Fastener + Fixing Magazine #52

World Leaders for the Manufacturing of Standard Metric Retaining Rings

UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 AND ISO TS 16949:2002 CERTIFIED BENERI S.p.A. Viale XXV Aprile, 56 - 23868 Valmadrera (Lc) - Italy Phone: +39 0341 581101 - Fax: +39 0341 583471 - Email: info@beneri.com - Website: www.beneri.com

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Mainland Europe Germany Phone +49 (0) 2565 93250 Fax +49 (0) 2565 932593

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Achieving the gold standard

34-36 104

80

Solar energy

CONTENTS NEWS Europe and World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18 America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-24 Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Russia & CIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-30 EVENTS CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 COVER STORY Achieving the gold standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-36 EXHIBITIONS Fastener Fair Budapest Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-46 Fastener Fair Coventry Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52-62

Hardening and tempering of fasteners

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48

A day to remember

NEWS UPDATE A day to remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48-50 INSIGHT Aptus connects at Fastener Fair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 fischer has double celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66-68 CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70-72 FOCUS ON Construction Anchors & Fixings . . . . . . . . . . . . 73-75 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY A new technology is coming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76-78 Hardening & tempering of fasteners . . . . . . . . 80-84 Hotmatic debut in the Black Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88-90 TOOLS News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92-96

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MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS Realise wireless opportunities today . . . . . . . 98-100 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY Solar energy without a flicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 TECHNICAL Riveting innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108-112

Fastener Fair Coventry Report

CATALOGUE RACK Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114-118 PRODUCTS News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120-136 RECRUITMENT & ADVERTISERS INDEX. . . . . . . . . . 138

4

Please tell us what’s going on Over the last few months the upheaval in the raw material market has eclipsed the antidumping investigation. Based on the emails I have

By Phil Matten received in recent weeks - all variants on “please tell us what’s going on” attention is clearly refocusing as the 9 August deadline for an announcement on preliminary tariffs looms.

Truth is no one is really the wiser, or likely to be, until the Commission publishes its decision in the Official Journal of the European Union. The investigation proceedings are strictly confidential - probably an unavoidable, but certainly frustrating, necessity. The high level of interest in this particular case appears to have made the Commission even more intent on ensuring secrecy.

It is evident, though, that market economy status (MES) has been refused to Chinese fastener producers.

This means the dumping margins, on which the tariff decision is based, will be determined by comparing Chinese export prices with domestic prices in a market economy. India remains the most likely candidate, despite deep reservations expressed by opponents to the complaint. The key implication is that tariffs, if applied, will be significantly higher than were MES to have been granted to the Chinese factories.

One persistent suggestion at present is that the Commission may decide not to apply preliminary tariffs; instead using the additional period until a definitive decision is required in January to continue its investigation. Now, this magazine has tried to be careful to avoid adding fuel to the blaze of speculation that periodically billows smoke across the industry. However, there are enough indicators at the moment to, at least, make this scenario worthy of consideration.

The case has proven extremely complex and demanding – cause for little surprise to anyone within the fastener industry but, significantly, something acknowledged by investigators on a number of occasions recently. There may also be an added complication since the Commission instigated an investigation into alleged dumping of wire rod from China, Turkey and Moldova on 8 May. Representatives of the Chinese fastener industry have been quick to highlight that the refusal to grant MES was largely based on an assessment that the cost of Chinese wire rod is distorted – pre-empting, they argue, the outcome of the wire rod investigation.

What is clear, as this is written early in July, is that the investigators are still actively encouraging the submission of formal evidence. So, whatever the reasoning, it does appear feasible the Commission might issue a status report ahead of the preliminary tariff deadline and continue investigating.

That could, I suppose, be good news for objectors in one sense, allowing further opportunities to present evidence to challenge the complaint. However, it would also mean the uncertainly grinding on into 2009 – prolonging the corrosive effect on the businesses of all the stakeholders.

The investigators are tightly bound by the provisions of the EU antidumping regulation and, I have no doubt, are intent on doing a thorough job. Nevertheless, it is hard not to feel a sense of the emperor fiddling while Rome burns. Market conditions have changed dramatically since September 2007 when the complaint was lodged. Those changes may or may not have altered the basic premise of the complaint but, at the least, they must bring into question whether a decision based strictly on 2006-2007 data can be accurately applied in 2009.

I am sure it is far too much to expect but, if the investigation is to continue, the Commission would demonstrate a real empathy towards the fastener industry as a whole by defining a specific date on which, not by which, a decision will be announced. That way companies could get on with business in the interim, already complicated enough, rather than operating with a sword suspended on a hair above their heads.

Of course, by the time you read this, a decision may already have been announced and you will know what I certainly do not, right now.

Promoting professionalism I have always been very impressed by the Certified Fastener Specialist training program, delivered by the Los Angeles Fastener Association since 1998. Over 600 people have participated in the program since its inception, with more than 200 achieving graduation. As you will see from our North American News pages, courtesy of Fastenernews.com, LAFA’s Fastener Training Institute has now partnered with the Industrial Fastener Institute to offer a concentrated version of the course nationally. IFI has also now launched an online Fastener Technical Data Service, which I look forward to exploring. I do not see equivalent initiatives in the European fastener industry. Maybe I haven’t been looking in the right places, in which case hopefully someone will put me right, or maybe there is a real opportunity to learn from our colleagues across the Atlantic.

Fastener & Fixing Magazine 18 Alban Park, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 OJJ, UK Tel: 0044 (0) 1727 739 150 Fax: 0044 (0) 1727 831 033 Publisher Jeremy Ramsdale jerry@fastfair.net

Editor Phil Matten phil@fastfair.net

Assistant Editor Will Lowry will@fastfair.net

Advertising Director Jamie Mitchell jamie@fastfair.net

Senior Advertising Executive Harry Whyte harry@fastfair.net

Advertising Executive Claire Lake claire@fastfair.net

Production Manager Gemma Edwards production@fastfair.net 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. 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.

Copyright Entire contents copyright © Fastener Fairs Limited 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.

Annual subscription (6 issues) to non-trade and outside EU is £80/€120/$160

6

Bufab acquires Mercantile OY Bufab has confirmed that it has acquired Mercantile OY with operations in Finland and Estonia.

Mercantile is a major player in the Finnish industrial fastener market with annual sales of SEK 190 million (20 million euros) and approximately 50 employees. The new company will be called Bufab Mercapartner OY. ”This is an important step for Bufab”, says Hans Björstrand, CEO of Bufab. ”It is a very positive move. It gives us new possibilities to strengthen our positions in the Finnish and Estonian market and to strengthen our position to important strategic customers. Our strategy is to continue to expand during the coming years to become a leading supplier of fasteners and small parts worldwide”.

Saint-Gobain acquires Rencol Tolerance Rings Saint-Gobain a manufacturer, processor and distributor of materials, has acquired Rencol Tolerance Rings, a UK based subsidiary of ERIKS group NV, for a total of £12.5 million.

The arrangement includes the company’s activities in Bristol and Japan, and the 51% controlling interest in Rencol MMI Technology pte in Singapore.

Saint-Gobain has over 200,000 employees around the world, of which over 20,000 are in the UK and Ireland. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, the company will be integrated into the Bearing Business Unit and change its name accordingly to Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Rencol Ltd. Jim Smith, managing director, will report to Marc Aerts, general manager bearings. About the acquisition Mr Smith commented: “This announcement represents an exciting opportunity for this company as Saint-Gobain has established extensive global sales channels and the product families complement each other, which will enable both companies to grow faster.”

NORMA Group enters Indian market NORMA Group, a global and innovative engineering partner and manufacturer of hose and pipe clamping, connecting products, as well as fluid systems, has announced the joint venture between NORMA Group and Taurus Flexible PVT.LTD., of Pune, State of Maharashtra, India.

The Taurus Group is a manufacturer of automotive tubes and hoses, employs more than 100 people and had a revenue over 125 Mio INR in 2006.

“Having analysed the Indian market, we realised how important it is to have a solid base of engineers and sales people within the local OEM industry.

TAURUS is a very well established company in the automotive industry, particularly commercial vehicles, which is in our focus here in India” said Mr. Bernd Kleinhens, managing director of NORMA Group Holding GmbH. The joint venture, likely to be named NORMA Group Products India PVT LTD., will be headquartered at Taurus’s Talegaon campus near Pune and will begin manufacturing operations by mid-2008. The joint venture will introduce products from the NORMACLAMP®, NORMACONNECT® and NORMAFLUID® product families.

Kee Safety announces new acquisition Kee Safety International Ltd, a supplier of handrail, guard rail, roof edge protection and steelwork connections has announced the acquisition of Dunn & Cowe Ltd, a UK supplier of fall arrest anchor devices.

Kee Safety International Ltd says that the combined portfolio will enable it to offer customers a more extensive range of personal and collective safety products, all designed to separate people from hazards.

“We are delighted to have completed the purchase of such a well established company as Dunn & Cowe.” Comments Chris Milburn, group

managing director of Kee Safety International Ltd. “The acquisition significantly enhances our existing fall protection range and we can now make this available to our global customer base. We will also gain the benefit of the industry expertise amassed by Dunn & Cowe over the years to help us expand our existing safety product portfolio even further.”

The purchase of Dunn & Cowe adds a range of safety eyebolts, deadweight systems and wire technology to the existing Kee Safety portfolio, which includes Kee Klamp® safety components, Kee Guard® roof edge protection and BeamClamp® steelwork connections.

8

Everbuild buys Purimachos UK based Everbuild Building Products Ltd has acquired Purimachos Ltd, a UK manufacturer of heat resistant fire cements and related products.

Everbuild has purchased the assets, plant and machinery, stock, brand names and goodwill from the Receiver following Purimachos’ receivership at the start of June.

The company is one of the oldest established manufacturers of Fire Cement and Quick Set Cement

in the UK, and was founded in 1882 by John Charles Morgan. He first experimented and refined the formula for manufacturing Fire Cement – leading to a marketable product bearing the name Purichamos, itself derived from the Greek and meaning “resistant to fire”. Purimachos’ manufacturing has been moved from Bristol to the Everbuild plant in Leeds, where all Purimachos products will be manufactured in-house.

Trifast preliminary results Pre-tax profit of £8.81 million (11.14 million euros), which held to the same level as 2007, and a seven-year-high operating margin of 8.2% were highlighted in Trifast PLC preliminary results for the year to 31 March 2008.

Net debt was reduced by £4.5million to £8.2 million (10.37 million euros), giving a gearing of 15.5%.

Cash flow from operations was described as strong at £11.4million and the company announced full year dividend increased by 15%.

Sales declined by 7% to £122.4 million attributed to closure of customer sites in Europe and ‘exiting’ from customers that did not meet Trifast’s profitability criteria. Gross profit margin improved to 27.6%.

Group CEO Steve Auld commented, ““Thanks to the management initiatives we have adopted, we are now enjoying better operating returns as the quality of our business has improved, despite the challenges presented by the marketplace.”

Kem Edwards expands Kem Edwards, suppliers of M&E and site supplies, has opened branches in Bristol and Manchester as part of a £2million investment programme that will also see the establishment of a new dedicated service supports Prefabrication Facility.

This expansion signals the fastest period of growth for the company since its launch nearly forty years ago and it will retain its Sunbury-on-Thames, London, headquarters. New staff, including regional account managers, have been recruited to help handle increased business levels.

Richard Edwards, managing director of Kem Edwards, explains the customer benefits created by the expansion; “While we have always provided a national service, having regional branches for our customers and their projects will help them get more from our innovative products and solutions.”

Kem Edwards has built a reputation for innovation and service for all sizes of construction projects and it hopes that these moves will allow it to compete more strongly for the growing number of major regional projects, particular in the South West and North West of England and in Wales.

The dedicated Pre-fabrication facility will allow increased levels of off-site work for customers, helping save time and skills required on-site and also reducing waste. The service was launched last year from Sunbury-on-Thames and has outgrown its current site.

By working to a customer’s schedule, Kem Edwards can quickly supply a fully palletised delivery of pre-fabricated support assemblies.

“By providing pre-fabrication in a controlled environment we are helping improve accuracy and this ensures ease-of-use on-site and helps control costs by saving time and skills required. We are seeing a massive increase in the demand for this service,” added Richard Richard Edwards outside the new Manchester branch Edwards.

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Scapa results stronger Scapa Group plc, global supplier of technical adhesive tapes, announced preliminary results for the year ending March 2008.

Trading profit increased 36% to £9.5 million, delivering a similar increase in return on sales at 5.6%.

Chief executive Calvin O’Connor said: "The results for the year clearly demonstrate the substantial improvement in Scapa’s performance despite the tougher trading environment experienced in North America in the second half of the financial year. Whilst the current outlook is for challenging market conditions for the rest of 2008, we remain confident that the Group’s business improvement programme will continue to drive Scapa forward and have accordingly reinstated a dividend.”

2007-8 sales of £170.1 million represented a fall of £14.2 million in absolute terms but Scapa says that, allowing for business disposals (£18.1m) and foreign exchange (£1.6m), the underlying sales trend was 3.3% growth.

European trading profit increased by 138% to £5m, a £2.9m improvement driven by substantial improvements in the performance of two UK plants. Europe accounts for 60% of business. New Asian management is reported to have delivered improvements in trading profit and a repositioning from low value cloth tapes towards higher added value products, particularly for electronics. North American sales were flat with growth from the medical sector offsetting a 20% decline in the construction and building sector.

Laying the foundations for new WASI logistics centre In February, the construction of the new logistics centre of WAGENER & SIMON WASI GmbH & Co. KG, with headquarters in Wuppertal, started.

On 6th June the laying of the foundation stone for the advanced development took place.

For the medium term, WASI intends to invest around 30 million euros in the new facility in Wuppertal-Ronsdorf.

The construction project is the largest single investment of the Würth Group for the year 2008.

The 44,000m2 will be dominated by a building of 110m in length and 30m in height, housing a fully automated high-bay warehouse for 10,300 pallets.

The site is to be developed in stages, whereby the first phase is the construction of a hall with a floor area of 10,000m2. In order to meet future demands, there are already plans for a 15,000m2 extension.

“Located on a freeway, the site offers excellent accessibility, which is a key requirement considering that up to 30 lorry loads of goods will be supplied to or collected from the warehouse every day. The new logistics centre is to open in 2009.”

Huntsman appoints new distributor Huntsman Advanced Materials has appointed Antala SL as a main distributor of Araldite® 2000 PLUS adhesives in Spain and Portugal.

Antala SL has been established for over a decade and specialises in the automotive, transport, electrical and renewable energy markets.

Commenting on the partnership Gabriel De La Torriente, (Sales engineer for Spain & Portugal), said: “Antala SL has a long and successful track record in the distribution of specialty chemicals, including chemical products, engineering plastics and special tools and it was because of this expertise that Huntsman Advanced Materials has chosen to work with Antala SL.” “We are able to provide technical support and excellent customer service, supplying key brands such as the Araldite® 2000 PLUS range”, said Antonio Argudo, managing director, Antala SL. “Our strategy has always been very simple: we combine quality brands with a good technical team, ensure stock controls are maintained and provide excellent customer service. We are delighted to now be working in partnership with Huntsman and the Araldite® range”.

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New Hungarian warehouse for CELO CELO S.A, the division of CELO GROUP dedicated to the manufacture of special screws, has built a new logistic warehouse in Tatabanya, Hungary.

The company, with headquarters based in Barcelona, produces 8 million parts per day in an ISO/TS 16949 approved factory. The core business of CELO is the production of screws for plastics (Remform®, Plastite®) and trilobular screws (Taptite2000®, Fastite®, Powerlok®) for the automotive, home appliance, electronics, toys and electrical products markets.

“In order to improve our relationship with the customers, and following the company strategy to be close to the final users, we decided to build a warehouse in Hungary. With this new facility we will be able to supply the parts to the customers established in Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Romania. It will also enable us to supply to the whole of Europe, through our central warehouse in Barcelona (Spain), the new facility in Tatabanya (Hungary), and the logistic base for safety stocks in Lodz (Poland).”

New name in fasteners Burwood Fastener Products is a specialist supplier of fasteners, hardware and other consumable products for the aerospace, automotive and commercial industry and prides itself on providing complete supply chain solutions to suit the individual needs of the customer.

Previously part of Burwood Aviation, Burwood Fastener Products set itself apart from the umbrella company in April 2007 and says it is now solely dedicated to the provision of a quality product and innovative service to its global customer base.

Managing director Howard Gerstein comments: “This industry is a highly demanding and competitive business and with the new management team in place, we look to forward to continuing our growth within this sector over the coming years.”

Mixed initial reactions to CPD revision proposal The European Commission has issued a proposal for the revision of the Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC) for consultation.

The implications of the proposed revision are wide-ranging and potentially very significant for construction fixings products. Simplification of the CPD is one of the key initiatives under the new strategy, “to clarify and reduce the administrative burden of the CPD, in particular for SMEs, through increased flexibility in the formulation and use of technical specifications, lighter certification rules, and the elimination of the implementation obstacles that so far have hampered the creation of a full internal market for construction products.” The proposal includes provision to replace ETA Guidelines (ETAGs) and the Common Understanding Assessment Procedure (CUAP) by “a single simplified route, the European Assessment Document (EAD)”.

While SMEs have long been critical of the time and cost involved in achieving an ETA, which has been seen as advantaging larger manufacturers, concerns are already being expressed that the revision proposals, if enacted, could significantly undermine the integrity of the ETA system. A full copy of the revision proposal can be downloaded from: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/construction/cpdrevision/cpd_revision_intro_en.htm

Vegas show booking strongly The National Industrial Fastener Show/West is “off to a blazing start with record exhibit space sales”, according to show manager, Susan A. Hurley.

“We are running well ahead of previous years with 776 booths contracted by 598 companies at the end of May. This is 5% ahead of the same period last year. We are also seeing companies reserving more space. At this pace, we expect to exceed 900 booths at the 12th Annual Show & Conference next November.”

The National Industrial Fastener Show/West will be staged November 2-4, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

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CBM warns OEMs on risks of not taking higher prices Britain’s fastener manufacturers are being urged to stand their ground in a price war with buyers acting for their biggest customers - the UK‘s automotive industry and white-goods firms.

Their trade association says it is “absurd” to expect hard-pressed component suppliers to absorb consistent double-digit rises in the cost of both raw materials and energy.

In an open letter to the end-user manufacturers, the director-general of the Confederation of British Metalforming, John Houseman (pictured), outlines his belief that the fastener producers must be allowed to recoup their increased costs.

“Our member firms who manufacture fasteners account for only 3% of Corus’s annual rod/wire output, so when it pushes prices up, they haven’t the commercial weight to refuse. Equally, I understand the buyers’ perennial mindset that they should demand ’cost downs’, and oppose price increases by component suppliers.”

“During buoyant economic periods, some fastener manufacturers may have chosen to absorb part of the increased costs. However, when the cost of steel, gas and electricity is rising each month, it becomes impossible. I don’t think the manufacturers of our cars, our lorries, our fridges and all our other manufactured goods which require fasteners have yet realised what will happen, if this impasse continues.

“If the buyers go elsewhere, domestic firms will lose turnover, and because their fixed overheads are so high, their margins will be eliminated. If the buyers try to source safety critical fasteners in the Far East, they will immediately encounter supply chain difficulties, lack of traceability and quality problems.”

“The EU Commission is likely to impose tariffs on cheap China-made fasteners later this year, so the buyers will soon have to pay more for their imports. As the rising cost of steel and energy are global issues, they’ll soon be forced into renegotiations with their new suppliers, whether they are in China, India, Vietnam or the Philippines.

“The only sensible solution for all concerned is for our automotive sector and white-goods manufacturers to tell their buyers to accept price rises reflecting the increased costs facing the fastener makers. This will protect their security of supply and retain faithful suppliers.”

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EIFI Congress in Venice On 16th May, the European Industrial Fastener Institute Annual Congress was held in Venice. There were more than 50 attendees representing 8 European countries.

At the General Assembly the EIFI president, Jean-Paul Micheau, announced the recommendation of the Board to take EIFI from being “a nice club” to an organisation that provides useful services to fastener manufacturers, in line with the proposals of the Strategy Meeting in April. Additional resource is needed because the EIFI secretariat is currently a part-time function. The Assembly approved a plan to take this strategy forward, and to appoint Orgalime in Brussels to provide some of the additional services required. Orgalime currently provides lobbying services into the European

Parliament for a number of engineering organisations including EIFI. The Congress provided various informative assessments of business trends and conditions in the automotive, aerospace, stainless, and general fasteners sectors, and included reviews of the perceived effects of the 2005 antidumping tariffs on stainless steel fasteners, and on the status of the current EC action on carbon steel anti-dumping.

There were two guest speakers. First was Gianmarco Giorda, director of operations of ANFIA, the Italian automotive industry association, who talked about the structure and role of ANFIA, innovation in the Italian automotive industry, and the status of both the Italian automotive industry and that of its

Wire 2010 dates announced Düsseldorf Messe has announced the dates for the twelfth wire and Tube international trade fairs as 12 to 16 April 2010.

METAV will not be staged in conjunction with the wire and tube events. Wire 2008 reported 18% growth in visitors compared to 2006, with an 11% increase in international visitors.

Achilles Seibert with new company in China Achilles Seibert GmbH is going to open its first affiliated trading company in Shanghai, China.

Achill Asia-Pacific Co. Ltd. will operate as an independent company on behalf of the group. Working in Asia, Achilles Seibert says the new company will continue Achilles well-known and successful sales strategy of the “Big Bolts” and the “Long Thins” – a stock programme of screws with hexagon socket and hexagon insert, according to DIN / ISO, for special niches and ranges.

The company will be run by Timo Scholle who successfully managed the Seibert representation office in Shanghai for the last three years. The location of the building (office and warehouse) is just southwest of Shanghai centre in the Meilong/ Minhang district. The opening celebration is scheduled for October.

For international and domestic clients the 3 main lines of supply are: • Direct containers from the factory.

• A stock programme of standard sizes hexagon socket and hexagon insert for immediate export shipments worldwide.

• The third line of supply is mainly targeted on Chinese clients, foreign owned or joint venture factories who are engaged in engineering or steel-construction and rely on the European know how.

Moreover, Achill Asia-Pacific will become a service provider of individual stock-keeping and value added services, e.g. OEM Production of drawing- and special parts, packing, sorting, set-production and labelling according to customer’s requirements.

component suppliers.

The second guest speaker was Franco Polotti, the president of Ori Martin, a modern steel wire producer in Italy, who talked about the current crisis with steel supplies. With the aid of an interpreter, Mr Polotti explained how his company in particular had been affected by the increased costs of raw materials. Various factors including the demand from emerging markets had resulted in iron ore prices rising by 65%, coke by 50%, and scrap prices doubling. This has caused one electric arc melter who is totally dependent on scrap to slow production due to restricted supply.

Report by Dr John Newnham, Confederation of British Metalforming.

Three exhibitions in 2009 for Mack Brooks Mack Brooks Exhibitions has announced dedicated sheet metal working exhibitions in Russia, Poland and India next year.

The organisers of the leading international sheet metal working exhibition EuroBLECH, held for the 20th time in October this year in Hannover, Germany, will organise the BLECH series of events every other year. Unlike EuroBLECH which targets a global audience, BLECH Russia, BLECH Polska and BLECH India are designed for the respective national markets.

BLECH Russia will take place from 10-13 March 2009 in St Petersburg.

Co-located with one of Russia’s major industrial trade shows, St. PT Fair, and an integrated event for the automotive industry AUTOPROM, the exhibition will bring together international suppliers of sheet metal machinery, tools and systems with a high profile Russian visitor base. BLECH Russia is organised by Restec-Brooks, a joint venture between Mack Brooks Exhibitions and Russian exhibition orgainser Restec.

Next, BLECH Polska will take place from 27-29 October 2009 in Kielce, Poland.

The launch event, organised in November 2007 in Warsaw, was fully booked: Some 100 exhibitors showcased a comprehensive range of metal-forming and fabrication solutions. With more than 1,500 visitors, the exhibition which also comprised a conference was thoroughly successful.

The organisers have now moved the BLECH Polska exhibition to a new venue, the Kielce Exhibition Centre, which offers more hall space for exhibitors. Kielce is situated between Krakow and Warsaw, 100km north of Krakow. Manufacturing and processing of metal is particularly concentrated in this south-eastern region of Poland where several foundries and producers of steel and semi-finished products are based.

The third in the series of BLECH events in 2009, BLECH India, will be held from 18-20 November 2009 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre – NSE Complex in Mumbai. BLECH India is organised by Inter Ads-Brooks Exhibitions (India) Pvt.Ltd, a joint venture between Mack Brooks Exhibitions and Inter Ads Ltd, India.

Like the other two BLECH events, BLECH India covers all sectors of the sheet metal manufacturing process, including metal-forming and bending solutions, stamping, pressing, automation, flexible manufacturing systems, metal supply, cutting, punching, tooling, laser technology, CAD/CAM, finishing/coating, quality assurance and material handling.

18

Harrison & Clough supports College Harrison & Clough has donated £500 worth of Hardman tools to a local college and in exchange, NVQ level 3 students created a workbench for the company’s showroom.

In addition to the complimentary tools, Harrison & Clough negotiated a 25% discount for Park Lane College Keighley students when purchasing Hardman products from Pickard Hardware, Keighley.

The presentation took place at Harrison & Clough’s Keighley showroom and was followed by the installation of the workbench in the purpose-built product demonstration room. The arrangement continues the many support initiatives launched by Harrison & Clough intended to assist the local educational community.

Louise Morris, business manager at Harrison & Clough explained: “We’ve been really impressed with the set up at the College and also their development plans for the future. As a local company Harrison & Clough are proud to take a part in this positive development by working with the College in conjunction with Pickard Hardware to help equip the students with the right tools for the job.”

Nestinox strengthens export team In May Nestinox welcomed Mrs Yvette Groenewoud to its export department in internal sales.

Yvette has been placed in charge of all export contacts (with the exception of Germany and Belgium, where Nestinox already has its own sales branches). Yvette Groenewoud gained her experience while working for an IT company, operating in the transport sector and an international IT player serving the oil and gas market.

On completion of an intensive training course at Nestinox headquarters in Best (NL) Yvette will commence the task of intensifying the company’s export contacts.

Unlucky for some No sign of triskaidekaphobia for the winning team at Prelok’s 2008 Golf Day held on Friday 13th June.

The event was staged at Shrigley Hall Golf and Country Resort and despite the date, and a challenging course, was thoroughly enjoyed by over fifty attendees.

With Prelok managing director, Ian Vickerstaff (left) are: Greg Johnson, Stuart Smith, Lee Jewkes and Peter Parker (who also won the individual Stapleford prize).

Spirol adds to staff Spirol Industries has appointed Javier Raposo as its new business development manager for Europe.

Javier will be responsible for sales development in Europe of the company’s range of coiled pins, solid pins and disc springs. He will also be developing the company’s European sales structure and distribution network.

Born in Spain, Javier has a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from the School of Engineering of Bilbao, part of the Basque Country University. He went on to complete his M.Sc. and MBA qualifications in Paris.

His work experience includes positions with Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting) and Bridgestone as export engineer for the industrial products department.

He then went on to work for a Belgian MNC as sales engineer, supervising a network of 10 aggregates industry agents in Spain.

Going Scally Rallying Drive a Ford Mondeo 1.8, rescued from the scrap heap and barely able to pass the ‘MOT’, round Ireland from where the Titantic was built in Belfast’s famous docks to Cork, where she set sail for her fateful maiden voyage – well, you would, wouldn’t you.

Actually no, we’re not sure we would but we do know someone who intends to do exactly that in September.

The man? – John Hall of West Midlands Fasteners along, he says, with a couple of his similarly misguided chums.

The event? - The Irish Scally Rally – a unique charity run, claimed to be the “Ultimate Banger Rally”, in which entrants must use a car purchased for less than £100, to complete a 1,000 mile course that takes in Ireland’s most northerly and southerly points and some outstanding scenery – oh yes, and at least two stretches of road that have previously qualified as world class rally stages.

The cause? - The Birmingham Children’s Hospital. To find out more about the Scally Rally go to www.scallyrally.co.uk. To offer John your sponsorship, or question his sanity, or preferably both – call him on 0121 503 0213 or email john@westmidsfasteners.co.uk.

Hopefully we’ll bring you news and photos in a future issue – assuming, of course, John and his team are ever seen again. As for John, he reckons it has to be an investment, the way steel prices are going the car will be worth more as scrap by the time it gets to Cork. There’s confidence – getting there, that is.

20

By John Wolz editor@FastenerNews.com

IFI launches Online Fastener Technical Data Service The Industrial Fasteners Institute launched its Technology Connection online technical data service.

“Using pull-down menus to describe fasteners, subscribers can see all of the technical information related to that product instantly on a single screen. The information can be viewed, printed, or saved as a PDF file. This cuts the time to find technical information by at least 80% and puts it in a format you can keep for yourself or share with your customers,” IFI technical engineering director Joe Greenslade told FastenerNews.com.

Technology Connection provides material, dimensional or performance standards and specifications for inch and metric standard nuts, bolts, screws, washers and socket products. Standards include IFI, ASTM, ASME,

ISO and DIN. The online service offers single page summaries, standards tables, parts diagrams and all relevant data. Torque values are added and there are conversion and calculation tools. The web service has been developed for distributors, importers, end-users and fastener manufacturing sales and operations personnel.

The product standards module provides all specifications integrated into a single page: Torque calculator, inch/metric conversion, fraction/inch/decimal/millimetre conversion, international raw materials cross references, technical bulletins, mechanical drawing, head & strength marks, dimensional data, thread data, grade, hardness, tensile strength, proof load, yield strength and single shear.

Future phases will add data lookup tables

HTI announces fuel surcharge Hit with skyrocketing fuel costs, Heads & Threads International will implement a fuel surcharge (FSC) on all prepaid shipments beginning August 1, 2008.

"HTI has experienced a 21% increase on outbound freight paid shipments over last year and over 40% over a few years ago," the company stated. "This increase is a direct result of a fuel surcharge (FSC) that all carriers have implemented."

The company noted that the national average cost of diesel fuel recently exceeded US$4.72 per gallon, up over US$2 per gallon from a year ago and over US$1 per gallon since March.

The FSC will be a rate per pound multiplied by the total weight of the invoice and will appear as a separate line on the invoice. The FSC will not be added to ‘collect’, ‘will call’ or ‘prepaid’ and ‘add shipments’.

"Trying to predict what impact the FSC will have on a given product line, so as to include it in our item price, could (depending on your product) artificially increase your total quote price," CEO Michael Wrenn and sales vice president Rich Megliola said in a joint statement.

"This is something we categorically oppose."

The FSC will be directly linked to the cost of diesel fuel and the carrier's FSC, meaning it will rise and fall with the U.S. National Average Diesel Fuel Index, which is published by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.

"We firmly believe that the time has come for the fastener industry to adopt its own FSC separate and distinct from the cost of the product itself," they added. Web: headsandthreads.com

for such information as thread data, grade and property class, tapping screw mechanical and performance data, drill and tap selection.

Greenslade is conducting online conference demonstrations to showcase the service. "I've worked on a lot of neat projects over the years, and this is right at the top in terms of its contribution to the industry." The IFI also offers free 10-day trials to let potential subscribers test the service.

