Fastener + Fixing Technology #7

I ss u e 7 O c t - D ec 2012

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editorial Once again Fastener + Fixing Technology is full of fastener related stories from a range of different industries, underlining the significant role fasteners can play in a variety of applications.

W

ith weight reduction a key requirement in many applications, plastics and composites are increasingly featuring in many products – but while they offer important solutions they also present specific fastening challenges. Our Will Lowry - Editor special feature focuses on plastics + composites, exploring installation in these materials and also looking at the potential for fasteners manufactured from them – making it vital reading for design and application engineers.

We’re also taking a look at the developments and capabilities of key fastener suppliers to the electronics industry. Self-piercing components are demonstrating valuable cost savings through improved installation efficiency and productivity. We explore advanced coatings options for ferrous materials and their attributes and conformity to today’s electronic fastener requirements and consider advantages of cable management systems.

It has been an important few months for exhibitions. Innotrans 2012, which I had the pleasure to visit, was a powerful showcase for the rail industry. We have the latest news and reports from fastener related exhibitors at the Berlin show, as well as from Husum WindEnergy 2012.

Precision Technology Supplies is demonstrating remarkable growth right now so we went to talk to co-director Andy Knight and also took a tour of the UK company’s new and substantially expanded warehouse in Sussex.

Add to all of that the latest in fastener news and products and this issue once again underlines why Fastener + Fixing Technology is a unique resource for finding out what is happening in the fastener world.

Contents

Electronics Fasteners for electroincs...................................... 14-16 Reduce costs with self-piercing components.......... 18 Addition to cable management product range........ 20

Product news Latest fastener product news...............................36-38 Advertisers index....................................................... 38

4 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

www.fastfixtechnology.com Group Publishing Director Jamie Mitchell info@fastfixtechnology.com Editor Will Lowry editor@fastfixtechnology.com Executive Editor Phil Matten Assistant Editor Claire Edwards Senior Advertising Executive Harry Whyte harry.whyte@fastenerandfixing.com Senior Advertising Executive Claire Lake claire.lake@fastenerandfixing.com

Production Manager Andy Clow andy.clow@fastenerandfixing.com

12-13

Exhibitions InnoTrans 2012 report................................................ 22 HUSUM WindEnergy 2012 report........................30-32 Plastics + composites 450 exhibitors and counting..................................... 24 Hook and loop clips................................................... 24 TR launches new plastic fasteners range................ 24 Staying ahead in the design of inserts for plastics... 26 Ejot Easyboss from Hopwoods................................. 26 The importance of Compression Limiters................ 28

Tel: +44 (0) 1727 814 400 Fax: +44 (0) 1727 831 033

Advertising Executive Emiliano Pagliaroli emiliano.pagliaroli@fastenerandfixing.com

Industry news Latest fastener industry news................................ 6-10 Cover story Precision Technology Supplies Delivering complete satisfaction..........................12-13

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

14-20

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 Limited.

Copyright Entire contents copyright © Fastener Fairs Limited 2012.

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.

24-28

momastudio.it

Small tools for great ideas Belgium: Brussels - Atomium

Ambrovit is one of Europe’s largest wholesale distributors of chipboard, self-tapping, self-drilling screws and bolts.

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Fastener industry news

Alcoa on Mars

Image © NASA/JPL-Caltech

Alcoa Fastening Systems has helped advance space exploration another step recently when NASA’s Curiosity rover landed on Mars following its 352 million mile journey from Earth.

C

uriosity is a car-sized, six-wheeled robot made mostly of aluminium, which makes the craft light, durable and fast. Incorporated into the assembly of Curiosity are high-strength precision aerospace fasteners manufactured

by Alcoa Fastening Systems in California, USA. Inconel 718 bolts and standard hexagon nuts, produced at Alcoa’s Newbury Park facilities, and Keensert inserts, manufactured at Alcoa’s Torrance plant, were used in the construction of the rover.

Alcoa’s high-strength fasteners connect the many structural components and attach equipment securely to the vehicle, and the threaded inserts are essential in transferring high tension and high loads into the lightweight base structure.

Both the Inconel 718 bolts and hexagon nuts can withstand temperatures of up to 1,200°F (650°C). Alcoa highlights that the Inconel 718 bolts also have excellent strength properties at elevated temperatures making them ideal for spacecraft, rocket motors, and turbines.

“All Alcoans should be proud of our latest contribution to this milestone in human history,” said Alcoa chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. “From Kitty Hawk to Mars and beyond, Alcoa solutions have helped shape every major advance in aviation.

More than 90% of aerospace alloys in use today were invented

by Alcoa, and our fasteners, forgings or other products can be found on virtually anything that flies.”

TFC provides a ring of confidence TFC has been working closely with two leading German manufacturers of wind farm technology by supplying Smalley retaining rings for use in their wind turbines.

T

his particular application required a retaining ring to hold the rotor bearing in position within the turbine. Made from exotic alloys, which are resilient to salt water conditions and high temperature environments, the Spirolox ® retaining ring was an ideal choice for the hostile locations that many wind farms are located.

Like all of Smalley’s products, Spirolox ® retaining rings (part of the Windpower Series) are coiled on edge rather than stamped. This means that the rings have no lugs to interfere with mating components and are compatible with standard snap ring grooves. There are also no gaps allowing for tight radial applications. Rings can be manufactured for gear boxes, seals, motors and bearings up to 3 metres in diameter.

TFC highlights that Spirolox® retaining rings in the Windpower Series require no special tools for installation or removal. The company stocks standard materials that are ready for production, resulting in quick lead time and delivery in as little as three weeks. www.thefastenercentre.com

6 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Fastener industry news

RotaBolts on gas compressor RotaBolt® measurement fasteners over 3 metres long are being used for the first time for foundation bolting on a new process gas compressor.

T

he large hyper compressor which weighs 210 tonnes is manufactured by Burckhardt Compression in Switzerland and is used in the production of low density polyethylene. It is over 11 metres wide by 6 metres long and is secured to a special concrete plinth by fifteen M130 RotaBolts.

The use of control measurement on the compressor’s foundation bolting was specified to Burckhardt Compression by

its client, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies.

“The requirement to use a control system in the bolting led us to RotaBolt,” commented Daniel Altorfer, design engineer.

“This was new ground for us and RotaBolt’s technical team were very helpful during the design and development process.

We are now using their fasteners on a second compressor for the same client and we will be closely monitoring performance to see if this technology could become a standard fit for us in the future.”

The measurement technology developed by RotaBolt ensures that the correct design tension, or clamping force, is accurately achieved across the joint at installation and then maintained throughout its life. Establishing the correct design tension is critical in assuring the reliability and safety of any bolted joint.

The compressor’s foundation bolts are arranged in five rows of three and secure the crankcase housing to the special concrete plinth. Each Burckhardt compressor is required to undergo an annual maintenance check and the design of the RotaBolt can dramatically speed up routine maintenance checking as the RotaCap on the head of the fastener can be instantly finger-checked to see if it is still locked and that the desired tension is being maintained.

Bakfin™ bought by Titgemeyer Baker & Finnemore has been acquired by Gebruder Titgemeyer Beteiligungsgesellshaft (Titgemeyer). A joint release said the purchase increases Titgemeyer’s commitment to UK manufacturing and is complementary to its existing company based in Tipton.

