to us because they have serious difficulties on their production line.

The reason why we are only invited to get involved at such a late stage, rather than earlier, is that some customers still see us as a simple commodity product. However, when we start working with these customers, and they realise how much engineering goes into the product, they appreciate the need to bring us in earlier and usually work with project teams on future applications.

To encourage customers to get us involved earlier in projects we have started an additional service, which we call a ‘hackathon’ service. This is where we invite customers to our plant and they can see our capabilities first-hand. We then go through the process of problem definition, idea creation, rapid prototyping – using 3D printing, and rudimental testing, all within two or three days. This helps us really showcase our capabilities, because we can get our predictive design and processing engineers involved and our customers can really see the depth of knowledge needed to provide a good solution. More often than not they will go back to their offices with initial prototypes in their hands.”

What role does innovation play within chassis and powertrains and is there still room to innovate?

“For us innovation is absolutely critical, which is why we invest quite heavily in our testing, R&D, and prototyping capabilities. When you’re in an area that is classed as a ‘commodity’, you have to be continually innovating in order to show your engineering prowess and the value you can bring. There are huge amounts of competition from very low cost, but very low technology, competitors. Therefore, by innovating, we can comfortably demonstrate that we can differentiate ourselves from these companies – who cannot give the overall end-to-end service we can provide.

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When it comes to the potential for innovation, we find there are still huge amounts of areas we can innovate.

The reason for this is the applications and markets we are focused on are also innovating and developing, so we need to keep up with fast changes and present new ideas for the challenges our customers are facing.

The ideas for innovations come from both the applications/customers, as well as through R&D work we do internally. When it comes to customers, and the projects we are working on, we find there is a mixture of customers who are really pushing the boundaries on certain projects, as well as other customers looking for a strategic market approach, such as megatrends.”

What are the main megatrends your department is working on and what fastening solutions have you been able to offer?

“There are two big megatrends that are impacting the chassis and powertrain sector at the moment and they are lightweighting and electrification. Whilst lightweighting has been around for a number of years, there is still huge pressure on reducing weight – especially with the increasing weight in battery packs due to added features within car interiors.

Whilst lightweighting is still a big focus for us, electrification has also recently become a big challenge. As soon as OEMs start electrifying a vehicle there is a point when the internal combustion engine (ICE) is off, but there are a lot of parasitic systems, which are usually attached to the ICE, that now have to be driven electrically – meaning individual driven electric motors for thing such as oil pumps, water pumps, etc.

We have therefore really upskilled and improved our knowledge on how these motors work and the impact our products have on them.

The EV movement is a great opportunity for us, as we have a big value proposition within electrification in a number of applications.

We are embracing this megatrend and believe we will see a real shift this year, as it is the first year of the 95g of CO2 per kilo requirement in Europe. When you look at the average fleet, the CO2 emissions are around 124g of CO 2 per kilo, which means OEMs have a huge distance to go this year in order to comply with that legislation.

I think what is slightly holding back the EV movement is the perception of the general public. People want electronic vehicles to give them 400 miles worth of range, but the technology is best suited to smaller vehicles, with smaller batteries, where there is less of an environmental impact.

There needs to be a mental shift from how we use electric vehicles in order for it to be fully adopted. A good example is the shift in mobile phone technology. In the 1990s, users expected their mobile phone battery to last them 3 – 5 days at a time. However, as soon as people moved to a smart phone there was acceptance that they had to charge their phone every day. This same type of shift needs to happen with EV, people know how to deal with petrol technology, but there needs to be a shift from ‘filling up’ every week with petrol, to simply charging your car at home each night or during the day at work.” www.bearings.saint-gobain.com

Saint-Gobain offers a ‘hackathon’ service where customers can see capabilities first hand

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

You’re gonna need a bigger boot

By Jackie Hackett, director of global sales and marketing, APM Hexseal Exposure to environmental substances such as water, chemicals, dirt, and salt, can cause significant damage to electronic equipment and systems. Depending on the system and the contaminant, contact can trigger system outages or lead to complete system failure.

E

ither of these conditions leads to unplanned downtime, increased equipment costs, and loss of profits. For many industrial electronic control systems, especially those employed in marine environments, sealing boots provide a solution to these issues and still allow the switch to function and actuate as intended.

Properly protecting these vulnerable electronic and mechanical systems, and ensuring their continued operation, is crucial to the safe navigation of the world’s waterways. Sealing boots are devices that protect the internal and external components of an electronic system.

They are used in a variety of marine applications, including navigation, communication, military destroyers, commercial fishing boats, and deep sea submarines. In these extreme environments, sealing boots maintain the integrity of sensitive electronic components by sealing stuff out. They also protect vulnerable ecosystems by sealing stuff in.

Protecting marine electronics and mechanical systems

Today’s marine vessels use high-tech electronic systems to plot and navigate their course; control operating equipment in various parts of the vessel; monitor and protect against external conditions such as weather and rough seas; investigate and observe subsea life and terrain; and keep internal environments safe and comfortable for crew members and cargo.

To maintain optimal performance in these systems, marine vessel and equipment manufacturers employ sealing boots to: Provide corrosion protection: Water and salt can cause sensitive electronic components to corrode. This internal

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damage can lead to malfunctions that put lives and equipment at risk. Sealing equipment on marine vessels prevents these contaminants from entering.

Prevent contamination: In production and storage environments, lubricant, dust, oils, solvents, grease, and other environmental substances, can make their way into internal electronic mechanisms. If the build-up is left unresolved, this could interfere with functionality and result in system outages or failure. Marine sealing fasteners keep these unwanted substances from damaging electronic equipment, which could lead to catastrophic failure in mission critical environments.