For a more comprehensive source of technical information, the IFI's books will continue to be around for a while. Greenslade said he didn't envision the new service as replacing the IFI's standards manuals. The IFI incorporated about 90% of the tabled data from its standards books into the program, plus documents on ISO and DIN standards.

Web: indfast.org.

Alcoa CEO: Fasteners 'extremely profitable' Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld told Dow Jones News that Alcoa won't be shy in making bolt-on acquisitions on the downstream side, noting a recent deal to buy two aerospace fastener businesses.

During the first quarter of 2008 Alcoa boosted its aerospace capacity by acquiring Republic Fastener Manufacturing Corp. and Van Petty Manufacturing, both of Newbury Park, CA. The companies have a total of 240 employees and combined 2007 revenue of US$51 million.

"You don't feel emotionally attached to a fastener until you realize that it attaches the plane [that you're sitting in] together," Kleinfeld said. "They're highly sophisticated, tiny elements, extremely profitable, and the market is suffering from a lack of supply."

Alcoa's Engineered Solutions segment, including Alcoa Fastening Systems, reported revenue topped US$5.7 billion in 2007, while income declined to US$316 million, despite a 36% jump in profit at AFS.

22

Acument forms aerospace division Acument Global Technologies Inc. CEO Rick Dauch announced a new aerospace division to expand and focus its high performance aerospace threaded fastener market.

Acument Aerospace will be headquartered in Rockford, IL, and headed by Randy Aardema as general manager.

The new business unit follows the March 2008 announcement of Acument's re-entry into the aerospace threaded fastener market with the opening of its Camcar Aerospace production complex, occupying two renovated facilities in Rockford.

Engineers at the Camcar aerospace research and development lab are working jointly with the Northern Illinois University School of Engineering to conduct a US$750,000 federally-funded study on next-generation titanium aerospace fasteners.

Following the Camcar Aerospace announcement, Acument acquired Burbank, CA-based Saturn Fasteners, a specialty aerospace threaded fastener

supplier. Saturn gave Acument an established base of more than 300 global customers and an immediate presence in the Southern California aerospace community. Saturn and Camcar Aerospace now will operate as part of the Acument Aerospace business unit.

Aardema was named general manager of Aerospace & Technology for the Acument Global Technologies North America business unit in April 2008.

Aardema joined Acument (then Textron Fastening Systems) from the parent Textron corporation in 2002. He previously held senior leadership positions in Textron operations, sales and general management primarily with the Textron Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Corporate organizations. In 2005 he was appointed director of Textron Fastening Systems’ North America Operations Region 2. When Acument’s North America Business Unit was established in late 2006, Aardema was appointed director of continuous improvement. Web: acument.com

"Sweet smell of machine oil" A generation of Americans grew up not realizing the importance of manufacturing and "the sweet smell of machine oil," U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo lamented in a speech to the Mid-West Fastener Association meeting held in Rockford, IL. Students were sent to college to learn medicine or law, he noted. "There was an attitude that something was wrong if dad worked in manufacturing," Manzullo recalled.

The demise of pride in manufacturing also reduced the numbers of students entering engineering school. "We should look upon manufacturing as the backbone of the American economy," Manzullo urged. The backbone is not the much-talked-about banking industry. "The banking industry needs something to finance." And the service economy puts nothing out the door," Manzullo pointed out. It is wrong to "replace manufacturing with unemployment," he added.

In contrast, other countries continue to prize manufacturing jobs. In those nations the emphasis is on how to improve manufacturing. That long-term view has paid off for Japan.

Part of the American problem is that public companies are under huge short-term pressure to generate maximum profits instead of investing in the future, Manzullo acknowledged. But the U.S. can still manufacture, declared the congressman first electing in 1992.

Aerospace is the nation's number one export and there is a critical shortage of engineers.

Manzullo criticized his fellow Republican - George W. Bush for the "horrible error of steel tariffs" during Bush's first term as president. Instead today "free market forces left alone are yielding extraordinary things taking place in the steel industry," Manzullo said. Foreign producers are taking advantage of the opportunities.

Manzullo noted one of his legislative aides recently bought a Toyota Prius and noticed 62% of components are American parts. In order to be NAFTA compliant, the American parts are used in a car assembled in Japan.

The negative attitude toward manufacturing jobs has to change, Manzullo said. "As we look at the next generation, that crap's got to stop."

B/E Aerospace to buy Honeywell's aerospace fastener unit B/E Aerospace Inc. agreed to buy Honeywell's aerospace fastener distribution business, Honeywell Consumable Solutions, for US$1.05 billion, transforming B/E Aerospace into one of the largest distributors of aerospace fasteners in the world.

"The combination of HCS and B/E Aerospace will create a leading global distributor and value added supply chain manager of aerospace hardware and other consumable products from locations in all key geographic markets worldwide," stated B/E Aerospace CEO Amin Khoury. "The combined company will serve as a distributor for every major aerospace fastener manufacturer in the world."

As part of the deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, B/E will enter into a 30-year contract to become Honeywell's exclusive licensee to sell fasteners, seals and other products to the global aerospace industry.

By 2009, B/E's distribution business segment "is expected to be our largest and most profitable segment and is expected to generate revenues of approximately US$1.2 billion," or about 43% of overall revenue at the company.

Honeywell acknowledged that HCS was a growing business, but said it no longer fit the parent company's focus on more advanced technologies.

Market analysts seemed excited about the transaction. "The deal lines up the two largest players in the aerospace fastener distribution market and solidifies B/E's dominant position," noted research analysts at Oppenheimer.

In 2007 B/E Aerospace reported its distribution segment, including fasteners, generated a 53.7% jump in sales to US$386.5 million, reflecting a higher level of revenues from first and second tier aerospace manufacturers and from higher military sales.

Operating income soared 69% to US$85.5 million.

B/E Aerospace acquired New York Fasteners Corp.

(NYF) for US$66.9 million in cash during 2007 and merged NYF's hardware distribution and vendormanaged inventory business with its own distribution operations in Miami.

Web: beaerospace.com

Vertex moves from 1882 plant Vertex Distribution moved to new, larger headquarters in Massachusetts from a historic redbrick building in Rhode Island. The new headquarters is located in Attleboro, MA, 02703.

Vertex had been headquartered in an 1882 building, which was the original Pawtucket Manufacturing Co. bolt plant. Vertex is stocking its entire product line consisting of corrosion resistant inch and metric fasteners, blind rivets and hose clamps in the new center.

Vertex also has stocking locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Tampa. Web: vertexdistribution.com

24

Nucor applies to build iron ore plant in Louisiana

Grainger acquires Quebec-based Excel Industriel Grainger's Canadian subsidiary, Acklands-Grainger, acquired Excel Industriel of Granby, Quebec. Excel is a business-to-business broadline distributor of fasteners and other MRO supplies. Terms were not disclosed.

"We are very excited about joining forces with Excel," said Court Carruthers, president of Acklands Grainger. "They are a leading player in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and have a long history of excellent customer service. "Grainger expects an incremental sales contribution of US$11 million from this acquisition over the next year. The two existing Acklands-Grainger and Excel branches in Granby will be merged within the next 60 days.

Web: excel.qc.ca/English In other news, Grainger announced plans to expand its

operations throughout the Gulf region. The company will revamp its distribution network by opening four new facilities, relocating one other, and enhancing three existing facilities in the area. Grainger's local investments are part of the company's market expansion initiative, a multi-year program designed to enhance Grainger's presence in the top metropolitan markets across the U.S. Grainger plans to invest between US$50US$60 million in 2008 to expand and enhance its operations across the country.

Fastener sales helped boost Grainger revenue by US$349 million in 2007, with total sales growing 9% to a record US$6.4 billion. Grainger has added more than 38,000 fastener products to its catalogue since 2006.

Web: grainger.com

Nucor Corporation has applied for a permit to build an iron-making facility in Louisiana.

Nucor CEO Daniel DiMicco commented that the project "would help Nucor achieve our long-term goal of increasing control over our raw materials supply." The site on the Mississippi River in St. James Parish, LA, is the only U.S. site Nucor is actively considering.

Nucor acknowledged the plant "is not a certainty."

Regardless of the ultimate site chosen for the project, permits have to be issued and Nucor's board must approve the selection of the site and the capital investment. If the project is ultimately built in the U.S., it would be the first greenfield pig iron facility built here in more than 30 years.

“Nucor would build one of the most modern iron making facilities in the world to produce three million tons of pig iron, employing the latest technologies to reduce emissions. This facility would create hundreds of good jobs for American workers and demonstrate the effectiveness of new technology to protect the environment," DiMicco said.

The project's first phase would require a US$2 billion investment and directly create 2,000 jobs during peak construction. For a second phase Nucor would invest an additional US$1 billion for a second three million ton blast furnace and increase permanent employment to 750.

Nucor estimated another 2,600 permanent jobs would be created by suppliers and businesses opening in the area.

IFI, LAFA to offer CFS training through new Fastener Training Institute The Industrial Fasteners Institute and the Los Angeles Fastener Association announced that the Fastener Training Institute will offer a week long version of LAFA's Certified Fastener Specialist training. The first program was held in Chicago in May. “This partnership between the Fastener Training Institute and IFI is in response to repeated requests by fastener distributors and manufacturers to offer LAFA’s training programs outside of Southern California,” said LAFA

president Kelly Cole.

The Chicago program included everything that a student would experience in the regular seven-course Certified Fastener Specialist training, but all on consecutive days,” LAFA seminar chair John Wachman explained.

“If a company in the Midwest were to send a student to each of the Los Angeles seminars, that employee would be away from the job for 14 days when you include travel. This way fastener companies can save nine days of productivity and

thousands of dollars in travel expenses.”

LAFA created FTI to support technical training for the entire fastener industry, independently of LAFA. “This new brand ensures transparency among other associations to further the depth of training within our community,” Cole commented.

Additional technical training programs for the fastener industry will be developed by FTI, as well as customized on-site fastener technical training for fastener companies and OEMs.

LAFA has offered training on basic fastener products since it was founded 40 years ago. The one-day basic training class expanded over the years into a three-day product training program. In 1998, LAFA created the CFS program, which includes seven seminars and plant tour programs. Students who complete the program must pass a final exam before earning the CFS designation. Thus far 198 students have earned the CFS designation.

Web: lafa.net Web indfast.org

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Taiwan Steel increases in Q3

By Fastener World Inc China Steel Company released Q3 steel prices for domestic sales at the end of May. The average increase for domestic steel was 17.8%, about NT 4,520 dollars (95 euros) per tonne, which is higher than the Taiwanese industry expected. Wire rod increased NT 4,830 dollars (100 euros) per tonne. The domestic price meeting with the steel company took place May 30 and provides the basis for this report.

Director of CSC’ sales division, M. H. Chen emphasised that “considering the impact on domestic steel downstream industries, cost pass-through capability and international competition, the new price does not entirely reflect the raw material price and sea freight”.

Most domestic steel prices, after the adjustment, are still lower than those in the global steel markets by about US$100 per tonne.

Mr Chen noted that the price of rare materials, such as Chromium, Molybdenum and Vanadium were greatly rising. In addition, he pointed out that the price of best-class scrap iron had reached US$780 per tonne.

The vice chairman of the Taiwan Industrial Fastener Institute, Mr. T. J. Csi, indicated that the price hike was a little higher than expected. However, there was still a gap between the price from CSC and those from international sources. Mr. Csi appealed to everyone in the fastener industry to focus on

improving the quality of products and reflect appropriately on the selling price during this period of time. He believed there was still a big opportunity for the export average price of Taiwan fastener.

The cost of electricity in Taiwan is also going to rise in July. Everyone was concerned whether this would result in further steel price increases Mr. Chen highlighted that CSC continues to quote on a quarterly basis so there is no change expected for 3 months. Even with the rising market price and costs, CSC would avoid any sudden adjustment in price.

CSC pointed out that the Japanese steel industry, famous for its production efficiency, had indicated that the rising price of coal, iron ore, scrap iron and freight meant the production cost of steel had risen by at least 30,000 Yen per tonne, equivalent to US$300. The cost increase for CSC was about the same. While adjusting the steel price, CSC was also “promoting energy savings, reducing waste and lower

Australian iron ore contract prices almost double Korean and Japanese steel makers have followed those in China in agreeing new contract prices with Rio Tinto for iron ore from its Australian mines.

The new contract prices range from 80% to nearly 100% higher than the 2007-2008 level. The increase, compared to the 65 to 71% agreed with Brazilian supplier Vale in February, reflects the lower cost of shipping ore from Australia, currently estimated at around US$55 a tonne. BHP Billiton, which also supplies iron ore from Australia, has yet to agree 2008-2009 contract terms.

production costs”- actions, hopefully, that will slow the impact of the rising raw material costs and limit steel price increases.

Mr. Chen explained that stock and supply in the US steel market appeared severely insufficient. Steel prices were at a record high, with every factory increasing its Q3 prices. In Europe strong demand was also anticipated, with significant volumes of steel diverted to the Middle East because of higher prices available there. Q3 steel prices in Europe were increasing

by US$186-295 (118-190 euros) per tonne, with steel factories adding additional raw material charges of US$250 (158 euros).

In China, due to the snow disaster, earthquake and Olympic games, requirements for steel were increasing greatly. China may reduce the export volume, said Mr Chen, which would give Asia the tightest steel supply conditions in the world.

Some businessmen expressed the view that the steel price

increase was higher than expected, though the price was still world competitive. The question was how the domestic fastener industry passed on the cost – a tough question for many businessmen. It was considered that due to the effect of the Chinese antidumping cases, the probability of recovering orders from Europe was high.

Therefore, the Taiwan industry should seize this opportunity and make good use of the resources provided by CSC. Mr. William Liao from Fastener World indicated that many small steel factories in China are forced to close in order to meet the requirements for reduced air pollution for the Olympic games. The rapid appreciation of RMB and high internal costs were also significant factors. Chinese steel prices had risen by about 50%, he said. All of these factors weakened China’s competitive position in the export market. He also noted that Japan and Korea were seeing the price of steel rise by about US$200 per tonne.

Steel consolidation continues in China Tangshan Iron & Steel and Handan Iron & Steel have merged to replace Baosteel Group as China’s largest steel company.

The new group, Hebei Iron & Steel, which remains state owned, is estimated to have a combined output of nearly 32 million tonnes, ranking it fifth in the world after Korea’s POSCO, which has output around 33 million tonnes. Baosteel produced 29 million tonnes in 2007. Hebei Iron & Steel Group is projected to increase production to 50 million tonnes in 2009.

Chinese fastener exports flatten According to official statistics, total Chinese exports of steel and copper fasteners flattened over the first four months of 2008.

The tonnage exported increased marginally to 810,000 tonnes, while the value of exports increased 17.9% to US$1.17 billion (740million euros). Export value for the month of April increased 36% to US$351 million (222 million euros), tonnage was up 2.7% at 240,000 tons. The US Dollar fell in value against the Chinese RMB Yuan by 4% during the period.

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By Alexander Ostashov, Editor Fastener, Adhesives, Tools and … Magazine www.fastinfo.ru

Rechitza Metiz Plant will Würth shop network produce high-grade fasteners has appeared Rechitza Metiz Plant plans to start production of high-grade fasteners in 2008-2009.

To achieve this goal a US$4.5 million investment project has been developed, including purchase of modern equipment and creation of a laboratory for testing products quality. Rechitza Metiz Plant will be the first to produce this kind of hard components in Belarus.

Some of the special machines for fastener production have already been delivered to the plant. Preproduction runs of the new fastener ranges will be carried out at the end of this year.

According to Adam Vashkov, director of the plant, the quality of new fasteners will depend greatly upon the quality of steel stock material. Belarus Metallurgical plant specialists have successfully solved the problem of special steel production, which is why he is not confident that domestic high-duty fasteners will correspond to the world standards. The management plans to export about 80% of the fasteners produced. Rechitza Metiz Plant, one of the first enterprises of metallurgical industry in Belarus, was founded in 1912 as a manufacturer of nail and wire products. Today the Plant is a recognised European leader in production of special nails and fastener products with sales to almost all European countries. The plant employs about 2,000 people.

With export sales of 11.9 million euros for January - March of this year, Rechitza Metiz Plant has increased these sales by 51% above the figures for the same period last year.

In 2008 the company plans to realise

its investment project “Modernisation of Fastener Works”, according to which production of fasteners for various industries will be organised, so that the company can sell in Belarus and to foreign, and CIS, countries. The project investment is 8.6 billion rubles (234million euros) of which 0.45 billion is invested by the company, and 8.15 billion rubles is from Credit Suisse Bank.

At present the company has committed payments for contracts and plans to receive and install new equipment successively during the third and fourth quarters of the current year.

The company is to reach planned production capacity in the first quarter of 2009.

The equipment renovation will allow it to increase productivity by a minimum of 30%, reduce production costs and improve its quality, which will make it possible to increase prices and win consistent demand for its fastener products.

Simultaneously the plant management has started to put into effect an investment program for the construction of a second production line for self-tapping screws. This will allow the plant not only to double production volume of the most popular type of fasteners, but also to broaden considerably its range. Startup of the new line is planned for next year. Now the management is choosing suppliers for the new equipment. The project value is 2.25million euros. Its completion will make it possible to meet all the Republic requirements in self-tapping screws.

For many years we have heard from Würth directors and staff members that the company does not sell individual items.

Now the news from Würth, a business based on direct sales, is that Saint Petersburg has a network of Würth shops – Würth Market. A second shop opened in March, meaning there are now two shops at the customers disposal. The company plans to open two more shops in St. Petersburg by the end of 2008.

Opening of a new sales channel can be called a revolutionary step in Würth’s development.

New nutrunner at Kalininskaya nuclear power plant On May 19 a newly constructed nutrunner, designed by specialists of Izhorskiye Plants together with Wenutec GmbH (Germany), was used at Kalininskaya nuclear power plant for the assembly of the main reactor connector in the third power-unit.

Using the nutrunner in normal mode will make it possible to speed up disassembly and assembly operations of the main reactor connector, as well as increase safety. Previously it took a minimum one and a half working shifts. As well as considerable time costs, inconsistent withdrawal of bolts from the reactor negatively affected the threaded joints and metal. The new nutrunner withdraws all 54 bolts simultaneously and takes around 4 hours.

The equipment is supplied with modern electronics, which helps to diminish manual labour, control the whole assembly process and record all the operations up to the final withdrawal of each bolt.

The second such nutrunner will be supplied to Balakovskaya nuclear power plant. In the future two more nuclear power plants, Volgodonskaya and Novovoronezhskaya, will be equipped with the new nutrunners.

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30

ITE broadens to Russian regions International company ITE, one of the leading exhibition organisers in Russia, has completed its purchase of the Sibirskaya Yarmarka Exhibition Society.

Annually ITE organises about 150 international exhibitions around the world, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg and the CIS countries. The purchase will allow ITE to broaden its presence on the Russian market and to take an active part in development of an exhibition business in Siberia, one of the most dynamically developing regions. Thanks to this purchase, ITE

New appointment in 3M Russia 3M Russia has announced the appointment of Elena Gaberland as strategic initiatives director in the construction department.

Elena will be responsible for the promotion of 3M materials for roads, bridges, public and sport buildings to the Russian market. She started her career in the company as a trade representative in 1997. In 2000 Elena became the head of textile department. In 2005 she was appointed director of a new customer centre for the 3M North-West Region in St. Petersburg. Elena returned to Moscow in 2006.

“I am sure that 3M with its variety of innovative products and technological solutions, many of which can be used in construction, will be able to compete successively in the Russian market,” commented Elena Gaberland.

will hold up to 70 exhibitions in Russia.

Russell Taylor, chief executive of ITE Group PLC, announced: “We are glad to receive new opportunities, which are opening for ITE in Siberia.

Novosibirsk is the center of Siberian region. Foreign participants of our exhibitions show much interest in the Novosibirsk exhibition market. This fact together with plans to develop an exhibition infrastructure provides us with good opportunities for future growth in this region. It is the first step towards broadening ITE’s presence in these regions”.

MMK-Metiz railway fasteners have been tested The Committee of the Certification Register at the Federal Railway Transport has confirmed that, according to the results of inspection control, railway fasteners produced by MMK-Metiz conform to the certification requirements.

The inspection control included analysis of operation facilities, regulatory and technical documentation, incoming, operational and finished products controls, and an existing test base. The results proved conformity of the production to the certification requirements, and were accepted by the Certification System of Railway Transport.

The validity of certificates of conformity for the above mentioned products has now been prolonged.

Assembling of helicopters Oboronprom Corporation and AugustaWestland have signed an agreement, providing a long-term cooperation in assembling helicopters.

According to the agreement, the joint venture for production and assembling of helicopters AW139 is to start operating at Kamov Helicopter Plant in Lyubertzi by 2010.

Who else wants to produce auto components in Russia?

Several producers of auto components from South Korea are considering the possibility of creating their own industrial park in Leningradskaya region.

According to a representative of one of the companies, investment value for the project is assessed at 140million euros.

South Korean companies, which took part in the meeting, specialise in production of the whole range of auto components from car bodies, door carcasses, fuel tanks, exhaust systems, heat and ventilation systems to harness, seats, saloon trimming and interior details.

Also among those who would like to form a cluster of auto component producers in Leningradskaya region are Japanese companies. According to the Jetro representative office in Saint Petersburg, they plan to place their production facilities not further than 30-40km from Shushary village, where a Toyota plant started operation at the end of 2007.

Producers from the USA are also reported to be considering the possibility of work in Saint Petersburg.

As stated in the documents of the City Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which met with American companies in May, interest was shown by Android Industries, Cinetic Automation, Customer Sensors & Technologies (CST) and Managed Programs.

In May a delegation of the German auto component producers came to Russia to examine Tatarstan, Saint Petersburg, Nizhegorodskaya and Samarskaya regions as potential locations for plants.

EuroBLECH comes to Russia On March 10-13, 2009 a new big industrial exhibition BLECH Russia will be held in Saint Petersburg.

It will become the only specialised exhibition in Russia, fully dedicated to the equipment and technologies for processing of sheet metal.

BLECH Russia is a part of EuroBLECH project. It will be held alongside the Peterburgskaya Technical Fair.

One of the main specialisations of BLECH Russia is joining technologies and fasteners. The exhibition organiser is Restek-Brooks, joint venture between UK company Mack Brooks Exhibitions and RESTEK Exhibition Union, one of the leading exhibition operators in Russia.

Computer plant being constructed in Saint Petersburg On May 16 an official ceremony dedicating the foundation of a new plant for assembling personal computers was held in Saint Petersburg.

The plant is a joint project of Foxconn and HewlettPackard. The companies plan to invest more than 32million euros in the project, which will employ 5,000 people during the next three years. The plant will cover 12 hectares. The plant is scheduled to start assembling computers to meet Hewlett-Packard orders in 2009.

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Fastener Fair Budapest 2008 Where: Budapest, Hungary When: 22 Sep - 23 Sep 2008 Web: www.fastenerfair.com What: The fastener event for the Eastern Europe market.

China International Hardware Show

Interbuild

Where: When: Web : What:

Where: When: Web : What:

Shanghai, China 17 Sep - 19 Sep 2008 www.koelnmesse.com Hardware and DIY sector.

Birmingham, UK 26 Oct - 30 Oct 2008 www.interbuild.com Construction industry.

Wire China 2008

NIFS/West

Where: When: Web : What:

Where: When: Web : What:

Shanghai, China 23 Sep - 26 Sep 2008 www.mdna.com/shows/wirechina.html Wire and cable, including fastener manufacturing technology.

Las Vegas, USA 2 Nov - 4 Nov 2008 www.fastenershows.com Fasteners, machinery formed parts, tooling and packaging.

2008 Fastener Trade Show

MidEst Paris

Where: When: Web : What:

Where: When: Web : What:

Guangzhou, China 23 Sep - 25 Sep 2008 www.fastenertradeshow.info Specialist fastener show.

Asia Fastener Where: When: Web : What:

Guangzhou, China 24 Sep - 26 Sep 2008 www.asiafastener-china.com Specialist fastener show aimed at user market.

SAIE International Building Trade Fair Where: When: Web : What:

Bologna, Italy 15 Oct - 18 Oct 2008 www.saie.bolognafiere.it Building technology, systems and machines.

Paris, France 4 Nov - 7 Nov 2008 www.midest.com Subcontracting and services for the processing of metals, plastics, electronics and electricity.

STAFDA's 32nd Annual Convention & Trade Show Where: When: Web : What:

Denver, USA 9 Nov - 11 Nov 2008 www.stafda.com Speciality tools and fasteners.

Elmia Sweden Where: When: Web : What:

Jรถnkรถping, Sweden 11 Nov - 14 Nov 2008 www.elmia.se For subcontractors and suppliers within the engineering industry.

EuroBLECH

The Big 5

Where: When: Web : What:

Where: When: Web : What:

Hanover, Germany 21 Oct - 25 Oct 2008 www.euro-blech.de Sheet metal industry.

Dubai, UAE 23 Nov - 27 Nov 2008 www.thebig5exhibition.com Construction and contracting industry.

广州国际紧固件、零部件及其生产装备技术展览会

bricoforma

ferroforma China International Trade Fair for Fasteners, Components, Parts, and Related Production Technology

34

Achieving the gold standard Beneri S.p.A, Valmadrera, Italy Beneri’s four manufacturing facilities, totalling more than 10,000 square metres, nestle between the mountains and lake in the Lecco region of northern Italy. Widely acknowledged as a world leader in the production of standard retaining rings and toothed washers this, still very much, family run company is about to celebrate its 50th year. No better occasion, then, to open its doors exclusively to Fastener & Fixing Magazine.

In October 1958 three young toolmakers, working in the Lecco area, decided to start “a new adventure” as independent businessmen.

In a space of less than 100 square metres they began producing tooling. One of the three was Giampietro Bernabeo, now president of Beneri S.p.A.. “We had only the simplest of equipment and relied on the power of our arms and our minds – plus a vision for the future and a great enthusiasm.” The company name came from the initials of the three founders – BErnabeo, NEgri and RIva. “We started manufacturing various types of tooling and equipment to drawings,” recalls Mr Bernabeo, “including for some important companies in the area. We never thought to become a leading manufacturer of standard DIN retaining rings.”

In 1960 they did start to systematically explore opportunities in the Italian market. “It was an important time for Italy, industry was being rebuilt and it was a period of great enthusiasm and commitment to hard work.

I have very good memories of those years.”

“We were looking for some specific items we could begin to manufacture.

We thought about bolts, screws, nuts, pins and springs.

However, from our market research we realised Italy already had important producers of all these kinds of fasteners and we would just have become one among many.”

They did, however, identify that no one was producing DIN 6798 toothed washers.

Expanding the business, which meant a larger industrial building, investment in high-speed presses and the recruitment of more people, they began to service the Italian domestic market. “This first line proved a great success in the market and allowed us to look at further ranges.” DIN 6799 standard retaining rings

were being used in huge volumes at the time, hundreds of millions of pieces per year, not least by renowned Italian typewriter manufacturer, Olivetti. “It was thanks to the trust of one Olivetti purchasing manager,” Mr Bernabeo recalls, “that we had our lucky break. He gave us our first volume order.” The customer was pleased with both product and service and such was the power of the Olivetti name at that time that other companies confidently placed orders with the fledgling retaining ring manufacturer. By 1970 Beneri had secured business from FIAT, Zanussi and

Indesit and begun to export to France and Switzerland, competing against established producers from elsewhere in Europe, many of whom had over 50 years experience in the field, strong financial support and large workforces. “It was not easy for us,” says Mr Bernabeo, “but we kept in our minds always the philosophy of quality and price.”

During the rest of the 1970s and into the early 1980s Beneri extend its range to include DIN 471 and 472 retaining rings. In 1984 the company made a definite and fundamental

change in its strategy – switching entirely from supplying OEM customers direct to servicing carefully selected distributors in each of the major European markets. Behind the decision was a recognition that the business needed to focus on the efficient manufacture of high quality products and could not also dedicate resource to meeting the increasingly specific and diverse needs of the OEM customer.

Beneri concentrated its investment in specialised equipment to improve and increase production capacity and capability. It introduced automation to many of its working processes in order to reduce labour costs – the result of which are immediately evident if one tours the production facilities, where a single operator is responsible for three high output machines and many tooling operations are entirely computer controlled so they can be run overnight.

“Today, after fifty years,” says Mr Bernabeo, “we can proudly affirm, without any doubt, that Beneri is the foremost manufacturer of DIN standard retaining rings and toothed washers – with a daily production output of over 20 million pieces. These products are successfully sold through a carefully selected distributor network, most of whom operate on an exclusive basis with Beneri.”

There is no doubt that Giampietro Bernabeo is most at home in the production environment. His office is in the main plant, where he is regularly to be seen touring the production floor. The heritage of his personal expertise is a toolmaking operation, quite extraordinary in its level of technology, automation and systemisation. Today the Bernabeo family are sole principles of the Beneri business. Giovanni Bernabeo works

alongside his father in the production operation. Giampietro Bernabeo’s daughter Patrizia is joint managing director with her brother, mainly responsibility for export sales and commercial matters. Her husband, Alessandro Limonta, also works in the business with responsibility for logistics to the Italian market.

In total 78 people work in Beneri – generating sales of around 20 million euros in 2008. As the business grew, expansion on a single site became impossible. Instead the company now has four distinct but closely linked locations in Valmadrera, each specialised and optimised to ensure the highest levels of efficiency. The main production facility houses two distinct operations. One produces smaller sizes of retaining rings and washers from steel strip, using high speed mechanical presses – ranging from 60 to 125 tonne. The presses are fitted with process monitors, the latest using new technology controlled from a digital workstation. For zero-defect requirements DIMAC inspection machines use two cameras to check dimensions and a laser to check for deformation.

Larger diameter rings, from 30mm upwards, are produced in an adjoining area using trapezoidal wire, fed into two stage machines.

The first stage is a coiler creating the circular shape, the second a 40 or 80 tonne press which forms the inner profile of the clip and punches the holes. The very largest rings, up to 300mm diameter, are produced on slow speed presses with rotating tooling tables.

Each operator is responsible for three machines and his own quality control, underpinned by an overall random sample inspection regime. Throughout the production environment small but often crucial examples of the Bernabeo family’s insight to the production process are to be seen – each

contributing incrementally to productivity and quality control. Smaller diameter products are ejected from the presses into a rotating bin system – segmented rather like an orange.

This ensures the regular inspection of small batches as well as limiting the weight the operator must handle when product is tipped into a larger bin, ready for heat treatment.

Larger diameter retaining rings are fed onto a dismountable bar, clearly marked to designate the batch quantity. The operator removes the bar and inserts two securing wires through the holes on the retaining rings. For the remainder of production the rings will remain ‘assembled’ in this way, eliminating tangling and also ensuring that they are correctly oriented for final packaging. The concept is simple but one that required vision to deliver both efficiency and quality.

In total some 1,200 individual tools are used in production. For popular sizes two tooling set-ups are retained to ensure there is no break in production if regrinding or cleaning is required. Beneri has also consciously invested in machine over

capacity, which ensures, again, that production is not interrupted if repair is necessary. Beneri is geared entirely to produce economic batches, a key reason for supplying the market through experienced and committed distributors and, also, for concentrating virtually exclusively on DIN standard products.