B

ased in the Jewellery Quarter, Baker & Finnemore was established in 1850 as a manufacturer of pen nibs, graduating to spring steel components. In the late 1940s the company introduced the Starlock ® push-on fastener for which it subsequently developed a global reputation. In August 2006 the management team of Derek Sharp, Ian Packer, Paul Yates and John Clark purchased the company from its previous family ownership.

In 2011 Baker & Finnemore achieved a pre-tax profit of GB£840,000 on GB£5 million sales, of which around 50 percent currently goes for export. The company has been a supplier to Titgemeyer since the 1960s.

Manfred Titgemeyer told the Bakfin workforce the company would continue as an independent company within the Group. The intention is to support and grow the new acquisition, taking advantage of the strength of the multinational Titgemeyer Group to further expand export sales. David Harrison, previously MD of Titgemeyer UK and of Lintite Systems within the Linread Group, has taken over as managing director.

Viking Plastics receives GM Award Viking Plastics, based in Corry, PA, USA, has been awarded the General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award for 2012.

V

iking Plastics manufactures components for the automotive, fuel system and HVAC industries and is poised to launch a US$5 million project to manufacture automotive emission components. Viking is a global supplier of engineered, injection molded and assembled sealing solutions, whose aim is to give customers an unbeatable combination of advantages through competitive pricing, quality, engineering, technology and delivery.

The GM award celebrates outstanding supplier performance and to recognise those suppliers who have demonstrated the highest levels of quality performance over the previous 12 months. The 2012 award covers the periods from July 2011 through to June 2012.

8 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

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Fastener industry news

Loctite® helps bring in the harvest

E

fficiency and reliability are clearly the twin objectives in New Holland’s combine harvester design and this is where Henkel’s Loctite ® anaerobic adhesives continue to make an important contribution. New Holland uses Loctite ® to support critical bolt connections throughout the machines’ operating life, during which they are exposed to acute and lasting vibration.

One of the most severely stressed components in the highperformance 600 horsepower combine harvesters is the twin rotor thresher. To secure its bolts, New Holland uses Loctite ® 270 threadlocker. As the bolts are hard to access to re-tighten on the finished vehicle, this application ensures they will withstand the extreme vibration caused by the threshing action during harvesting, a process that can span many weeks.

A central gear drives the two 2.5m long thresher rotors and here New Holland engineers use Loctite ® 638, an anaerobic

New Holland says its twin rotor technology has broken new ground in combine harvester performance. Indeed, the high throughput capacity made possible by this development won the company a Guinness World Record when its CR9090 model cut 551 tonnes of grain in just eight hours.

high strength adhesive, in assembling the shaft hub joints. With the help of an activator, the adhesive cures rapidly and securely fixes the central gear in readiness for arduous operation.

Many important combine harvester components are moved and controlled by hydraulics. In this application area Loctite ® 542 is used in the assembly of the hydraulic system to prevent any leaks, even under the harshest of conditions. By ensuring that the machines run smoothly, this Loctite ® thread sealant plays a key role in the high degree of mechanisation in today’s agriculture.

Henkel says that its Loctite ® anaerobic products are not only chosen for their technical advantages but also their ability to optimise the assembly processes. The Loctite ® 515 flange sealant, for example, is used during pre-assembly for the efficient and cost-effective protection of the axle bearings against moisture from the washing process.

Rivnut Aero takes off A corrosion resistant, self locking fastener, capable of providing a load-carrying thread in sheet materials where there is access from one side only, has been created especially for aerospace applications by combining the fastening and aeronautical industry credentials of two well known Böllhoff products - Rivnut blind rivets and Helicoil® wire thread inserts.

D

esignated the Rivnut Aero, Böllhoff explains that the fastener was developed to meet industry demands for an easy to use, reliable, non-turning blind captive nut that enables manufacturers and service engineers to quickly disassemble, replace, renew or retrofit parts on hollow or double-skin structures such as doors and access panels.

Approved for use on Eurocopter, the Rivnut Aero provides high resistance to rotation and movement between the aluminium and carbon fibre sheet materials widely used in the construction and maintenance of helicopters and other aircraft.

The fastener is based on Böllhoff’s benchmark Rivnut blind rivet nut product, together with a silver coated Helicoil ® insert, which provides the locking thread for the bolt and prevents binding of the 316L stainless steel bolts, extensively used for assembly in the aviation sector.

To minimise the use of different part numbers the fastener can accommodate variations in material sheet thickness of up to 2.5mm while offering flush fixing with assorted sizes and types of ISO J bolts.

10 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

In use Böllhoff says the Rivnut Aero is fail-safe, allowing the bolt to remain the weakest and cheapest component to replace within an assembly.

Installation is quick, easy and repeatable. A hole is created and countersunk (if required) prior to insertion of the Rivnut using proven tooling with depth and torque preset controls. During assembly a mandrel engages with the Helicoil insert and pulls the Rivnut up to form a retaining collar.

Böllhoff highlights that the design and ultimate reliability of Rivnut Aero has been tested using FMEA – (Failure Mode Effects Analysis). A step by step approach to identifying failures in design, manufacturing or assembly processes which involved detailed proving of Böllhoff’s installation tools, kit inserts and operating processes. www.boellhoff.com

cover story

Delivering complete satisfaction In the last 18 months Precision Technology Supplies Ltd has launched a new web shop, expanded its product range, and completed an extension of its warehouse – all signs of a company growing to meet demand.

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tarted in 1988 by Steve Edwards, managing director, Precision Technology Supplies Ltd (PTS), based in West Sussex, UK, is a stockist of stainless steel fastener and precision turned parts. Originally focusing on the stainless steel micro fasteners sector the company gradually built business up and expanded its range into Europe and then further afield into Africa, Asia and beyond. In addition to its stainless steel micro fasteners, PTS expanded into standard stainless steel fasteners, as well as its American threaded fasteners.

From the beginning PTS has dealt with both merchants and end-users.

“Merchants are our day to day business where as with end-users we normally focus on projects and developments,” explains Andy Knight, co-director. “As a company we are able to work with our end-user customers to help fine tune their products and make applications more cost effective. We also offer our services to research and

development companies, as well as universities.”

He adds: “By working with endusers we can get involved in the nuts and bolts of the business and work with the customer to see what product is best for the application or how they can consolidate products.”

Looking back at how PTS has developed over the last 24 years Andy describes it as a snowball effect. “It takes you a while to get to a decent size, but you get to a point where every time you roll you start to get much bigger and we are at that stage at the moment.”

PTS supplies a variety of industries including: automotive, telecoms, aerospace, computing, furniture, ventilation, photography, electronics, solar, as well as others. By covering a wide range of industries the company has been able to adapt to changes in demand. “Due to our standing in a lot of different industries the recession didn’t have any detrimental effect on us. In fact we continued to grow,” says Andy. “As a company we are always looking at different fields and markets we can go into. You have got to look at the different areas and establish other

12 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

methods of developing your product and your brand.”

Whilst PTS is always looking at new markets and opportunities it is also conscious of making sure the business grows at a steady pace so that it can handle the growth and ensure the quality of service remains at the highest level.

“From a customer service point of view when we say we will do something we will do it,” states Andy. “We are very proud of our customer service and we want to make sure that as we grow the service stays at a consistently high level.

If you keep your customer happy they will come back.”