Avoid overloads and short circuiting: Short circuits and electrical overloads can cause irreversible damage in electronic systems. Sealing boots made with non-conductive materials reduce the transfer of electrical energy, which safeguards electronics from a complete meltdown.

Extend equipment service life: Nothing lasts forever. This is especially true of delicate electronic system components.

However, the addition of a marine sealing fastener can increase the service life of electronic components, such as breakers and switches.

Ensure long-term system security: As outlined above, sealing boots can provide various protections to different components of an electronic system. Together, these qualities help to ensure the integrity of the overall system.

Types of sealing boots

APM Hexseal manufactures a variety of different types of boots designed to protect various electronic components in marine systems, while still allowing the switch to actuate freely.

Sealing Specialists

EXTREME CONDITIONS DEMAND THE STRONGEST PROTECTION HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS ARE OUR PROVING GROUNDS

ON LAND, AT SEA AND ABOVE THE EARTH

Global leader

in the design and manufacture of sealing solutions since 1947.

Find out more at www.apmhexseal.com

t: 201.569.5700 • e: info@apmhexseal.com • w: www.apmhexseal.com 44 Honeck Street, Englewood, NJ 07631, USA

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY APM’s sealing boot offering includes circuit breaker, toggle, and pushbutton boots, to name a few. The circuit breaker boots are available in back-of-panel or front-of-panel mounting styles. On both models, a continuous sealing rib wraps around the lower portion of the flange to provide a long-lasting seal. These boots are suitable for protecting electronic components from short circuiting and extending their service lives.

Also available, toggle boots consist of moulded silicone placed over threaded mounting nuts. This design allows the production of fully enclosed, single piece components that cover the switch. Available in full and half styles, APM Hexseal’s toggle boots include a sealing rib that keeps components securely attached to their mounting panels. These boots frequently find applications in protecting all types of toggle switches on fishing equipment and boat control panels.

Lastly, initially developed for military purposes, pushbutton boots from APM Hexseal are designed to provide pushbutton switches protection against extreme environments, such as low or high temperatures, inclement weather, salt, dust, dirt, humidity, etc. These pushbutton boots meet MIL-DTL-5423 specifications and when used will seal electronic switches, and safeguard them from potentially harmful external elements that contribute to corrosion and other damages.

Applications for sealing boots

Across industries, sensitive electronic equipment requires protection against a variety of environmental factors to ensure continued operation and consistent performance. Within the marine industry, sealing boots from APM Hexseal find use in a broad range of applications including commercial and recreational boats; underwater investigation and exploration; weather and marine; and military.

APM Hexseal has provided military grade sealing solutions for more than 70 years. During World War II, the company designed and manufactured sealing fasteners to keep electrical military equipment free of environmental contaminants such as dirt, dust, water, grease and salt that could compromise operations. Designed from durable silicone material, the sealing boots serve as a reliable and economical shield in the most hostile environments, making them the ideal solution for protecting electronic and mechanical systems operating in mission critical marine environments.

Like military vessels, commercial and recreational boats also rely on sensitive onboard equipment. These systems similarly require protection from environmental substances such as moisture, salt, or dust, to prevent contamination and ensure their continued operation.

Protecting delicate ecosystems

In addition to sealing environmental substances out to protect sensitive internal electronics, APM’s sealing solutions also seal hazardous compounds in to protect vulnerable ecosystems.

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From deep sea locations to inland waterways, the waters and surrounding lands used for marine activities are at risk of contamination from leaking marine and undersea vessels.

Depending on the compounds or pollutants contained within, when these vessels leak, the impact on the local ecosystem can be catastrophic. For example, when contaminants such as heavy metals and chemicals enter a marine environment, they can poison the entire food chain and cause fish and other food matter from that area to become inedible.

Most pollutants found in waterways stem from naturally occurring and human-based coastal and inland activities. Two main types of land-based pollutants affect marine ecosystems – nonpoint source pollution and point source pollution.

Nonpoint source pollution results from smaller, individualised cases of runoff. Runoff can stem from minor sources such as septic tanks and vehicles and major sources such as farms, livestock facilities, and harvesting areas. Although separately these sources may not produce considerable amounts of pollution, collectively they can cause significant damage to the surrounding environment.

Point source pollution results from a single source and incident, such as an oil spill or an industrial accident. Although these incidents occur less frequently, they typically have a widespread and catastrophic effect on an ecosystem.

Taking preventative measures

Oil spills are one of the biggest contributors to water pollution.

Although big oil spills do have significant and lasting effects on the environment, collectively, smaller oil spills such as from refuelling or bilge discharging operations can have a greater environmental impact. Taking preventative measures, such as installing sealing boots and other sealing solutions, helps reduce the impact of marine operations on delicate ecosystems and fragile marine life.

By sealing marine equipment, manufacturers and end users not only protect sensitive internal electronics, they also mitigate the risk of hazardous compounds leaking and spreading into the world’s waters. Implementing regular and thorough inspections of equipment and systems could prevent a potentially hazardous leak or malfunction.

Sealing boots and fasteners from APM Hexseal are reusable, making them a smart economic choice for items requiring frequent access or maintenance. Durable sealing solutions available from APM Hexseal include circuit breaker boots, Seelbolts®, Seelnuts®, and Seelscrews®. www.apmhexseal.com

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:

Advert FFM May 17 - The insert company half page 001.indd 1

+44 (0) 121 439 7329 +44 (0) 121 439 7346 sales@theinsertcompany.com www.theinsertcompany.com

29/03/2017 09:22

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Adhesive solutions for efficient lithium-ion cell assembly As automotive electrification continues to evolve, powerful lithium-ion battery architectures are at the centre of discussions around electric vehicles. While battery system designs vary by manufacturer, the joint performance objectives for all automotive battery technologies are longer lifetime, operational safety, cost efficiency and reliability.