A few hundred metres away is Beneri’s heat treatment facility. Three lines, again, ensure ample capacity to ensure production is uninterrupted during maintenance. The first line is a continuous mesh belt, controlled atmosphere hardening furnace feeding into an

36

oil quench bath. The rings are then centrifugally spun to remove oil, washed, and fed into one of two batch furnaces for annealing. For smaller rings and for washers an integrated line is fed by a vibratory hopper.

Larger diameter rings are manually fed onto the belt of the third line. For annealing the larger rings are jigged to prevent distortion, the very large diameters being controlled both across the flat plane and in diameter. To avoid transporting the jigs back from the main packaging operation, at the company warehouse, these rings are shrunk wrapped, labelled and manually boxed in the heat treatment building. Quality control for hardness, compression and metallurgy is also carried out in this building.

Most packaging is carried out on a series of automatic or semi automatic lines in the warehouse building. Rings requiring phosphating or special surface finishing are shipped to sub-contractors from heat treatment and returned to the warehouse, where they undergo inspection before packaging. Several sizes of DIN 471 and 472 rings are also sent out to a qualified subcontractor for heat treatment in salt to meet specific customer requirements. Storage is in an automatic pallet warehouse, again reflecting the size of batches Beneri produces.

Customer orders are read from a PC and boxed stock is transferred from the warehouse to a conveyor, along which each box is weighed, the weight recorded against a packing list reference printed clearly on each box, before being palletised robotically and prepared for despatch.

If any doubt about the level of Beneri’s investment lingers, and it certainly should not, a visit to the company’s toolmaking operation will dispel it completely. Giampietro Bernabeo has clearly never forgotten his roots and the result is a quite superbly equipped engineering

facility, which makes all of Beneri’s tools. It lies at the core of this business’ commitment to quality and production efficiency. Coarse cutting and drilling operations are carried out on a range of modern centre machines before the tooling goes out for heat treatment, returning for grinding and surfacing. Final detailed work is carried out on no less than five spark eroders, linked directly to computers

tomorrow is the accumulation of all our experience over 50 years, which is not something that can be replicated instantly.”

No-one who has seen the Beneri operation could argue. Nor is Beneri in any doubt about the importance of maintaining outstanding availability across a 2,500 item range. “Our advantage is to have the whole range available for immediate shipment.”

“Toolmaking lies at the core of Beneri’s commitment to quality and production efficency” in the tooling design office and capable of operating unsupervised through the night. In the last three years all of Beneri’s tooling has been completely renewed, itself a reflection of a remarkable commitment to staying ahead.

The new tools have been manufactured from special high grade steel, with “carbide insert” which give the punches and matrix a very high resistance and longer working life during the blanking operation and improves the quality of the items during cutting.

“It is not for us a matter of concern to face new competition from China and India,” says Giampietro Bernabeo. “The cost of labour is not the critical issue for Beneri because of the sophistication and efficiency of our production. More importantly, what we do today and

If there is a concern it is that these are not simple fasteners – many of them end up in safety critical applications. “We continue to find a concerning lack of technical knowledge in the market. These are safety elements and cannot be considered simple fasteners. The best quality in application must be assured in order to avoid line stoppage or major damage to the machinery on which they are installed – mainly automotive applications, home appliances, mechanical construction, wide ranges of machinery and engines.

Quality must be ensured consistently.”

Beneri’s objective continues to be to improve the capacity and quality of manufacturing in standard ranges.

However, the family is in no doubt it has the capability, resource and knowledge to react to market developments.

“It is necessary to always keep your eyes open. You cannot become complacent – you cannot sleep even though you have attained the number one position in the market.”

Beneri, of course, is ISO TS 16949 and ISO 9001 accredited. The real assurance of quality, though, is the extraordinary depth of commitment and involvement the Bernabeo family demonstrates from one generation through to the next.

WITH

EASY AS 1-2-3 Apply adhesive and leave to stand 4-5 mins

Press board to wall and hold for 1 min Plaster after just 1 HOUR This revolutionary new product saves hours compared to messy conventional dry wall adhesives.

Everbuild Building Products Ltd Site 41, Knowsthorpe Way Cross Green Industrial Estate, Leeds LS9 0SW Tel: 0113 240 3456 Fax: 0113 240 0024

38

Fastener Fair goes East Well known, worldwide, for its international event held every two years in Stuttgart, Germany, Fastener Fair is now taking a special edition to Budapest in Hungary. Professionals and buyers in central and eastern Europe will be able to take advantage of the first exhibition in the region to be focused specifically on fastening technologies for industries ranging from construction, automotive, engineering and sheet metal – as well as many other sectors.

Over 200 fastener exhibitors from around the world are expected at the purpose-built SYMA Event Centre in Budapest on 22 and 23 September. Visitors will have unprecedented access, in their own region, to many of the world’s leading fastener technology suppliers, from throughout Europe and Asia.

Köt elemek vásárlása, eladása vagy felhasználása?

Jöjjön el a Rögzítéstechnikai kiállításra Budapestre The picturesque capital of Hungary was selected for its central location to the vibrant economies of central and eastern Europe. Travelling to the city by rail and car is convenient from throughout the region and Budapest’s international airport, just 16 kilometres from the city centre, is superbly connected to cities throughout Europe, with many low cost airlines servicing it. Budapest’s excellent public transport network means that frequent metro, tram and bus services arrive within 50

Exhibitors so far...

2K Polymer Systems Action Can Acton Adolf Puhl & Burago Viti Aimreach Enterprises Alexander Paal Allfa Dubel Annibale Viterie S.p.A Apex Stainless Fsateners Asvefat - Aso. Vasca De Empresa Fabr Atotech Österreich GmbH Autocraft Industrial Baker & Finnemore Bendkopp Boltun Corporation Boss Precision Works Co., Ltd. Bossard - Stockinox Bralo Brighton-Best Socket Screw BTS Carniere & Defossez Celo Cetin Civata San. ve Tic. A.S. Changzhou Junhe dacromet Coating Project Technology Co.,Ltd. Chavesbao Chite Enterprises Chong Cheng Fastener Corp.

Cixi Zhencheng Machinery Co.Ltd Classic Metallic L.L.C. Clinching Fasteners Co., Ltd. Colombo Ezio Defremm Dejond Dell'era Ermano E Figlio Desa Diing Sen Fasteners Industrial Co., Ltd. Dimfix Don Quichotte Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH Douwes Int BV

E & K Tech Ltd Ekotherma Kotherma Trnava, s.r.o.

Europa Fastenings F.lli Mauri FAR Fastbolt Fastener & Fixing Magazine Fastener World Inc. Fasteners Srl Fastenex SL Faster Viti Ferdinand Gross First-String Enterprise Co., Ltd. Fixi Fong Yien Industrial Co., Ltd. Haiyan Huasheng Fasteners Co.,Ltd Hermann Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG Hoenderdaal Fasteners b.v.

HPM Tec S.R.O. Imbusz Trade Bt. Imp Kontakt, spol. s r.o Index Inoxdadi Ipex International Trading Italbolt Inox Service Srl Jet Fast Company Limited JiNan High Strength Standard Parts Co.,Ltd Jinjiang Kaidi Metals & Machinery Producing Co.,Ltd Kellner & Kunz AG Kind-Auspice Industrial Co., Ltd. KPF Kundan Kunshan Chenghe standard component Co.,Ltd L & W Fasteners Co., Ltd. Lakshmi Precision Screws Ltd Lederer Lindapter International Ltd. & Watermann Marer Martyn Price ( Bolts & Nuts ) Ltd Masterfix Products bv

Cumpăraţi, vindeţi sau utilizaţi organe de asamblare?

Veniţi la Târgul de organe de asamblare din Budapesta metres of the SYMA Event Centre. Visitors arriving by air are recommended to purchase multi day travel cards from the tourist information bureau in Terminal 1.

Fastener Fair Budapest provides a convenient, time-efficient opportunity for distributors and fastener users from all industries to see the latest offers and innovations from leading manufacturers, machine suppliers, wholesalers and distributors. “By focusing all these key people and companies in one place, at a specialist fair open for just two days, we’ve made sure that exhibitors and visitors alike have the perfect event to make new contacts, find new products and opportunities, do great business and return promptly to their companies,” says managing director of Fastener Fairs, Jerry Ramsdale.

“In other words, everyone can enjoy maximum profit from minimum investment!”

Mauri Mecavit MGH d.o.o MKT Mollifico Multi-Tek Fasteners & Parts MFG. Corp.

Nagy & Nagy Nanjing Profastener Hardware Co.Ltd Nanmat Technology Co., Ltd NE Fasteners Ltd Ningbo EastPort Fastener Manufacturing Co.Ltd Ningbo Gold Ring Fitting Co.,Ltd Ningbo Jinhui Fastener Co.,Ltd Ningbo Qunli Fastener Manufacture Co.,Ltd Ningbo Shye Chang Metal Products Co.,Ltd. Ningbo Xintai Fasteners Manufacturing Co.,Ltd Ningbo Xinxing Fasteners Manufacturing Co.,Ltd Ningbo Yonghong Fasteners & , Manufacturing Co.,Ltd Ningbo (F.T.Z) ORDAM International Trading Co.,Ltd Northern Precision Oriental Multiple Enterprise Ltd. Ornit Blind Rivits Otto Spa P. Tre srl Pecol Pioneer Magazine Plastifast Ltd Plombelec/ Scell It Powers Fasteners Europe BV Precision Tool Group Ratti e Piazza Ray Fu Enterprise Co., Ltd. RCZ Bulloneria Srl Rivit Srl Roberlo S.A. Sansoar Engineering Sales Inc. Sariv SD Products Security Fasteners

Shanghai Delon Special Rivet Manufacture Co.Ltd Shanghai Fast-Fix Rivet Corporation Shanghai Metals&Minerals Imp&Exp Corp. Fasteners Branch Shanghai Prime Machinery Co.,Ltd Simaf CZ Simes Senco S.A. Special Rivets Corp.

Specialinsert Srl Springfast Stafa Standing Industrial STF Export Ltd Strong Johnny International Co., Ltd. Suzhou Hongly Hardware Co.,Ltd Szatyina Kft. Tecfi S.p.A. Ticho Industries Ltd. Tite-Fix Ltd Top Stability Machine Industry Co., Ltd. Tromboni Srl Ttap.SE Tweer & Lösenbeck Uniriv KFT Valenta Van Roij Fasteners Europe bv Van Roij Fasteners Hungária Kft. Vipa SPA Viraj Fasteners Viti Vorpa Officine Meccaniche snc Wattson Fastener Group Inc. Wenzhou Pioneer Std Component Co.,Ltd Wenzhou Yuanda Std Components MFG.Co.,Ltd Wrentham Steel Products Company LLC Wuxi Anshida Hardware Co.,Ltd Wuxi Qianfeng Screw Factory Xingtai City Ningbo Fasteners Co.,Ltd Yow Chern Co., Ltd. Zeta Kft Zhejiang Huantai Fastener Co.,Ltd Zhejiang Zeen Fasteners Co.,Ltd

September 22-23 2008 Покупателей, продавцов, потребителей крепежа? приглашаем на Fastener Fair Budapest.

Käufer, Verkäufer oder Anwender von Verbindungs-/ Befestigungselementen Kommen Sie nach Budapest

Hotel reservations

Visitor registration

1) www.fastenerfair.com and enter exhibition page.

2) Budapest hotel reservations (left hand menu) 3) Register to benefit from special rates (user type box, enter ‘special’) Note: You will be sent an email with a username and password within 24 hours 4) Reservations/Login (left hand menu) – enter your username and password 5) Click ‘Hotel’ to enter dedicated Fastener Fair hotel allocation.

Pre-registered visitors benefit from a free entry pass, a free show guide, quick lane entrance and email news alerts updating you before the show.

Airport Transfers

1) www.fastenerfair.com and enter exhibition page.

2) Budapest 2008 visitor registration (left hand menu).

3) Click on your preferred language and follow the instructions.

The quickest and most convenient way to get from the airport to the SYMA centre is by taxi. Taxi transfers can be booked for 25 euros (1-4 passengers). For reservations, access the hotel booking section on www.fastenerfair.com click on the transfer button.

Nakupujete, prodáváte nebo používáte upevňovací prvky?

Přije te na Veletrh upevňovacích prvků v Budapešti.

To pre-register for your free visitor badge please fill in the online pre-registration form.

Czy kupujesz, sprzedajesz lub uzywasz zasuwki?

Jesli tak przyjdz na nasz Fastener Fair Budapest

On the Sunday evening before the show Fastener Fair are hosting a cruise on the Danube for both visitors and exhibitors. Offering a mix of sight seeing, dinner, and live entertainment, the journey provides a great way to see the best views of the city while enjoying an informal evening with industry colleagues.

The boat leaves at 8pm, the price includes hotel pick-up/drop off (exhibition hotels only), cruise ticket, buffet dinner (including 1 free drink), and traditional Hungarian entertainment. “All are welcome to join us in what promises to be an entertaining evening of socialising and sightseeing. With a capacity of only 90 passengers book early to avoid disappointment.”

45 euros per person For reservations please email: contact person, number of tickets, billing address information to kirsty@fastfair.net

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Fastener Fair Budapest preview 2K Polymer Systems A13 2K has a wide range of two-part adhesive anchoring systems and repair compounds, which can be exclusively supplied with any companies label and brand name, to fit along side their current product range.

For over 50 years 2K has supplied high performance resin systems for use in civil engineering, tunneling and mining environments.

From these specialised roots it has developed a range of products manufactured to the highest standards.

Atotech österreich GmbH E29 Atotech says it is the sole worldwide supplier able to provide zinc flake technology, as well as electrolytic corrosion protection finishes from one source.

Product highlights include the following: • Zintek 200 - An automotive approved zinc flake system with organic or inorganic top coats. It achieves highest corrosion protection and the latest automotive requirements for functional properties.

• Zintek 300 B - A unique black zinc flake system using a truly black base coat to avoid issues with “silver spots” after handling.

• Zinni AL 450 – A second generation alkaline ZnNi electrolyte perfectly suited for barrel applications.

• Zinni AC AF 210 - An ammonia-free acid ZnNi electrolyte, a green process with high productivity and constant Ni incorporation.

• EcoTri HC2 - Belongs to the new generation in thick film passivates. It is a versatile process for all Zn and Zn alloy coatings and is available with Atotech’s Tricotect regeneration technology.

• Corrolux 530L - Approved for Ford S449 and combines passivate and sealer on Zn coatings.

Biotek Kft E7 Biotek Kft will be displaying the following new fastening solutions: • NORD-LOCK washers - Plated with Delta Protekt instead of Yellow Chromate surface treatment. Biotek says Delta Protekt coated washers are harder and significantly more resistant to corrosion. The washers are compliant with the EU directive 2000/53/EC on ELV and 2002/95/EC on RoHS in electrical and electronic equipment.

• PEM® SCB Spinning Clinch Bolt – A simple one component panel fastener with non-jacking and jacking features. This retained screw requires no springs, no retainers, and no secondary assembly work.

• PEM® SFP stainless steel SpotFast™ fastener - Creates a permanent, flush joining of two sheets of metal with minimal space and installation force requirement.

• POP ProSet® 1600 pneumatic rivet tool - Suitable for 2.0, 2.4, 3.2, 4mm diameter blind rivets with quick disconnect Mandrel Collection System.

• TUBTARA® blind rivet nut - A stainless steel 316 material provides solution for critical corrosion circumstances.

Bossard – Stockinox C42 Bossard will be exhibiting at the show and is encouraging visitors to go to its stand to explore the potential cost savings through its unique three-stage service package, which includes: Products: More than 50,000 standard articles from modern fastening technology plus customer-specific special articles, supplied worldwide, rapidly and reliably.

Engineering: Our engineers investigate where an optimisation of product range can reduce the variety of parts and where the use of multifunctional parts can simplify production and assembly. Recommendations on materials and optimised conditions for assembly lead to a permanent increase in the quality of the end product, at optimised production costs.

Logistics: Bossard uses the most modern technology and logistics systems to do this. One example is SmartBin, an innovative logistics system.

Carniere & Defossez B26 Carniere & Defossez specialises in the manufacturing of cold forging parts and offers its customers a large range of products, which includes: • Special cold formed parts: complex parts in small and medium sized diameters.

• Stud and welding fasteners.

• Self-clinching fasteners.

• Rivets.

• Stud welders.

• Presses for self-clinching fasteners.

42

Defremm S.p.A D43 Defremm specialises in the cold forging production of special parts, to specific customer drawings, as well as standard parts such as threaded tubular rivets and blind rivets.

Defremm says that the steady updating and development of its tools, as well as the continuous renewal of production machines, allows it to fulfil the requirements of its customers, as well as produce a high and qualified product range mainly suited for the automotive market, household appliances, metallic processing and metal furnishings.

Douwes International BV B1 Douwes International BV has been supplying the SecuFast® security screw range, a registered trade name of Douwes, to Europe for the last fifteen years.

The SecuFast® security screw range includes Pin Hexagon, 6-Lobe with pin, Snake Eyes® and One Way screws. Also recently added to the range were the Cinstar® (5-Lobe with pin), Tricle and Celok.

“We are looking to expand our business to eastern Europe and are therefore looking for distributors for our SecuFast® security screws in the following countries: Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and the Ukraine.“

E & K Tech. Ltd C47 At the show E & K Tech. Ltd will be exhibiting its high end production fasteners, as well as being available for discussions on its logistic solutions for delivery of parts from China and Taiwan.

FAR Srl C16 The range of Far products has been enlarged with the production of sealed rivets in diameters 3.2, 4.0 and 4.8mm, all available in several lengths.

So far sealed rivets are available in aluminium, aluminium with countersunk head, aluminium with stainless steel nail or those in copper. However, these versions will also soon be avaiable in stainless steel.

“The sealed rivets, as with all our products, are distinguished by the high quality, the wide range, the repeatability of the performances and, last but not least, the important, and distinctive, ‘MADE IN ITALY’ mark.

Hoenderdaal Fasteners b.v.

D50 Hoenderdaal Fasteners specialises in a wide range of screws, with its two main products being Dynaplus® and Rotadrill®.

Dynaplus® is developed for the professional market. The patented thread prevents splitting and no pre-drilling is required. At the show Hoenderdaal will display Dynaplus® with AR coating, a universal screw for outdoor which is an alternative to A2 stainless steel. The Dynaplus® comes in a wide range, which includes lengths up to 8 x 280mm, and has gained level C4 corrosion protection, the highest possible, from the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden.

Rotadrill® is developed for the DIY market, the high quality screw has a unique patented red tip which Hoenderdaal says guarantees a low shear torque. The products range consists of screws in hardened and stainless steel, as well as brass, and is available in displays from 1 meter with blisters and transparent boxes.

Inoxdadi Srl C2 Inoxdadi will be exhibit a wide range of products including: Cage nuts - Produced either in stainless steel or zinc plated. Inoxdadi offers Cage nuts as a viable alternative to weld nuts, which it says are much more flexible in this application.

Shear nuts - Used in security fencing and sports installations, and in all cases where the security and inviolability of fixings must be assured.

Weld nuts - Either hexagonal (DIN 929), both square (DIN 928) in stainless steel and steel.

Special stainless steel nuts - Hexagonal nuts in AISI 904L - DUPLEX W.1.4462 and W.1.4529. Also nuts in refractory stainless steels such as AISI 309 - 310 - 314.

Flat and grower washers - In AISI 304 and 316.

Ipex Europe b.v.

D8 At the show Ipexs employees will be more than pleased to answer any questions visitors may have about the company or the products.

Ipex has an in-house coating department called colour fix which, with over 600 colors in stock, enables the customer to have their fasteners coated in any colour they request. Ipex also offers drill screws, flange mates, rivets, chipboard screws, anchoring and sealants, as well as a host of other products.

“In close cooperation with customers we develop new products to extend and improve our present product range. “

44

KPF D29 KPF has been a manufacturer and supplier of fasteners in the fields of heavy equipment & machinery, petrochemical plants, construction, automotive and wind power plants for 45 years.

Its main products are square head bolts, collar bolts, carriage bolts, T head bolts, hex cap screws, plow bolts, track shoe bolts, knurled wheel bolts, square nuts, hex nuts, stud bolts, heavy hex bolts, high tension bolts and tension control bolts.

Kundan Industries Ltd C51 Kundan has developed cost effective austenitic stainless steel fasteners, which the Indian manufacturer claims provide corrosion resistance and mechanical properties that offer a better alternative to 304/316 Grades.

Kundan tell us that this austenitic stainless steel grade, which is non-magnetic, is internationally recognised as DIN 1.4597/ UNS S20430.

The company is promoting KUN 80 stainless steel fasteners from this material grade, and further enhancing corrosion resistance using a special coating called DICO. Kundan lists the advantages of KUN 80 DICO coated fasteners over 304/316 grades as: • Better mechanical strength. KUN 80 provides ultimate tensile strength of 850N/mm2, compared to 700 N/mm2 for 304 grade, and meeting high tensile requirements to replace 8.8 class carbon steel fasteners.

• Higher corrosion resistance than 304 grade stainless steel.

• DICO coated Kun 80 Stainless Steel Fasteners do not react with Dilute Sulfuric Acid (Specific gravity 1.30) • Cost is 30% cheaper than 304 grade.

• The fasteners meet FDA, RoHS and WEEE requirements.

Mollificio Angelo Cagnola S.p.A C36 Mollificio Angelo Cagnola S.p.A. has more than 90 years experience in the production of springs and elastic components and, coupled with the high-tech contents of its production lines and control systems, is able to supply products for all industrial applications.

Mollificio uses computers to help in the design and research of the springs to guarantee the total quality. Also, each product is tested under actual working conditions; with short production runs including the necessary controls and checks to guarantee their quality and total safety.

Mollificio Angelo Cagnola S.p.A. produces catalogue fasteners for all applications, as well as special fasteners in accordance with customer requests.

Northern Precision Ltd D52 Northern Precision has announced that it is using Fastener Fair Budapest to launch two new product ranges. The Optinut range of Sheetnuts and the Enigma series of air powered riveting and Sheetnut tools.

The Optinut is a new range of sheetnuts designed to be used in specific applications where the customer requires more flexibility in the grip ranges or where the customer needs drastically increased performance figures. Also, due to the ability to control where the bulge occurs, Northern Precision is able to design a specific Optinut to provide solutions to the customers’ individual needs.

Northern Precision says that the Enigma series offers fantastic pricing matched with an unbeatable 3 year warranty. The full ranges of tools are available from stock for use with Sheetnuts and rivets, these tools can also be fitted with a special adaption that enables the operator to see exactly what performance the rivets are actually achieving.

Ornit Blind Rivets D47 ORNIT sees Fastener Fair Budapest as the perfect opportunity for it to widen its net in east European markets and break into the fast-developing region.

ORNIT’s stand will feature the wide range of developments made over the past year and the latest, custom-made fastening solutions, unique only to ORNIT’s expertise. Among the many products on display, you’ll find the structural double-locking ORLOCK® 7.8mm, now available in both steel and stainless steel. ORNIT will also display ORLOCK®’s entire range, including Plywood and ORLOCK® LONG 6.4mm fastener, which boasts a grip range of up to 32.8mm.

Visitors are also invited to try the multi-grip Ornilock Stainless-Steel and Ornilock Aluminium, recent additions to the Ornilock range, and the Ornilock Long 6.5mm fastener that has a grip range of 2-22.5mm.

Otto S.p.A C60 Otto S.p.A is an importer of fasteners who, for the last 25 years, has imported from a variety of countries in the Far East including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Korea.

“We can direct customers towards different supplying sources already accredited for reliability and quality, weighing all the pros and cons item by item, supplier by supplier. We also find the most convenient way to get the goods DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to customer warehouses.”

Your Partner for solid Connections ...

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stand D45 Fastener Fair - Budapest 22 - 23 Sept 2008 www.fastenerfair.com

46

Pecol-Sistemas de Fixação S.A C43 Pecol-Sistemas de Fixação S.A produces screws, fasteners and cold forged parts. The company was founded in 1983 and by the end of 2006 had grown to occupy an 80,000 square metres warehouse in Águeda, near Aveiro.

Pecol is able to provide customers with components in a range of different materials. In addition to steel, in which it produces grades 5.6, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9, it also works with 41Cr4, stainless steel, brass, aluminium and copper. Pecol is equipped with a range of cold forming headers from 1 to 6 dies, allowing it to produce pieces with diameters from 2mm to 32mm and to achieve maximum lengths of 325mm.

reca International D46 Reca International will be presenting its customised C-Parts Management System at Fastener Fair Budapest. With this innovative and efficient KANBAN system, reca International says it can take care of customer C-parts.

The reca system support technician scans the bins (carrying a barcode which includes customer item number, Kellner&Kunz item number, item designation/cost center, min/max quantities). The data is transferred immediately to the central warehouse of reca International at Wels, Austria, where the order is picked and shipped to the customer.

The reca International support technician then takes care of the incoming goods inspection and the re-filling of the bins on site. New requirements are then scanned and the whole process starts from the beginning.

Sariv srl C4 SARIV says that its aim for Fastener Fair Budapest is to strengthen its position in the eastern European countries, especially in Hungary.

Already deep-rooted in this area, with five distribution warehouses and sales force in eastern Europe, SARIV will present its range of already existing products, with the new Steel Multigrip line. In addition, the new line of welding studs, produced by the new company SARIV AUTOMOTIVE, will also be exhibited at the show.

SIMES Senco S.A D26 SIMES recently launched its new concrete gas nailer, the Simes KA-08, which is designed to work with gas technology and concrete pins.

The R&D department of the SIMES Group has developed what it says is an advanced gas nailing system. The high pressure system of the gas gun means the nails do not need plugs, resulting in a considerable reduction of time.

The gas pins are a nailing technology with high adaptability to various materials such as steel or concrete. Its application is suitable for electric installations, plumbing or drywall. The new SIMES Nailer has a magazine capacity for 40 pins and gets up to 1,000 shots per hour. The nails are packed 1,000 units per box including 1 or 2 gas cartridge.

Tromboni Srl C61 A few months ago Tromboni bought a new multi-station machine in order to extend its range through the production of new special screws.

Dimensional and functional specifications of these items are guaranteed by careful checks made during the planning stage and also during the production process.

Tromboni can assure a quality level of 100PPM by means of four sorting machines that can verify up to six criterions at the same time: length, head diameter, recess presence, cracks presence, thread presence, foreign parts and also other dimensions.

Vipa S.p.A D55 Vipa S.p.A, an ISO 9001 certified company, is now offering all its customers a new KAN BAN service.

Vipa is able to offer this service due to its capability to stock 120,000 pallets of goods, as well as the advanced software and hardware system that it uses, which leaves no margins for errors.

“The introduction of KAN BAN will allow us to supply a very high quality service and a very wide range of products available from stock. At the moment we export to over 40 countries, but with this new service we aim to let customers all over the world know the Vipa screws trademark.”

Vorpa Srl C8 Since its foundation in 1974, Vorpa has been involved in the production of heavy duty and middle heavy duty anchors.

Today, Vorpa offers the whole gamut of anchoring items thanks to its huge warehouse, which has a large storage capacity.

“We have updated some of the family lines already present in our range and we have introduced a lot of new products. We welcome visitors to our stand and will aim to find the right solution for all their needs.”

Wrentham Tool Products C40 Wrentham Tool Products (WTP), Bellingham, Ma, USA, will be displaying its cold heading and forming tool product line at the show.

WTP will display recess punches and other tooling used to manufacture fasteners of all types. Recess tooling such as TORX®, TORX PLUS®, HEXLOBE® as well as PHILLIPS ,POZIDRIV® and all aerospace type recesses will be featured along with a wide variety of carbide and steel tooling.

CONCRETE SCREW BOLT Close to edge installation without damaging the base material.

Mechanical interlock between the base material and the fixing, with no expansion forces.

One piece design for quick and easy installation.

Chiseled tip design creates a clear thread into the base material. The thread starts immediately without breakout of the concrete surface.

No protruding threads, neat head finish.

Thread provides safe anchorage over full embedment of anchor.

Threading system allows for easy removal of anchor from the base material.

The anchor will bear loads immediately.

PO Box 57391 - 3315 Limassol - Cyprus T +357 25 817710 • F +357 25 817487 info@globalfastening.eu • www.globalfastening.eu

Anocote Limited

Zinc flake - torx drive machine screw

• Anocote Ltd. in the Czech Republic has newly installed, specialist equipment for coating recessed drive fasteners.

• The equipment will significantly reduce the level of recess fill in the drive feature.

• Coatings available are zinc flake and black organic type materials which provide high corrosion protection.

Black paint - torx drive

• Geomet® • Delta Protekt® • Magni • Zintek® • In addition to the above Anocote Ltd. provides a wide range of Thread Locking & Sealing products for today’s high-tech fastening applications.

• Eslok • 3M™ Adhesives • Precote ®

®

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Anocote Limited Czech Republic branch o.s.

Areál CKD c.p. 626, 50101 Hradec Králové Czech Republic Tel: +420 495 221 331 Fax: +420 495 221 334 www.anocote.cz

www.anochrome-group.co.uk

48

A day to remember The Heinz Storch Memorial Golf Day Mentmore Golf & Country Club

“Three of the important things in Heinz’ life were golf, customers and doing something to help those less fortunate than ourselves. There is absolutely no doubt that he would have revelled in today.”

These were Graham Joyce’s words in welcoming over 60 attendees to dinner following a Fastbolt Charity Golf Day at the Mentmore Golf and Country Club, in memory of Heinz Storch. The event was the brainchild of the Fastbolt UK managing director and his team – demonstrating clearly just how well those who worked for him understood and cared for Heinz.

Forty-one players - customers, competitors, suppliers and friends - paid for an outstanding day’s golf on a quite superb Rothschild Course, bathed in the warmth of an English summer’s day. All proceeds go to the Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, which provides specialist in-patient, day and community care for those with life-limiting illness – a cause that has been supported regularly by Fastbolt over many years.

Support was so high that every hole on the course was sponsored by at least one, and in some cases two, fastener industry companies.

Additionally, Fastbolt received an array of prizes for auction and raffle, ranging from Manchester United tickets, power tools, wine and champagne, to replacement golf balls - the latter no doubt needed in a few cases, given Mentmore’s daunting rough.

At last count, and contributions were continuing to arrive several days after the event, the day raised £6,000 for Willen Hospice – a remarkable testament to the generosity of the UK fastener industry and the regard in which Heinz Storch was held.

For Willen Hospice it is a valuable contribution to a £2.7 million annual fundraising requirement – only a quarter of funding comes from the UK Health Service. Located on a lakeside close to Milton Keynes city centre, the charity cares for 600 patients a year but its services extend across three English counties in providing community nursing, social care and support for carers.

“We have doubled our original fundraising target,” says Graham Joyce, “and, with the unanimous support of everyone who participated, we have decided to make it an annual event. What can I say but a huge thank you to all concerned and a magnificent testimony to Heinz. I am sure that he would have been immensely proud to be associated with such a successful day”.

50

The most important winner was Willen Hospice That said there was some fiercely competitive golf played on the day, would you expect less from the fastener industry, which meant some excellent performances to applaud during a great evening.

52

Fastener Fair plays solid home game Fastener Fair returned home for its 12th UK edition on 11 and 12 June. Over 140 exhibitors occupied more space than ever before.