A sign of keeping the customer happy is the amount of new business PTS gets from referrals. “The majority of our new business comes from recommendations,” mentions Andy. “By somebody recommending you they are saying they are happy with what you are supplying and the service. This is why it is vital we maintain a high level of service to our customers.”

As well as offering outstanding customer service PTS also prides itself on its delivery of the product. “We pack it well, we ship it on time and our quality of products is very high,” comments Andy. “Our shipping capability means that we are able to supply all

years before it went live and even now of our products internationally.” we are still developing it. Some of it Last year PTS expanded its warehouse is background work that the customer facilities with the process being completed doesn’t see, but we are constantly within seven months. “It was a bit of looking to improve things where we can.” upheaval but we planned it as much as The web shop is available in English, we could so that everything still ran as German, Spanish, Chinese and Indian, effectively as possible. We thought that and multi-currency is also offered. would see us through for the next couple Customers who have a login are able to of years, but we are already starting to fill sign in and track orders, look at invoice up the space,” says Andy. “However, we accounts, see their pricing structure, still have a bit of scope to expand as and as well as a host of other information. when we feel it is necessary.”

Whilst there is no minimum spend on the Due to the recent extension to the web shop there is minimum quantity for warehouse, PTS has been able to also certain items, but PTS has tried to keep expand its stock holding.

“We like to make sure that we have the stock that we say we do,” says Andy. “We currently have in excess of 38,000 product categories and our product range is constantly growing. Last month alone we added a further 1,000 products to our range.”

PTS is able to offer customers nuts, washers, socket screws, hexagons, machine screws, security screws, slotted grubscrews, pins, studs, self tapping screws, self drilling screws, wood screws, chipboard screws, retaining rings, screws for plastics and drive bits.

PTS’ philosophy is to offer the complete range – long sizes, short sizes and inbetween sizes. “Whilst some companies will offer sizes of 12, 16 and 20, we will offer 12, PTS’ web shop is 14, 16, 18 and 20,” states Andy. fast and easy to use “Some products will be slow selling, but it’s all part of the service we offer. If we say we can provide a full range then we make sure that we have all the different sizes.” these as low as possible.

He adds: “This is reflected in the “We knew from the outset that if number of orders that we are able to we were going to have the level of web send out straight away. If a product is shop that we wanted to achieve that it in stock and it is ordered before 4pm a was going to be a long arduous process, customer will normally have it the next but we have received a lot of positive day, including in most major European feedback so it has definitely been worth cities.” it,” comments Andy. “On average we As well as being able to order next receive 8/10 orders a day through the day delivery customers also have the opportunity to shop online thanks to PTS’ web shop. We spend a lot of time on online promotion and are constantly web shop which went live in April 2011. updating the site and making sure we “We launched the web shop in time are appearing in the right places. It is for Fastener Fair India in 2011,” says about tailoring search terms so that you Andy. “We were working on it for two

are getting the right kind of customers coming to you.”

A new edition to PTS’ online capabilities is an e-Catalogue containing all the products PTS can deliver. The e-Catalogue was launched at the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo in Las Vegas, USA, in October 2012, where PTS had a booth.

“It has been a couple of years since we last exhibited at the Vegas show and with our American threaded fastener range we felt the time was right to go back,” says Andy. “We launched our new e-Catalogue at the show and believe that it will become a useful tool for all our customers. The new e-Catalogue enables customers to look at our entire product range and the various different sizes/materials we are able to offer.”

Andy adds: “Being an e-Catalogue means that we will be able to supply it on CDs, emails, memory sticks, as well as it being mobile accessible.

This means that customers will be able to check our vast product range whenever they like. Another good thing about the new catalogue is that when we bring in new products it will be updated instantly meaning that customers will be able to view our latest products straight away, without having to wait for a new catalogue.”

He continues: “It is about being ahead of the game and using the latest technology to make sure you are always at the forefront. It goes back to the basic principles of making sure you are communicating with both your suppliers and customers in the most effective manner.”

It is this commitment to ensuring that the company is always effective, efficient, communicative and reliable that has enabled PTS to grow as it has done for the past 24 years. With such a strong foundation and after a busy 18-month period PTS might be forgiven for resting on its laurels – not a chance.

“Our growth shows that we have been doing something right and we are looking to continue that growth whilst offering the customer complete satisfaction.” www.pts-uk.com

www.fastfixtechnology.com

13

ELECTRONICS

Fasteners for electronics

By Alan Gardner, global marketing manager, MacDermid Industrial Solutions Fasteners are extensively used in electronic applications such as computers, consumer units, mobile communications and switches. Fasteners for electronics are coated with finishes which both protect and enhance the base metal properties whilst avoiding thread fill on even the smallest of screws.

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hese coatings are designed to protect the fastener in indoor environments where condensation is possible.

Similar to aerospace and automotive applications, they are also subject to legislations such as RoHS and WEEE. In this article we review the choice of coatings on ferrous materials for their attributes and conformity to today’s electronic fastener requirements.

Coating attributes The main requirements for this application can be summarised as: • Conformity to RoHS and WEEE directives.

• 168 hours in neutral salt spray to 5% white corrosion.

• 500 hours in neutral salt spray to first base metal corrosion.

• Continuous current conductivity of 1 mA at 5V. • Grounding resistance < 100 mW at 30A – 12V. • Resistance to immersion in liquids such as water and methanol.

• Adhesion of organic screen printing inks and organic coatings.

Coatings which are typically applied in electronic component applications include black oxide, electroless nickel (EN), electrolytic nickel, tin and zinc and zinc alloys. Table One outlines the primary attributes of these finishes and their ability to meet the above criteria.

Table One

Oxide

EN

Nickel

Tin

Zinc

Zn alloy

RoHS / WEEE conformity

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes1

Yes1

Neutral salt spray resistance

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Immersion in liquids

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Conductivity (continuous)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes2

Yes2

Conductivity (grounding)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes2

Yes2

Organic layer adhesion

No

Yes 3

Yes

Yes

Yes 4

Yes 4

1. With trivalent passivation 2. Without topcoat 3. Without PTFE included in film 4. Low build passivate films are recommended

14 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Finish description Black Oxide - This can be described as a conversion coating of the steel. The finish is protected by applying a light oil.

It is primarily used to improve aesthetics without altering dimensional tolerances. The only protection is by the light oil and for this reason is only recommended for screws with the finest dimensions in closed environments.

Electroless nickel - These composite coatings are an ‘alloy’ of corrosion resistant nickel and phosphorus. The resulting coating is very hard (450HV100 to 1,000HV100). If PTFE is included in the deposit, a coefficient of friction between 0.01 – 0.2 can be obtained. The EN coating gives a corrosion resistant, low friction deposit with a very even deposit. To meet the higher salt spray resistance requirements, a duplex layer using high phosphorus base layer is recommended. The coating retains its electrical conductivity so it can be used for earthing screws and fasteners.

Nickel - Nickel coatings are usually applied electrolytically in a mirror bright finish. They have excellent conductivity and adhesion of an organic layer. However, this coating will not give good base metal corrosion protection as it is more noble than the steel. Therefore its use is limited to applications where aesthetics is more important than corrosion resistance for example on front panels.

Tin - Tin coatings have very similar attributes to nickel coatings.

They are applied electrolytically with a choice of dull or mirror bright finishes with excellent conductivity and adhesion of an organic layer. Similar to nickel, tin is more noble than the steel.

Primary applications include earthing and where subsequent soldering is required.