I

n a recent collaboration, Henkel and polymer manufacturer Covestro partnered to develop a solution enabling the efficient fixation of cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells inside a plastic cell holder. The solution is based on a UV-curing adhesive from Henkel and a UV-transparent polycarbonate blend from Covestro.

With a strong consumer push to reduce electric vehicle prices, large-scale and cost efficient lithium-ion battery cell assembly is a prerequisite for every automotive OEM. As such, Henkel’s Loctite AA 3963 battery assembly adhesives and Covestro’s UV transparent polycarbonate blend Bayblend® were developed for compatibility with high volume automated dispensing techniques and offer flexible and fast cure mechanisms.

The acrylic adhesive was formulated for use with the cell holder, which is constructed of a special flame retardant plastic. It provides strong adhesion to the substrate material and offers production adaptability through long open times and short cure cycles.

Efficient and flexible production

“High volume manufacturing operations with short cycle times and process flexibility are essential. The Loctite OEM approved adhesive, designed to secure cylindrical lithium-ion cells into a carrier, is a one part cure on demand formulation,” explains Frank Kerstan, head of e-mobility Europe at Henkel. “After high-speed dispensing, the material’s long open time inherently builds adaptability into the process by allowing for any unexpected

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production interruption. Once all cells are placed into the adhesive and secured in the holder, curing is activated with UV light and takes place in less than five seconds.”

This is a major advantage over conventional manufacturing where curing times can range from several minutes to hours, thus requiring additional storage capacity for parts.

The cell holders are manufactured from Covestro’s PC+ABS Bayblend® FR3040 EV. With a thickness of only 1mm, the plastic already meets category V-0 of the Underwriters Laboratories’ UL94 flammability rating but shows good permeability for UV radiation in the wavelength range above 380Nm. “The material allows us to construct dimensionally stable parts that are necessary for automated mass assembly.

Together with the fast curing capability of the Loctite adhesives, this material combination delivers an innovative approach to large-scale cylindrical lithium-ion battery module production,” says Steven Daelemans, market development manager e-mobility in the polycarbonates segment at Covestro.

Trusted brands

Reworked rivet nut for battery storage project

Hex socket screws U130 Strength class 12.9

Dejond N.V was recently approached by an OEM specialised in sustainable energy projects, to provide an alternative fastener for a battery enclosure design. he design specified M12 semi hex closed-end rivet nuts, as they had to be closed-end to prevent ingress of dust or dirt, and hexagonal for increased spin out resistance in 6mm thick parent material. Dejond was therefore approached to see how quickly it could supply an acceptable alternative fastener.

T

Tubtara® approach and solution Dejond proposed to rework stocked cylindrical parts and modify them into a hex rivet nut, suitable for the application. It took standard hex M12 machine tooling and modified the dies and punches in its own tool shop to fit into a post operation machine. This newly constructed machine set-up allowed the transformation of cylindrical into semi-hex shaped HUPX rivet nuts.

Within two weeks Dejond had manufactured and shipped a small quantity for the prototype builds, which were tested and validated. Another shipment of reworked product allowed the subcontractor to complete its first production batch. These urgent deliveries sufficed until a cold formed production run became available two months later.

“Our flexibility and post operation capabilities can offer customers short-term rivet nut solutions, even if the desired part is not available from stock, by simply reworking stocked standards,” explains Dejond.

The standard for inserts

New products Stainless steel fasteners Strength > 900 N/mm²

Fasteners and tools since 1937 www.jeveka.com

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

Performing in high pressure environments Pressure is everywhere, whether it’s a ship cruising at sea level or a robot diving below the surface of the sea, pressure increases precipitously.

Standard fasteners are not built to withstand such extreme pressure, and may crack, causing gases and liquids to leak and pollute the ocean while damaging high asset equipment. It is only high-tech sealing fasteners, such as those from ZAGO Manufacturing Company, that are suitable for these high pressure environments.

T

he best possible mechanism to prevent leaks due to pressure, and the infiltration or egression of liquids and gasses, is a high-tech sealing fastener, such as a fastener with an O-ring and a groove. This accurately engineered groove will absorb the pressure within that is applied to the O-ring, causing it to spread and penetrate any open space where leaks might occur.

ZAGO points out that the demand for high-tech eco-friendly sealing fasteners has never been greater. As equipment becomes more expensive and sophisticated, the need to keep it contaminant free is critical. Also, as environmental concerns grow, the need for environmentally sustainable solutions is paramount.

ZAGO’s high-tech, corrosion resistant sealing fasteners are sustainable in the broadest sense of the word. They are conflict mineral free, ROHS and REACH compliant, as well as compliant with California proposition 65. ZAGO states they are the ideal solution for long-term industrial and mechanical sustainability, and are also ideal for sealing electrical enclosures and equipment subjected to the elements.

In addition to manufacturing sealing fasteners, ZAGO offers switch boots designed to protect underwater electronic switches from the damaging effects of saltwater, wind and bacteria. ZAGO switch boots feature a mounting nut that creates an air tight seal around the switch in every direction. ZAGO also offers crystal seals that create an airtight seal when mounted to switches – sealing the switch and the cut out in the panel.

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“The information provided by ocean exploration is critical to our understanding of our atmosphere and resources. That is why the sophisticated technology that goes into such underwater equipment must be protected,” states Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, CEO of ZAGO Manufacturing Company. “ZAGO high-tech sealing fasteners and components are designed to do just that.”