They welcomed just over 1,000 visitors, 75% with purchasing responsibility for their companies, for the two day event at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

“Almost exactly the same number of visitors came as two years ago,” says organiser Jerry Ramsdale. “In fact, there were slightly more, which is a remarkable achievement for a mature event that’s been running since 1995. It shows that Fastener Fair Coventry is the UK and Irish industry’s key exhibition, and that with the help of our exhibitors we’ve managed to keep things fresh, lively and compelling for visitors.”

Of course, Fastener Fair UK is more than just a show. In the following pages we have included many of the new products and innovations that were featured at Coventry, together with a glimpse of the fun at the Fastener Fair Gala Dinner and an update on the rather more sobering situation on raw material costs.

“Fastener Fair is very much at the heart of the industry,” says Jerry Ramsdale. “As it prepares for less settled times, Coventry provided new opportunities for a profitable future as well as the chance for suppliers and customers to spend important time together comparing notes and exploring strategies.”

“We are always very cautious about running seminars or meetings during show opening hours, in case they detract from contact time

between sellers and buyers. This year, though, we felt that understanding the raw material situation was so crucial, throughout the supply chain and, particularly onto end-users, that it was appropriate to ask Phil Matten to hold an open forum each afternoon. I am pleased to say both sessions were fully attended and led to a lot of more detailed discussions with Phil after each presentation.”

Another feature of Fastener Fair Coventry was the very high proportion of visitors that registered online in advance and received their ticket by post. “We had much higher pre-registrations than ever before, and very few that did pre-register failed to turn up to the show. Everyone is far more web aware these days and our advance ticket system ensures no queuing at the door.”

Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, which hosted the Fastener Fair for the second time, also got plenty of vocal support. “Feedback from both exhibitors and visitors was that the venue, its facilities and location were all ideal for the show,” he says. “As organisers we were certainly very pleased, and while no show is without the occasional hiccup, the build-up to this one was certainly one of the most straightforward the Fastener Fair team has ever experienced. No doubt that was thanks to the quality of the venue and, in no small part, to the solid working relationship we have with our standbuilders, Stanco.”

As a result the decision has been made that the next UK Fastener Fair will again be staged at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. Dates are to be confirmed but are likely to be in June 2010.

Next for Fastener Fair is an exciting away fixture at a brand new venue – Fastener Fair Budapest kicks off on Monday 22nd September at the SYMA Events Centre.

A Monday and Tuesday show schedule provides a great opportunity to grab some weekend time in one of Europe’s most picturesque cities. See the special coverage in this issue – for exhibitors it’s an all-ticket, limited availability affair, which is filling fast.

For visitors, Budapest has one of the best range of direct flights from European cities, East and West, as well as excellent road and rail connections.

Fun filled and worthwhile night at the heart of the Fastener Fair The Gala Dinner is at the heart of the UK’s Fastener Fair. This year’s dinner, as never before, also demonstrated the UK industry most definitely has a heart.

230 attendees raised nearly £3,000 - smashing all previous records – for this year’s chosen charity, Dreams Come True.

Comedian John Moloney’s punchy delivery and impeccable timing made for a classical stand-up routine - deadpan, acerbic, often brilliantly targeted and very funny.

Advocating Dreams Come True at this year’s dinner was Gary Dixon, from Caparo Atlas Fastenings, who excelled in getting guests to reach for their wallets. A quick round of ‘heads or tails’ brought out a banknote from everyone and, ably supported by Shoina Lloyd from Dreams Come True, Gary proceeded to demonstrate some quite unique auctioneering skills to raise bids for three pieces of framed sporting memorabilia – signed Manchester United and Celtic shirts, and a Ricky Hatton boxing glove.

“Everyone had a really great evening,” said Jerry Ramsdale, “John Moloney did us proud and spent time later with many of the guests, which added to their enjoyment. Above all, thank you to the generosity of the industry in supporting a charity that really does make Dreams Come True for young people who, sadly, will only have the chance to enjoy a short life.”

BOLTS & SETSCREWS

more Sizes, more Specs, more Finishes, than ANYONE!

For Further Information: Tel: 01384 424767 Fax: 01384 424833 sales@martynprice.co.uk www.allgrip.eu PO BOX 48, STOURVALE ROAD, LYE, STOURBRIDGE DY9 8QF

56

Forum told prices could double year on year At Fastener Fair, Phil Matten delivered a hard-hitting analysis of the factors propelling the cost of all types of steel fasteners along the steepest inflationary track witnessed in decades.

Updating his major article, published in the last issue of Fastener & Fixing Magazine, Phil led an Open Forum on each show afternoon, at which he confirmed there was ‘little sign of inflationary pressures abating”. Audiences of exhibitors and visitors saw a detailed presentation of the factors, from iron ore and coking coal through to the potential risk of antidumping tariffs on Chinese fastener product, likely to impact fastener pricing over the coming months.

“The problem is that the whole situation is extraordinarily dynamic,” says Phil. “At the forum we discussed iron ore contract prices increasing by 65-71% in April this year. No sooner is that said and Rio Tinto agrees increases with Chinese steelmakers ranging from 80 to 95% to take into account the lower sea freight costs for Australian ore. BHP Billiton is now saying even that figure is not high enough and that they will be seeking increases of over 100%.”

In addition to the impact of iron ore and coke cost increases on world steel prices, the presentation explained other contributing factors, including bulk sea freight, currency exchange trends, as well as energy and labour costs on the prices of finished fastener products from Asian and European sources.

“Even within the space of the two day show the situation changed dramatically,” explains Phil. “On the first day I was speculating, based on discussions in Italy the week before, that wire rod prices in Europe would increase by, perhaps, 200 euros per tonne at the beginning of July. By the second day two manufacturers in the audience were able to confirm that increases of 250 euros per tonne would hit their production costs within weeks.”

While current circumstances were exceptional and some level of correction was inevitable, if very difficult to predict, Phil argued that a long term inflationary trend for fastener products appeared an unavoidable reality, leaving the supply industry and its customers no choice but to come to terms with it.

Consolidation meant a more structured steel market, more specialisation, a tighter balance between supply and demand and more robust market pricing, he said. A small number of powerful mining companies, together with the major steel players had savoured strong profits over recent years, and were intent on holding on to them.

The prospect that the European Commission may, within a matter of weeks, apply antidumping tariffs on an extensive range of fasteners from China, threatened to further exacerbate the situation, the forum audience was told. A protracted EU investigation, which started in November 2007, meant growing uncertainty for fastener importers as the 9 August 2008 deadline for a

decision on preliminary antidumping tariffs drew nearer. Depending on investigators’ interpretation of one of the most complex antidumping cases addressed by the EU, the application of tariffs could, quite feasibly said Phil, mean fastener prices doubling year on year.

One forum attendee summed up the feelings of many. “It’s tough to hear but this presentation gave me the clearest understanding of these issues I’ve obtained from any source. Phil’s final reminder about the cashflow implications of these increases is something I’m taking straight back to my business. All we have to do now is get our customers to recognise that fastener companies like mine are on the receiving end of pressures that are simply outside of our control.”

“Cash flow projection is definitely a serious consideration for distributors,” concurred Phil.

“So too is the imperative of ensuring that industry customers understand what is happening. It was clear from audience response during, and particularly after, the forums that the level of recognition of these issues still varies widely within the UK fastener industry, let alone in its customers. While it is, indeed, tough to hear what is going on and harder still to communicate to customers, in the knowledge that a price increase may well drive them to the market, it is nevertheless a reality that is very unlikely to go away in the short term, and possibly not even in the longer term.”

www.normagroup.com

l l a m s e h t s ’ t i ” s p m a l c f ! o e d c l n r e o r w e ff i d e h In the ” t s e k a m t a h t s l i a det

58

Kee Safety enjoys success Tornado launches at Fastener Fair new catalogue The 2008 Fastener Fair in Coventry was once again a resounding success for Kee Safety Ltd a manufacturer of steelwork fixings.

The launch of the company’s Suspension Fixings alongside its well established BeamClamp® fixings range received an overwhelmingly positive response, with the Kee Safety® stand enjoying a steady stream of visitors throughout the two day show.

“Fastener Fair was a great showcase for Kee Safety. We had plenty of interest in

the new products we launched, and saw visitors from across the UK and Europe” explains Ian Page, sales director at Kee Safety Ltd “We strengthened some existing links and also unearthed some important new contacts as we continue to build our distribution network and evolve the business”.

On show as part of the Kee Safety® offering was the new Suspension Fixings range. This included the unique universal Uni-Wedge decking fixing, suitable for the seven most popular deck profiles in the UK. Using Uni-Wedge allows contractors to safely secure struts for cable trays, suspended ceilings and pipework supports to decking profiles without penetrating the roof membrane. It provides a guaranteed safe working load and simply requires a standard hexagon key and spanner with no need for power, special tools or highly skilled labour.

At Fastener Fair Coventry, Tornado Construction showcased its full range of products, as well as its new catalogue.

The new catalogue has been redesigned and complied to make it the most comprehensive and accessible Tornado catalogue to date.

Tornado says that the new catalogue is essential reading for all those who purchase tools & consumables. It includes an extensive list of Tornado products including gas power tools accessories, cartridge tool system, construction fasteners and other consumables. All of which are meticulously detailed with an easy to work with but full, technical spec. The catalogue includes clear pictures and all 56 pages are in full colour.

Included is its keenly priced, own-brand Tornado T-Fix, range of polyester, vinylester and epoxy resins.

Also the EXP 88 cartridge tool for fixing into concrete or steel, has a strong history of success. With CE approval it is suited to a wide range of shot fired nails.

Harrison & Clough launches new website Harrison & Clough, UK wholesaler of fasteners, fixings, hand and power tools launched its new website at Fastener Fair Coventry.

The online fastener guide has been created specifically for fastener and fixing buyers, reducing the time and effort taken to research purchasing decisions.

The launch proved hugely successful, with the industry’s professionals welcoming the fresh, modern outlook on fastener and fixing products. The website’s clean graphical interface categorises products by type, DIN or manufacturer, whilst the traditional search facility is available on every page.

NORMA UK had its unique and The latest development meets the needs of buyers wanting access innovative dispenser, for its to a wide variety of product, whilst maintaining fast, convenient and Terry® Powergrip range of worm precise information. Speed and ease of use are fundamental to the drive hose clips, on display at the design allowing a buyer to find exactly what they are looking for in show. as little as 2 clicks from the homepage. Despite the simplicity of use, Called the Terry® Tower, the a wealth of product information is displayed including DIN, BS, ISO, dispenser is a high content, low grade, thread, finish, size and inner/outer quantities. footprint cylindrical design that Mark Dorrington, business manager explained the concept “We provides a comprehensive identified the demand for a no-nonsense solution to enable buyers to stock – over 800 hose clips – of the quickly discover a particular product, whilst reviewing the broad Powergrip range. Conveniently range available from Harrison & Clough.” Michael Brown, commercial director summarised “In an industry characterised by thousands upon dispensed in the distinctive yellow Terry® retail boxes, the 11 most thousands of products, this innovative device popular sizes of Powergrip, ranging from 12mm through to 70mm, are allows buyers to effortlessly find that needle in the haystack”.

The fastener guide is available online at www.harclo.com and runs alongside the existing Tradefast website.

NORMA UK spin Terry® included in the dispenser and the vertical drop slot construction means that hose clips are both easy to dispense and re-stock.

“Powergrip worm drive hose clips are used throughout the industry as they deliver a consistently high, even clamping force and carry both BS5315 and Kitemark accreditations.”

The very small footprint of the Terry® Tower – only 400mm diameter – makes it an ideal trade counter or point of sale item and the rotating design means that customer access to their required hose clip size is both easy and convenient.

NORMA UK Ltd, a UK supplier of hose clips, bolt clamps, pipe couplings, profile clamps and plastic connectors, has several introductory offers currently available on the Terry® Tower.

60

Evolution makes some noise Throughout the two days of Fastener Fair Coventry, visitors could go to Evolution Power Tools stand and witness demonstrations of the Rage4 Multipurpose Advan-Saw. Evoultion says that the RAGE4 185mm Multipurpose Advan-Saw is the powered alternative to a hacksaw and provides an advanced performance through an incredible range of materials using just one blade.

Utilising Evolution’s RAGE® technology the versatile RAGE4 will produce a fast and clean cut through steel, aluminium, wood and plastics. When cutting steel the RAGE4 cuts cold (no coolant is required) leaving an instantly workable finish.

“This is the perfect tool for slicing through threaded bar, bolt trimming and other small awkward applications. The RAGE4 also has the capacity to cut 4” x 2” planed timber and will make easy work of reclaimed timber riddled with foreign objects such as nails or screws.”

C-TEC Belfast demonstrates the CT1 One of the most impressive demonstration at Fastener Fair Coventry was the CT1 ‘Snag List Eliminator’ on the C-TEC Belfast stand.

C-TEC describes CT1 as the ultimate technology in sealing and bonding and decided to give examples of how quickly it seals on the stand. As the pictures (below) demonstrate the ‘Snag List Eliminator’ was able to stop water pouring from a cup within seconds and even worked under water.

CT1 contains no solvents, meaning it will never shrink and has a lot of flexibility. It is also UV resistant, anti bacterial and environmentally friendly.

CT1 can be used to bond virtually anything including stones (with staining), tiles, metals, mirrors, wood, and ceramics. It can used for both indoor and outdoor work, and is available in white, grey, clear (completely translucent), black, beige, oak and brown.

AHORN® BigDrive® system at show AHORN® took the chance to exhibit its BigDrive® system, for belt-collated screws, at the show.

The BigDrive® system offers a multiplicity of screwing applications in the area of hall & facade constructions, light & heavy timber constructions, steel building, terrace & balcony constructions, etc.

AHORN® says that the specialty of the BigDrive® system is the large number of different screws which can be used. Screws with a length from 13mm to 75mm, with a diameter from 3.5mm to 6.3mm, washers up to 16 mm and almost all head forms and recess are no problem.

Developed and patented by AHORN® the Big Drive® is available in two different types, the BigDrive 25® for screws up to a length of 25mm and the BigDrive 75® for screws up to 75mm.

It’s also possible to use the BigDrive® attachments with an extension bar for flooring and decking and with different drivers of different brands.

INTRODUCING THE NEW Manufacturers of Masonry Nails, Cartridge Tool Nails, Washered Nails and Capping Nails

Double countersunk reduces the likelihood of head shear 6 Ribs on the second countersink to assist completion of countersinking and prevent damage to furniture hardware

TIM Drive Recess (T10, T20, T25, T30) recess to reduce driver wear, offer more positive drive and prevent camming out Partially threaded above 25mm to improve clamping effectiveness

J.H. de Wit en Zonen B.V., P.O. Box 60, Gerstdijk 17, Industrial Zone No. 9081, 5700 AB Helmond, The Netherlands.

Tel: +(31) 492 - 588888 Fax: +(31) 492 - 547585 E-mail: info@don-quichotte.nl www.don-quichotte.nl

Special Feature: The Timco Classic Plus has ribs only on the second countersink; this allows the VFUHZ WR VLW ÁXVK LQWR a hinge countersink and prevents the ribs from damaging the plating

Plated in Zinc 5-8 microns and yellow passivated to give a high resistance to corrosion

Lubricated with Gleitmo 605 to enhance screw insertion time and a greater resistance to corrosion

Wave-Thread serrations on 1/3 of the thread reduces driving torque

8QLTXH WKUHDG FRQÀJXUDWLRQ to give a rapid installation DQG D VHFXUH À[LQJ ZLWK KLJK pull-out resistance Type 17 Slash Point eliminates the need for pre-drilling and prevents the wood from splitting Suitable for all these substrates

‘The unique thread design gives an impressive speed of insertion time and H[FHSWLRQDO SXOO RXW resistance in both soft and hard timber.

Additionally, the Type 17 slots relieves the insertion torque and reduces the likelihood of the timber splitting.’

Hardwood

Peter Owen - Quality Control Manager

Chipboard

Plastic Softwood MDF Plywood Thin Sheet Metal

Tel: 01829 261111 )D[ 01829 261102 Web: www.TIMcouk.com Email: sales@timcouk.com T.I.Midwood & Co Ltd, Green Lane, Wardle, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6BJ

62

Champagne Charlies Europa Fastenings had a raffle on both days of the show, with each winner getting a bottle of Champagne.

On the first day Europa Fastenings asked Tony Dutfield from Bollhoff Direct to pull out the winning card, the winner was Paul Ballinger, a sales manager from UK Fasteners.

On the second day, our very own Jerry Ramsdale made the draw, with the winner being Andy Knight, sales director of Precision Technology Screws, who were also exhibiting at the show.

Hampton Plating also had a raffle over the two days with the winning prize again being a bottle of Champagne.

When it came to the draw Hampton called upon the help of TR’s KEBA MAN, who had valiantly walked the isles throughout the two days.

The winner this time was Gail Kimberley from Earnest Machine Products.

Masterfix decided to do something slightly different when it held its raffle at the show, and offered a free EZM12 tool as 1st prize.

The EZM12 is a patented hand tool with transmission of power. It is an ergonomically designed two-lever tool, which enables anyone to set, even a large M12 stainless steel blind rivet nut, with minimum effort.

The winner of the EZM12 was Mr. Kevin Dytham of JGP Fixings in Wombwell, Barnsley, UK. There was also a 2nd and 3rd prize of a luxury Charles Dickens pen set which were won by Mr. Martin Verkley of Conteq fastening systems, Waddinxveen, Netherlands, and Mr. S. Beauchamp of Unifast Fastening Systems ltd, Fourmarks, UK.

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Aptus connects at Fastener Fair Aptus sales manager, Winston Kilburn demonstrates Heco-Schrauben at Fastener Fair Coventry.

Fastener Fair Coventry witnessed the emergence of a new name in the UK fixings supply market, albeit with a wellestablished pedigree. Aptus Fastener Systems stepped forward, after 16 years as Furniture Fixings, with a new livery, a new home, new products… but still a very visible European partnership forged over a decade.

“Our relationship with Heco-Schrauben began almost ten years ago,” explains Aptus managing director, Stewart Taylor, “when we were appointed their trading partner for the UK. Since then the partnership has gone from strength to strength.”

Manufacturing in Schramberg, surrounded by the German Black Forest, Heco-Schrauben has been making screws for over 40 years.

Describing itself as a medium-sized family company, Heco-Schrauben credits much of its current business philosophy to its founder Ludwig Hettich, who in 1967 hived off the screw production from the family business supplying the local clock industry. Joint managing director, Stefan Hettich, encapsulates that philosophy as “inventiveness, diligence and quality awareness,” adding “we also have our feet firmly planted on the ground.” A 160 strong workforce, based in a 12,000 square metre factory, translates these characteristics into a fastener brand recognised worldwide for its safety, performance and reliability.

The Heco brand was born in 1978 with the launch of the company’s first chipboard screw.

The HECO-FIX-plus® universal screw was introduced in 1990. Five years later Heco launched Multi-Monti®, its patented screw anchor, which was to become the first to

achieve a European Technical Approval for Option 1 cracked and uncracked concrete in 2005. In 2000 Heco brought the HECO-TOPIX® professional woodscrew to the market, with a series of design features aimed at optimising performance in hard, high grade timber, as well as in soft timber and boards.

Derivatives of the HECO-TOPIX have subsequently been developed specifically for securing roof installation. Most recently, at Practical World, Heco launched the MULTI-MONTI-TC, a combination of screw anchor and woodscrew for securing wood components to solid masonry or concrete.

“Innovation has always been a major factor in Heco’s success,” says Stewart Taylor. “We have made good progress with the HECO-TOPIX products aimed at commercial decking and timber framed construction. With MULTI-MONTI it was typical of the company’s mentality that they should aim for the highest Option 1 European Technical Approval and achieve it. For us it provided the perfect product for customers supplying high specification projects, where quality and safety is paramount.”

Members of the Aptus Fastener team regularly attend training days in Germany with their Heco technical counterparts, who also support trade events attended in the UK. It is not, though, solely the technical and performance capabilities of the Heco range that have proven important to Aptus in the UK. Shipments leave Germany destined for the UK weekly, giving Aptus access to a ‘vast inventory’

of product at short notice.

Normally Aptus will supply distributors from its own stocks, held at its new warehouse in Denby. However, urgent requirements can be met by direct delivery from Germany if necessary.

“Stockholding in Schramberg is extremely impressive,” says Stewart Taylor. “For example HECO-FIX-plus, the versatile multi material screw is stocked in BZP and yellow zinc, pan head/raised head/countersunk, Pozi and T-drive, with and without ribs – from 2.5mm diameter right up to 6mm x 300mm long!”

That combination of stockholding and reliability of logistics means Aptus can supply one of the most comprehensive ranges of high quality products available in the UK. “The partnership with Heco is stronger today than it has ever been,” says Stewart Taylor, “and we look forward to building on the firm foundations we have developed in recent years.”

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Fischer group has two reasons to celebrate in 2008 They’re having a party in the Black Forest this year. The village of Tumlingen, situated in the heart of one of the most scenic areas of Germany, and global home of fischer, is enjoying a double celebration this year.

Fifty years ago, ten years after establishing his company, Artur Fischer (now 89 years old) introduced a product which was to revolutionise the business of wall fixings. In its day the S-Plug was unique in being manufactured from high grade nylon - today it is the world’s most widely produced (and copied) plug.

Having established a successful fixings business, 25 years ago fischer added a further string to its bow by making its first inroads into the automotive industry. Today its in-car storage products are widely supplied to many of the best-known and most prestigious brands in vehicle manufacturing. Recognition of the company’s global achievements in automotive engineering is the occasion for fischer’s second round of celebrations this year.

International development has been the key to driving growth through both core company divisions. The UK was one of the earlier subsidiaries, having been formed in 1975. In 1980 aged 29, the founder’s son Klaus Fischer took over the general management of the company. He has since made his company into a global player with as many as 27 national companies on all five continents – four more will join this year, by 2010 the group will have 40 companies. With a headcount of 3,800 people, the company currently generates sales of over 500 million euros.

CEO, Klaus Fischer

“International sales have become more and more important for us,” says Klaus Fischer. “Today we make three-quarters of our revenues in our fixing system division outside Germany. We are the world market leader in plugs.”

International development has been driven in part by fischer’s commitment to selling not just fixing products but fixing solutions. The ability to supply calculations via its own Compufix software, as well as testing and bespoke product variants where necessary, has enabled fischer to work with the designers of major and iconic projects around the world. Every day about 14.5 million fischer plugs and anchors are used internationally – many of these in well-known and spectacular buildings such as the Wembley stadium, the Auf Schalke football arena in Germany, the Brenner motorway in Italy, the Metro in Singapore, the Museum of Modern Art in New York or the skyscraper Taipei 101. Fischer’s engineering expertise is also to be found in the Elbe tunnel in Hamburg and in the world’s highest and longest suspension bridge, the Viaduc de Millau in France, not to mention the Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building and in today’s longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard base tunnel in Switzerland.

What in turn stands behind this is an impressive research and development capability which employs more than 60 people based at its German sites. Here you will find testing machinery which is virtually unique in the world. In temperature and moisture-controlled laboratories you will see fixings being subjected to longterm testing regimes, sometimes over decades. You will also appreciate a commitment to training and personnel

development, which for the last 20 years has found its manifestation in the fischer Academy – a considerable resource open to both internal staff and customers. Fischer understands that people – its own staff and its customers – are the reason for its success.

“There is one objective we are all striving for - the creation of profit,” says Klaus Fischer.

“To achieve this target, a company must listen to its employees, because it’s the people who make all the difference in today’s global market. It is our people who are our most valuable assets, not plants, equipment or buildings.”

“Our aim is to be the best in our industry worldwide,” continues Fischer. “And we can do so only with your knowledge. Our customers’ experience must flow into the advance development of our fixing systems.”

With management now moving into the third generation of the fischer family, the company has resisted all temptations to go public, as the fischer philosophy holds strongly that private ownership is the best way to encourage a focus on to the customers and their individual needs.

“Our core values are innovation, responsibility and reliability,” says Klaus Fischer. “All our entrepreneurial activities have to be measured against that.”

If fischer had not got the recipe broadly right

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these last 50 years, the business over would not be in the health which it today enjoys. In fact, as Herr Fischer says: “2007 was the best year in our company’s history”. Fischer would also not have been able to make the proud boast that it has, as a group, by far the largest number of products on the market which carry a European Technical Approval. Quality has always been an over-riding concern for fischer, and its success in gaining ETAs, since their introduction ten years ago, has made this clearer than ever.

From South Africa to Norway, from Argentina to Japan, fischer fixing systems are in demand by all types of customer ranging from DIY enthusiasts to civil engineering contractors. Nowadays plastic plugs make up just a small fraction of the product range: steel anchors and chemical fixings, adhesives and complete systems (for instance the installation grid in industrial constructions) are part of the range.

From fischer Automotive OEM products include cup holders and CD boxes, storage trays and ventilation nozzles, kinematic and multi-functional components. The manufacturer of a patented audio archive (fischer CBOX) has become a specialist in serving demand from the world-wide automotive industry. Its customers during its first 25 years have included Audi, BMW and Daimler, General Motors and Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi, Rolls-Royce and Rover.

The fact that the company has two other divisions should also not be forgotten, namely fischertechnik (construction kits) and fischer Process Consulting. fischertechnik, which itself celebrated 40 years on the market in 2005, is another of Artur Fischer’s inventions, mainly aimed at the ‘educational toy’ market, while the newer fPS division allows other companies to share in the business process success which fischer has enjoyed since 1948.

The company has come a long way since that day in 1958 when Artur Fischer, clamped a round piece of nylon (polyamide) into a vice

Company founder, Arthur Fischer in his workshop, looked at it from all sides, shaping it and cutting notches into it. That was the birth of the world’s most famous plug: the S-Plug. This immediately revolutionised the market for fixing products. Before its innovation, builders had used small wooden blocks set in plaster or hemp-filled metal sleeves.

However the S-Plug was not the first or the last invention of the skilled locksmith: the photo flash with synchronised release came first, followed later by the fischertechnik construction kit, a reusable laundry hanger and most recently the TiP play material.

Innovation has driven fischer forward for the last 50 years, and most of those innovations have been in the field of fixings technology. “We see ourselves as problem solvers”, says Klaus Fischer. This stance is borne out by the company’s active global industrial rights policy. Each year fischer files 14.19 patents per 1,000 employees in Germany – the industry average is 0.58 – and this places fischer third in German industry as a whole.

To name just a few innovation highlights from the last 50 years - the fischer SX was the first anchor with quadruple expansion, the fischer SXS was the world’s first plastic plug with construction approval for use in cracked concrete. The fischer UX was the first universal plug which ties into knots, and the SXR 10 long-shaft fixing which will be launched this year is the first nylon fixing with an (ETA) for virtually all load-bearing types of masonry materials and for centric tension in cracked concrete.

Heavy duty anchoring is another area where fischer sets the standard. The most recent advance developments, the hammerset anchor EA II and the anchor bolt FBN II make maximum use of the arithmetical tensile load capacity of concrete, which means that can now be used right up to the load limit.

In the fast-growing chemical anchoring sector, fischer is also leading the way. With the Highbond anchor and the unique FIS V injection mortar, fischer offers the world’s most powerful resin anchor for cracked concrete.

The Zykon undercut anchor was another fischer innovation, which led to a quantum leap for fischer in façade fixings – the ACT system for fixing stonework, ceramic and fibre cement boards, and which was later also used for fixing glass and photovoltaic modules. The fischer Zykon glass fitting FZP-G remains the only undercut anchor with construction approval for fixing glass panes without the need to drill

through the glass.

Another recent innovation is the fischer Thermax - a revolutionary spaced installation system, which is ideal for fixing a wide range of loads to buildings with composite thermal insulation systems, without creating thermal bridges. Again, this is another example of where fischer is today the first and only manufacturer.

Today, the product assortment covers virtually the whole spectrum of fixings. Next to the classic plugs and anchors, fischer also supplies a fire protection system with fire stops, SaMontec for domestic service installations, elements for composite thermal insulation systems as well as adhesives, bolts and screws.

Looking to the future there seems no immediate reason why the current rapid and successful growth of the fischer group should cease. The company remains securely in the hands of its founding family and its global positioning and very diverse product range serve to cushion the business from the vagaries of the international market and from the effects of peaks and troughs in specific product sectors.

The management certainly has an eye on what needs to be done and is aware of the need for a “profound understanding of our customers’ needs” and “to know what will be important for our customers in ten or fifteen year’s time”.

“Our growth stands on a very wide base,” as Klaus Fischer puts it.

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Fischer fights fire Fischer is introducing a new range of passive fire protection products, which have been developed specially for the UK market.

The new Firestop range includes mastics, foams, sealants, putties, boards, pipe sleeves and collars, all offering the required passive fire protection. The product range meets all the relevant BS and EN approvals for fire resistance and comes with the fischer guarantee of quality. The entire range comprises more than 60 products, including varying sizes, fire ratings and bespoke fire solutions, all designed to suit the most demanding applications.

Fischer quality and innovation is the hallmark of the new Firestop range, which has been developed to meet both current and future market needs. All the products in the range are approved to the British Standard (BS 476 part 20 & 22), while many of them

also meet the imminent EN1366-3 standard, and certain products are also FM and UL-approved.

“This new range will be distinctive in the UK market for both its breadth and quality,” says Dr Pietro Grandesso, managing director of fischer fixings UK. “Safety is a key issue for today’s building designers, so we are confident that Firestop will make a big contribution in this area.”

Key products from the range include fischer Intumescent Acoustic Mastic FiAM,

New resin range Tornado T-Fix, a range of polyester, vinylester and epoxy resins is now available from Tornado Construction Products.

With a wide range of construction applications, T-Fix is a range of chemical resins which Tornado says solve most damp and dry high load fixing situations.

Styrene-free T-Fix M380 and M300 are second generation polyester resins in 300ml and 380ml tubes. With low odour, they are suitable for most substrates including concrete, solid and hollow brick and, when used in dry conditions, offer high loads in

non-critical applications. The resins are also suitable for hollow brick/pot applications when used with a nylon or metal sleeve. T-Fix M300 fits a standard heavy-duty 310ml applicator.

The 300ml & 380ml tubes of vinylester resins, T-Fix H300 and H380, offer a high load security in damp conditions, have a low odour and carry the European Technical Approval [ETA], Option 7. Like the M300, T-Fix H300 is also suitable for use in a standard 310ml applicator gun and is an ETA approved resin.

Carrying water-board approval [WRAS] T-Fix 400 is a 400ml epoxy resin for use with the highest loads in critical applications and is suitable for waterbased conditions, as well as rebarinstallation.

All T-Fix resins are styrene-free and can be re-used (replacement of the mixer nozzle is required).

fischer intumescent Putty Pads FiPP, fischer Quickpass FQP and the fischer conduit intumescent FCi.

Kee Safety Ltd receives accreditation Kee Safety Ltd, a supplier of handrail, guard rail, roof edge protection and steelwork connections, has announced it has successfully gained Constructionline accreditation.

Commenting on the recent accreditation, Chris Milburn, group managing director of Kee Safety Ltd, said: “We are delighted with this accreditation.

It is significant for us to show that we can achieve the standards set by respected organisations such as Constructionline. It reassures our customers that we are constantly working to improve the quality of our services and illustrates how our employees continue to work safely and to a high standard.”