Zinc and zinc alloys - The primary coating of choice in these applications are using zinc and zinc alloys. Depending on the passivate applied, the finish can be mirror ‘chromium’ bright, iridescent or black. Zinc based coatings have the advantage over others outlined above in that zinc is sacrificial to the steel substrate. This results in exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly in humid environments when non-sacrificial coatings would give limited protection.

One of the major advances in the last decade has been in extra high corrosion resistant coatings such as zinc-nickel. As these coatings have low white corrosion products, they retain their electrical conductivity longer compared to zinc coatings.

Fasteners In Electronic Applications Compliant Coating Technology

High Performance And Compliant Coatings Fasteners are extensively used in electronic applications such as computers, consumer units, mobile communications and switches. These fasteners are coated with finishes which both protect and enhance the base metal properties whilst avoiding thread fill on even the smallest of screws.

RoHS COMPLIANT

These coatings are also subject to legislations such as RoHS and WEEE. To meet these directives, and provide good corrosion / liquid immersion resistance, with good conductivity and organic film adherence, an engineer will probably choose MacDermid zinc-alloy and trivalent passivate technology, to deliver this highest performance.

When you need a fastener coating which meets environmental legislation, count on MacDermid anti-corrosion coatings.

Key Features

• RoHS WEEE Compliant • Meets all current coating legislation and directives • Conductive and corrosion resistant

Anti-Corrosion • ZinKlad • TriPass • Torque ‘n’Tension • Enviralloy • Envirozin • Kenlevel For more information, please contact us at: fasteners@macdermid.com © 2012 MacDermid, Inc. All rights reserved.

WEEE

electronics Which coating choice?

If solder-ability is not the prime criteria, then a zinc based coating is probably the best all round choice. As well as meeting the majority of performance criteria, it is also typically more economical to deposit than a nickel based coating. As mentioned above, the engineer also has choices in relation to zinc based coatings - zinc or zinc-nickel? Primarily the choice of system comes down to cost versus performance; secondly there are the coating aesthetics to consider.

Cost versus performance When measured against the coatings attributes list, the main difference between zinc and zinc-nickel coating performance in electronic applications is the ability of the latter to resist voluminous white corrosion products. These white corrosion products do not conduct electricity and therefore impact on the continuous conductivity and earthing factors.

Zinc only coatings produce voluminous white rust which can be detrimental to conductivity

One should note as well that black passivates, which are always of the thicker film variety, when applied over zinc have a lower corrosion performance compared to an iridescent coating. When applied over zinc-nickel however, they give exceptional corrosion performance and are suitable for the toughest requirements.

Table Two - Thicknesses and composition of corrosion resistant passivate films Type

Film thickness nm

Cr3+ (mg/dm2)

Thin film

25 - 80

0.3

Thick film

200 - 400

1.2

Aesthetics may also play a part in choice. Low build films are associated with a blue or bright chromium-like appearance, suitable for applications that have high visibility. High build iridescent passivates are normally found in applications which are hidden (such as switch gear), while black can be found in both high and low visibility components.

Zinc and passivate layers

In comparison, zinc-nickel produces limited corrosion products

Regarding metal deposition, two factors affect the cost of this process: • Metal costs – Nickel metal is some 10 times more expensive than zinc. Allowing for metal costs and percentage alloy composition, this makes a zinc nickel coating some 2.4 times more expensive than zinc alone (for the same thickness).

• Economies of scale – Zinc is very widely plated, whereas zinc alloys are a much more recent development. This is changing in Europe, but also, more slowly, in other parts of the world.

Resistance to immersion in liquids and the ability to accept organic coatings are a function of subsequent passivates and topcoats. In respect to the passivate, the choice is between low or high build films. The latter typically gives a film some 5 times thicker (Table Two) and therefore generally gives better corrosion resistance. However, with trivalent chromium passivates it is generally accepted that thicker films can be harder to apply the screen print and organic paint coatings due to inferior adhesion compared to the thinner films.

16 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Finally topcoats, if there is a requirement, for example to improve corrosion resistance, then an inorganic type would be suitable due to its ability to withstand immersion in liquids.

On the other hand if improving adhesion of screen print or paint films was the most important criteria, a low weight organic topcoat would be beneficial. One must keep in mind that generally application of a topcoat will reduce the conductivity of the coating.

Summary To meet RoHS/WEEE directives, provide good corrosion/ liquid immersion resistance, with good conductivity and organic film adherence in electronic fastening applications, an engineer has a choice between sacrificial (i.e. zinc based) or non-sacrificial (i.e. nickel based) coatings.

When the benefits of these typical finishes are compared, zinc based coatings probably have the advantage. They are low cost, with excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally they conduct electricity will resist immersion in relevant liquids and can accept a subsequent organic film. www.macdermid.com

as: merly known Stafa Group for K I NEOFAST PA AND I GO STAFA HOLL

STAFA GROUP: CONNECTED IN TRUSTED QUALITY Stafa Group: a new name for a trusted partnership. Stafa Group has the best answer to any question in the broad area of fasteners. Always. With maximum flexibility and quality and an approach that is as enterprising as it is personal. Just as you have been accustomed to with us over the past thirty-five years.

CONNECTING QUALITY & FLEXIBILITY

ALWAYS ASSURED OF THE BEST Under the strong umbrella of the Stafa Group, Stafa Trading (formerly Stafa Holland), Stafa Assembly (formerly Gopak) and Stafa Direct (formerly Neofast) are combining their expert forces even more effectively. Whether we efficiently take over your entire logistics system for fasteners, provide the smartest packaging method or arrange your imports under the most favourable conditions: you are always assured of quality and service.

THE STRENGTH OF THE CONNECTION That is the strength of our connection. A connection that we as the Stafa Group share with each other, with our suppliers, with the global market and above all - with you.

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electronics

Reduce costs with self-piercing components Autonic Engineering, based in the UK, looks at self-piercing components and how this established fastening technique can provide higher performance, a quality finish and reduce assembly costs.

W

hen threaded bushes or other components are to be fixed permanently to sheet material the self-piercing technique combines strength with cost saving and production efficiency.

The range of Prestincert self-piercing threaded bushes, terminals and other fasteners are punched in and secured to sheet metal and PCBs by a single operation.

This dispenses with the need for secondary operations such as welding, riveting, soldering or the preforming of location holes.

There are two categories of Prestincert: • For mechanical usage, threaded bushes and other fasteners of steel and aluminium to sheet metal.

• For the electrical/electronics industry, brass components such as threaded bushes, spacers and solder terminals.

Mechanical fasteners Prestincert threaded bushes of steel, aluminium and stainless steel are used with like metals including copper.

Pillars, spacers and other fasteners of similar configuration are also generally adaptable for self-piercing.

fastener on each press stroke, whereas diesets incorporating insert tools can apply two or more fasteners on constant centres.

For pressbrakes fabricating larger panels and sheet, a ‘C’ frame unit fitted with upward or downward punching tooling inserts is used.

Automatic tooling heads are available for repetitive application of the threaded steel bushes. Fed from a vibrating bowl the tool is recharged on each press stroke.

Electrical/electronics industry Prestincert brass bushes, spacers and a variety of solder pins and terminals are designed for use with PCBs, laminates and light aluminium alloys, all punched and secured to the sheet material in a single stroke of the press. As with steel fasteners, resistance to rotation is achieved by the knurled collar on the Prestincert broaching its own profile in the workpiece. Securement results from an unusually strong interference fit of the bush within the sheet material.