Meeting increased demand for medical ventilators

As manufacturers across industry sectors help to accelerate production of life saving ventilator equipment – needed for the outbreak of Covid-19 – ZAGO states it is ready to meet heightened, global demand for its speciality high-tech sealing fasteners to protect and optimise functionality and performance of ventilator equipment.

In addition to medical ventilators, ZAGO high-tech sealing screws, nuts, bolts and washers are critical in the production of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Systems (ECMO), which are akin to external blood pumps and are in dwindling supply. Frontline healthcare workers and volunteers rely on them as part of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when treating Covid-19 patients.

While applications vary, ventilator manufacturers often integrate ZAGO sealing fasteners in the suctioning mechanism of the compressor, in order to prevent airflow leakage while ensuring contaminants are sealed out.

“Medical devices that contain either a suction mechanism or a pumping mechanism benefit from integrating ZAGO high-tech sealing fasteners with O-ring technology, as they help to ensure optimal air flow, reliability and peace of mind,” said Harvey Rottenstrich, lead engineer, president and co-founder of ZAGO Manufacturing Company.

“When it comes to producing medical ventilators for Covid-19 patients, every second counts. If we can save manufacturers, engineers, purchase managers and distributors precious time by letting them know that we are here for them; hopefully, we can play our part in the expeditious production of ventilators and in saving lives.” www.zago.com

Standard Listed – you know who’s best!

But contact us for all the rest . . .

STANDARD LISTED - YOU KNOW WHO’S BEST BUT CONTACT US FOR ALL THE REST...

Non-preferred Metrics ~ Intermediate Sizes Short and Long Lengths ~ Slotted Grub Screws A4/80 Bolts & Socket Caps ~ 6 Lobe (TX) Drive Screws All Metal Self-Locking Nuts ~ Studding Connectors And many more...

Tel: +44 (0) 117-972 8560 Fax: +44 (0) 117-972 8570 sales@avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk www.avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk Unit 10, Riverside Business Park, St Anne’s, Bristol, BS4 4ED

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PRODUCTS + tools THE LAtest product and technology developments

Suit any screw joint with MINIMAT-ED The latest upgrade from screwdriving technology specialist DEPRAG SCHULZ GmbH u CO has resulted in the flexible low cost electric handheld screwdriver MINIMAT-ED. When used in conjunction with ComCenter ED, this screwdriver can be adapted quickly and simply to suit any screw joint.

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omCenter ED is operated via a web interface and guarantees user-friendly and convenient parameterisation of the screwdriver. The base station can be connected via Ethernet or WLAN to the network. To enable access via WLAN, the ComCenter ED can simply be set-up as an Access Point on the integrated web interface. Access to settings or the creation and adjustment of screwdriving programs can therefore be carried out at any time using a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device.

With the upgraded features of the ComCenter ED, control of the screwdriver is now possible via inputs and outputs. As soon as the I/O port is activated via the web interface, the screwdriver buttons no longer have any function, thus guaranteeing the required processing reliability. There are four inputs available for program selection, as well as outputs for status messages (OK/NOTOK/READY). There are also options for program selection via a toolbox or scanner. In addition, an external start release is possible using a higher-level PLC or position control stand (PKS).

The torque required for the screwdriving procedure can still be set as desired, when the I/O port is deactivated, or selected via a predefined screwdriving program – just at the touch of a button directly on the screwdriver.

This allows for up to five assembly and five loosening programs to be saved and selected effortlessly (with predefined torque or angle values). Screwdriving then begins immediately. Once the target value has been reached, the electric handheld screwdriver shuts off reliably and precisely. LEDs indicate immediately to the operator whether the screw assembly has been successful. The shut off torque reached is also displayed on screen.

The high performance MINIMAT-ED is available in three versions for torques from 0.24Nm to 4.8Nm at speeds of up to 1,500rpm. The speeds, up to the maximum speed of each screwdriver type, are individually adjustable.

DEPRAG says its MINIMAT-ED can be used to execute complex screwdriving sequences effortlessly. If a user has a range of screw joints with varying tightening parameters, a multi-step parameterised screwdriving program can be used. The torque and angle values can also be set in individual programs.

134 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

The whole screwdriving sequence can be pre-set in its entirety – the operating personnel only needs to select the right screwdriving program. This can also be checked again on the digital display. As before, the user can also, of course, adjust the speeds of each screwdriving step as required.

“The electric handheld screwdriver is recommended for all applications, but especially for workstations with varying tightening parameters, such as reworking stations. The MINIMAT-ED with ComCenter ED is a reassuring alternative to standard screwdriving systems.

The product scores highly among our clients who are drawn to its attractive price, high flexibility and simple operation,” explains Daniel Guttenberger, product manager for DEPRAG screwdriving technology.

The screwdriver also enables supervision of tightening parameters. This allows the operator to see all values set on the digital display, eliminating the need to check this in advance on a test station. This helps guarantee the best processing reliability.

Furthermore, the handheld screwdriver has an impressive slim design and comfortable low tool weight. Additional familiar features also include the ergonomic handle and balancing hook, and an integrated quick change chuck making tool exchange easy. The operating comfort of the new MINIMAT-ED covers all bases. ESD capability is also guaranteed for use in the electronics industry.

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Covid-19 package As countries approach coming out of lockdown, the next few months will be very challenging.

Making customers aware of your products and services is going to be crucial. To help, we have introduced a Covid-19 advertising package that offers a cost-effective solution to attracting vital new business.