Constructionline is a UK register of pre-qualified construction and construction-related suppliers. It is owned and endorsed by the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. The assessment was based upon various aspects of the company such as health and safety, financial position, training, insurance levels, quality accreditation, as well as a selection of references from its customers.

Kee Safety Ltd is the UK division of Kee Safety International, a global safety company with offices in Canada, France, Germany, UAE and USA.

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User friendly fixings Plasplugs Multi Size wall fixings have been designed to accommodate a range of wall thicknesses, including tiled walls.

The innovative clip pack includes 24 standard plasterboard fixings and a further 26 fixings with varying barrel lengths. The pack comes complete with depth gauge to help the consumer determine which plug is to be used in three easy steps.

• Set - Insert the depth gauge into pre-drilled hole to measure the wall thickness.

• Measure - Set the measuring gauge to show the exact wall thickness.

• Select - Choose the most appropriate fixing from the clip pack.

The cleverly designed pack ensures that the remaining fixings can be stored safely until the next time they are needed.

A quick stick in a handy can Geocel says that its new INSTA-STIK MP fast cure multi-purpose adhesive is unlike any board fixing adhesive available.

Dow INSTA-STIK MP fast cure adhesive can be used for fixing plasterboard, insulation board and most common building materials, and comes in a handy 750ml can. The INSTA-STIK MP is also now B2 fire-rated, meeting the requirements of BS 476 part 20 and DIN 4102 Part 1 for Construction Materials; Class B2. This makes it suitable for applications where a fire rated finish is required.

Dow INSTA-STIK MP will adhere extruded and expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanate, mineral wool or plaster insulation boards, floor boards, shower and bathroom panels to concrete, masonry, plaster, wood, metal and various bitumous substrates.

“Because it cures to full strength with minimal expansion in just three to five minutes it is quick and easy to use. Also thanks to the excellent cure times there is no need to wait before plastering which can be carried out just one hour after application.”

Epcon C8 delivers extreme performance Spit has launched the chemical anchor Epcon C8 Extreme, an epoxy resin that has been specifically formulated for rebar and stud applications requiring a high load capacity. The new formulation resin is the first to achieve European Technical Approval for rebar applications. “ When it comes to specifying a fixing for safety critical applications, performance is vital. The European Technical Approval ensures the anchor performance of Epcon C8 Extreme is reliable and functions correctly. The approval also demonstrates that the epoxy resin complies with all necessary building regulations.”

Easy to inject, the Epcon C8 is available with an Extreme Performance Injection Tool, which reduces the effort required for application, by applying a force of up to 500kg to the 450ml resin cartridge.

Epcon C8 Extreme has also been approved for use in wet and diamond drilled holes, and rebar applications up to 32mm diameter. Epcon C8 allows injection from 5 to 35°C, providing the same performance level without heating the cartridge.

Epcon C8 is suitable for extreme applications and is CSTB fire tested and NF approved. It is also Phenol and Stryrene free and has virtually no odour, making it suitable for indoor applications.

Vorpa in the fast lane Vorpa is sponsoring the Italian rider Marco Simoncelli, who competes in the Moto Gp 250cc World Championship, for the 2008 season.

By sponsoring the Italian rider, Vorpa aims to associate its brand with the values of passion, energy and determination associated with the sport.

“Since our foundation in 1974 we have characterised the way Vorpa does business into two directions, offering an excellent production quality level and always looks at the future in an innovative way.”

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APOLO GAS NAILER ACCESSORIES

Our wide experience in Powder and Gas Actuated Tools, together with our vast range of tools, nails and accessories have led us to the top of the market of professional tools.

Save money and time in your installations: APOLO, leading manufacturer of solutions for fixing and assembly activities, has developed the most comprehensive range of gas tool fixing accessories for quick installations of pipes and wiring.

ABRANYL® TRAK: Multi size plastic clamp especially suitable for gas nailer. Prepared to hold until 30kg of weight, it is adaptable for multiple fixing systems and its flexibility fastens 10 pipe diameters in only 3 sizes.

Quick installation: 5 secs.

BASEBRID: For fixing tubes with a cable tie. Its curved geometry allows a better sitting of the tubes. Quick installation: 15 secs.

THREADED ROD Range: Threaded accessory: available in M6 and M8 threads, can hold up 30kg and 50kg. Quick installation: 10 secs.

Threaded rod accessory: available in M4, M5, M6 and M8 threads.

Quick installation: 10 secs.

GRAPATRAK: Single or double multi size plastic clip ideal for fixing heating tubes into the floor. Quick installation: 3 secs.

APOLO, continues expanding internationally with his new logistic center in Hungary, CELO HUNGARIA, KFT. (celohu@celo.com).

For further information contact: Tel: +34 937158388

www.apolo.es

Expandet Screw Anchors A/S

PRO-08 range includes three different tools: • PRO-08, light and versatile.

• PRO-08 PLUS, with ergonomic handle and power regulation.

• PRO-08 AUTO, for the automatic firing of up to 10 nails.

PRO-12, for nails with 12mm plastic washer. Strong and reliable, PRO-12 offers its best performance in the most extreme and professional applications. This excellent tool allows the nailing to roofs, floors and walls of concrete, steel and stone. A wide range of nails and sizes are also available for regular and special applications, as well as a vast range of studs and nails with big diameter washers.

PRO-09, light and versatile tool for nails with 9mm plastic washer.

With power regulation and disc loads.

PRO-06 GAS actuated tool is one of the lightest and fastest tools in the market. Its high capacity magazine (40 pins) and its autonomy (1200 shots), together with our wide range of accessories make it the perfect tool for Electrical, Air conditioning and Drywall track installers.

Tel: +34 93 630 47 16

www.desa.es

Exports Unlimited Precision Brass Parts From INDIA ….

Expandet Super Assortment in nylon

Exports Unlimited is a leading name for manufacturing of Brass Fasteners and Fixing Systems, Drop-in Anchors, Brass Inserts, Brass Turned Parts, Brass Nuts, Brass Hose & Pipe Fittings, Brass Electrical Components and Brass Compression Fittings.

(picture) comprises 1. Expandet Super - brick and concrete 2. Expandet Super with long expansion - porous materials 3. Frame Fixing - brick and concrete 4. Frame Fixing with long expansion - porous materials 5. Frame Fixing with collar - brick and concrete 6. Frame Fixing with long expansion with collar - porous materials

We offer Precision Brass Turned Components as per Customers Specifications from grades CuZn39Pb3, CuZn39Pb2, CuZn40Pb2, CuZn37Pb2, CuZn40Al2, CW603N, CW608N, CW612N, CW614N, CW617N, and many more. We also offer parts made from special alloys as required by different customers.

Not to mention, we also deliver ROHS Compliant Brass Components.

All Frame Fixings available with countersunk or hexagon head.

All Frame Fixing with collar available with hexagon screw with flange.

Expandet Screw Anchors A/S are Danish manufacturers of nylon and plastic fixings exported around the world under the trademark EXPANDET®.

Expandet has a large variety of fasteners for fixing in both solid and porous materials and in plasterboards. We also stock a large range of heavy duty fixings and chemical fixings which enables us to meet all fixing requirements.

Tel: (+45) 70 22 79 79

DESA. Powder and Gas Actuated Tools

www.expandet.com

Our In-house foundry and raw material production allows us to meet and maintain international material standards. Our well established Quality System and Work Procedures are committed to provide Guaranteed Quality, Assured On-time Deliveries, Competitive Pricing and Complete Customer Satisfaction.

Think of BRASS….. Think of us…..

Contact us for all your needs in Brass...

info@exports-unlimited.com

www.exports-unlimited.com

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fischer fixings UK Ltd.

Harrison & Clough Ltd

NEW SUPERFAST-ACTING RESIN ANCHOR FROM FISCHER

Harrison & Clough Ltd offers the UK and Europe an unsurpassed range of quality Construction Anchors and Fixings.

fischer is introducing a new fast-acting resin capsule to be used together with the FHB Highbond anchor – fischer’s powerful anchor for cracked concrete. The FHB has always had the option of being set either with an injection resin or a capsule. Now this latest FHB II-PF is the best option for installations where a fast-curing solution is required, since this two-component vinyl-ester resin will cure in an impressive two minutes at an ambient temperature of 21C. Since time is money on many jobs, its superfast curing time turns the FHB II-PF into an economical high-performance fixing solution, especially for one-off or low volume jobs. Because the quantity of resin is automatically controlled by the capsule, it can also be easier to use for those who are not experts in resin installation.

A vast variety of construction products from the widely recognised MasonMate® brand, from traditional Shield Anchors Loose bolt, Projecting or Hook&Eye, through to ETA Approved Heavy Duty anchors, loose-bolt or countersunk.

This product launch represents another major product innovation from fischer. By way of comparison, standard capsule setting times are 10 – 45 minutes depending on ambient conditions, while injection systems can take up to three hours. The FHB Highbond anchor used with the FHB II-PF has a European Technical Approval at Option 1 for use in either cracked or non-cracked concrete, and also an expected fire resistance of up to F120.

® Fixing Solutions For The Professional

The extensive MasonMate® range extends to Throughbolts, Zinc, Stainless or Hot Dipped Galvanised all sourced from quality assured manufacturers and fully tested for modern construction techniques.

In addition, Harrison & Clough are pleased to announce the arrival of more injection resins to the Masonmate® family; an ETA approved 380ml Pure Vinylester and a WRAS approved 400ml Pure Epoxy Resin.

Along with the other Mate brands, Timbermate® and Metalmate®, Harrison & Clough’s offering of fixings and fasteners includes the broadest ranges of screws & bolts in the UK available ex-stock.

From a box…to a container, Harrison & Clough Ltd has the answer.

Contact us in the UK on 0870 889 2222 or visit www.harclo.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1491 827900

www.fischer.co.uk

JCP Construction Products ROCKITE AND ROCKITE X

Tel: +44 (0) 870 8892222

www.harclo.com

MAGE AG MAGE AG is a specialised Swiss manufacturer whose task is to be a partner and a guarantee for quality in the demanding field of the building industry.

Within the JCP extensive range of products is a well kept secret that some have discovered to their advantage. Never really publicised but still widely used is the Rockite and RockiteX Cementitious Grout.

Both products are a cement based powder which just requires the addition of water to give a fast setting, hydraulic type cement compound which when cured is stronger than conventional standard grade concrete. With an initial set time of 20 minutes, they will develop a compressive strength of 30N/mm² after 1 hour. Adhesion to the concrete is due to the expansion properties of the products which bond to the item being anchored and the sides of the hole.

Rockite is an interior grade product with RockiteX being suitable for exterior use without any additional treatment. Traditionally used for anchoring posts, bolts and rebar into concrete as well as patching and repairing both Rockite and Rockite X are now being used extensively for fixing glass balustrades into concrete channels. The speed of cure and strength of the products mean that any temporary supports can be removed quickly, thereby causing the minimum of disruption.

We are producing fasteners in Switzerland since more than 30 years ago and we offer a complete program of bimetal austenitic stainless steel self-drilling fasteners for steel building. Our topex programme represents the cutting edge of today’s technology in the European market. topex®Self-drilling fasteners in carbon and bimetal stainless steel for roofing and cladding as well as for industrial applications with drilling capacity in steel up to 18mm. topex® -ufo Ultra-low head-design self-drilling fasteners in carbon and bimetal stainless steel offering an aesthetic solution for visible fixations.

Further to our wide range of self-drilling fasteners we have the possibility to powder paint our fasteners or to NYCO-over mould our hex-head fasteners.

We provide Swiss precision fasteners with high quality that has been widely approved by International approval authorities and by leading building system manufacturers.

For further specification, technical or product assistance, please contact us. MAGE AG / Switzerland.

For further information see the JCP website at www.jcpfixings.co.uk or contact JCP Technical Support on 020 8546 6545.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8546 6545

www.jcpfixings.co.uk

Email: sales@mage.ch

www.mage.ch

Martyn Price & ETA Fixings Martyn Price Fasteners market a range of fixings for distributors as a significant part of their overall comprehensive product range.

The Allgrip brand is headed by a range of concrete and masonry anchor products.

Best known in the market place for their superb range of European technically approved throughbolts, which are available in BZP, HDG or Stainless Steel. In addition, these parts are supported by a range of parts which are labelled “the economy range”. These parts like their premium counterparts are small boxed in the now well known black Allgrip box and come complete with the installation instructions printed on the box. Furthermore Martyn Price’s economy range has been designed to achieve the same performance as the approved parts.

In addition to the Throughbolts and Shield anchors, the ETA Allgrip range extends to numerous other products for concrete and masonry applications including resins (also approved) studs and the ever popular Thunderbolts and KF Multipurpose masonry screw. If you require any information either technical or commercial then please contact us on 01384 424767

Tel: +44 (0)1384 424 767

www.allgrip.eu

TIMco Chemical Resins TIMco have launched a new Chemical Resin Product range.

The high quality resins are for use in all masonry types. The range consists of: PE (Polyester) a general purpose resin, EASF (Epoxy Acrylate) a CE marked ETA approved, high performance, styrene free, fire rated resin for critical applications, and Epoxy 300, a pure epoxy resin with easy flow non shrink characteristics for critical structural and high performance applications. The unique feature of all the resins is the cartridge: All resin types are available in a carrier system that can be used in a standard mastic or sealant gun.

For further information in relation to these chemical anchors, please contact TIMco on: 01829 261 111 or alternatively visit our new look web site www.TIMcouk.com.

Tel: +44 (0) 1829 261 111

www.TIMcouk.com

STAFA HOLLAND Stafa Holland is an importer/wholesale dealer of a large programme of fasteners.

Founded in 1977 and domiciled in The Netherlands.

Our strength lies in a selected assortment and quick deliveries from extended stocks.

Quality, reliability and keen prices mark the important position that we carry throughout Europe with the deliveries of among other things bolts, nuts, screws, washers and threaded rods. Besides that, Stafa also delivers products on the basis of specifications given by you.

Furthermore, we offer a wide range of construction products: wedge anchors, drywall plugs, collated drywall screws, nylon plugs, hammerfix plugs, drop-in anchors, express pins, metal frame anchors, ceiling anchors, ...

We are looking forward to receiving your enquiries. Please visit our website for more info. Our catalogue can also be found online. Thank you.

Email: info@stafa.nl

www.stafa.nl

Uniriv Ltd Uniriv Ltd. is the one and only rivet factory in Hungary and we are domiciled in the heart of Europe. Our company was founded in 1991, employing now 70 people in a 3800 m2 up-to-date plant.

We produce a wide range of fasteners, the size and quality of which meets the known standards and regulations.

Our products are manufactured with automatic, program controlled machinery at a high standard.

Our special products can be used to solve any kind of fastening problems. Special size or material quality does not mean a problem for our specialists.

We have many outstanding results in the field of cold extrusion technology in metal processing.

We are able to produce metal fasteners made from WIRE, TUBE and STEEL STRIP for the assembling and automotive industry.

Due to the quality-oriented production, the constant and high standard product development and intensive marketing, our company is already planning the production of fasteners of the future, meeting the requirements of the 3rd millennium.

Email: uniriv@uniriv.hu

www.uniriv.hu

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“A new technology is coming …”

Dr Sergio Ziotti, chairman of Carlo Salvi, spoke with Phil Matten during a recent visit to Garlate, where the company has been building advanced cold forming technology for nearly seventy years. The main focus was, inevitably, the company’s latest introduction – the 6-die Carlo Salvi 613 cold former. seconds. Wire feed is by grippers, which cover a wide range of wire diameters.

The feed is more accurate and the wire is not subject to the stresses associated with the wire stops used on conventional machines.”

“The dies, backing screws and ejector levers are all locked hydraulically ensuring rapid installation and extremely high levels of accuracy. The tooling area is very deep, allowing the use of complex tools, including sliding dies.”

“Carlo Salvi offers oscillating transfer on the Model 613: a new patented design, where the transfer is fitted onto hard metal guides to guarantee absence of play and higher precision. Transfer fingers are independently adjustable, with segregated pneumatic control to each set of fingers. The fingers can be centred off machine using a jig, which is also supplied. If necessary a single finger unit can be replaced without needing to lift the entire transfer unit. These are all crucial characteristics for a machine capable of making even the smallest parts.”

“In common with all Carlo Salvi progressive headers this new technology is synonymous with the use of advanced 2008 electronics, thanks to which it is possible to check the

“The new generation of progressive headers that have been introduced by Carlo Salvi at the recent wire 2008 fair in Germany cannot be presented by a better slogan,” says Dr Sergio Ziotti. “The 613 model aroused astonishment even amongst the most experienced and knowledgeable attendees to the Dusseldorf Fair, thanks to the high level of the materials used in its manufacture and the remarkable capabilities it offers producers of complex shape parts.”

For Dr Ziotti the launch of the 613, following on from the introduction of a series of high-speed, multidie cold formers over recent years, represents a clear reinforcement of Carlo Salvi’s position in the multi-station market. “We aimed to propose an innovative product, capable of establishing its own clear position in the market,” he says, going on to highlight a series of distinctive features in the new machine.

“The linear wire feed means that set up of the wire feed length is completely automatic and can be carried out in no more than 30

Carlo Salvi 613 launched at wire

position of all machine parts and to visualise them on a screen. Just by pushing a button it is possible to recall the adjustments already made and in a few seconds, without needing to move from his position or use wrenches, the operator can start production of the selected part. This is the only way to obtain the maximum level of work quality and of the finished part, while drastically reducing production costs.”

Turning to the overall characteristics of the Model 613, Dr Ziotti is equally enthusiastic.

“The overall dimensions of the machine are reduced and Carlo Salvi has paid particular attention to the economic aspects. Vibration and noise control exceeds the requirements of European standards, and throughout design and manufacture the focus has been on achieving the very highest quality levels.”

“Carlo Salvi has transferred the expertise acquired in 70 years of designing and building two blow and progressive machines to these new headers. Numerous Carlo Salvi progressive headers are already working all over Italy and in all the countries of the world that consider quality an essential condition to face, with safety, the new challenges of fastener and special parts to be used in the automotive and aerospace field. Thanks to a great

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78

requirements of the fastener industry,” says Dr Ziotti.

“Now Carlo Salvi manufactures a full range of cold heading machines, capable of accurately and rapidly producing fasteners and parts from 2mm to 22mm in diameter. Today there are over 3,000 Carlo Salvi machines operating all over the world.”

Carlo Salvi single die double stroke headers are

investment of time and

resources we are absolutely certain that they will continue to contribute positively to the reputation the Carlo Salvi brand has all over the world.”

The company was established in 1939 by Mr Carlo Salvi, originally with the intention of making mechanical descalers for processing hot rolled rod. In the early 1950s the company introduced its first single die, double blow cold header for screw blanks – a machine that still takes pride of place in the offices of the company, at Garlate, close to Lake Lecco in northern Italy. The machine proved especially suited for manufacturing recessed screws and was immediately accepted by the market.

“The history of the company has been a steady progression, successfully servicing the

Carlo Salvi has invested in advanced CNC machinery.

strongly regarded for the production of solid, semitubular and fully tubular parts as well as screws. This reputation is in no small measure a result of the Carlo Salvi Toggle Action™, which delivers a range of advantages. “Contact between heading tool and the material being processed is very smooth, which delivers a better grain flow and molecular structure resulting in higher quality final components.

Tool life is also improved, delivering manufacturing cost savings, because the tool impacts the wire to be upset at a very slow speed.

There is also less wear on the crankshaft. Finger timing is also much easier to control making Carlo Salvi machines using the toggle action ideal for manufacturing special, short and complex components.”

These machines have been joined by 2-die 4blow transfer headers and, now, high precision parts formers with up to 6 dies and capacity to 22mm wire diameter, for the production of parts with complex and extremely

complex shapes. “Thanks to our last developments, besides being between the leaders in the field of single die headers, we are now well known in the market also for the multi station machines,” says Dr Ziotti.

He is also, though, emphatic that Carlo Salvi’s business does not begin and end with the supply of advanced cold forming technology. “The capability of the company to answer customers’ requests implementing special solutions is well known,” he says.

“Carlo Salvi has been able to fulfil very stringent requirements of company leaders in the automotive, aerospace and electronics field.”

“Carlo Salvi also has distributors all over the world and is continuously making progress in its organisation by searching agents for new markets. It has a branch in the U.S.A., which is fully equipped for after sale service and rebuilding, with a stock of spare parts for all machines supplied so far. Here at Garlate we keep comprehensive stocks of spare parts, which can be despatched to destinations all over the world within 24 hours.”

“In addition, a team of engineers can develop and build dedicated tooling for each heading machine, to customers’ requirements and a team of specialised technicians is always ready to leave and help customers in the event of machine stops or breakages.”

“Quality cannot be improvised,” concludes Dr Ziotti. “It is a complex recipe, for which each ingredient - even the smallest – has a role that can not be substituted. The result from Carlo Salvi is a machine, which expresses innovation, power, precision, quality, constant productivity and absolute reliability.”

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80

Hardening and tempering of fasteners Dipl.-Ing. Peter Kreimer, Aichelin Ges.m.b.H, Fabriksgasse 3, A – 2340 Mödling Today’s high quality requirements together with economic constraints have led the development of fasteners’ furnace technology to continuous plants for mass-production, with belt-type furnaces resulting as the dominant design. This article describes in general the process of hardening and tempering and the plant technology commonly employed in modern fastener industry. Emphasis is put on precise process monitoring of the mass bulk flow with regard to the uniform final properties like tensile strength and toughness of the single fastener.

Hardening and tempering is arguably the most important heat treatment in the fastener industry. For automotive safety parts this important production step is almost always employed. Basis for the heat treatment of fasteners is the standard EN ISO 8981 that prescribes a homogenous hardened and tempered steel structure. Carbon contents of 0.25% to 0.35% result in best values for combined tensile strength and toughness both for non- and low-alloyed steels. A tensile strength ranging from 800 to 1,300N/mm² may also be achieved under certain conditions and with limited flexibility without final heat treatment (e.g. with cold forging and ageing or employing micro alloys) but these have had limited application up to now.

- Operating: media consumption.

- Service life: preventive maintenance.

• Minimum environmental impact.

To achieve these objectives fasteners are nowadays chiefly heat-treated in continuous furnace lines tailored to customers’ needs and possibly geared towards an almost identical temperature – ambient gas/fluid impact on the single pieces in the bulk flow.

The characteristic statistic values

various grades in EN ISO 898-1 are often further reduced to 50 MPA, especially by the automotive industry. Exactly observing the theoretic temperature curves of hardening and tempering becomes secondary to the homogenous distribution of the properties of the single fastener and the continuous monitoring of parameters like temperature, recirculation flow and protective gas composition is crucial to production.

Furnace technology Industries’ high requirements for fastener characteristics demand a specially designed furnace, reliable plant technology, field experience and knowledge of physical and metallurgical process parameters and their influence on heat treatment results. This is especially true for mass-produced high-grade fasteners with diameters ranging from smaller than 2 to bigger than 50mm.

Generally it is expected that every single piece, without having any defect at all, will have defined properties with small dispersions of hardness, tensile strength, toughness and fatigue strength among others.

The furnace plant design targets may be summed up as: • Highest process capability within narrow tolerance bands and reliability of plant parameters.

• Plant availability and productivity.

• Lowest life cycle costs regarding.

Fig 1

Partial view on a hardening and tempering line with a nominal throughput of 2,000kg/h

describing the degree to which the required properties are satisfied are Cm(k) and Cp(k) for machine and process respectively, with the subscript k further indicating the position of the scatter band between the specified tolerance limits. The k values can most times be centered, adapting the tempering temperature. A common accepted value for Cm(k) or Cp(k) is > 1.67. The tolerance bands for the tensile strength prescribed for the

Batch type furnaces due to their economic disadvantages with large production runs are used for special applications like positioning with long and slim fasteners that are subject to bending or for flexibility demands with small charges.

A complete belt furnace line installation for hardening and tempering is shown in Fig. 1. It typically comprises in

sequence a container’s unloading

82

Fig 2

Cast link belt furnace for a production rate of 3,000kg/h with opened maintenance front door.

station, a prewashing and dephosphating machine, the hardening furnace, an oil quench, a postwasher, the (bright) tempering furnace with subsequent soluble oil cooling and a container refilling station.

Continuously operating furnace lines for fasteners of the belt type can be divided into: • Cast link belt type furnaces employed for the hardening and tempering of more rugged fasteners from M5 to M48 with throughputs from 500 to 3,000 kg/h, see Fig. 2. Further characteristics of these furnaces are: the rugged belt can be charged approximately twice as much as a wire mesh belt and the furnace entrance may be closed by a protective gas lock, both of which reduce considerably the heat and protective gas consumption. The furnace is usually gas- heated with recuperative ceramic or cast steel radiation tubes. It is economically best suited for large-scale production with big heat treatment lots.

Further characteristics: appropriate also for smaller fasteners, the belt charging can be monitored easily from the outside; the belt drive is made as a moving honeycomb hearth plate or on support rollers, electric heating for smaller throughputs.

The continuous washing machines are available as drum and conveyor version for alkaline cleaning of the fasteners before and after hardening. The pre-washing also comprises a dephosphating stage required for grade 12.9 by EN ISO 898-1, since the phosphate stemming from the wire coating may result in dangerous surface decarburisation. The postwasher, apart from cleaning off the quench oil, should also guarantee that the fasteners are properly dried before entering the tempering furnace.

Hardening

Hardening temperatures for fasteners range normally from 880 to 900°C. The purposes of the furnace is to homogenously austenitise and dissolve the ferrous and alloy carbides in the steel, as carbides or lower carbon content in the austenitic phase deteriorate the hardness of the Fig 3 Section of a wire mesh belt hardening fasteners upon the furnace with integrated oil quench for a subsequent quenching. throughput of 500kg/h, (courtesy of SAFED).

The process is carried out under a neutral • Wire mesh belt type continuous furnace endothermic protective atmosphere, enriched lines for fasteners from approximately M2 to with either natural gas or propane as M24 with smaller throughputs from correctives. approximately 10 to 1,000 kg/h, see Fig. 3.

Alternatively, nitrogen with methanol

cracked inside the furnace proper might be used. The control of the carbonpotential to adapt it to the fastener steels’ carbon content quality is done for both processes continuously with sampling tools like Lambda or oxygen probes.

The time for austenitising and carbide dissolving with cold formed low-alloy fasteners varies between approximately 10 and 15 minutes, with previous good annealing for easier cold forming prolonging this time. Add to this the heating up and soaking times with bigger diameters and higher bulk heights on the belt requiring more time. This implies that the throughput ≈ bulk height / furnace residence time depends on the fastener dimension, bulk density and temperature distribution in the furnace proper. An example of a measured temperature curve of fasteners and derived resident times in a hardening furnace is shown in Fig. 4.

The drop chute for the transfer of the fasteners into the quench bath is heated to prevent the austenitised fasteners from cooling prematurely and remaining soft. Its quenchant curtain hinders rising vapour from entering the furnace proper. Above it, on the inside the drop shaft, a gas suction device further shields off the protective atmosphere.

The martensite hardening of high-grade fasteners from boron or higher alloyed steel is done in mineral quench oil to achieve the critical cooling speed necessary for the austenitic transformation and on the other hand to avoid bending or even cracking. The falling depth depends primarily on the fasteners’ diameter, then on its alloy content.

The falling speed in the quenchant varies from 1 to 2 metre/second, nearly independently of the fasteners’ size.

The discharge is almost always done by a belt conveyor with bolted-on flights, with smaller fasteners also being extracted by means of a bucket-chain or magnetic conveyor.

Since most fasteners, due to heat transfer physics, need rather a long time to cool down, they hit the belt being still in their soft, red-incandescent, austenitic state. The time, for example, for a M16 screw of 20MnB4 steel to cool down to 500°C is approximately 10 seconds. This means that the minimum quenching speed according to the steel quality must be fulfilled when hitting the belt by sufficient delivery of quenchant into the impact area. If the belt is running too slowly, with the aim to extract the fasteners rather cold to avoid oil smoke, the fasteners might amass on the flights and worsen the quenching speed for the

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84

be taken for setting and fine-tuning of the furnace parameters. Another important quality determining factor is the uniform distribution of the fasteners on the belt. If they pile up, heating-up and soaking times can vary, so that final mechanical properties scatter strongly.

The tempering furnaces are also executed as wire mesh belt or cast link belt conveyor types, matched to the throughput of the hardening furnace. The throughput is again a function of the bulk density. Since the heat transfer in the typical tempering range from 350°C to 570°C depends mainly on the convection imparted by the axial cyclones or

flow. The quenching circulation technique supposes that the fasteners’ alloy content is high enough to reach the critical quenching speed in the fasteners’ total section. For big bolts up to M48 alloys like 34CrNiMo6 have to be used to also harden the core. The risk with big bolts is cracking, due to the high inner tensions caused by heat transfer during quenching. The known hardness of the fasteners depending on their carbon percentage with 99.9% martensite can easily be used to confirm the completeness of austenite transformation by taking samples during production.

Figure 4 Rev.xls

Dia 850 kg-h

20

900

18

_

1000

800

16

soaking

austenitizin 14

_

700

temperature [°C]

heating up 12

residence time with bandwidth dT <

temperature dT [K]

600

500

10

400

8

T belt right

300

6

T belt left 200

4

T belt center 100

2

T scatter

0

0 0

5

10

15

20

time [min]

25

30

35

40

20/6/08

Fig 4

Thermocouple drag test of temperature uniformity in a hardening furnace with 1,000kg/h

Tempering The tempering determines the final properties of the fasteners. The tempering temperature and time of approximately 60 to 120 minutes are the parameters for final tensile strength and toughness. As a rule of thumb the higher the temperature and the longer the dwelling time of the fasteners in the tempering furnace the lower will be the tensile strength and the higher the toughness values. The disintegration speed of the martensite is also an exponential function of the still non- transformed martensite, so that the times both for heating up and dwelling on temperature are summed up. To get results within narrow tolerance bands it is not sufficient to rely on set recipes for carbon / alloy content and fastener grade. The metallurgic analysis (18 elements) for each heat treatment lot has to

fans, a lower bulk density (i.e. slim fasteners) allows for higher bulk heights with fasteners’ final properties remaining constant. To achieve the powerful atmosphere recirculation the furnace is divided into multiple zones and precisely controlled.

As an alternative to the air or nitrogen atmosphere the so-called bright tempering process with protective gas is being used.

The aim is to reduce the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Since the modern zinc lamellar surface coatings require a bright surface, i.e. not even permitting tempering colours, the pickling normally done to reduce the oxide layer as a surface preparation may be reduced or even left out.

After tempering, the fasteners are cooled down in a soluble oil bath with falling

depths in the liquid of around one metre.

In most cases the desired surface property for fasteners is still blackened/oiled. The pores in the Fe3O4 oxide layer of 1-3μm thickness are being filled with oil residues.

Condition for this blackening is a tempering temperature of minimum 400°C. The resulting surface protects sufficiently against corrosion during storage of the fasteners.

Common problems arising with the heat treatment of fasteners The mass bulk production of fasteners entails specific problems that must be taken care of and minimised during design and operation of the continuous furnace plants.

Most important are: • Damage on threads due to handling of the bulk flow, especially in the container loading station and pre-washing machine, when fasteners are still soft. Fine-threading might be done only after the heattreatment.

• Parts mixing of different heat treatment lots on the belts.