Good electrical contact A significant feature of the Prestincert self-piercing technique is the facility for attaching brass bushes and terminals to PCBs both mechanically and electrically in one operation, without soldering. As the Prestincert is punched into the PCB, an annular fillet on the underside of the head makes contact with the surface cladding, which is then subjected to a cleaning action when drawn over the edge of the aperture, thus providing a good electrical contact.

Tooling

Performance The Prestincert is keyed against rotation by a knurled collar that broaches its own profile in the workpiece, together with a swaged flow of the sheet material into a machined undercut of the fastener to affect the securement.

Tooling Press tools are of a relatively simple design, and though in theory follow the punch and die practice of making hole forms in sheet materials, the Prestincert when designed for selfpiercing becomes the punch, and on the upstroke of the press remains in-situ on the work piece. Single point tools apply one

18 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

This is of simple design and adaptable for use in most hand and power operated presses. As with steel products, brass bushes, spacers and other terminals can be applied singly or multi-inserted. Automatic Tooling Heads are available for repetitive application of threaded brass bushes. www.autonic.co.uk

Global Inch Fastener Solutions

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& No Riveting – Self-piercing Hardened Self-Clinching Fasteners ● Press Nuts ● Binding screws ● Rivet Bushes ● Prestincerts ● Eccentric studs ● Floating Nuts RoHS Compliant

High Quality Disc Springs from the world market leader Mubea Disc Spring Product Overview ▪ Disc springs according to DIN 2093 (Group 1, 2 and 3) ▪ Disc springs according to Mubea Factory Standards ▪ Disc springs according to customer requirements ▪ Special springs ▪ Disc springs stacks / assemblies / components

Autonic Engineering Co. Ltd

Salisbury Rd. Rye Park, Hoddesdon, EN11 0HU Tel: +44 (0)1992 471101 Fax: +44 (0)1992 471102 Email: enquires@autonic.co.uk www.autonic.co.uk

Mubea UK Ltd.

Mubea Tellerfedern GmbH

Unit 1 Charter Gate Clayfield Close Moulton Park Industrial Estate Northampton NN3 6QF GB Tel.: +44 1604 790 600 E-Mail: info.mubea.uk@mubea.com

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P.O. Box 120 57564 Daaden Germany

www.mubea-disc-springs.com

electronics

Addition to cable management product range micro plastics international has added Coloured Split Loom to its range of cable management products.

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o satisfy customer demand micro plastics offers all sizes of its Nylon Split Loom in orange to accommodate applications where identification is critical. In addition, its Polyethylene Split Loom is now available in red, yellow and green.

Coloured Split Loom comes in six standard size diameters, 1 /4 inch, 3 / 8 inch, 1/2 inch, 5 / 8 inch, 3 /4 inch and 1 inch. micro plastics highlights that for organising cables into colourcoded bundles, these highly flexible, kink-resistant corrugated tubing, are perfect and have an easy opening seam down the side for simple and quick insertion and removal of wires.

Split Loom Adhesive Clips are also available from micro plastics to help route split loom, pipes or tubing. The parts are backed with adhesive foam tape, which eliminates the need for mounting holes and screws. Split Loom Adhesive Clips are moulded in black Nylon 6/6 and are available in 1/2 inch, 5 / 8 inch, 4 /4 inch and 1 inch sizes. www.microplastics.com

on the right track DIV group is one of the group leaders in Europe specialized for production and sales of fastener goods, as well for the production and processing of various metal parts and products. The DIV Group portfolio includes plants for hot and cold forming, sheet metal processing and other light constructions, as well as machined part processing.

Manufacturing

• Railway track fastenings • Railway concrete sleepers • Railway stock components • Lightweight railway machinery • Steel products of various purpose • Bolts and nuts by the hot forging process

Most significant products • Lightweight railway machinery • Railway stock components • Baseplates and fishplates • Sleeper screws • Standard bolts • “T” bolts • Nuts

DIV Group

www.divgroup.eu e: div@divgroup.eu

Thank you for visiting our stand

innotrans report

InnoTrans 2012 achieves record results An increase in exhibitors and trade visitors, business deals worth billions of euros and growth in international participation are the dominant aspects that organisers reported from the ninth edition of InnoTrans.

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verall, compared with the previous fair, InnoTrans 2012 reported growth in every important area.

126,110 trade visitors from 140 countries came to find out about the latest products and services from the global rail industry, exhibited by 2,515 companies from 49 countries, on the trade visitor days of the fair.

InnoTrans 2012 presented cutting edge technology, underlined by the 104 world premieres displayed by exhibitors in Berlin. As a business venue InnoTrans achieved a new dimension, with deals of more than 1.8 billion euros concluded at the fair. The framework agreement signed between Deutsche Bahn and PESA in Poland for up to 470 diesel trainsets, and worth a total of 1.2 billion euros, being a prime example.

According to a representative survey both exhibitors and trade visitors were extremely satisfied with their visit. More than 90 percent of exhibitors recommended the fair and declared they would be back, with the reactions from trade visitors being the same. More than 90 percent were highly satisfied and said they would be back for InnoTrans 2014.

The survey also revealed that almost half of the trade visitors were decision-makers.

The majority of fastener related exhibitors were based in Hall 8.2 including 3M Deutschland, Keller & Kalmbach Widex GmbH, Nosta GmbH, J. Lanfranco & Cie, Gally SpA, Flaig + Hommel GmbH, Growermetal Srl and Weicon GmbH. Also in Hall 8.2 was Lederer GmbH who exhibited at InnoTrans to reinforce its presence in the rail sector and to strengthen its reputation as a specialised supplier for rail fasteners. Lederer is able to offer a full range of products for a variety of rail applications including track and overhead, contact line construction, rolling stocks, boogies and rail automation.

Markus Gebehenne, marketing manager at Lederer, commented: “At InnoTrans 2012 we were able to lay the foundations for already signed-off/established business, as well as conducting comprehensive business talks at the show in order to get close to our aims. The direct contact between our employees and the contacts of our clients was equally important.”

During InnoTrans 2012 Nord-Lock GmbH officially released, during a live broadcast, its new X-Series washer that the company says adds a new dimension of safety to bolt security.

The principle of Nord-Lock’s X-Series washers includes multiple functions that act on the bolted joint to maintain

22 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

preload and prevent spontaneous bolt loosening. As with NordLock’s original washers, each washer pair has cams on one side and radial teeth on the opposite side to secure the bolted joint with tension instead of friction. The Nord-Lock X-Series conical shape also creates an elastic reserve in the bolted joint to compensate for the loss of preload and prevent slackening.

“Since we work closely with our customers we can react to the trends in application design, and this product is the result of our goal to design a system that would eliminate insecurity.

When you cannot say with certainty whether spontaneous bolt loosening or slackening would be the bigger issue or when both could be equal risks, there is now a solution on the market,” explained Maxime Thonnerieux, development director of the new product.

Other fastener related exhibitors who were situated throughout the 26 halls included Max Mothes GmbH, Ferdinand Gross GmbH, Dirak GmbH, EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co KG, DIV Group and Staytite Ltd. Staytite Ltd was based in Hall 2.2 and showcased its Hardlock Series of anti-loosening lock nuts. The Hardlock Series is based on the ‘wedge-effect’ principle. The Concave Upper Nut is threaded down the screw until the concentric conical recess comes into contact with the eccentric conical protrusion of the Convex Lower Nut. The Convex Lower Nut is held stationary, either by being seated or by being held with a spanner if seating is not required. When the Concave Upper Nut is tightened to the recommended tightening torque, locking forces between the Upper and Lower Nuts are induced.