For more information email info@fastenerandfixing.com or call our sales team on +44 (0)1727 814 509

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Innovation the driving force Since 1878, innovation has been the driving force behind Felo and the development and manufacturing of its screwdrivers and bits – exclusively made in Germany. This includes two new additions to its wide range of screwdrivers with ERGONIC® handles – a chisel driver with full length blade and hammer cap, and a high performance ratchet with pivot head.

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onventional screwdrivers have a hard, rigid handle to which the user’s hand must adapt to generate the torque necessary for loosening or tightening screws. The rubber like coating of these handles reduces slippage, but doesn’t solve the basic problems generated by the necessity of adaption of individual hands to an unyielding shape. Ergonomics becomes a question of compromise regarding which shape of handle suits a particular hand, so strain and pressure points are reduced.

ERGONIC® handles from Felo Werkzeugfabrik Holland-Letz GmbH have solved this problem once and for all, because it is the first handle to adapt to the user’s hand. The ERGONIC handle is equipped with flexible cushions sensitive to the pressure. They deform and adapt to the direction of this pressure, creating an interlocking effect with the user’s fingers that transmits torque much more effectively and with considerably less strain.

Felo says its new series 450 chisel screwdrivers, with ERGONIC handles, are strong, comfortable and easy on the joints. This type of screwdriver is also ideal for heavy-duty tasks, sometimes even for chiselling. Made from perfectly hardened steel, the hammer cap and chisel blade withstand even consistently hard blows. The ERGONIC handle is also a perfect companion for tasks where strong forces have to be used to loosen or fasten screws at maximum ergonomics and comfort.

As an additional advantage the cushions absorb any vibrations caused by hammer blows, thus protecting muscles and joints of the user.

Felo engineers have also improved the geometry of the tips for slotted screws to provide better hold inside the screw and increased torque.

The second addition to the Felo range is the K-series of tool assortments built around a high performance ratchet with 180° pivot head with ¼ inch quick release bit holder and ERGONIC handle.

The pivot head can be set to 5 positions along an arc of 180° and puts screws in difficult places within reach. It is built for exceptionally high torques of up to 50Nm. There is also no need to replace the bits for switching between the different angles of operation. The ratcheting mechanism helps to work faster and more efficiently. “Felo K is a power tool without batteries, made perfectly ergonomic and comfortable by the ERGONIC handle.”

ERGONIC K is available for mobile use in practice oriented assortments with bits and sockets in a splash proof ‘Strongbox’, and a compact belt pouch. www.felo.com

Nord-Lock Group receives ‘Red Dot’ Nord-Lock Group has received one of the world’s most prestigious design awards, the Red Dot Award, for the Superbolt™ Tool, which won ‘Best Product Design 2020’ in the tools category. o-inventor Andy McPhee, R&D at Nord-Lock Group, commented: “I am extremely proud that the Superbolt™ Tool was judged not only good enough to be entered into the Red Dot competition, but it has actually won.”

The Superbolt Tool is a compact drive mechanism that makes it possible to tighten multiple jackbolts simultaneously to the correct load. It is designed to allow a small torque input to be magnified into a large and uniformed torque output.

The Red Dot Award is a design competition that rewards the best products of the year. The distinction ‘Red Dot’ has become established internationally as one of the most sought-after seals of quality for good design. This year, more than 6,500 products were submitted and individually tested by an international jury of experts.

“We are of course very proud and honoured that our design has been recognised this way. It’s yet more proof of our dedication to develop technologies designed for the highest performance,” said Fredrik Meuller, CEO at Nord-Lock Group. www.nord-lock.com

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136 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

N IN

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New

2020

MADE IN GERMANY

Tools made without compromises in quality and durability.

Felo Werkzeugfabrik Holland-Letz GmbH Emil-Rรถssler-Straร e 59 35279 Neustadt Tel.: 0 66 92/ 88-0 Fax: 0 66 92/ 88-99

info@felo.com www.felo.com

HARRISON

SILVERDALE LTD I N N OVAT I V E FA S T E N E R S making the right connection

www.harrisonsilverdale.com Call today

T: +44 (0) 1246 296 930 fasteners@harrisonsilverdale.co.uk

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

stamping out the impact of theft globally

The development of extracomponents Berardi Fasteners has issued its new catalogue of extracomponents, displaying an impressive range of 112 product families and over 25,000 items, most of which are stock ready and used in a variety of industrial fields – from precision mechanics, to agri-machinery, electronics, and industrial automation.

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erardi Fasteners explains: “About ten years ago, we started to realise that our customers might need to cut their supplier management costs.

We understood that it would be crucial for them to source different products from a single partner. Therefore, we decided to invest in the extracomponents range, by which we define everything outside of Berardi’s core business, which is bolts and steel fasteners.”

Berardi started this process with one important category – springs. “In 2011, we started a fruitful collaboration with US-based Lee Spring, a supplier of standard and custom springs for the most demanding applications. We were able to add springs from specialised materials and custom surface treatments, to our range of around 24,000 stock ready items. From springs, we kept expanding the range out of our passion and willingness to satisfy the day-to-day needs of our customers.”

Today Berardi’s extracomponents range includes fittings, lifting equipment, vibration dampers, sealings, cable glands, spacers, and operating elements, among many other products. “The new products in stock are vital in making our Kanban and Kanban Up logistics services even more efficient,” points out Berardi. “Through extracomponents we are now able to meet our customers’ demands and consequently we have seen business grow. Our plan is to keep growing and develop even better partnerships with our customers.” www.gberardi.com

For more security fasteners visit; www.hafrenfasteners.com Or call us

+44 (0)1686 621 300 Or email

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Speed has never been so safe Wiha states its new speedE® II electric screwdriver is faster, stronger and more versatile in design, and promises even more application advantages – with two material protection levels of 0.4Nm and 1Nm. ith its voltage proof slimBit interchangeable system (up to 1,000V AC), the speedE® II electric screwdriver also offers users maximum safety and flexibility, as well as intuitive and easy handling. Wiha Werkzeuge GmbH reports that screws are automatically tightened three times faster than with a conventional screwdriver, and then the material protection stop is activated.