• Bending of fasteners with a length/ diameter ratio of approximately greater than 12. These fasteners must be straightened afterwards or heat-treated on a rack in batch type furnaces.

• Contamination by alkaline deposits of the high temperature furnace proper and its influence on the heat treated fasteners.

This can be reduced by a double-rinsing stage after dephosphating in the pre-washing machine and employing a triple water cascade with fresh water directly sprayed on the fasteners in the final washing stage.

Conclusion As discussed above the challenge in the heat-treatment of fasteners lies chiefly in the mass – production, which requires that each single piece exits the process with the same values of final tensile strength and toughness. Today’s furnace developments are aimed at reducing the statistical tolerance bands of these properties.

This article was first published in HEAT PROCESSING Issue 1/2008, page 22-24.

86

Hotmatic HM 35 debuts in the Black Forest The first Hatebur Hotmatic HM 35 has started forging parts. Hatebur arranged for nearly two hundred customers and guests from more than 20 countries to see it in operation at an open house event in Hausach, Germany. Fastener & Fixing Magazine took advantage of the rare opportunity for a close up tour of a new automatic hot forging system in full operation.

The HM 35 has been developed to take an important position in the Hatebur Hotmatic range of automated hot forgers. The four station HM 35 has a forging tonnage of 3,400kN, around a third greater than its smaller cousin, the three station AMP 30S. Maximum cut off length is 75mm; maximum part diameter 40mm and maximum part weight 0.74kg.

The HM 35 weighs in at a hefty 65 tonnes, similar to its larger relative the AMP 40S, an indication of the solidity of the frame of the new machine.

Typical applications

for the HM 35 will include automotive parts, gears, bearings, flanges, nuts and spiders.

One of the most distinctive HM 35 developments is a marked increase in production speed. The new machine is capable of up to 180 parts per minute, a 28% enhancement over the AMP 30S. Two AC servomotors drive all four feed rolls, allowing infinitely variable adjustment of the in-feed length and withdrawal of the bar after shearing.

Pneumatic cylinders hold and lower the upper feed rolls during bar transition, ensuring even contact pressure onto the raw material.

A completely new enclosed shearing system eliminates the need to

clamp the bar. A cam-driven loading station moves the cut-off into the first gripper, which positions it accurately in front of the first operation.

The 4-station machine has a total of five grippers. The fifth is the first stage of a new lateral discharge system, which Hatebur describes as ‘very forging-friendly’. Discharge systems are designed specifically to ensure there is no mixing of parts. A die-side ejector is optional.

Grippers are designed as quick exchange units with adjustment carried out rapidly on an off-machine jig.

The first Hotmatic HM 35 has been installed at Neumayer Tekfor’s facility at Hausach, in Germany’s Black Forest.

The plant, which already operates some twenty Hatebur hot forging

machines, is part of a worldwide group of automotive parts production operations. The complete HM 35 installation occupies a space 24 metres long and 9.2 metres wide. The operating platform position and dimensions can, however, be varied to suit customer requirements. The HM 35 would normally be fed with 8-metre rod, but Neumayer Tekfor prefers to standardise on 6-metre rod throughout its operation. For the demonstration, which included an idle run at the full 180 strokes per minutes, production was of a bevel gear. Control of the HM 35 was via an updated touchscreen operating system, first demonstrated at wire 2008.

Hatebur say that, to date, six Hotmatic HM 35s have been ordered.

Three more are destined for customers in Germany, and two in Asia, with the last of these scheduled for delivery in 2009. Swiss headquartered Hatebur, which has established subsidiaries in Germany and Japan, earlier this year opened a new branch in China – Hatebur (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd.

88

Zwick’s latest tester can be spring loaded

Manufacturer and Stockist of Quality Threading Tools

Product range • Flat thread rolling dies • Flat knurling dies • Flat form rolling dies • Circular thread rolls • Tangential chasers

At Wire 2008 Zwick exhibited a compression-spring tester for accurate measurement of precision springs from 1 to 2,500N. Zwick says that the compression-spring tester has extremely good overall measurement technology characteristics, surpassing even the requirements of Standard EN 7500.

The compression-spring tester is used with the zwicki single-column materials-testing machine in conjunction with testControl electronics.

The device possesses extreme vertical and lateral stiffness and comes already equipped with a precision load-cell. Overload protection prevents damage to the load cell in the event of block force being reached.

Precision guides allow only vertical movement of the compression platens. The extremely stiff and patented load cell is insensitive to transverse forces and ensures that measuring errors due to elasticity under load or eccentric forces are reduced to a minimum.

The instrument is designed for indirect spring length measurement, and this offers a high level of accuracy as the already minimal axial deformation can be electronically compensated in real time. Zwick believes that it is the only manufacturer able to achieve this. Direct measurement is available as an option and is recommended for high-precision testing of very small springs.

The instrument can be fitted with a CE conformable safety protection, and an anti-buckling guide spigot, matched to the spring geometry, can also be used.

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The Tesker Model 645 Thread Rolling Machine is equipped with modular design load and unload fixtures. The system is currently in production at a customer facility rolling special threads on 100 ksi bars in lengths of 20ft to 60ft. The threads range from 7/8-4 to 3 ½ - 3 ½ TPI. The system is designed for minimal changeover and easy set up to run both LH and RH threads.

The Model 645 has a capacity of 6 inch diameter and a rolling force of up to 235,000lb, which Tesker says makes it the most powerful machine in its class.

The fixtures are inter-connected in 20ft sections for incremental operation up to 60ft to cater for the actual bar stock length to be rolled, and feature self centering mechanisms for the various diameters, wear resistant feed pads, and latched safety covers.

The front load fixture is equipped with cam release loading ramp and a powered bar feed to position bars for rolling. The unload fixture is equipped with automatic discharge and unload ramp, totally enclosed for safe operation.

The system is operated from the main PLC panel. Additional station controls are conveniently positioned to streamline fixture set up and operation. All controls are interlocked for safety.

The overall system is an impressive 150ft long, built with high strength and rigidity to effectively handle this tough parts handling job in an operator friendly and safe operation.

A similar rolling system can be manufactured for all Tesker thread rolling machines. A system is currently in production for a Model 4840HS 3 die machine.

Rotating to deliver extra punch Essebi first developed its three blow headers with rotary die holders around 25 years ago. Distinctively, these rotary machines have three forming punches, as opposed to the two normally used on this type of machine, allowing the machine to form heads of greater complexity.

The main characteristics of the machines, in addition to their four dies set at 90 degrees to a rotary die-holder, are: • Speeds of up to 550ppm for screws (M6 diameter) and 450ppm for hollow rivets (M6 diameter).

• Easy tool set up as there are no fingers.

• Effective P.K.O. The blank is cut by an open knife and the rotating die holder takes it successively in front of the three heading punches assembled on a ram. The die-holder rotation is gear operated. An elastic stop ensures perfect alignment of the dies with the punches, with a maximum allowance of 0.02mm, which reduces a lot of the wear on the extrusion punches.

The head is formed in the first three stops of the die holder in front of the punch holder. The ejection of the finished part is made on the fourth stop of the die holder, when there is no punch in front, which always assures perfect ejection.

The machines are produced in versions issues for screws (M6 and M8), and in two versions for fully hollow rivets (up to 6mm diameter and up to 8mm diameter). Essebi three blow headers with rotary die holders are particularly suited to high speed production of very short parts.

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90

Bodycote extends thermal spray expertise Bodycote has announced the acquisition of three UK companies, Plasma & Thermal Coatings Ltd, Greenhey Engineering Services and NPE Innotek Ltd, which join the Metallurgical Coatings division of Bodycote’s Thermal Processing Group.

Plasma & Thermal Coatings operates from Newport, UK, and provides plasma spray, HVOF, arc spray and flame spray coatings. The facility is Nadcap accredited for the thermal spray coatings of aerospace components and was the first UK thermal spray company to achieve the environmental management standard ISO 14001.

Greenhey Engineering Services offers state-of-the-art thermal spray capability from its facility in Skelmersdale, UK. Additional services also include ceramic coatings and the machine shop is equipped with the latest CNC lathes and milling machines, together with grinding and finishing capability.

NPE Innotek Ltd is a precision engineering company based in Neath, UK, offering precision tooling and machining solutions to a wide range of industries. NPE manufactures tools and equipment in hard metal, all grades of tools and high speed steel (including powder metallurgy steels) and advanced materials to customer specification.

“We believe these acquisitions further enhance the expertise and range of services provided by Bodycote’s Metallurgical Coatings division across the UK.”

New Orbital spin on an old riveting story It is 116 years since the Bifurcated & Tubular Rivet Company (B&TR) sold its first impact rivet setting machine and now an Orbital Spin Riveter has been added to its extensive range of manufacturing solutions.

Operating virtually silently, the machine can perform a wide variety of tasks and with suitable tools can flare, flange, join or swage.

B & TR says that spin riveting is far quieter than general impact riveting and tool changes and set up times are much faster.

The adjustment of timing and the force and stroke length of the riveter is precise and stepless. Additional tooling enables repeatable settings for multiple applications on the same machine.

The Orbital Spin Riveter is of rigid construction and suitable for single, multi-point, or multi-spindle applications, for fast and effective spin riveting with precise control and gentle deformation.

The tooling is also available in carbide-tip.

Bench mounting is standard in the range, but a pedestal mount is also available. Special tooling accessories to reach inaccessible parts can be provided together with tool-locking devices for notching or marking. An optional pressure pad is also available to hold component assemblies during riveting.

The Orbital Spin Riveter is generally operated with manually placed rivets but in conjunction with other companies in the Aylesbury Automation group, located under one roof, the Bifurcated & Tubular Rivet Company can provide systems which are fully automatic with hopper or bowl fed rivet supplies combined with a robot handling process.

TIL takes lead from ‘The Apprentice’ Following the successful implementation of a ‘Programme of Continuous Improvement’ at Tooling International Limited, the Company has taken something of a lead from Sir Alan Sugar and introduced its own Apprenticeship Training Programme.

“At TIL we employ some highly-skilled engineers in such areas as tool-making, diefinishing, engraving, maintenance, etc. These key skills are crucial to the future success and longevity of our business,” explains managing director, Richard Woods. “Sadly these skills are less readily available in the market than they once were and new engineers, qualified in these disciplines, are increasingly difficult to find.”

“We thought seriously about how best to overcome this and came up with the idea of

establishing our own Apprenticeship Training Programme. As a start-point, we have selected five production operatives who have shown loyalty to our business and certain attributes that would support their further learning.

Each will, on a rotation basis, shadow five Mentors who enjoy the skills and disciplines that we need to share” “We are supporting this scheme with external training at various levels of NVQ & BTEC and are working closely with Business Link WM and the EEF Technology Centre in Tyseley. We have also just recruited our first Young Apprentice from the EEF, Greg Telfer. Greg will be released for one day each week for the next four years to attend the EEF and will move across all areas of our R&D, tool-room, production, quality, inspection & maintenance. We are looking to recruit a second Apprentice very soon”

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Fire in the hole International tool company Stanley Bostitch says that it is set to turn up the heat in the construction industry with the launch of its hottest metal connector nailer yet.

The new Strapshot™ nailer has a lightweight feel and is versatile, making it suitable for tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas. Also, its in-line magazine fits conveniently into 90˚ angled corners for added manoeuvrability.

The nailer is approximately 270mm tall and weighs 227 grams. It also features a precision trip mechanism for exact placement of the nail into metal connector holes, and accepts 38mm length galvanised paper tape collated nails with a shank of 3.75mm in diameter.

Tim Ramsey, European marketing manager for Stanley Bostitch, said: “Metal connectors are to the construction industry what the I-pod is to electronics – they rapidly moved from early adoption to become almost an industry standard. Until now installing metal joist hangers and connector straps has been a real challenge because contractors were forced to use makeshift methods to apply them – no dedicated tool was available. Our field research indicates that Bostitch now offers exactly what contractors have been asking for.”

Hardman MAXI-mises supply Hardman says that its range of Maxi levels has been such a huge success amongst builder’s merchants since its launch, that factory production has been increased to meet demand.

The distinct green levels are constructed from 2.1mm aluminium and are accurate to 0.5mm per metre. Shock proof vials are embedded deep into the frame for protection and carry a 5 year guarantee.

Five versions are available ranging from 600mm to 1,800mm for those special occasions when size really does matter.

Louise Morris, Hardman’s business manager commentated on the Maxi levels popularity “Since the launch only 3 months ago there has been a continued sales growth as more merchants become aware of the product. Sales are currently surpassing our forecast and as a result we have increased factory production by 20% to meet this exceptional demand”.

The Maxi level is only available from Harrison & Clough, Hardman’s exclusive distributor.

Norbar goes to new depths Norbar Torque tools has developed an innovative torque multiplier for the subsea tools market.

The innovative torque multiplier has been designed as an adapter to allow API 17D Class 4 intervention torque tools to generate the torque required to handle Class 7 applications.

The gear unit has been designed as an adapter for torque tools used on subsea Christmas trees – the assemblies of control valves, gauges and chokes that control oil and gas flow at a well head. Installed on the ocean floor at depths of up to 3,000m, these ‘wet trees’ provide the ultimate challenge for the torque tools designed to actuate the various valves.

The valves come in various sizes with different torque requirements, from Class 1 valves with maximum torques of 68Nm up to Class 7 with torques of 34,000Nm. By introducing the gear adapter it allows a Class 4 tool (which would generate up to 2,700Nm of torque) to be extended up to Class 7, and still have an

accuracy of better than ±5%.

The new torque multiplier is currently under test with Norbar’s Norwegian customer serving the North Sea Oil market, but Norbar’s expectation is that the product will prove an ideal solution in this demanding application. “It’s been a significant investment on our part, but if we get it right then the market potential is huge,” says Norbar’s Tim Bloor. “It seems to have been favourably accepted, and we’re confident that the extensive testing it is currently undergoing will prove our design.”

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12 points from Wright Wright Tool Company offers large-sized, heavy-duty, flat stem, 12-point combination wrenches, ranging from 1-5/16 inches to 4 inches, and 36mm to 80mm.

All Wright large-sized combination wrenches are heavy-duty and feature the patented heavy-duty round-stem design that provides the user a comfortable, easy fit in the hand. Because of the design, the wrenches can be used and carried two at a time, side by side. In addition, the wrenches stack one on top of each other for easy storage and the flat sides keep them from rolling.

Wright Tool combination wrenches with sizes 1-5/16 inches through 2-3/4 inches and 36mm to 70mm are available in chrome satin finish, while wrenches with sizes 2-3/16 inches to 4 inches and 75mm to 80mm feature black industrial finish.

Wright Tool manufactures a complete line of more than 4,000 professional-grade hand tools for the industrial, contractor, and MRO markets. All Wright-manufactured products are U.S. made and carry lifetime guarantees against defects in workmanship.

Megapro® sets itself apart Megapro® says that the award winning design and superior performance of its patented pull-out bit cartridge screwdrivers are what sets them apart from ordinary multi-bit screwdrivers.

The screwdrivers feature professional quality high carbon steel shafts and tough TRIAX® nylon reinforced handles. The end of the shaft serves as a ¼ inch hex nut driver and the convenient pull-out bit cartridge is easy to customise with any screwdriver bit load to meet all needs.

Other features include the PALM SAVER™ cap, EZ GUIDE™ collar, professional quality S2 steel bits and a comfortable non-slip grip.

“Tradesmen value the patented pull-out bit cartridge that organises and holds the bits securely in place. It's easy to select any one of the 14 screwdriver bits and saves time hunting for the bit you need. Simply put, one Megapro® screwdriver eliminates the need of having to store or carry around 15 different screwdrivers!”

Bosch launches new SDS-PLUS X5L Bosch has launched the new SDS-plus X5L hammer drill bit range, which it says is able to drill smoothly and accurately through concrete with rebar.

The range comprises 30 drill bits with diameters from 5 to 12mm.

The X5L provides accurate holes, even through rebar, and is particularly durable with Bosch saying it has a three-times longer life cycle than competitor products.

The new hammer drill bit has a solid tungsten carbide head with four-cutter geometry, making it extremely robust. The main cutter is supported by the secondary cutters during drilling. This causes the concrete to be broken down into smaller particles avoiding the bit getting jammed in concrete, with rebar, and resulting in a fast but smooth drilling action. Also, Bosch says that the drill bit’s special conical centering tip guarantees true running and optimum guidance.

The wear mark in the solid tungsten carbide head serves as a visual indicator for ensuring accurate drilling diameters. This means that the user can be sure that a fixing will fit precisely and hold securely, even under extremely high load forces. Moreover, the stress-optimised flute surface and the flute geometry ensure fast dust removal and reduced vibration at high drilling speeds.

In manufacturing the new bit, Bosch uses a new bonding technology, called diffusion bonding, to achieve the secure bond between the solid tungsten carbide head and the flute.

During this process, the carbide head and the body of the drill bit are pressed together by applying a defined amount of pressure. At the same time, both components are heated inductively to more than 1,400º at the joint.

The resulting diffusion joins the elements together to produce a strong and secure bond.

The presence of an inert gas prevents oxidation and ensures a consistent process.

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Wera introduces time saving innovation Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co. KG has introduced, what it says is, a time saving innovation in the screwdriver tool sector.

The new Zyklop ratchet can be changed into a combination of six different tools, such as a fine-tooth ratchet, flex head ratchet, angle ratchet, nut fix ratchet, power ratchet, and screwdriver.

Detlef Seyfarth, marketing manager at Wera, commented: “The powerful Zyklop Wera is not only a simple ratchet, but a tool that combines the advantages of many ratchet types and screwdriver tools and in addition is unbelievably fast.

This means that many fields of work involving screwdriver operations can be covered optimally with the one tool, and the user can profit in addition from the particularly good transfer of forces. The main advantage lies in the speed: the Zyklop works three times as fast as conventional ratchets.”

The Zyklop includes a swivelling head, has a predefined lock positions at 0°, 90°, and 15° (from the 90° position), includes slide switches on each side which allows it to disengage at any position, has a backlash angle of only 5–6° and features a ball lock, which allows sockets and accessories to sit firmly in the Zyklop’s ratchet head.

Drop dead batteries Makita is planning a power tool battery recycling initiative called drop dead batteries that could assist the UK Government to meet the EU batteries recovery objectives which becomes law in January 2009.

By January 2009 many sectors of British industry and their consumers will have to show evidence that they have a recycling strategy in place and are achieving the 25% target set by

Brussels to reclaim and process around four million power tool batteries a year.

Makita’s drop dead batteries ‘green campaign’ will remind professional power tool users in the construction industry of their responsibility to safely dispose of failed cells by returning them to Makita dealers across the nation.

The proposed Makita service would provide dedicated drop drums at many hundreds of tools stores serving the industry, where all types of failed battery cells could be collected for safe re-processing and material recycling.

Tommy Walsh (pictured), Britain’s TV construction expert, passionately supports practical green campaigns in the industry: “Recycling batteries properly cleans construction sites for the next generation, makes land safer for us all and recovers valuable material. Don’t skip an old battery lads, drop it back at your tool dealer who will dispose of it safely – let’s show ’em we are responsible builders who care about the land we work on. Expired battery units should never be dumped on site, never chucked into a skip or put in a household dustbin.”

PREBENA improves nailer PREBENA has launched an improved pneumatic nailer for roofing nails.

The pneumatic nailer includes an innovative fast-loading system, as well as a host of improved components including a special tool for straight nailing, rubberised safety bar and an easy adjustable space.

“Through these improved technical details the new pneumatic nailer, for roofing nails type 4X-CNW45, is yet better suited for fast and exact professional working.”

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Avoid the hype: realise wireless opportunities today Steven Hargreaves, product director, Solarsoft.

Wireless technologies can and will transform the supply chain, but organisations delaying their investment until RFID reaches technical and financial maturity are missing a trick. There are huge gains to be made today from wireless barcode scanning and the downstream use of wireless technologies to authenticate deliveries. So why do 60% of medium-sized distribution companies still rely on manual warehouse operations?

Wireless ubiquity Wireless technology has become a standard part of everyday commercial life. From the executive Blackberry to Wi-Fi in coffee shops and hotels, the ability to keep in touch, check emails and even update orders while mobile has become an essential business tool.

Yet the majority of warehousing operations are still reliant on manual, paper-based processes. Despite the near decade-long focus on innovative wireless solutions such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), equipment vendors estimate that around 60% of SMEs are not even using barcodes and handheld wireless scanning guns, even though this technology has been widely used to deliver quantifiable benefits for many years.

“Why wait for the arrival of cutting-edge technology when today’s wireless solutions are proven, low-cost and low-risk?”

While some markets have been driven by giant retailers to adopt RFID, the jury is still out on whether RFID technology will ever achieve required levels of standardisation, reliability and price to be viable throughout the supply chain. Those organisations postponing their wireless investments, waiting for RIFD to deliver, are missing out on the chance to streamline processes, drive down cost and improve customer service. Why wait for the arrival of cutting-edge technology when today’s wireless solutions are proven, low-cost and low-risk?

Missed opportunity Any organisation with more than two or three individuals carrying out picking, packing and put-away activities in the warehouse could realise significant productivity gains from barcoding solutions tightly integrated to the ERP software.

In most cases, the simple automation of the warehouse process using barcodes delivers operational gains in the region of 15-30%. Other benefits include accuracy in locating goods which improves productivity, reduces lost

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goods and improves packing accuracy. This not only enables companies to reduce working capital but also delivers a significant improvement in customer service levels.

The perception that the technology is complicated to set up and deploy is a myth. This is highly mature wireless technology – modern ERP systems can interoperate reliably with any of the scanning guns on the market and handle more than one barcoding system if required.

Of course, the need for multiple barcoding systems has been a barrier to adoption for some organisations. The SME typically has little sway in the supply chain and may be called upon to adopt both the barcoding systems of supplier and customer, creating an uncomfortable central position. The solution will vary from industry to industry. In some cases it will be possible to adopt supplier barcodes and simply pass these on through the supply chain, making the process extremely simple. In others, with multiple suppliers, the distributor will have to manage different numbering schemes alongside its own barcode labelling.

In practice, such systems, whilst needing thought and evaluation, are simple to manage. Irrespective of the barcoding scheme adoption, the key is to ensure the ERP system can handle multiple schemes and formats.

Once in place, there are huge opportunities to add value for customers, such as pre-labelling products at the warehouse with the retail price as well as barcodes, enabling the downstream retailer to streamline its own stock management processes.

fitness is a key technology in minimising complaints or confusion.

Leveraging real-time GSM mobile networks, this information can be received in real-time at the back office. Should any problems arise with the delivery – whether error or a customer change of mind – the organisation can immediately schedule a replacement delivery or authorised return.

This immediate response drives up customer service, whilst immediate rescheduling often saves days in the delivery of a replacement item, again improving the customer relationship.

Extended wireless benefits Tight integration between wireless barcode systems and ERP also provides organisations with unprecedented insight into the performance of warehouse operations. In any manual operation, it is far too expensive to capture operational information, since it requires timeconsuming form-filling and manual collation of information. Once the barcoding system is up and running, organisations are automatically capturing performance data.

Combining this information with Business Intelligence tools, organisations can quickly assess the performance of different teams, shifts, even individuals, as well as performance across different product groups. This transparency enables organisations to drive significant procedural improvements across the warehouse.

Taking wireless technology a step further, companies can look to voice picking and packing systems to yield additional gains. This technology is particularly useful in tough environments where operators require heavy-duty gloves or require both hands to lift products, constraining the use of handheld technology. A nice capability of these wireless technologies is that they can be deployed with support for multi-lingual instructions.

“The perception that the technology iscomplicated to set up and deploy is a myth.”

Supply chain benefits Once warehouse automation is in place, organisations can leverage the barcoding system to drive improvements through the supply chain to the point of delivery. Providing delivery drivers with mobile handheld devices enables real-time goods tracking, whilst photographic evidence or signatures can be captured in the field to show proof of delivery.

This proof of delivery is vital for many distribution organisations. The ability to capture signatures and photograph the goods in situ to prove

Wireless success The adoption of simple wireless technologies such as barcode scanning provides a platform for significant operational improvement. Critically, not only is there international backing for simple barcode standards, avoiding the problems inherent with RFID, but these wireless technologies, from Wi-Fi devices around the warehouse and out in the field via the GSM mobile network, are well proven.

Furthermore, with the upfront investment coming in at around £2,000 per user, most organisations are attaining a return on investment within 18 months. This is a low-cost, low-risk investment available today and based on robust, proven wireless technology that delivers quantifiable benefits in reduced costs, improved productivity and enhanced customer service.

So why waste time and money waiting for the RFID hype to be realised?

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Abas receives Linux award in China Abas Software has announced that its software partner in China, Abas Business Solutions (PRC) Ltd., has once again been distinguished as the ‘Winner of Enterprise Resources Planning Software.’

This award was presented by the editorial staff of Linux Pilot magazine during the "Linux & OSS Best Solution 2008" ceremony. It is the third time that the Abas ERP system has been distinguished with this award.

The "Linux & OSS Best Solution" event is held to encourage the use of Linux and OSS in empowering business and consumer

solutions. The Abas ERP system was granted the award for offering an IT solution based on the Linux platform that offers long-term commercial benefits and devotes itself to improving the operational efficiency of manufacturers in mainland China and Hong Kong.

In recent years, both the internal and external Chinese manufacturing environments have undergone much change.

Vincent Lau, COO of Abas-PRC, explains, "Last year, manufacturers in eastern China were faced with the pressure of the 'Four Shortages' and 'Four Increases'. 'Four Shortages'

Payment comes easier Actinic has announced the release of a new card payment system, Actinic Payments, for Actinic ecommerce stores.

Actinic Payments enables small and medium businesses to meet the latest banking security standards at a very reasonable cost. It offers full Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Level 1 certification, across the board 3D-Secure compatibility and integration with all major banks. Actinic Payments comes in a highly competitive range of price bands designed to suit different business sizes with differing order volumes.

Used with Actinic's award-winning ecommerce products, Actinic Payments provides high levels of efficiency for the merchant, with most common payment functions accessible directly from the order-processing application. These

include pre-authorisations, refunds, voids and additional payments - all achieved without storing any payment card details in-house. The system also offers payment processing for mail order/telephone order (MOTO), providing a complete multi-channel payment processing system. Appropriate merchant accounts are required.

According to Actinic CEO Chris Barling, “With the introduction of Actinic Payments all Actinic merchants now have access to a one-stop shop where any technical or operational issues can be resolved with a single phone call.

Yet the service is very cost competitive while offering easier order and payment processing. We are convinced that it will be a winning formula, and this certainly seems to be the case based on our early discussions with customers.”

Infor announces new version of Infor ERP VISUAL

includes the shortage of manpower, land, water and electricity; 'Four Increases' includes the increase in raw materials pricing, oil prices and salary, as well as Renminbi appreciation which has greatly increased manufacturers' operational costs.

Given the mounting difficulties in today’s environment, manufacturers intent on developing their brands have quickened steps to invest in an ERP system to enhance operation efficiency, strengthen management and decrease the adverse effects brought on by the "Four Shortages" and "Four Increases".

‘BOGOF’ better with Prof.IT.Plus As provider of next generation IT solutions, UK based OGL Computer has launched a new ‘ promotions’ facility to its flagship software, prof.ITplus, designed specifically for stockists, distributors and merchants to increase profitability through more efficient stock control and order processing.

The innovative ‘promotions’ feature within prof.ITplus has been developed as a result of market feedback to help users effectively manage Buy-One-Get-One-Free or similar promotions. The ability to ‘up-sell’ a variety of products within the sales order process also adds value for customers and maximises sales.

This flexible new facility allows the user to define the ‘buy quantity – get quantity’ values which can be linked to product groups or single items; link products such as “buy the drill – get a special price on extra batteries”; or apply specific discount percentages with start and end dates to match CRM e-shot offers or catalogue promotions. Messages can even be added to prompt staff on what to say to the customer or to point out warranty or other important information.

“The latest ‘promotions’ solution is a welcome enhancement to this feature rich Windows-based package and integrates seamlessly with the popular prof.ITplus CRM and eShop modules which have seen record-breaking sales this year.”

Infor has announced a new version of Infor ERP VISUAL, a business software solution for small to midsized discrete manufacturers.

Infor ERP VISUAL 6.5.3 features enhancements that Infor says strengthen the engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, project management, and customer order processes, enabling companies to increase operational efficiencies and improve productivity.

Many of the new enhancements were generated through customer feedback gathered through Infor365, Infor’s next-generation online support portal and community of Infor users, as well as Infor’s support team.

“The customer-driven enhancements included in version 6.5.3 demonstrate Infor’s commitment to enrich our software with the business-specific functionality that our customers need,” said Kevin Piotrowski, director, industry and product marketing, discrete industries, Infor.

“Infor’s customers have an active, significant voice in shaping the development of their products. This process is a vital enabler of our ability to deliver new product enhancements that provide value to our customers.”

The additions to Infor ERP VISUAL 6.5.3 include several new user-defined features, including a customisable user interface and audit trails, enhancements to the manufacturing and engineering modules, a new purchasing management module, as well as enhancements to the project management module.

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Solar energy without a flicker

Located near Guadix, Spain, "Andasol 1" is currently the largest thermosolar plant in the world. Its parabolic trough collectors cover 510,000 square metres and, when the plant is connected to the grid in mid 2008, will generate 50 Megawatts, sufficient to provide electricity for up to 50,000 homes.

Thermosolar plants based on parabolic trough collectors basically operate in the same way as conventional thermo-electric power stations, except that the steam turbines are driven by solar energy. The thermal power of the sun is used to heat a synthetic energy vector, such as oil, to a temperature of 400°C. The oil then generates steam in a heat exchange unit, which drives the thermosolar plant's turbine. This type of thermosolar plant combines excellent ecology features and the greatest solar energy efficiency achieved to date.

The Andasol plant will use ‘Skal-ET’ collectors, which, compared to other technologies installed to date in this type of plant, are efficient and easy to manufacture. A fundamental design innovation is the use of a new "Torque Box" open framework that not only reduces weight but also, importantly, provides resistance to torsion and bending, preserving exceptional levels of accuracy even under strong wind conditions.

The Andasol thermoelectric plant's solar field measures 1,500 by 1,300 metres – 195 hectares. A total of 7,488 collectors have to be installed on site. Prefabricated galvanised steel parts, mirrors and pipes are supplied in containers, unloaded, temporarily stored and

then assembled. Later they are mounted on the pillars and connected to the oil flow circuit.

To achieve high level thermal efficiency, each 12 metre long, 6 metre wide, collector must be mounted with great precision.

Vibrations caused by the wind, or changes in temperature, present a great challenge for fastening technologies.

During the technological planning phase, lockbolts and collars clearly provided the best performance compared with other methods. The great clamp load provided by lockbolts and collars remains constant throughout the life of the assembly. The danger of the joint coming loose, as could happen if screws were used, is removed with this system, thanks to the permanently swaged lock between the collar and the bolt.

An additional advantage is the speed with which lockbolts and locking collars can be installed.

This process is also based entirely on the installation system and cannot be influenced by the worker, eliminating the potential for errors by assembly personnel.

8mm, 13mm and 25mm diameter Avdelok® lockbolts and collars are being used.