A vertical force is created and two opposing horizontal forces are induced at the same time. The Concave Upper Nut is pulled into the screw thread in one direction, while the Convex Lower Nut is pulled into the screw threads in the opposite direction.

The Hardlock is therefore held secure by the combination of three different locking forces.

“The high anti-loosening effect achieved by all Hardlock Nuts will satisfy all user needs, including easy installation, re-useability (several dozen times), and reduced lifetime costs because of less maintenance and inspection,” explained David Cartledge, sales director at Staytite Ltd. The next InnoTrans will take place at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from 23rd – 26 th September 2014.

Firmly in place: C-parts to get you from A to B. Fasteners for railway engineering.

Normed and standardized parts DIN, ISO and in-house Stainless steel, regular steel and non-ferrous metals Special parts and special materials C-parts management

www.lederer-online.com

plastics + composites

450 exhibitors and counting Boasting 450+ UK and international exhibitors this year and still growing, the 2012 Advanced Engineering UK group of events, scheduled for the 7th – 8th November 2012, at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, is preparing for a record 2012 attendance.

S

how organisers, UK Tech Events, says that the combination of the ‘inaugural’ Automotive Engineering show, as well as the established Aero Engineering, Composites Engineering and UK Plastic Electronics shows, has enabled it to establish a new benchmark in the diversity available to see and do across the integrated show floor.

Split into four discreet show zones, the ’group of events’ formula combines comprehensive supply chain capability showcases in each of the individual show sectors, with knowledge transfer and ‘sourceability’ from the greater diversity of suppliers and partners featured across the neighbouring show zones.

This year the organisers have also introduced a search facility on each of the individual show websites, enabling attendees to optimise their supplier sourcing and engagement through search capability in each show, as well as (by key word/and key subsector) across the entire group of events.

Hook and loop clips In answer to an identified need, GBK has launched several size versions of its Pine Tree Clip product range that can have either hook or loop material fixed to the surface of the fastener head.

G

BK explains that this assembled product combination provides customers the opportunity to not only fix two or more panels together as traditionally done with Pine Tree Clips, but also then provide a fixing location through the hook or loop disc for any number of advertising signage or anti-rattle trim requirements.

Products are available with black hook or loop discs fixed on black Pine Tree products. GBK points out that other colour options are available on request.

“This innovative fastening solution is another example of GBK taking existing technology and adding value to the product line, whilst at the same time providing real solutions to customers problems. Talk to GBK about your fastening, fixing and component needs and discover why GBK ship product globally and solve problems daily.” www.gbk-uk.com

TR launches new plastic fasteners range TR Fastenings has launched a new plastic products range for printed circuit board hardware and cable management requirements - set to be a core part of TR’s product portfolio, with a comprehensive, competitively priced range available.

M

anufactured in high-performance and versatile Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/6, the new range includes circuit board hardware, rivets, screws, cable management and wiring accessories. TR explains that by combining functionality and reliability without compromising on quality, these plastic fasteners feature extensive benefits which can assist in efficiency and productivity of production processes. Plastic fasteners are versatile, lightweight and easy to use; strong at low and high temperature; resistant to impact, abrasion, organic solvents and gasoline; and retain their shape and stiffness at high temperature. The range meets necessary industry standards and sizes; all products are RoHS compliant and available in flame-retardant versions.

A typical example is TR’s range of Nylon 6 SR snap rivets, available in industry standard black or white and also in a flameretardant material. These compact, two-piece, pre-assembled, multi-function fasteners require no application tools and are suitable for high-volume manufacturing of PCBs, such as in mobile phones, as well as most forms of panel-fixing. A further, extensive range of panel-fixing fasteners is to be introduced shortly.

The new moulded Nylon range for PCBs addresses a

24 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

multitude of application needs, including consumer goods, marine and contract manufacturing industries. The range is especially beneficial in the electronics and telecoms industry, for use in ATM machines, PCs, laptops and mobile phones, as well as in lighting. In such applications, with their closely grouped electrical components, plastic fasteners offer the ideal solution as they are non-conductive.

TR’s supply capacity for the new range will meet small and frequent orders right up to large contract accounts, with standard stock items despatched immediately and non-standard available normally within 7 to 10 days. Customised solutions and tooling for new parts are available on request.

plastics + composites

Staying ahead in the design of inserts for plastics PSM International has recently launched its new insert for plastics – the TRI-STEP™ insert.

Made from aluminium or brass, the TRI-STEP™ insert is designed for heat or ultrasonic installation into thermoplastic materials. Its design offers the benefits of both tapered and parallel inserts, which incorporates two diameters of opposing helical knurls along with a series on annular vanes.

P

SM explains that the aluminium TRI-STEP insert offers a 66% weight reduction and typically a 20% cost saving compared to traditional brass fasteners, whilst reducing installation time and improving in-hole alignment and location.

The company also says that the aluminium TRI-STEP has been very well received by both OEMs and Tier 1 and Tier 2 molders, and it is currently being specified on a number of new automotive projects where high direct torque resistance, a large bearing surface and reduced fastener weight are required.

PSM has also extended its range of TRI-STEP inserts with the release of a thin-walled reduced diameter range for applications where space is at a premium. The thin-walled range is available in thread sizes from M2 to M8, in two standard lengths and in a variety of materials. This thin-walled TRI-STEP range offers further design benefits such as a lower fastener installation time and a lower in-placed cost compared to currently available fasteners. The thin-walled TRI-STEP can be used as a value-added replacement to the current Sonic-Lok ® insert. Both of the PSM TRI-STEP designs are protected by a granted UK patent as well as a PCT international patent application.

Ejot Easyboss from Hopwoods Roy Hopwood Fasteners Ltd has reported seeing an increasing trend towards the use of fasteners that truly possess green credentials, with ecological demands driving the need for manufacturers to deliver lighter structures, and products that have a high degree of recyclability.

H

opwoods highlights that the most popular products, that possess green credentials, are the products within the Ejot Easyboss range. Originally developed as an alternative for spring steel clips such as U nuts and J nuts, the designs have now moved on to deliver multi-functional solutions suitable for a variety of applications.

The plastic bosses are placed via a simple press fit, with far greater ease than a metal clip, and have the added advantage of not binding together during transit to the work point. The hole in the mating component is located in line with the hole in the Easyboss, and the joint is secured by installing an Ejot Delta PT screw – meaning that the Easyboss joint is metal within plastic, not metal within metal as with metal clips.

Hopwoods points out that the advantages of the Easyboss joint are numerous. There is little relaxation in the joint, and so sufficient remaining clamp load is maintained for the whole lifetime of the application. The retained clamp load leads the joint to be very capable of withstanding vibration. The lack of metal to metal contact eliminates the risk of removing or

damaging component surface finish.

Originally designed for use in thin plastic sections, where either a boss could not be produced, or a brass insert could not be installed, the Easyboss family is now capable of being placed into a variety of parent materials. The fastest growth area is their use in composite materials such as carbon fibre, where the installation of more traditional fasteners has proved troublesome.