Featuring two new protection levels, the speedE is particularly suitable with sensitive screw connections and when care is needed when fastening. Very high power transmissions can quickly cause material damage, and for this reason, the power level 0.4Nm should be selected.

With the sliding position at the 1Nm level speedE II can also be used in combination with yellow Power slimBits as tools for tasks requiring more strength, for example for fastening larger threaded screws. The screw can then be carefully tightened fully by hand in both material protection stages.

The ring switch allows convenient operation in all working positions. A ring LED light provides maximum illumination of the working area, which makes work even easier for users and prevents shadows being thrown on the workpiece. The red and yellow slimBits are all individually tested at 10,000V AC, and approved up to 1,000V AC. Small screw profiles are generally used for sensitive, delicate screw connections.

The matching slimBits, with their red colour, tell users that they should set the material protection level to the red 0.4Nm level for this application. For stronger screw connections with larger profiles, the yellow colour of the respective slimBits shows that the slider can also be used on a powerful 1Nm. Using the ergonomically designed speedE II also greatly reduces stress and muscle strain for professionals who often have screwdrivers in continuous use, making the strenuous manual screwing process a thing of the past. Muscles and tendons in hands, arms and the entire musculoskeletal system are subjected to less strain, which means a noticeable health benefit for users in many professions who use conventional fastening tools in their daily work.

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Top Screw Metal Corp.

ISO 9001:2015

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

TR Fastenings invests in sheet metal portfolio TR Fastenings has made a substantial investment in its range of fasteners for sheet metal. This strategic move is in direct response to a growth in enquiries for this extensive product line, across multiple sectors.

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R has been at the forefront of sheet metal fastening solutions for over 45 years, stocking in excess of 100,000 sheet metal products and supplying to more than 5,000 companies worldwide.

This large-scale investment sees the expansion of its own branded Hank® self-clinch fasteners; a new range of K-Series® thin nuts; access to a full suite of brand new resources on its already extensive website; and improvements to all its sales and marketing brochures; in a move designed to provide customers with greater information and clarity.

TR’s Hank® brand is highly regarded throughout the global sheet metal industries and has become synonymous with sheet metal fasteners. The brand is part of a wide ranging product portfolio and for customers looking to press, rivet or weld during manufacturing or assembly processes; TR can supply products for a whole host of industry requirements across a wide range of applications.

To support this product focus, TR’s website now provides a series of educational and informative videos to help clients better understand which innovative products are best suited to their exact requirements. These helpful and explanatory animations – which also include product information and key considerations about each product – will reassure customers they are buying the correctly specified item. The videos form part of a wider revamp of the website’s sheet metal section, including in-depth product specification and FAQs. Steve Wallis, sales office manager at TR Fastenings, said: “We are particularly proud of our latest technical animations, which highlight the features and benefits of the products in a way that is easy to understand. We hope it will make the decision making process smoother for customers and with our in-house quality and application engineers, and knowledgeable sales teams, we can provide a bespoke and full service for sheet metal requirements. We are confident that TR can offer a sheet metal fastening to suit just about any application.”

Wera presents augmented reality The most popular screwdriving tools from Wera Werkzeuge GmbH can now be called up in augmented reality (AR) on a tablet or smartphone and viewed in detail, as if a user was looking at the tool in their real environment. ith the help of AR, the user will be able to see the tool on a tablet or smartphone – without the need for an App. The AR tool can then be placed on a workbench, workshop trolley, or in a bag to get an impression of the true size or appearance of the tool in its own environment.

Commercial partners can also benefit in sales conversations using the AR to aid sales calls. Sales people do not always have a product sample on hand when questioned by their customers, and this new AR solves that problem. In addition, returns can be avoided as customers can see exactly what they are ordering.

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A.S.F Fischer takes over QlinQ® A.S.F Fischer B.V – a large-scale fastener importer, wholesaler and concept developer based in the Netherlands – has taken over the hardware brand QlinQ®.

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linQ® includes chains, ropes, and steel wires, as well as window, door and furniture fittings, garden ironware and accessories.

There are around 1,250 different articles in this hardware assortment.

QlinQ articles are now available from A.S.F Fischer stock, which already contains many fixing programmes for a large-scale diamond tool assortment. “Our years of experience in the professional field have led to the development of a number of successful products and concepts. Naturally, customers will find all of these products and concepts in our catalogue and online,” commented A.S.F Fischer.

140 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 123: MAY 2020

The next generation hydraulic coupling bolt UK-based bolt tensioning specialist TensionPro has launched HYCOBOLT®, an advanced hydraulic coupling bolt, as a direct retrofit replacement to conventional fitted bolts on rotating machinery.

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ensionPro explains that HYCOBOLT® provides significant benefits through both operational improvements in coupling performance and time saving during plant maintenance periods.

Unlike conventional and previous generation coupling bolts, it can be installed and removed quickly and reliably.

“The HYCOBOLT fits well with our focus on special engineering bolting solutions, as we like to work with customers directly to find solutions that give technical and operational improvements.

The HYCOBOLT does exactly that,” comments Dave Metzger, sales director at TensionPro. “The hydraulic coupling bolt technology is a natural extension of our expertise in high-pressure hydraulic bolting products and solutions.”