In all, about 3.4 million fastening elements are being used to assemble the system. "On the Andasol project, we are mainly using Avdelok® bolts with large diameter heads and large flanged head collars", explains Avdel's general manager, Martin Kunz. "Due to the large contact surface, specific superficial pressure is reduced and a uniform distribution of the clamping load is achieved."

The equipment used to install the bolts was also supplied by Avdel. In the case of ø13 and

ø25mm bolts, 16 hydraulic tools, driven by 10 HAT electro-hydraulic power units, are used. For the assembly of the collectors, hand tools are connected to the power units by 10 metre long hydraulic hoses. Special nose equipment and machines have been developed to access all parts of the joints. The ø8mm Avdelok® bolts are installed using four 7267 type hydropneumatic units.

Avdel engineers have worked in co-operation with the customer from the planning stages. The design of the joints, the development of the fastening equipment and the training of the assembly staff were all part of the technical services offered. During the construction phase, Avdel also provided logistics support for its customers by scheduling requirements as construction work progressed ensuring uninterrupted assembly of the collectors.

Since February 2007 and simultaneously to Andasol 1, civil preparation work is being carried out on a second similar thermosolar plant of the same type (Andasol 2) developed

by Solar Millennium. This project will be connected to the grid after an approximate two year building phase. At the same time as Andasol 2 is being built, work will commence on the first plant of this type in Extremadura, using Senertrough collectors. At Guadix Andasol 3 is already in its planning stages.

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Running rings round steering design challenges Ensuring that the steering column will collapse safely in the event of a collision is one of the key challenges faced by designers of automobile steering assemblies.

There are, of course, conventional engineering solutions for all of these issues, but Rencol says that tolerance rings address all of the shortcomings of traditional solutions and are, simpler and more cost effective to use.

The tolerance rings work by forming the basis of a three-component solution, which incorporates a tolerance ring fitted between an outer jacket and an inner tube. The whole assembly is then integrated into the steering column.

Should the driver strike the steering column in the course of an accident, the inner tube is driven forward. The tolerance ring provides controlled resistance to this movement, and absorbs energy as the tube moves through the outer jacket, providing constant energy absorption characteristics throughout the whole of the collapse cycle.

Rencol says that the benefits over traditional solutions include simpler assembly, reduced component count and lower scrap costs. Further, the tolerance ring solution uses low-cost components, and it is possible to verify the collapse force of any assembly during the assembly process, without damaging that assembly.

Finally, the solution can be very accurately matched to the user’s requirements – by adopting a specific wave shape with a known spring rate it is possible to design a tolerance ring which delivers precise and consistent collapse-force performance.

ORLOCK® is the answer

Araldite® adds style to Audi R8 Fischer Composite Technology GmbH, based near Salzburg, Austria, specialises in the development and production of complex carbon fibre composites for use in the automotive, aerospace and sports leisure equipment industries.

In a recent project for Audi AG, Fischer worked closely with Huntsman Advanced Materials using Araldite Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) and specialist bonding technologies for the production of the carbon side blades on the Audi R8 sports car.

Measuring 900mm x 500mm, the side blade is made from two RTM shells which are later bonded together using Araldite® 2015, a two-component epoxy adhesive paste with a highly resilient bond. With sag resistant up to 10mm, Araldite® 2015 is suitable for SMC and GRP bonding applications.

During the Araldite® RTM process to produce the side blade, some dry pre-formed carbon fibres are put into a mould and injected with epoxy resin. The inner shell is cast with all the fixing devices to mount the side blade on to the car already in place, so no additional auxiliary component bonding or finishing is required.

The outer shell comprises a three-layer CFK/GFK structure. Once mounted, the visible outer side of the side blade is a 6K Twill 2/2 carbon fibre surface, protected from UV sunlight with a clear, glossy lacquer finish.

“Audi AG required a ready-to-install side blade assembly with all fixing and mounting items included,” said Gerhard Kölbl, sales & marketing manager at FCT. “It also had to meet Class A surface finish requirements, including protection against ultra-violet and other effects of the weather.”

“Working with the Araldite® RTM system and Araldite® 2015 adhesive, we were able to fulfil these exacting requirements in terms of appearance, precision fitting and dimensional space tolerances.”

Ornit has developed an innovative, structural rivet for Mercedes called ORLOCK®.

Mercedes needed a solution for the assembly of one of its mechanical steering wheel mechanisms. The main obstacle in the engineering process was the need to design a steel structural fastener that would not crack the aluminium frame.

Ornit’s answer was ORLOCK®, a stainless steel rivet with a larger diameter, which can be riveted into the aluminium cast.

“The first line was the refrigerated reefers. Traditionally they used a conservative method of inserting a thick metal plate into the insulation, and then tapping them so they were ready to be used with a stud. Our product eliminated not only the tapping method, but also the heavy steel plate and the welding process. Today, the Orlock Stainless Steel rivet is used throughout Europe and Australia to hold hinges as well as other parts of the reefers.”

the feeling for fasteners Den D en E Engelsman n g e l s m a n 18 18 • P P.O. .O. B Box ox 2 2670 6 7 0 • 6026 6 0 2 6 ZH Z H Maarheeze M a a r h e e z e • The The N Netherlands etherlands II:: w www.stafa.nl w w. s t a f a . n l • E E:: iinfo@stafa.nl nfo@stafa.nl

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Novel Form-Fitting (FF) Tolerance-Tolerant (TT) blind rivets developments and test results 1. State of the art 1.1 Blind rivets The load carrying ability of a riveted joint depends on the diameter of the rivet, the sheet thickness’, the rivet materials and the material(s) of the sheets and whether the joint is force- or form-fit or both. Generally, with the exception of rivets with interference-fit hole preparation, blind rivet joints are force-fit. This is also borne out by the results of recent research projects, Fig.1, [1, 2]

Fig 1

Micrograph of state of the art high strength blind rivet joint showing gaps Any gap in a riveted joint, either between mandrel and shank or between shank and work piece shows up as slack in a tensile shear test, once frictional locking is overcome. And this value is always much lower than the value for the ultimate strength.

Except in the case of structures in which the joints are subjected to either static shear loads, cyclic tensile shear (R = 0.1) or cyclic compressive shear loads (R = 1.0) with load amplitudes lower than the frictional lock value, it is of great importance that the joints have form-fit. Otherwise cyclic loading will overcome frictional locking and destroy the joint in a very short time.

Attempts have all along been made to improve the hole-filling capabilities of the rivets. An internet search, with the term “hole-fill rivets”, yields hits in which numerous manufacturers and suppliers offer “rivets with “very good hole-fill properties”. However, even

Fig 2

aerospace standards permit a permanent “setting” of up to .04D, where D is the nominal diameter of the rivet. [3]

1.1.1 Conventional blind rivets Setting operation During the setting operation, the mandrel upsets the shank and, before it folds to form the blind head, its walls thicken such, in theory, the gaps between mandrel, shank and work piece are bridged. After separation of the mandrel, all components experience springback: mandrel, shank and the work piece. The lengths of the mandrel and shank increase, their diameters decrease, the inside and outside diameters of the shank become smaller and the same applies to the diameter of the work piece hole(s). Because of the different cross-sections, stiffness’ and yield strengths, the dimensional changes are generally largest in the shank and the mandrel and smaller in the work pieces. Should the gaps between mandrel, shank and work piece(s) be bridged during the setting operation, they will again appear after the separation of the mandrel.

1.2 Behaviour of (blind) rivet joints under quasi static loads After frictional locking is overcome, there is relative movement of the sheets to take up slack. This bridging of gaps can occur in several steps. Fig.2 shows a force vs. displacement diagram for a lock bolt tensile single-shear specimen in 2 + 2mm stainless steel sheet [2].

Frictional locking is initially overcome at approximately 2.4kN tensile load. The gaps are bridged in two steps. The stiffness of the joint increases after each phase and reaches a maximum after all gaps have been bridged, Fig.2.

1.3 Lock bolts Joints made with lock bolts and bolts are both force-fit and therefore not suitable for the transmission of higher shear loads. In such cases, the use of fitting bolts and/or fitting keys is necessary.

1.4 Behaviour of riveted joints under cyclic loads With normal load build up, the gaps are bridged quickly after frictional locking is

Force vs. Displacement diagram of a stainless steel tensile shear specimen (Source: University of Rostock) overcome. The shear force and the bearing pressure experienced by the rivet are much higher than if the force had been applied with the parts – shank/work piece(s) and shank/mandrel - already in contact. This can decrease the fatigue life of joints by a factor of 10 to 15 at R = 0.1, [4].

2. Reasons for developing the new FF® TT® rivets The aim was to enable the production of form-fit joints, necessary for a current application, without requiring the very expensive hole preparation as practised by the aerospace industry, and at the same time providing a comparatively low-priced rivet for making joints with vastly improved load carrying characteristics.

2.1 Design concept of the new rivets [5] The concept of the new rivets is based on the bridging of gaps by a direct positive radial expansion of the shank. Towards this end, a splined or ribbed mandrel is employed, its circumscribing diameter being larger than the inner diameter of the shank.

On making contact with the walls of the work piece hole(s), the “excess” material of the shank “flows” into the valleys between adjacent splines, ensuring form-fit both between work pieces and shank as well as between shank and mandrel.

3. FEM - based investigations [6] A 2D - Finite Element Method (FEM) – feasibility study was carried out. In a second step, 3D-FEM parameter

110

Fig 3

showing the most uniform radial stresses for the 120° head with an rld value of 0.85, material flow being well balanced in both radial and tangential directions, Fig.6. Fig.7 shows the radial compressive stresses on the outside of the shank for splines with different geometries and rld values.

Mesh and boundary conditions for 2D analysis. Parameters used in the model: sheet thickness 2 + 2mm, hole diameters: top sheet 10.2mm, bottom sheet 9.8mm. studies were performed for optimising the geometry of the components of the rivet.

Based on the results, a 3D model of a representative section was built, comprising a slice with one of 8 identical splines, Figs. 3 and 4.

The main parameters (e.g. materials, friction coefficients…) were maintained.

Three different geometries of such splines were investigated: keys with triangular heads, included angles 120° and 150°, respectively, and one round type, Fig. 5.

Fig 6 3D-Model showing form fit and stress distribution, 120˚ spline, rld= 0.85mm. Material flow closes gaps.

Tensile shear test results Form-fit lock bolt versus M8.8 bolt with specimen geometry, and lock bolt mandrel.

Specimen: Sheet thickness 2mm; Material: AA6062T6; width: 40mm; overlap: 40mm.

Fig 7

Hole fill was achieved in the simulations with all three spline geometries. The results showed that the spline with the 120° triangular head performed best, 3D analysis

Radial contact-stress distribution at the shank/work piece interface with different spine geometries.

Fig 5 3.1 Evaluation of the results of the FEM simulation

Triangular spline geometry

In order to avoid incurring high tooling costs and save time, modified parts readily available in the market - mandrels of the Huck BOM blind rivets - were used. These were annealed to a soft condition, knurled on a lathe and subsequently hardened, Fig. 8. The increase in diameter of the shaft with standard knurling tools was relatively small, limiting the radial expansion of the shank. Two-shear lap specimens, Fig. 8, were used for the tests because the lock ring could not be deformed in the desired manner with the available setting equipment.

Fig 8

Fig 4

Meshed 3D-FEM Model

4. Test results 4.1 Tensile shear tests under quasi- static loading

The results of the simulation verified the design concept. Hole fill was possible even when the two holes had diameters with a difference of 0.4mm. As could be shown in the investigations, the shape of the key head influences the force required for achieving hole fill and the distribution of radial compressive forces between shank and work piece.

For the purpose of comparison, similar specimens using M8 nuts and bolts, class 8.8, tightened to 25Nm were prepared. The results of the tensile shear tests are shown in Fig. 8, the bolted joints slipping at approximately 4.7kN; the form-fit lock bolt joints with the modified mandrel (without lock rings, without force-fit), show first signs of plastic deformation at about 10kN, [8, 9].

4.2 Fatigue tests results and discussion Fatigue tests were performed with blind rivets, lock bolts and corresponding bolted two shear lap specimens. The nominal diameter of the lock bolts was 6mm and 8mm; that of the blind rivets, 9.6mm. M6, M8 and M10 class 8.8 bolted joints, were used for comparison. The material of the specimens was AA6062T4, thickness 2.5mm. In the case of the 6mm joints, the specimen material was 1.5mm H340 steel sheet. The width of the specimens was 40mm and the overlap 50mm.

The hole diameters for the M6, M8 and

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112

M10 specimens were 7.0mm, 9.0mm and 11.0mm respectively. The results of the fatigue tests, load ratio R = 0.1 are shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. The tests were carried out using a high frequency resonance testing machine.

Fig 9

The load levels at which slippage occurred were used as a basis for evaluating the improvement in fatigue life with the new rivets, because permanent setting occurs at these load levels. As can be seen in the three diagrams, Fig.9, 10 and 11, the fatigue life increases by a factor of ~5.104 in the case of the FF® lock bolt specimens, by a factor of ~5.103 in the case of the FF® blind rivet specimens and by ~106 with the 6mm FF® lock bolts, (difference in the number of load cycles between the points of intersection between the load horizon and the respective Wöhler curve) failure in all cases occurring in the base material. The improvements could have been even greater if materials with higher strengths had been used for fabricating the specimens.

Fig 11 Results of fatigue tests: FF® blind rivets versus M10 bolted joints.

In the case of the M6 bolted specimens, frictional lock was overcome at ~4.0kN. The M8 bolted specimens, slipped at approximately 4.5kN under static load and at ~ 3.6kN under cyclic load. The corresponding values for the M10 bolted specimens were 8.0kN and 7.9kN. The average numbers of the load cycles at which frictional grip was lost were 1,000, 1,454 and 1,157 respectively.

An increase in the testing frequency by 0.2Hz, denoting an increase in stiffness due to form-fit in the case of the bolted joints and a drop in test frequency, showing fatigue in the case of lock bolt and rivet joints, were used as failure criteria. Since the number of test specimens available was small, the slope of the Wöhler curves was adopted from older results of blind riveted specimens tested at Rostock University [2].

Fig 10

Results of fatigue tests: FF® lock bolts vs. M6 bolted joints. Material H340, Zinc coated, thickness 1.5+1.5+1.5mm.

The comparatively large scatter in the results of the fatigue tests, in the case of the lock bolt specimens, is due to the use of washers with different diameters and thickness’ and lock rings with and without flanges. The macrographs Figure 12, show that the splines are not fully formed. The contact area between the mandrel and the work piece and the mandrel and the shank could easily be increased. In spite of the far from optimum quality of the joints, the improvement in the fatigue results is still very noteworthy. This improvement becomes even more remarkable when it is considered the fact that failure always occurred in the base material.

Fig 12

Results of fatigue tests: FF® lock bolts vs. M8 bolted joints.

Micrographs of joints with the new form-fit blind rivets and lock bolts

By S. Singh (engineering consultant, Gaimersheim, Germany) and Z. Khalil (Light Weight Design Group, Light Metal Competence Centre, Ranshofen, Austria) References [1] Zorn, H.; Dehlke, K.: Korrelation zwischen Form- und Kraftschluß und Bauteileigenschaften an Blindnieteverbindungen; Universität Rostock; Abschlußbericht zum AiF-Forschungsvorhaben 10429B; 1997 [2] Wanner, M.-C., Henkel, K.-M.; Herzog, P; Delin, M.: Einfluss von werkstofflichen und geometrischen Parametern auf das Tragverhalten einer Schließringbolzenverbindung; Universität Rostock; Abschlussbericht zum AiF-Forschungs¬vorhaben 13878BR; 2006 [3] NASM 1312-8 National Aerospace Standard, Aerospace Industries Association of America, 2001 [4] Neudel, J.: Vergleichende Untersuchungen zum Tragverhalten Blindniet- und Puntschweißverbindungen unter statischen und schwingenden Beanspruchungen. Diplomarbeit AUDI/TU Chemnitz 1992 [5] Singh, S.: Austrian Patent No.:501 877, Application date: 31.Mai, 2005 [6] Simon, P.: Finite Elemente Methode unterstützte Entwicklung neuartiger formschlüssiger toleranzunempfindlicher Blindniete.

Diplomarbeit LKR Ranshofen / TU Dresden, 2006 [7] ANSYS Release 8.1 Documentation Preview, ANSYS, Inc, 2004 [8] Singh, S.; Simon, P.; Khalil, Z.; R. Gradinger: Novel Form-Actuated Tolerance-Tolerant Blind Rivets – Simulation Assisted Development.

Proceedings of the 2nd International Light Metals Technology Conference 2005, St. Wolfgang, June 2005 [9] Khalil, Z.; Singh, S.; Noster U.: Nietverbindungen – Schlüssiges Fügekonzept, BLECH InForm, 5/2005

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114

July 2008 – Germany Fastener & Fixing Magazine provides a unique reference guide that offers the industry a fast and easy way to get current as well as new product catalogues.

Use this convenient service to call, fax or email the companies to request a copy of their latest Catalogue.

Adolf Pühl GmbH & Co KG

Albert Pasvahl GmbH & Co

Pühl Stanztechnik is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of stampings for mechanical fastenings, especially washers. We produce to national standards (ASTM, BS, DIN, NFE, SS, etc.) as well as to drawings or samples - powered by professional in-house tooling. Wholesalers and end-users throughout Europe are satisfied by our excellent service, quality and valuable prices.

Albert Pasvahl offers you its experience and expertise in special connection elements and accessories resulting from over 70 years in business. In the course of this time, we have become a leading stockist of special standard screws.

Tel: +49 (0)2391 8107-0 Email: info@puehl.de

B+M Breitbach + Müller GmbH We are one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of connecting fittings for several industry branches. Our large warehouses located in Germany enable us to supply customers around the world with large quantities of various articles flexibly and at short notice.

Ask for our free catalogue now.

Tel: +49 (0)40 532 852 0 www.pasvahl.de

For example: Direct from stock DIN 609/610, DIN 561/564 DIN 478/479/480 DIN 464/653/466/467 DIN 906/908/910

Bäcker GmbH & Co KG Since our foundation in 1977 we have been involved in the production of screwed joints made of solid plastic and/or combined plastic/metal. Our standard programme now comprises about 20,000 articles. Owing to our large storage capacity we can supply nearly all series products “Just in time”. Our company is certified according to ISO 9001:2000.

Please test our services!

Tel: +49 (0) 2753 / 5950 0 www.baecker-kunststofftechnik.com

Fax: +49 (27 53) 59 56 50 www.bum.de

BÜLTE GmbH KUNSTSTOFFERZEUGNISSE

Chemofast Anchoring GmbH

NEW WEB SITE With more than 15,000 Nylon Products: • Washers, spacers, plugs, caps • Screws, bushings, nuts • Handles, adjustable feet, seals • Plastomet, handwheels • Specials to customer drawing • Free catalogue and samples DIN EN ISO 9001 : 2000 Tel: (+49) 025 91 / 91 94 - 0 www.bulte.com

Tel: +49 2154 81 23 – 0 www.chemofast.de

Your own brand worldwide. Through the Joint Venture of Henkel and Chemofast, unchallenged market leaders of the Adhesive- and chemical fastening technique have merged. The strong competencies of both specialists - many years of Henkel's and Chemofast's Chemical- and Technological know-how - will benefit our customers even more in future. In order to come up to the expectations resulting in the continuous growth, Chemofast moved into their new Production center last year. In course of this expansion the application sector has also been expanded.

Dörken

EJOT GmbH & Co. KG

Dörken MKS-Systeme has been developing micro layer corrosion protection systems for over 25 years.

Under the brand name DELTA-MKS®, Dörken produces and configures extremely effective surface protection mainly for the automotive industry.

Our worldwide approved products like DELTA-PROTEKT® are without any heavy metals, such as chrome (VI).

The EJOT Group is a medium-sized company which is dedicated to innovative fastening solutions on an international level. The Industrial Fasteners Division of the company produces thread-forming fasteners for plastics and metal with a diameter of 1-14 mm. Complicated cold forming parts are manufactured up to a 5-die/5-blow forming stage.

Tel: +49 2330 63243 www.doerken-mks.com

Tel: +49 (0)2752 109-0 www.ejot.com

Verbindungselemente Engel GmbH

E.u.r.o.Tec GmbH

We are a successful wholesaler of connecting parts with years of experience in supplying the industry and dealers throughout Europe.

Our high rack warehouse in Weingarten (Germany), which houses more than 8,000 pallets, accommodates everything our customers need for their day-to-day business.

Tel: +49 (0)751 407-0 www.schrauben-engel.de

Fastbolt Fastbolt is a leading wholesaler of industrial fasteners to European distributors only. Apart from a highly specialised product range ex stock Fastbolt offers individual supply solutions such as customised packing, direct container imports, pre-import quality inspections and a revolutionary online availability check and ordering system: FBonline.

Email: info@e-u-r-o-tec.de www.e-u-r-o-tec.de

E.u.r.o.Tec – The specialist for fastening technology – offers professional fasteners made of hardened steel, coated steel, stainless A2/A4, hardened stainless for wood constructions, hardwood deckings, glue wood, roofings facades.

All approved and in certified quality.

The main goal is to create fasteners offering the professional enduser a most possible benefit. For detailed information of the most recent developments, please, refer to the E.u.r.o.Tec homepage.

FASTENER 2000 GmbH Fastener 2000 is a stockist for long and large diameter screws, for example DIN 912-931-933.

Offer screws from M8 to M48 up to a length of 600mm direct from stock.

Tel: +49 (0) 4106 622 80 www.fastener2000gmbh.de

Tel: +49 (0)256 59 32 50 Email: info@fastbolt.com

Ferdinand Gross

GEFRA GmbH Inspection systems for fasteners

Individualised service, technical know-how, and application-geared consultation has made Ferdinand Gross a specialist in fastening and connecting technology for more than 140 years. Our product line ranges from fastening elements to assorted tools to the production of custom-made parts. In the area of C-Part Management, Ferdinand Gross offers customer-specific solutions in order to reduce procurement costs.

Tel: +49 711 1604-0 www.schrauben-gross.de

Email: info@gefragmbh.de www.gefragmbh.de

The world leading inspection systems made by GEFRA for accurate measurements, crack detection, recess inspection and 360° thread inspection provide zero-defect inspection capability. Manufactures can inspect products at speeds up to 1000 parts per minute. All OPTISORT systems and feeding systems are designed for gentle handling of parts during the inspection process. The OPTISORT line is completed with various models of packaging systems.

Güldner Sonderschrauben GmbH & Co. KG Güldner manufacture special purpose screws and fasteners, special bolts and nuts and CNC lathe-turned parts.

As a TÜV certified manufacturer they process heat resistant, stainless steel materials, brass and ASTM materials based on customer specifications and drawings.

Attestation in accordance with EN 10204 - 3.1 or 3.2 can be supplied.

HECO Schrauben In the course of its 40-year history, HECO-Schrauben has seen a gradual and healthy growth.

Today, HECO-Schrauben is one of the leading screw manufacturers in Germany. The company philosophy is still very much influenced by the values held dear by its founder, Karl Hettich: inventiveness, diligence and quality awareness.

Tel: +49 7932 9155 11 www.gueldner.com

Tel. +49 (0) 7422/989-0 www.heco-schrauben.de

Helmut Steinfels GmbH & Co. KG Your dealer for used machinery for the wire & the fastener industry from Germany.

Speciality: Wafios, Hilgeland, P&E, National and E.W. Menn.

Wire nail presses, wire weaving looms, chain link fence machines, barbed wire machines, wire bending machines, chain production machines, crimping machines, mesh welder, straight and cut machines, threadrolling machines, double blow headers, trimmers, transfer header, drawing machines, pointers and slotters.

IEW - Industrial Equipment Westendorff

www.steinfels.net Tel: +49 40 522 60 13 www.steinfels.net

Lindapter

Tel: +49 201 214778 Email: info@lindapter.de

As a specialist for joining techniques, IEW distributes parts according to drawing and special fastening parts to industrial partners worldwide.

The product range includes bolts, turned parts, cold and warm formed parts, stamped parts, washers or springs made from a great variety of materials and with all the surface treatments required.

Established in 1934, Lindapter is the leading brand in the field of steelwork fixings systems. Product offerings include Girder Clamps, Hollo-Bolt, Floorfast, Multi- wedge, Alphawedge and the TR60 range of decking fixings.

Customers are supported by a network of dedicated and fully trained distributors, whilst Lindapter focus on specifications with an internal and external team of experienced engineers providing standard product or bespoke solutions for construction, maintenance or OEM customers worldwide.

Tel: +49 (0)211-20004-0 Email: info@iew-gmbh.de

Hermann Lohmann HERMANN LOHMANN stands for high quality wire bending and threading technology since 1905.

As a manufacturer of hooks and many other wire products, we guarantee a fast availability of a broad standard range.

Furthermore we provide many other articles made to customer's individual specifications.

Tel: +49 (0)2339/1216-0 www.hermann-lohmann.de

OTTO ROTH GmbH & Co KG

MKT GmbH & Co. KG Are you interested in High Standard Fasteners? Do you know the new MKT Product Range?

MKT manufactures European (ETA) approved anchors like Wedge Anchors, Highload Anchors, Drop-in Anchors and Chemical Fastening Systems. Products are tested and approved in Europe and many other countries. Technical support including design software is available.

We are a modern and innovative trading company for mechanical connecting elements and certified manufacturer of turned and fine-machined parts. Our delivery programme includes 100,000 from mechanical fasteners to piping components. You get at Otto Roth rapid delivery from one source with individual logistics possibilities.

Ask for our free catalogue now!

Tel: +49(0)6374 91160 www.mkt-duebel.de

Tel: +49 (0)711 / 1388 - 0 www.ottoroth.de

PFITZER Verbindungstechnik GmbH The cradle of inch-sized fasteners Leading distributors of Fasteners, Bolts, Nuts, Washers & Specialty Fasteners according to American & British non + standards.

Furthermore we offer you a first class procurement management in the special parts sector, especially turned and milled parts as well as parts based on sketches on the inch and metric sector. Self-responsibility and quality in all areas.

Tel: +49 7131 797769-0 www.pfitzer-verbindungstechnik.dex

omniTECHNIK More safety - with precote thread coating. precote products provide ideal conditions for: • process controlled assembly • perfectly locked thread joints, even at highest dynamical loads up to 200° C • perfect sealing, also against highest pressure • nondestructive disassembling during the entire operating duration up to 700°C Tel: +49 89 143381-0 www.precote.com

PRELOK GmbH

Redimo

PRELOK offers Europe’s widest range of pre-applied locking and sealing solutions, eliminating the need for secondary locking devices, hand-applied liquid adhesives, or sealing tapes. The Tuflok Blue Nylon Patch when applied is permanently fused onto the screw thread of the parent component, and increases the prevailing removal torque, allowing the screw to be locked in any position upon assembly.

Redimo is an international trading & service company for cold and hot forging machines and offers used as well as partially or fully reconditioned machines.

Our knowledge and long-term experience are the foundation for individual, customer tailored service & advice.

Tel: +49 (0)221 949 978-0 www.prelok.com

Reyher

Rothstein metal conveyors are used in practically all industries.

They are indispensable means for uninterrupted production because the belts can be custom tailored to specific applications.

Metall-Fördergurte Metal conveyor belts Tapis transporteurs métalliques Die wirtschaftliche Alternative The economical alternative Une solution de remplacement économique

The types of conveyor belts have been developed for a wide variety of applications.

The conveyors can be readily adjusted to the specific requirements.

Ein Unternehmen der ROTHSTEIN Gruppe A company of the ROTHSTEIN Group Une entreprise du groupe ROTHSTEIN ®

Metallgurte GmbH

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Tel: +49-2264-2563 Email: metallgurte@rothstein-group.de

S + P - Competence in Stainless Steel

Your specialist in stainless steel fasteners. An independent & reliable partner.

Schäfer + Peters GmbH

Email: export@reyher.de www.reyher.de

We carry a stock of over 25,000 different products from the DIN/ISO standard parts sector which are available to you immediately. Our logistic partners guarantee shortest lead times worldwide. We combine quality and service. Take advantage of our excellent business connections.

Tel: +49 (0) 2154 4903-0 Email: info@redimo.com

Rothstein

Reyher is one of the leading wholesalers for fasteners and fastening technology in Europe.

Various services are at customers’ disposal, i.e. the widest and most abundant assortment, quick and reliable delivery, good product quality, many e-business possibilities, i.e. Webshop RIO Reyher Internet order.

Schäfer + Peters GmbH

Redimo reconditions all makes, e.g.

Hatebur, National, Sakamura, Peltzer + Ehlers, etc.

Schellenberger Bürstenfabrik GmbH Bore Hole Brushes As a leading manufacturer of twisted in wire brushes Schellenberger Bürstenfabrik GmbH can offer you a wide range of drill hole brushes for chemical anchors.

We manufacture according to your specifications e.g. with your logo.

Please ask for “your” brush.

Schäfer + Peters GmbH Zeilbaumweg 32 DE-74613 Öhringen Tel. +49 (0) 7941 6094-0 Fax +49 (0) 7941 6094-70 info@schaefer-peters.com www.schaefer-peters.com

Tel: +49 (0) 7941 6094-0 Email: info@schaefer-peters.com

Email: info@schellenberger.com www.schellenberger.com

Schröder Schrauben Over 30 years experience in trading and supplying customers with inch sized fastening items.

• Inch sized screws available from stock • Availability of every current type of screw threads and materials • Special parts available as well • Large availability from stock of high quality as per ISO9001-2000 don’t hesitate to talk to us – we will be pleased to help you.

Tel: +49 (0)71 32/99 60 20 www.schroederschrauben.de

Streicher Maschinenbau GmbH Experience and competence in tapping technique.

New standards in tapping technology.

Automatic nut tapping machine with bent shank. Suitable for all kinds of standard, flange and round nuts as well as special parts.

Top-Cut 16 D: Max. output (square/hex nuts) 17.520 pcs/h

Tel: +49 7543 60510 Email: info@streicher-maschinen.de

STEEL

TOBSTEEL GmbH

TLI GmbH

Screws and more

Europes’ leading supplier of painted screws according to RAL and NCS colours.

NEWS 1/2008

• Quick delivery • Best quality • Shipping to all countries

TOB

Furthermore we supply all types (also S.S.) of chipboard, drywall and special screws according to samples and drawings.

Email: info@tli-gmbh.de www.tli-gmbh.de

VOEHRS GmbH & Co. KG One of the leading international manufacturers of nuts and stamping.

Whether made out of ordinary steel.

High-grade steel, bright or standard finish surfaces – we offer the perfect solution for all your requirements.

Our progressive and flexible production allows us to manufacture to your exact specification so you get the product you need – with no compromises!

Tel: +49(0)2359/7011 www.voehrs.de

Tel: +49 (0) 7941 6073-0 www.TOBSTEEL.com

SEPARATES THE SPECIALISTS – according to this motto we are an upcoming and high-performance supplier for STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS. We are a wholesaler for modern fastening solutions (standard, special and drawing parts).

Your expert for the modern TX-six lobe drive system. Motivated contacts, a high service level and fast delivery service for a long life partnership.

Reliable and competent.

TOBNEWS 1/2008 out now!

VVG-Befestigungstechnik GmbH & Co. The experts in development, production and sale of “rivets and more” with the experience of more than 75 years provide a wide range of standard products always well stocked for a reliable and fast delivery.

Coming soon – the new general catalogue with many innovations.