The Easyboss is capable of clipping onto material thicknesses of between 1mm and 6mm, and provides thread engagement between 5mm and 15mm. The Easyboss V is developed for use in components of varying section or where manufacturing tolerances are difficult to maintain. The boss is kept in position by two opposed spring elements, thus the Easyboss V remains installed in the component even without the installation of a screw. The SQUAREboss is the standard solution in the family for smaller installation spaces. The VARIOboss is a multifunctional system that accommodates different sheet thicknesses with one component, and also remains in place without a secondary fixing. www.rhf.co.uk

Assembly situation EASYboss®

Assembly situation EASYboss® V

26 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Assembly situation SQUAREboss

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plastics + composites

The importance of Compression Limiters Christie Jones, market development manager at Spirol international, looks at how to ensure correct installation of Compression Limiters and threaded inserts into plastic assemblies.

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n applications where the mating component is also plastic, a Compression Limiter is necessary to avoid the creep or stress relaxation in the mating component from reducing the frictional load in the threaded joint.

Similar to threaded inserts, Compression Limiters are used to ensure bolted joint integrity in plastic assemblies. As the bolt is tightened to achieve the required friction between threads, the plastic is compressed. The Compression Limiter absorbs the force generated during tightening of the bolt, and isolates the plastic from excessive compressive loads.

Without the Compression Limiter, plastic will creep resulting in the loosening and eventual failure of the joint. The Compression Limiter ensures that the joint remains intact throughout the life of the product.

In order for the Compression Limiter to work properly, it should abut the insert, so that the insert and not the plastic, carries the load. The internal diameter of the Compression Limiter in the mating component must be larger than the outside diameter of the assembly screw, but smaller than the pilot or face diameter of the insert to avoid â&#x20AC;&#x153;jack-outâ&#x20AC;?.

Headed inserts such as Spirol Series 16, 20, 25, 28, 30 and 51 are designed to increase the contact surface for the Compression Limiters. In addition, Series 14, 19, 24, 41 and 45 generally have adequate surface area. In any event, at the design stage proper contact needs to be evaluated.

If the pilot diameter of the insert being used is too small for the inside diameter of the Compression Limiter, then a special Compression Limiter with reduced clearance between the assembly screw may resolve the problem. This of course also reduces permissible misalignment.

If the surface area of the insert is inadequate for proper contact with the Compression Limiter, then the only solution is using a plastic in the mating component that has good anti-creep characteristics and using a Compression Limiter with maximum wall thickness for better distribution of the load.

Jack-out in these situations will be a concern and needs to be addressed with avoiding over-torquing the assembly screw.

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husum windenergy report

Good energy at HUSUM WindEnergy 2012

HUSUM WindEnergy 2012 saw approximately 36,000 visitors and 1,171 exhibitors, representing a 20 percent increase in the number of exhibitors over the last WindEnergy in 2010.

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his is a record in the 23-year history of the wind trade fair in Husum, Germany. Exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with the most recent HUSUM WindEnergy, which as of now is again presenting itself on the international wind trade fair market under its official brand name ‘HUSUM Wind’.

At the 13 th HUSUM WindEnergy the international wind energy industry put on a strong and confident performance that demonstrated its innovativeness, with new emerging markets.

“Never before have there been so many countries with wind activities - there are plants and systems in 75 countries. Also, never before have so many states exceeded the critical 1,000MW mark - currently 22. However, if the market is to continue to develop in this way, then the framework conditions have to remain stable,” summed up Dr Klaus Rave, chairman of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), in his capacity as speaker of the advisory board of HUSUM WindEnergy. Dr Rave was also proud of the record number of exhibitors at the fair, especially in view of the challenges that face the global wind energy market.

Following the positive feedback from customers, exhibitors and visitors, Peter Becker, managing director of the trade fair, is looking forward even more to the 25th anniversary of the Husum Wind fair in 2014. “The tremendous encouragement that we received at the HUSUM WindEnergy, and which is reflected in the current bookings situation, fills us with confidence. We shall be holding HUSUM Wind, the world’s biggest wind trade fair, here in Husum again in 2014.”

Peter Becker also announced an even closer co-operation

30 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

with the partners in the Windallianz, which was founded in 2011, and which includes Deutsche Messe AG and the BWE among its members.

Deutsche Messe AG alternates the international wind trade fair annually between Husum and HANOVER MESSE. “Alternating between Husum and Hanover has proved to be an excellent decision. The wind industry has confirmed its innovativeness here in Husum, and is looking forward to the

coming year with confidence. And we are delighted to then offer the wind industry a unique international and economic setting with the HANOVER MESSE. With the leading issue of ‘Integrated industry’ and Russia as our partner country, we shall offer our exhibitors lots of different possibilities for establishing and developing international customer associations,” said Oliver Frese, division manager at Deutsche Messe AG.

husum windenergy report

Coveted certificate Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co KG, based in Herdecke, Germany, has made a coating system, newly certified by Germanischer Lloyd, for use in wind energy plants which was the focal point of its presentation at the recent HUSUM WindEnergy 2012 exhibition.

For increased requirements The Delta ® -Tone basecoat offers active cathodic protection, thereby fulfilling the increased requirements of wind energy plants in offshore operation. Application of the coating is via spin coating or spraying for larger fastening elements, such

as bolts for the securing of rotor blades. As no hydrogen is involved in the coating process, the risk of hydrogen embrittlement of the high-strength component as a result of the coating procedure can be safely excluded. In the subsequent stage the coating is cured at 180°C - 220°C for 30 - 60 minutes.

The organic topcoat in the form of Delta ® -Seal serves to further increase corrosion protection. However, the main advantage of this topcoat for use with wind energy plants is that slide and friction properties are satisfied, with the consequence that optimal connectability is provided in all assembly processes.

Additional benefits with topcoating include the fulfilment of requirements such as colour, temperature and UV resistance or resistance to chemicals.

The alternative to conventional systems Dörken MKS-Systeme points out that the system is now in use worldwide with almost all well-known manufacturers of wind energy plants, as it offers a safe and economical alternative to the conventional surface protection systems often used in wind energy plants. The low curing temperature means that it is also highly energy efficient and damage to the high-strength steel components caused by excessively high temperatures can be avoided. The low coat thickness means that it is sometimes possible to avoid the cost-intensive repeat cutting of the nut threads, enabling full-surface corrosion protection to also be achieved in the area of the thread.

High-performance corrosion protection for high-strength fastening elements makes a key contribution to largely enabling freedom from maintenance for the entire plant particularly in safety-relevant areas. www.doerken-mks.com

To receive the certificate by the Germanischer Lloyd, different test results had to be presented. Therefore a coated bolt was literally “taken apart”

32 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Photo: Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG

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n August 2012, following over 15 years of experience in the field and the approval of numerous leading wind energy manufacturers worldwide, Germanischer Lloyd granted the system structure of basecoat Delta ® -Tone and topcoat Delta ® -Seal certification for use on standard bolts for wind energy plants in the onshore and offshore fields. The high-strength fastening elements coated with this system, in particular those in the dimension range M24 to M48, have already been successfully employed in gondolas and rotor blade fastening for many years.

Certification by Germanischer Lloyd was accomplished via the presentation of the necessary measurement findings recorded by the Institut für Lackprüfung Andreas Keiner GmbH, Wettenberg, and the company Schatz AG, Remscheid, on the basis of corresponding accreditation. For example, the average coat thickness of the entire structure was measured at approximately 30µm, using various measurement methods.