Hydraulic coupling bolt technology is an established solution for the power generation industry and is supported by major OEMs. The HYCOBOLT can be used in all types of equipment from conventional steam to high efficiency gas turbines, hydro and wind turbines, as well as large electric motor drives, marine propulsion shaft lines and heavy rotating machinery. It is also available on quick turnaround times from TensionPro’s base in the UK. TensionPro provides a ‘one stop shop’ for all bolt tensioning requirements covering equipment sales, repairs and refurbishment, spares, special tool designs, load calculations and new tensioner advice. Its core business spans the oil and gas, power generation, wind, civil and industrial markets.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

HTL Group becomes Enerpac distributor As a direct result of immense growth and customer focus, HTL Group has been appointed as an authorised Enerpac distributor, which has enabled it to broaden its product range to supply high-pressure hydraulic equipment.

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ecoming recognised globally as an Enerpac distributor allows HTL Group to offer customers the complete range of Enerpac’s industrial tools, heavy lift equipment and bolting products. As original equipment manufacturers of controlled bolting products, HTL’s customers across all industries now have access to a broader range of tools.

This is a strategic move to offer HTL’s customers more by becoming a single source supplier.

Broadening HTL’s product range to include Enerpac’s heavy lifting technology, provides new and existing customers with custom hydraulic solutions for the controlled movement and positioning of structures.

Enerpac features the most comprehensive family of hydraulically driven, industrial tools.

Therefore combined with the decades of industry knowledge HTL offers, its customers can expect unrivalled customer service, with technical experience that spans across all joint integrity applications.

“It is fantastic that Enerpac recognises the deep focus and customer centric approach HTL Group brings to industry.

We strive to provide excellence in controlled bolting and this partnership further strengthens our position. We are all excited to see how far we can develop the relationship,” comments Paul Storey, group managing director at HTL Group.

HTL’s product range has been designed to increase productivity and safety by making operations simpler to perform with effective and innovative solutions. As a global company, HTL Group is focused on providing the most comprehensive line of controlled bolting equipment, industrial tools and heavy lifting solutions.

BUMAX reduces prices of fasteners used in ventilators In an effort to help overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, BUMAX has decided to offer its premium fasteners, used in ventilators, at cost to all medical equipment manufacturers. ll around the globe, healthcare providers are using ventilators to treat the growing number of Covid-19 patients. Ventilators are essential in keeping people alive by helping to oxygenate their bloodstream. However, many hospitals don’t have enough ventilators and BUMAX has offered to support their production by providing at cost fasteners.

“We have already offered at cost fasteners to companies manufacturing ‘basic’ breathing machines that can be rapidly produced on a large-scale to cope with demand and save lives.

This is an open offer to all companies around the world who are developing and producing ventilators and other critical medical equipment to deal with Covid-19 – so please contact me to find out more,” said Patrik Lundström Törnquist, managing director at BUMAX. Manufacturers of medical components, including for ventilators, typically opt for BUMAX® fasteners as they offer higher strength and consistency. “Our products reduce the risk of device failure – which can be critical in medical applications,” commented Törnquist.

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Maintaining the supply chain Premium fasteners play an important role in a wide range of critical applications all around the world. BUMAX is working to maintain the supply of its fasteners to ensure Covid-19 has minimal disruption on the global supply chain.

“We already maintain a large stock of our products that are ready for shipping – including both standard BUMAX products and some custom products. We have also set-up our production teams in Sweden to minimise the direct impacts of Covid-19 on our production,” explained Törnquist.

In a related development, BUMAX has also just launched a new ‘shopping cart’ and ordering function on its website to further facilitate order placements and swift deliveries.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Sorta-Case® launches BRIT-PAX® Sorta-Case® Ltd is introducing a comprehensive range of British produced plastic accessories for fasteners, and the broader woodworking industries, under the brand BRIT-PAX®.

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RIT-PAX® products will be produced in a wide range of colours to suit many industrial needs, from sign manufacturers, kitchen installers to vehicle plate fitters and the wider building industry.

The screw caps and other components will also be packed in British produced plastic organisers including small compartment cases, small slide off lid organisers and tubs. Small bag and bulk cartons will also be available for most of the new range to offer a wide range of supply options for British produced fittings.

New edition of REYHER’s ‘The Catalogue’ REYHER has published a new edition of ‘The Catalogue’, which it says has been the standard reference for industry and trade for years when it comes to the procurement of screws, nuts and washers. n industry and trade, REYHER stands for a range that, with over 130,000 different items in stock, is one of the broadest and deepest. Customers benefit from reliable delivery and an extensive range of services for all aspects of C-part supply.

The revised REYHER catalogue now comprises 84,000 different articles, over 900 pages, and takes into account the latest additions to the product ranges from various application areas. Optimised article

I

information supports buyers in the selection of the optimal fastener and fixing technology.

Also worthy of special mention are the updated and supplemented technical information – also known as ‘Tis’ – now covering more than 260 pages. These provide users with helpful know-how and comprehensive decision making aids. ‘The Catalogue’ can now be requested from F. REYHER Nchfg GmbH & Co KG and is also available free of charge as a PDF version online. www.reyher.de

Digitalisation of manufacturing Founded in 1980 as a moulding workshop, ARMA Fixing Systems is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a manufacturer that provides innovative solutions to the fastener industry; and this year is looking to increase the digitalisation of its manufacturing.

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riginally formed with just two employees, in a factory space of just 20m 2 , the company quickly developed to start serving customers from various sectors such as automotive, home appliance, machinery, agriculture, construction, defence and marine. Today, the company has 100 employees at its new production site, which was built in 2016 and covers 7,000m 2 in Hadımköy, Istanbul, Turkey.