Tel: +49 (0) 4321- 967171 Email: info@vvg-fasteners.com

The original at its best.

Constructional and efficient solutions result from experience, reliability, perfection and quality. Trust the original – manufactured with patented technology.

The original SCHNORR® serrated safety washers, also known as SCHNORR® washers, provide outstanding characteristics to secure bolted joints: > High resistance to vibration due to frictional

connection and positive locking at the same time.

SCHNORR® is also an international leader in disc spring engineering and manufacturing. Just talk to us! Together we will work out individual solutions for a wide range of applications.

Adolf Schnorr GmbH & Co. KG Stuttgarter Str. 37 71069 Sindelfingen, Germany Phone: +49 (7031) 302-0 Fax: +49 (7031) 38 26 00 mail@schnorr.de www.schnorr.de

DISC SPRING ENGINEERING

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Axil offers alternative Axil Adhesives Ltd (part of Chemique Adhesives and Sealants Ltd) is re-launching its vast range of high performance technical and structural adhesives.

The range offers engineers an array of adhesives, suitable for the widest variety of applications and as an alternative for traditional mechanical devices and fixings.

Replacing the need for lock washers, spring washers and other thread fixings, Axil’s threadlocker prevents bolts loosening over time. Varying strengths are available all of which ensure nuts and bolts do not work loose in the most extreme use.

Axil says its toughened acrylic/methacrylate offering provides bond strengths in excess of welded joints, with little or no requirement for surface preparation.

Suitable for production line environments the Ultra Violet curing adhesive cures in as little as three seconds.

The ‘cure on demand’ technology of this adhesive means it will not dry until required, as the cure is caused by exposure to certain wavelengths of UV. Axil also offers a superglue/cyanacrylate which bonds in seconds and can be used in an increasingly wide range of substrates, the rubber toughened grades giving superior impact and weather resistance.

Providing a total package solution, Axil adhesives Ltd has a full range of application equipment for use with its adhesive range.

Keeping tabs on threadlocking To help engineers determine what kind of threadlocking adhesive is most appropriate for each job, Henkel has introduced a new website and produced a brochure showing the capability of its Loctite products in this important area.

“Every day, end products that include threaded fasteners are used by us all,” says Colin Chapman, marketing manager at Henkel. “Threadlocking adhesives need to be secure – yet, in

many cases, there is also a requirement for easy disassembly when it comes to servicing arrangements. Using the right adhesive is, therefore, vital. The website and guide help engineers through the choices.”

Alongside product details, the web site contains a host of useful information – including a calculator that shows how much adhesive is needed for specific situations, case studies and an overview of threadlocking technology. Technical datasheets can also be downloaded via the web page.

The brochure also discusses why threaded assemblies fail, the security of the components and how Loctite adhesives work and their correct use.

This handy product information is supported by a number of attention-grabbing case histories.

Easy dispense liquid gasket from ThreeBond ThreeBond TB1215 is a single component premier specification engineering liquid silicone gasket now available in a 200g pressurised canister with finger-tip control nozzle for installation, maintenance and repair situations.

TB1215 can be used in general engineering, power plants, power transmission, marine engines, gearboxes or agricultural equipment.

TB1215 is also used extensively in high-tech, high-quality applications within the motorcycle or car performance aftermarkets and motorsport sectors.

ThreeBond TB1215 is OEM specified by the majority of global motor vehicle producers – it is solvent free, low odour and non-acidic liquid gasket base on RTV-Silicone. Within a very short time it forms a rubber-like highly elastic gasket completely adapted to the surface structure of the flange facing. ThreeBond TB1215 has been designed specifically for efficient application as a sealant in the automotive sector for extremely high chemical resistance, for example in gearboxes, oil pans, water pumps and front covers. It exhibits very good chemical resistance against oils, outstanding mechanical resistance against shearing forces and excellent adhesion even to slightly polluted surfaces. It also offers zero shrinkage and instantaneous impermeability for pressure and fire tests.

The new 200g pressure can is ideal for workshop or on site use while

other packs of 310ml cartridges, 20kg and 250kg pails are suited to production environments where it is recognised that they offer cost and stock savings relative to conventional solid gaskets.

DELTA® protects surfaces.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is our “Word of the Year“. Since 1982.

For more than 25 years our DELTA-MKS® systems have been chrome (VI)-free. It used to be called environmental protection; now it‘s named sustainability – we continue to call it: responsibility. But words alone change nothing – we prefer to act. For example, we use our resources sparingly and we annually check on how well we attain our environmental goals in line with the EcoManagement and Audit Scheme. We voluntarily exceed minimum legal requirements.

DELTA-MKS® systems contain no mutagens, carcinogens or teratogenic substances. This means that not only are they non-hazardous to health, they can also be processed without problem. Our products are sustainable as early as during their application: for example, the solvent-free DELTA-PROTEKT® KH 250 for disc brakes and drums. Because this product dries at room temperature, there is no need to make use of energy-thirsty, CO2-producing ovens. This is just one example of our ongoing search for innovative and sustainable ideas so that we can continue to improve in future. You have our word on that. More about us at www.doerken-mks.com

122

New ‘prepreg’ system

Hold on a moment!

*

,

C-parts don't turn you on?

Take another look. As a Reyher customer you profit from ...

• one of the biggest and best ranges of threaded fasteners • top-class supply reliability plus order-management simplicity • resupply flexibility and friendly service second to none

Amber Composites has announced the availability of a new high performance ‘prepreg’ system which was developed for high performance aerospace and automotive applications.

C740 is a flame-retardant Cyanate Ester resin system of medium viscosity which cures at 135°C (275°F). It is preimpregnated into high performance fibres such as carbon, glass and Kevlar.

Post-cure peak temperatures can be as high as 344°C (651°F).

The first commercial application is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) produced

by Schiebel. Amber and Schiebel have been working together for the past five years to develop, test and deploy technologically extremely

advanced material for its UAV products, in a constant effort to minimise component weight.

“Our partnership with Amber Composites has exceeded our expectations. In our five years working together, Amber has not only consistently provided excellent high-quality materials, but also useful technical and design guidance”, said Hans Georg Schiebel, the owner of Schiebel.

Schiebel will be using Amber’s C740 to decrease the weight of the exhaust system and the engine. “Just through the use of Amber’s C740 on these two key areas we are able to decrease the overall weight of the vehicle’s structure by another few percent”, said Carsten Gäbler, Schiebel’s head of composite development & production.

SpecialScrews direct from Stock Hexagon set screws with half dog point and flat cone point According to DIN 561, 564 as well as screws with dog/cone point, square head bolts, knurled thumb screws, plugs, flat headed screws and specials

By the way, the lady drove straight to the office, where you can reach her by dialling +49 40 85363-0. She knows everything about C-parts management and Reyher.

S P E Z I A L S C H R A U B E N

www.pasvahl.de www.reyher.de

Holding Parts Together

A. Pasvahl · Oehleckerring 23 · D-22419 Hamburg Tel. +49 [0] 40 - 53 28 52-0 · Fax +49 [0] 40 - 53 28 52-52

124

Norm Fasteners invest in-house Since 2000 Norm Fasteners has offered its customers adhesive patch applications such as 3M and Precote products on male fasteners.

Due to the increased requirements of OEM and Tier 1 suppliers for Automotive Industry, Norm Fasteners has invested in the plastic patch application in a larger variation.

“We are now offering case by case solutions to our customers. In our application we can select the length and the angle of the specific area on male fasteners.”

The in-house application line will be ready to start running by the beginning of August 2008.

The plastic coating is heat bonded to fastener threads. The pre-applied patch forms a tough film on the thread, increasing the pressure on the thread flanks. As a result, flanks on the uncoated side of the threads are forced together. The friction generated prevents loosening of the bolt.

Thanks to high quality of plastic used, repeated adjustment of assembled threads is possible, as well as high reuse ability. All the screws with locking patch will be according to DIN267-28.

Nissen stocks Grade 5 Hex Head Cap Screws Nissen Fasteners Inc., an importer and distributor of industrial fasteners across the Americas, has announced that it has received initial inventories of quality imported Grade 5 Hex Head Cap Screws in Cleveland, Ohio.

“The last 12 months have seen unprecedented price increases and general chaos throughout the fastener industry. No one knows what a fair price is supposed to be anymore.” explains Chris Nissen, president of Nissen Fasteners. “At the same time, we have had many of our customers telling us that they need competitively priced Grade 5 Hex Head Cap Screws centrally located in the Midwest. With this in mind, Nissen Fasteners has setup an extremely focused low-cost operation in Cleveland, Ohio, now stocked with the most popular sizes of Grade 5 Hex Head Cap Screws.”

Currently, Nissen’s Cleveland Grade 5 Hex Head Cap Screw range is from 1/4” to 3/4” diameters, UNC and is available in plain steel and RoHS compliant zinc plating. Additional lines will be added as demand continues to grow.

A listing of the sizes available along with the current prices can be found at Nissen’s recently launched website (www.nissenfasteners.com/lists).

“At Nissen Fasteners, we are always trying to find new ways to simplify the buying process for our clients. It is with this thought in mind that we have launched our new online pricelist, with the goal of making it much easier and convenient for our clients to purchase fasteners. With Nissen’s online pricelist, our clients will always know what the current market pricing is, and will never have to be overcharged again.” adds Peter Nissen, executive vice president.

classic • system • automotive

The well-tried concept of the “Big Bolts” and the “Long Thins”. A stock programme of screws with hexagon socket and hexagon insert according to DIN/ISO for special niches and ranges.

Over 8,000 lines

Service offers and solutions for the c-parts management, in short everything that exceeds a standard delivery.

Hand picked for quality...

Fasteners and Components for a vast range of Industries.

A stock and procurement programme of automobile spare parts according to drawing, sharepart-number and DIN/ISOstandard.

t automotive

t GVSOJUVSF UPZT t marine

t DMPUIJOH GBCSJD t engineering t DPNQPTJUFT

We produce in Far East under german management according to the european quality assurance standard. In any grades according to DIN/ISO, drawings and customer related wishes.

Achilles Seibert GmbH Philipp-Reis-Straße 3 · D-24558 Henstedt-Ulzburg · Germany Fon: +49 4193 89 55 · Fax: +49 4193 89 56 99 info@achill-fasteners.com · www.achill-fasteners.com

Call or email for details and a comprehensive catalogue.

01623 655265 t sales@sdproducts.co.uk

www.sdproducts.co.uk

Achill Office Shanghai for: • quality control and direct imports • prompt and direct communication for our customers with our business partners in China

126

TIMco launches Classic Plus T.I.Midwood has launched its new definitive wood screw - the Classic Plus.

The Classic Plus has many special features including the Tim drive recess which helps to reduce driver wear, and offers a more positive drive and prevents camming out. The double countersunk which has been introduced into the design will reduce the likelihood of head shear, and the six ribs on the second countersink assist the completion of countersinking and prevent damage to furniture hardware.

The Classic Plus is partially threaded above 25mm to improve clamping effectiveness and is lubricated with Gleitmo 605 to enhance screw insertion time and greater resistance to corrosion. It is plated in zinc 5-8 microns and yellow passivated. It also has a unique thread configuration to give rapid installation and a secure fixing with high pull-out resistance. On one third of the thread there are ‘wave-thread’ serrations which reduce driving torque. It also has a type 17 slash point that eliminates the need for pre-drilling and prevents the wood from splitting.

The Classic Plus is suitable to drive into many substrates including: hardwood, plastic, softwood, MDF, plywood, thin sheet metal and chipboard.

Convenience is key VELCRO Ltd, the company behind the original VELCRO® brand hook and loop fastener, has evolved its range of VELCRO® brand Stick On with the launch of VELCRO® brand Removable Adhesive Stick On. Presenting the height of flexibility to customers, VELCRO® brand Removable Adhesive Stick On has all benefits of the original Stick On range with the added advantage of being able to be cleanly removed without leaving marks or damaging surfaces.

“This innovative new

product was devised as a result of valuable customer feedback, which confirmed consumers love the simplicity and safeness of the VELCRO® brand Stick On range but are sometimes cautious of using it as it can’t always be removed if required.”

VELCRO® brand ‘hook and loop’ Removable Adhesive Stick On is available in either strips or pre-cut coins and squares. Also, the ‘loop’ square is larger than the ‘hook’ coins which VELCRO says allows for 100% engagement between the two surfaces.

Out of this world lighting Thorsman launches new catalogue

Serenco (UK) Ltd has become the UK distributor for the new 3 in 1 UFO Tool Light, which was exhibited at Practical World in March this year.

The light has a unique feature, a hole through the middle of the unit with rubber flaps either side, which allows it to slide over and fit securely the shanks (5-11mm) of manual screwdrivers and ¼ inch cordless powerdrivers.

Other useful features include a non-slip, weatherproof housing that covers three strong magnets (for hands free use) and the three LR44 batteries (supplied) that power the unit.

Illumination is via three

super bright LED’s with 100,000 hours life. To further enhance the appeal of the UFO Tool Light it is only 40mm diameter, 16mm deep and weighs 22g making it small enough to slip unobtrusively into any pocket or toolbox.

Thorsman, a company of Schneider Electric, has published a brand new product brochure for 2008.

The new priced catalogue is packed with everything from cable clips to wall plugs, screws to fixings & anchors, cable reels & extension leads to hand tools, including the popular Goliath worklight range.

Tel: Fax:

01384 561000 01384 411142

info@electraengineering.com www.electraengineering.com

128

Key-Choice System provides solution The Southco® Key-Choice System provides a comprehensive solution to the common problem of co-coordinating keylocking latches and key codes.

By separating the key code specification decision from the latch specification decision, the Southco Key-Choice System offers flexible options for managing security.

The system provides the ability to install lock cores at multiple points throughout the manufacturing and distribution supply chain in order to eliminate the complexity of tracking key code assignments and offers a wider selection of key code options. It also provides an alternative to using external padlocks to manage key codes.

The Southco Key-Choice System encompasses a wide variety of latch styles each of which accepts the identical range of lock core options, offering the ability to tailor key code assignment to the security needs of the application well after installation of the latch. This also offers the manufacturer the option to bundle multiple latch styles and provide the convenience of a single key.

Practical applications of the system address any combination of keying requirements – including master keyed, keyed alike, and keyed different key code options. It also addresses applications where access needs to be restricted to a single user or operator. It also simplifies the opportunity to vary shared-access and exclusive-access assignments – including master-key management– across a range of units.

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Spirol Industries has introduced the CL500 and CL550 compression limiters for moulded in applications.

The CL500 series has radial grooves along the length that offer maximum retention in the plastic. The CL500 is designed around standard industry accepted clearances for 6mm and 8mm bolts, with the CL500 series providing additional clearance around the bolts to accommodate greater positional tolerances.

Spirol compression limiters are used to preserve a threaded joint’s integrity when fastening plastic-to-plastic assemblies, or plastic-to-metal assemblies. As a bolt is tightened to achieve the required friction between threads, the plastic is compressed. Without the compression limiter, plastic will creep, resulting in the loosening and eventual failure of the joint. The compression limiter

absorbs the load generated when the bolt has been tightened to its recommended value. The plastic is isolated from excessive compressive loads and plastic creep is not a factor in ensuring that the joint remains intact throughout the life of the product.

The new series are available in standard low carbon steel with a zinc plate finish for corrosion protection. They join Spirol’s existing Series CL200 and CL250 (split seam) and Series CL101 and CL111 (solid knurled) designs.

Spirol Industries Limited is a manufacturer of a diverse range of engineered fasteners, including coiled and slotted spring pins, solid pins, spacers and other tubular products, as well as threaded inserts, milled brass nuts, shims, pin and insert installation equipment and vibratory parts feeders.

130

Rino adds advanced technology screws Rino industries Ltd has introduced a series of advanced technology fastener ranges.

The first is the range of AURUM™ screws, which have been introduced in the newly launched Rino Industries 849 page mechanical drive components catalogue.

AURUM™ is a thermoplastic polyimide resin which exhibits special thermal, physical, chemical and electric characteristics. It is heat resistant, enabling continuous use at 240ºC, and its AURUM™ screws special clean characteristics ensure outgas is reduced to microscopic levels below high temperatures. Amounts of metallic impurities, such as alkali metal, are also reduced to microscopic levels.

AURUM™ also has chemical, plasma, radiation and abrasion resistant properties, as well as being flame resistant, cleared by UL standard, to 94V-0. Cross recessed pan head, socket head cap screws, hexagon nuts and washers are all available in this new material.

The next range of screws from Rino Industries Ltd is the innovative range of PEEK™ screws. PEEK™ is short for polyetheretherketone and is light brown in colour. Rino says it has many advantages which include excellent chemical, thermal and water resistance, which help maintain high heat resistance strength. Abrasion, shock and fatigue resistance, as well as radiation and electrical properties.

The final screw range to be introduced by Rino is its range of Alumina ceramic fasteners. The Alumina ceramic fasteners PEEK™ Screws enable continuous use at 1,500ºC offers electrical insulation and resistance against heat and chemicals.

“The screws can be used in heat resistant applications such as hot water and chemical pumps, as well as electronic applications such as electrical transformers and computer equipment, but Alumina ceramic fasteners as heat and chemical resistance varies with the usage environment, it is necessary to test in advance under actual conditions. Also, as with all ceramics, care must be taken when handling, as ceramic screws do break easily.”

DNV Type Approval Certificate The independent foundation DNV (Det Norske Veritas) has type approved NORD-LOCK locking washers.

The certification process took over two years and included independent tests (vibration test according to DIN 65151 and accelerated vibration test according to NASM 1312-7). Moreover; NORD-LOCK’s production and quality assurance system was thoroughly investigated.

DNV recommends NORD-LOCK for preloaded bolted assemblies subjected to dynamic, fatigue, impact and vibration induced loading.

The type approval certificate ensures that NORD-LOCK complies with the following: • DNV’s “Rules for certifications of lifting appliances”, September 1994.

• DNV’s Offshore Standard DNV-OS-C101 “Design of Offshore Steel Structures” October 2000.

• DNV’s Offshore Standard DNV-OS-E101 “Drilling Plant” October 2006.

• DNV’s Offshore Standard DNV-OS-E201 ”Hydrocarbon Production Plant”, October 2000.

• DNV’s “Rules for certification of Ships”, Part 4, Chapter 4 “Rotating Machinery, Power Transmission”, January 2007.

DNV is one of three major organisations of its kind and provides an extensive range of certifications, find out more at www.dnv.com.

ERKIS UK launches strategic initiative ERIKS UK has announced an initiative to expand its offering with a move into the tools supply market. A Tools and Maintenance catalogue will carry information about more than 25,000 products that are newly available.

With its expansion into the tools market ERIKS UK says it is meeting market demand and the requests of its customers, aiding UK industry in its drive to consolidate its supplier base and reduce its total acquisition costs.

“For engineers the catalogue is easy to use and offers competitive pricing” says ERIKS UK spokesperson, Steve Bodsworth.

“Just as importantly there is a combination of products and brands that they are familiar with such as Dormer, Stanley, 3M and Rocol that we have available alongside quality European brands, which they may not be aware of, but which the ERIKS Group has been supplying for years.”

There are 12 main product categories within the new catalogue covering: Abrasives; Adhesives; Cutting Tools; Hand Tools; Indexable Tooling; Janitorial; Lathe Tooling; Lubricants; Clamping; PPE; Precision Tooling (including Measurement) and Storage.

AUTOMOTIVE SPRING PIN速 The logical g sol solution. lution.

100% control plus+. Optimal Op ptimal chamfer angle.

Easily Installed. Greate Greater er Fastening Security Security..

Reduces Fastener Cos Costs. sts.

www.jvu.de www .jvu.de e

Spannstiftstrasse 2 D-58119 D-581 19 Hagen T. T. + 49 (0) 23 34.957-215 - 215 spannstifte@jvu.de

For more e Information please p contact our o sales departme department ent

132

The names Bond, Master Bond A two part, condensation cured liquid silicone system called Master Sil 150 has been developed by Master Bond, Inc. Master Sil 150 can be used for the potting and encapsulation of voltage regulators, high voltage transformers, as well as optical and electronic assemblies. Master Bond says that Master Sil 150 has good thermal stability, combined with excellent flexibility, and has a Shore A hardness of 40, and an elongation at break of 230%.

Low viscosity ensures complete fill-in around complicated parts to provide electrical insulation and resistance to shock. The coefficient of thermal expansion is 11x10-4 cm/cm°C and its linear shrinkage is less than 0.4%.

Upon the addition of the curing agent, Master Sil 150 cures at room temperature to a tough, resilient silicone rubber. Its mechanical and electrical properties protect sensitive electronic components and assemblies from dust, moisture, ozone, thermal shock and vibration.

Master Sil 150 has a service temperature range from -50°C to over 205°C. Its thermal conductivity, 7.5 x 104 cal/cm.s °C (2.2 BTU-inch/hourft2-°F), highly facilitates its use in potting and encapsulation applications.

The electrical insulation properties include a volume resistivity of 5 x 1014 ohm•cm, a dielectric strength of 18 KV/mm together with a 2.9 dielectric constant and 3 x 10-3 dissipation factor at 1MHz.

Standard Listed – you know who’s best!

But contact us for all the rest . . .

Tel:

+44 (0) 117 – 972 8560

Fax:

+44 (0) 117 – 972 8570

Email:

sales@avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk

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 . . .

Online Product Guide: www.avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk

Unit 10, Riverside Business Park, St Anne’s, Bristol, BS4 4ED, UK

Hose Clip and Clamp Manufacturers in Birmingham UK Established 1978

American and British

inch sized screws USA - fasteners

• Special screws and parts for the electrical and electronic industry supplied directly from stock • Large selection of special items available • Large availability from stock of high quality as per ISO 9001:2000

Peter Schröder GmbH Silcherstr. 38 • D-74172 Neckarsulm Telephone: +49 (0) 71 32/99 60-0 Facsimile: +49 (0) 71 32/99 60-60 info@schroederschrauben.de www.schroederschrauben.de

Founded in February 1988, Precision Technology Supplies Ltd is proud to celebrate 20 years in the Fastener Industry. We specialize in Micro Fasteners and Metric and Unified (American) Threaded Fastener in both A2 & A4 material.

Quality and service are our main priorities with every order subject to our ISO 9001 quality control.

We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the last twenty years and look forward to the next twenty.

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd. The Birches Industrial Estate, Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1XZ Tel +44 (0) 1342 410758 Fax +44 (0) 1342 311464 Email Info@pts-uk.com www.pts-uk.com

134

Stahlwille launches new tool trolley concept However varied the wishes and needs of the individual professional, tool trolleys have to be able to meet those needs.

Stahlwille, the German manufacturer of professional workshop solutions for the aerospace field, has now developed a modular system for its Series 97N and 97N/KM tool trolleys which enables them to be closely adapted to individual requirements.

The number of drawers varies from at least six to at most ten and these are available in different depths.

Depending on individual requirements, these tool trolleys provide ample space for tools in the Tool Control System or in standard inlays. With its

depth of 140mm, the most voluminous drawer is particularly well suited to storing bulky workpieces or larger tools. In addition, the system provides such convenient extras as a rubbish bin and multifunctional back panel. A paper-roll holder is provided to facilitate wiping oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hands. All the previous types of inlays made by Stalwille can still be used with this system because the width and depth are identical to the 97N and 97N/KM series.

A special locking mechanism prevents the user from opening more than one drawer at a time, which might cause the trolley to topple. Furthermore, the large, double-bearing wheels are fitted with a parking brake.

Stockist & Distributor of Rolled Thread Machine Screws Complete Range of Metric Threads in All Heads Zinc Plated Offered Ex-stock with Next Day Delivery Imperial Threads & Non-standards also within the Range or can be Manufactured Specially

Machine Screws Limited Unit 5, Kingfisher Enterprise Park, Arthur Street, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8LG

ajm@machinescrews.wanadoo.co.uk

136

EQS-3 Quality Assurance System wins innovation prize Heinz Soyer Bolzenschweißtechnik GmbH has received the 2008 Bundesinnovationspreis, one of Germany's most prestigious innovation prizes, for the seventh time.

The EQS-3 Quality Assurance System, a patented mobile calibration device (Patent No. 100 59 659), allows trained personnel to calibrate, verify and validate stud welding devices according to the standard DIN EN ISO 17662:2005 irrespective of the device's manufacturer.

Endowed with a gold medal, the innovation prize recognises the important contribution made by the EQS-3 to a significant improvement in the reliability and quality of security-relevant stud welding applications, in particular in batch production when using the EQS-3 in conjunction with stationary CNC stud welding machines.

The innovation prize follows close on the heels of several other awards honouring Soyer as one of Germany's Top 100 Innovators (2007) and one of the 100 Best Employers (2008) in Germany's SME sector.

“These awards testify to our considerable engineering capabilities and an innovative potential that makes the company best suited to meet future needs of both its domestic and international customers in the field of stud welding technology.”

Stud welding allows metallic studs and pins from 1 - 30mm in diameter to be welded onto metallic work pieces in an instant. In addition to developing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing stud welders, welding guns, welding heads, bench mounted welding machines, CNC equipment, feeders, integrated control systems and special accessories; Soyer also offers its own product line of highquality weld fasteners.

Indexing in confined spaces Elesa says that its new indexing plunger saves on both space and costs usually associated with installation.

The GN822 is a true mini indexing plunger at only 26.5mm long by 21mm knob diameter in its smallest incarnation – even the largest is only 34mm x 25mm diameter.

Fitment is simple; pull back the plunger knob to reveal a hex head, and M8 or M10 thread suitable for mounting even in thin sheet metal of 3.5mm or 4mm.

An AISI 303 stainless plunger provides accurate positioning while the technopolymer knurled knob offers a safe and solid grip during operations. The GN822 is available in 2 executions – without rest position and with rest position, by pull and twist 30°. Black oxide steel brushings are also available to space the unit when installed in thin sheet.

Flexible in springs 100 years ago a workshop for cutting and stamping tools was founded. From that foundation Adolf Schnorr pioneered the development of series production of Belleville disc springs.

Thanks to the hard work of prior generations the humble workshop became a specialised manufacturer of disc springs, safety washers, and load washers with a worldwide reputation for excellence. SCHNORR has grown into an internationally leading problem solver in the field of disc spring and screw locking devices, with a global network of 39 offices.

At the company’s core is a high degree of development competence, reliability and economy, coupled with first-class workmanship. SCHNORR’s quality is proven by its partnerships with renowned industrial companies and groups like ABB, BorgWarner, Bosch, Daimler, Mahle, Siemens, ZF Sachs, VW and many others.

SCHNORR disc springs support a number of dynamic processes in various applications and sectors, often in extreme conditions of stress: pre-securing, securing, creating axial force, resetting, balancing play or holding in critical moments –in the automotive industry, mechanical and plant engineering and in aerospace technology. The challenge is to control “the largest force in the smallest space”. SCHNORR disc springs are characterised by an optionally linear, degressive or progressive spring characteristic. The use of high-grade materials secure a long service-life under dynamic stress.

New fields of application, increasing quality and performance requirements or specific materials – in the company’s own test and development department highly qualified engineers develop tailor-made solutions geared to the customer requirements. An innovatively equipped tool-making department, specialised production processes and high production competence make SCHNORR flexible and ready to meet special as well as standard requirements.

To be among the best requires work on one’s skills and opportunities in order to develop successfully. This doesn’t only apply to the technical equipment and the optimisation of SCHNORR processes but also to the qualifications and abilities of its people. The entire SCHNORR team is committed to the most important corporate objective in a highly motivated and performance-orientated manner: customer satisfaction. A high standard SCHNORR thinks it can always meet. After all, SCHNORR easily meets all automotive standards and has been certified in accordance with ISO/TS 16949-2002.

Sunfast Tianli Enterprise Co., Ltd. HIGH QUALITY

strict quality control

SUPERIOR SERVICE 20 years experience 100% customer satisfaction oriented

COMPETITIVE PRICE cost saving technical innovations mass production

A major manufacturer & exporter of fasteners in China A reliable source for importers, distributors, wholesalers & agents

706 Dragon Pearl Complex, No. 2123 Pudong Ave. Shanghai 200135 CHINA Tel: +86 21 5885 7711 Fax: +86 21 5885 7722 E-mail:sunfast@sunfast-china.com

www.sunfast-china.com

Achilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 ACT Fasteners & Components . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Action Can . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Adolf Pühl . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 Adolf Schnorr GmbH & Co. KG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Albert Pasvahl GmbH & Co . .122 Alexander Paal GmbH . . . .137 Alfran Fasteners Ltd . . . . . . .99 Allbolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Alloy & Stainless . . . . . . . . . .23 Alltech Engineered Finishes . . .85 Anocote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Apex Stainless . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Aptus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Arpel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Atlantic Man Srl . . . . . . . . . .21 Atotech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Autocraft Industrial . . . . . . .27 Autonic Engineering Co Ltd . .15 Avon Stainless . . . . . . . . . . .132 Bendfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Beneri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Blakeacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Bollhoff Fasteners . . . . . . .111 Bossong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Bralo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 Brighton Best . . . . . 6, 8, 10, 12 Burwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Can-Eng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Carlo Salvi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Chatsworth computers . . . . .99 China Fastener . . . . . . . . . . .25 Classic Metallic . . . . . . . . . . .93 Crest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Crescent Manufacturing . . .101 D.D. Brand Central Holdings Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Dacral . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Dies Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Don Quichotte . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 DS Fasteners Ltd . . . . . . . .107 EDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Electra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 Everbuild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Fastbolt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Ferroforma . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Fischer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Fixi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Fwu Kuang Enterprises Co. Ltd .138 Guangzhou Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 H Schreiber . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 Hafren Fasteners . . . . . . . .107 Heinz Soyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 JCP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Kale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Kohlhage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Lederer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Lindapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 London Screw Company Ltd . .127 M&W Fastener Co.,Ltd . . . . .31 Machine Screws Ltd . . . . . .135 Martyn Price ( Bolts & Nuts ) Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Masons Fasteners Ltd. . . . . .91 Masterfix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Mayes & Warwick . . . . . . . . .91 Microplastics . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Millennium Steel . . . . . . . . . .43 MKT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Mofast Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 Morgalv Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . .135 National Machinery . . . . . . . .83 Ningbo Jinhui Fasteners . . .15 Nordic Metalblok Srl . . . . .131 Norm Civata . . . . . . . . . . . . .131 Norma . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57, 123 Olympic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Orbit International Corporation Limited . . . . . .132 Ornit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 Pinstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Prelok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 PTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 Protex Fasteners . . . . . . . . .134 PTG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Ray Fu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124 Retina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Reyher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122 Rivit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139 RLS Tooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 Rotor Clip Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . .21 S D Products Ltd . . . . . . . . .125 Sacma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 Sanhuan Fasteners . . . . . . .135 Sariv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Schröder Schrauben . . . . . .133 Smith - Bullough . . . . . . . . . .61 Spirol . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,95,134 Stafa Holland BV . . . . . . . . .107 Steven Walker & Sons Ltd . . .79 Sunfast Tianli Enterprise Co., Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 Tecfi S.p.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129 Tecno Impianti . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Technox Technika . . . . . . . . .19 TI Midwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Titibi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Top Screw Metal Corp. Ltd . .128 TR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Trojan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137 Trutek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 UBK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Viraj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG . . . . . . . . . . .29,101,131 Vorpa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 Wrentham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Zero Clips Ltd . . . . . . . . . . .133