The corrosion durability of the test bolts was tested for a minimum of 1,500 hours in salt spray testing in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9227. The coefficient of friction was also tested on a reference part from series coating under various conditions. The system of basecoat and topcoat with integrated lubricant demonstrated consistent overall coefficients of friction µtot in a window between 0.08 and 0.14. Adjustability in tight spreads - for example via lubricants - is possible.

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product news

NORMA Group improves V profile clamp assembly NORMA Group has launched an innovative V profile clamp that it says allows unprecedented ease of assembly. The new NORMACONNECT V PP profile clamp has been designed to meet the requirements for tight packaging spaces in the automotive industry.

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ORMACONNECT V PP profile clamps are patented connecting elements for flange pipes used in various applications including exhaust gas, cooling and filter systems, as well as turbochargers and charged air applications.

NORMA Group will start mass production of this new clamp together with a leading international producer of charged air and exhaust gas systems, and a European passenger vehicle manufacturer, as soon as this year. The NORMACONNECT V PP profile clamp will be produced in the facility in Gerbershausen, Germany, with approximately 1.3 million clamps to be manufactured in 2013.

The new NORMACONNECT V PP profile clamp is characterised by an integrated retaining clip that allows to prefix the clamp during assembly, and thus, compared to conventional V profile clamps, helps to eliminate the risk of tilting of the screw during assembly. www.normagroup.com

Böllhoff launches ECO-Shop

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For many years Böllhoff has provided its customers and all technically interested people the opportunity to download its whole product range of the Blue Pages as CAD-files. To fulfil demands on B2B-operations, Böllhoff has added shop functionality to the Blue Pages online. n the new ECO-Shop users will find all important information and technical details to every norm and more. Functionalities of the new ECO-Shop include:

Simple search

To find the right fastener, users can search by different functions: either by typing in the article or norm number directly or by full text search. Users can also search by their individual customer article number.

Alternatively, the step-by-step product selector function can be used to get to a desired fastener. Users can filter every article characteristic making the search for a fastener even simpler.

Latest stock information Users can keep well informed through hourly executed updates of stock information in the ECO-Shop. The availability of the articles is displayed by traffic lights, so users get a direct overview of the stock for all single dimensions of an article.

34 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

Saving and ordering of articles All available articles can be put into the shopping basket.

Before ordering, the amount can be checked and if necessary adapted.

The shopping basket can be sent by one click and can be saved under an individually selectable name. All articles can be stored in a favourite list that can be called up again or directly put into the shopping basket, saving a lot of time.

Interactive 3D-pictures In addition to CAD downloads, a 3D-picture is available for every norm, making the search for a specific fastener easier.

Tool suggestion Users can find the adequate tool for all special fasteners (e.g. Helicoil®) in the ECO-Shop. The right tools are suggested in relation to the number of plugged elements per year. www.boelhoff.com

Joining together! – our company vision.

A vision that inspires our company culture

For four generations, courage, fairness and

and daily life.

loyality have been the cornerstones of our

This inspiration drives our product program

business culture. The foundation on which

in the world of fastening and assembly

we have built success for our company, our

technology. “Joining together” is much

customers, our business partners and our

more than just a neat slogan. It is also a

employees.

business vision that puts people first.

Because it is people who put the vision

Böllhoff Group · Archimedesstr. 1–4

into practice and build the solid foundation

33649 Bielefeld · Germany

of our success today and in the future.

www.boellhoff.com · info@boellhoff.com

Joining together!

product news

GESIPA®’s TAURUS series GESIPA® states that its pneumatic hydraulic riveting tool - TAURUS series - is one of a kind in the industry due to its ability to save up to 68% of compressed air.

G

ESIPA explains that the compressed air required for setting of a blind rivet is re-used a second time for ejection of the spent rivet mandrel thereby switching-off the air suction mechanism completely through an easy to activate slide switch, giving even more substantial saving on the cost to the customers.

All tools of the TAURUS series use one single jaw type for all rivet dimensions. Equipped with a unique and completely new jaw mechanism, TAURUS tools provide safe and secure gripping of the mandrels. The jaws are propelled on the mandrel surface by the full energy of the compressed air, which is 10 times higher than the pressure applied by the spring. Each individual jaw of the three jaws slides back and forth in an individual channel in the jaw housing under perfect control. The two-step setting procedure helps eliminate the jamming of jaw and jaw housing due to dirt, leading to reduced wearing of jaws providing further costs saving on spare part consumption to the customers.

Available in a series from TAURUS 1 to 6, these pneumatic hydraulic riveters can set blind rivets from a diameter of 2.4mm to over 6.4mm in all materials, as well as Lock bolts (pin and collar) up to a diameter of 10mm.

The TAURUS series can be further enhanced with wide range of varied extensions for head, evacuation tube, built-in-spent mandrel container, pressure trigger to monitor the applied pressure before riveting, rivet counter and process control, all available from GESIPA®. www.gesipa.com

Special Screws directly from stock!

Knurled thumb screws 5.8, zinc plated According to DIN 464 and 653

Fit bolts, plugs, knurled thumb screws, square head bolts, flat headed screws, hexagon set screws, brass screws and specials.

Fon + 49 (0) 40 532 852- 0 Fax + 49 (0) 40 532 852- 52

111229_E26_RaĚ&#x2C6;ndel_92x134.indd 1

info@pasvahl.de www.pasvahl.de

29.12.2011 18:49:21 Uhr

product news

Kee Safety launches Fast-Fit™ Kee Safety has introduced the Fast-Fit™- a new off-the-shelf connection system for connecting steel sections together in construction and civil engineering applications without the need for drilling or welding.

F

ast-Fit is a clamping solution that comprises a frame designed to wrap around the edges of the two steelwork sections, before sliding into place.

This frame allows clamps to be quickly secured into place, ensuring a secure steel to steel connection.

A variety of angles can easily be achieved by sliding the beams relative to each other, and steel members can be quickly and easily re-aligned, if required.

Kee Safety explains that the Fast-Fit system delivers a guaranteed connection without the need for on-site testing.

Protective coatings on existing steelwork are maintained and no holes are needed to make the connection, so the structure retains its original strength and durability. As a clamping solution, Fast-Fit also eliminates the requirement for specialist skilled labour, saving time and cost on-site.

“Fast-Fit will save time and hassle on construction sites,” says Matt Jordan, group product manager at Kee Safety.

“Supplied as a kit solution in a single box, it provides a fast, versatile and safe option for connecting steelwork together, without risking any damage to the integrity of the structure.

It’s a solution that contractors and engineers can rely on.”

He adds: “Fast-Fit’s clever ‘patent pending’ design means that steel sections can be connected extremely quickly in comparison to traditional methods, without the need for on-site power or hot work permits.”

38 Faste ner + Fixing Te chnology • I ssue 7 Oct - Dec 2012

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Stand B72

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INNOVATION

DELTAÂŽ protects surfaces.

While you are reading this, we are still working on new technologies.

The most important thing in any company is the people who work there. And that is particularly true in our case. Because it is purely down to our colleagues, their know-how, their commitment, their expertise and their passion, that we are able to offer the world what it expects of us: innovation in zinc flake technology and now in electroplating systems too. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we work 365 days a year for. Even while you are reading this. More info at www.doerken-mks.com