Its first digitalisation project is to design and manufacture a new automatic forming machine for an ear clamp production line. Customer demands and requests will be taken into account for productivity of the machine, and automation systems will be added to existing DIN 3016 retaining clamp lines. As well as these additions, ARMA also hopes to increase the number of in-house designed automatic forming machines in the metal clip section.

“Flexibility, efficient processes, maximum security, and a focus on the core business, are indispensable and integral parts of our manufacturing. So, it is crucial to add digitalisation in such a structure,” explains ARMA Fixing Systems. “Another project includes

adding new modules and developments to our fully integrated Canias ERP system.”

Over the last 40 years, ARMA Fixing Systems has shown significant growth in its production capabilities, product range, and customer base. Today, the company serves customers in more than 30 countries worldwide – with the majority based in Europe and the USA. www.armafixing.com

CLINCHING FASTENER SPECIALIST Main Products: • Clinch & Sheet Metal Fasteners • Self-Clinching Nuts, Standoff, Studs • Welding Studs and Standoff • Cage Nut • Rivet Bushes • Brass Inserts for Plastics • Rivet Nuts • Customeized CNC/Colf foring hardware.

Strengths: • Producer in China • IATF 16949 Certificate • PPAP and IMDS free • Optical Sorting 100% • Full range for clinching fastener

t: +86-139-2920-4841 e: zhuyb@grandametal.com w: www.grandametal.com

advertisers index 310 Express........................................................ 144

DS Fasteners..................................................... 133

Kinfast Hardware Co Ltd............................ 129

Schäfer+Peters.................................................. 97

Abbey Clamps......................................................15

EFC.......................................................................... 69

Landmark Craft ............................................... 97

Schnorr................................................................. 83

Achilles GmbH..................................................... 11

Eurofast.................................................................87

Lederer GmbH............................................. 20, 22

Schwer + Kopka............................................... 105

ARK Group ....................................................60, 61

Fastbolt....................................................................2

Marcopol.............................................................. 99

SD Products........................................................141

Acton.....................................................................115

Fastener + Fixing magazine................ 57, 135

Mayes & Warwick..............................................53

Shanghai Fast-Fix Rivet Corporation..... 143

Albert Pasvahl......................................................9

FastFixSearch...................................................117

Mecavit...................................................................31

Sheh Kai Precision Co....................................113

Alloy & Stainless Fasteners........................ 146

Felo GmbH.......................................................... 137

Merlin Business Software Ltd.................... 111

Sipa......................................................................... 89

Ambrovit...............................................................13

Forward Industrial...........................................55

Mitos Srl................................................................. 11

Smith Bullough.................................................. 49

Apex Stainless Fasteners ..............................41

Fixi Srl.................................................................... 79

National Machinery.........................................27

Spirol Ind...............................................................51

APM Hexseal..................................................... 127

Fong Prean Industrial Co Ltd.................... 146

ND Industries............................................ 4, 5, 25

Specialinsert..................................................... 123

Arma Baglanti................................................. 145

G & B Fissaggi Srl.............................................. 97

Ningbo Londex....................................................67

Stafa.......................................................................... 7

Astrotech Steels Private Limited.............. 111

Gala Precision Engineering Private Ltd........ 115

Nord Lock........................................................... 148

Star Fasteners.................................................. 123

Atotech................................................................ 109

Gesipa.....................................................................47

Norm Civata.........................................................37

Tecfi..........................................................................91

Avon Stainless Fasteners Ltd.................... 133

Grand Metal ..................................................... 145

Peter Schroder................................................... 95

Teknoform.............................................................77

Berardi Fasteners............................................121

Hafren Fasteners Ltd.................................... 138

PGB – Europe NV............................................... 23

The Insert Company...................................... 129

Berdan Bolt.......................................................... 33

Hang zhou RET trade co ltd.............. 133, 142

Pinstructure........................................................15

TITIBI...................................................................... 92

Bendfast................................................................ 59

Harrison Silverdale....................................... 137

Pühl......................................................................... 65

Top Screw Metal Corp Ltd........................... 139

Birlik Baglanti Elemanlari San....................77

Heico Befestigungstechnik.......................... 95

Rexlen Corp..........................................................81

Vipa Spa.................................................................71

Bossong................................................................. 92

Hexstone Group............................................. 1, 29

Reyher.................................................................... 82

Wan Iuan Enterprise Co Ltd....................... 103 Washer Factory................................................. 45

Bralo........................................................................ 11

Index Tecnicas Expansivas S.L......................3

RFKS....................................................................... 83

Bulte.......................................................................115

Industrial Recence......................................... 137

Rivit.......................................................................147

Wasi........................................................................ 79

Carlo Salvi.............................................................17

Inoxdadi.................................................................87

RLS.......................................................................... 56

WTI.......................................................................... 59

Chavesbao.............................................................19

Jeveka...................................................................131

Rofix........................................................................ 63

Yuyao Alfirste Hardware Co Ltd................ 93

Ching Chan Optical Technology Co...........35

Jiangsu Yongyi Fastener Co Ltd............... 125

Rosmil.....................................................................73

Zago Manufacturing Inc................................15

Colombo Special Fasteners Srl....................75

Johan Smit..........................................................121

Sacma.....................................................................21

Dimac................................................................... 108

Joker Industrial Co. Ltd................................131

San Shing Fastech.......................................... 107

Don Quichotte......................................................78

Jubliee clips (L Robinson & Co)................... 44

Saspi Tallers...................................................... 101

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WHEN SAFETY REALLY MATTERS Our wedge-locking solutions are used all over the world, from the deepest subsea situations to power stations, bridges and wind turbines. Whatever your bolting challenge, we will be there to help you ensure safer, more efficient operations. nord-lock.com