Fastener + Fixing Magazine #134 by Fastener + Fixing Magazine

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Xxxxxxxxxx Fabory: Masters xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in Fasteners Xxxxxxxxxxxx Heading + forging Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rivets + rivet nuts fastenerandfixing.com ≡≡ Issue Issue134: 134:March March2022 2022 fastenerandfixing.com

75 YEARS

of Masters in Fasteners

A PERFECT FIXING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

• Customer Service Driven • Vertically Integrated • Innovative Products • Global Presence

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES Since 1955 ND Industries has specialized in the development of innovative materials and processes which increase the safety and reliability of fastener assemblies. ND serves a global market with divisions across the continental U.S., Taiwan, and licensees around the world. ND’s core business revolves around the application of a wide variety of materials onto fasteners and assemblies to aid in functions such as locking, sealing, masking, lubricating, and noise and vibration dampening. ND also manufactures a line of bottled products under the Vibra-Tite® brand name for MRO and retail use.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EPOXY-LOCK® NUTS This pre-applied threadlocker consists of separated epoxy hardener and expoxy resin. Upon fastener installation, the two materials mix and activate. When fully cured, EpoxyLock provides greater breakaway torque than conventional nylon fastener locking devices.

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

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

SEALTEK™ An acrylic-based sealing material which is applied to the underhead of the fastener. SealTek’s robust seal replaces the need for O-rings, gaskets, or sealing washers.

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CONTENTS

NEWS 12-38 Financial reports, acquisitions and trade duty news

COVER STORY 40-41 Fabory: Masters in Fasteners

INSIGHT 42-64 The pioneer of timber screws The traffic jam of the recovery BOMET grows production Dell’Era: A reputation for quality Domax makes significant investments Quality, the key to a safer world Śrubena-Unia: Reacting and adapting Big in collated screws Solutions for every application Nögel: Meeting customers’ demands from stock Equipped to support new business Flexible production within Europe Haemers: Ready to meet demand

56 74

EXHIBITIONS 66-68 CONSTRUCTION 70-86 FIXINGS The Construction Products Regulation – the industry’s headache Importance of the ETA route Structural steel + cladding fasteners feature

110

MANUFACTURING 88-104 TECHNOLOGY

132

Heading + forging feature

TESTING 106-114 Mechanical testing feature

MANAGEMENT + 116-122 SYSTEMS APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

124-136

The right to repair Electrical + electronics feature

PRODUCTS + TOOLS 138-160 Rivet + rivet nuts feature Battery installation tools feature

146

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Will Lowry, content director, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

On 17th January the European Union published the Implementing Regulation that confirmed definitive anti-dumping duties of up to 86.5% on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners in the People’s Republic of China, adding another complication for a host of fastener companies across Europe.

Managing Director Jamie Mitchell jamie.mitchell@verulammedia.com

Deputy Editor Claire Aldridge claire.aldridge@verulammedia.com Sales Director Mac Rahman mac.rahman@verulammedia.com Business Development Manager – Italy Emiliano Pagliaroli emiliano.pagliaroli@verulammedia.com Business Development Manager – DACH Beata Csano beata.csano@verulammedia.com Business Development Manager – Europe Chantal Ridings chantal.ridings@verulammedia.com Production & Design Manager Lee Duskwick lee.duskwick@verulammedia.com

Find us online: @fastenerfixing

There are also articles from Technopartner, Growermetal, Bodegraven Metaal, UPIVEB, Nögel and adunox®, all highlighting the investments and developments at their companies. Our Cover Story focuses on Fabory Group and its 75th anniversary. I had the pleasure of speaking to Franciso Terol, CEO at Fabory, about the Group’s development, especially over the last 10 years, which have been key in its development – enabling it to focus on digitisation, as well as investing in its business footprint – both through strategic acquisitions and its new automated warehouse. We have a host of other features and articles across every section of the magazine, including in our Testing section, where we have articles from Instron – introducing its new series of universal testing systems; Cesar Certini, owner of CERMAC Srl focuses on pendulum impact testing machines; plus Wilfried Blechmann, head of Kistler’s Fastening Technology Business Line, explains the key points in quality assurance for fastening technology.

Subscribe for free at www.fastenerandfixing.com

www.fastenerandfixing.com

Content Director Will Lowry will.lowry@verulammedia.com

What next? ith there still plenty of difficulty in the market regarding sourcing from Asia, the Insight section has a range of articles from European fastener companies – who believe they are able to help support distributors looking to source these products within Europe. Firstly, Austrian-based Schmid Schrauben talks about its capabilities when it comes to screws for timber construction and how it has the capacity to adjust production both in terms of quantity and types of products, to meet the needs of the market. Next, we have an article from BENERI on its vast capabilities when it comes to washers and retaining rings. The company has been producing washers since 1958 and is ready to support new customers who might have been impacted by the anti-dumping duties. We also have an article on Domax and how its new production hall and additional production lines has put it in a good position to meet customers’ needs when it comes to hardened screws. Additionally, there is Belgian washer manufacturer Haemers, who has already seen a big increase in customers during the pandemic period, with European companies appreciating its availability and quick delivery. To add to this, there is also an article about Italian manufacturer Kilton, which has been investing in its machinery and staff to meet the needs of its customers for both standard and special fasteners; Śrubena-Unia discusses the reintroduction of its investment strategy and how it hopes to further develop its significant and wide ranging production capabilities; and Dell’Era underlines why it has an international reputation for high-quality fasteners.

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FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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NEWS COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF KEY INDUSTRY NEWS

EU confirms anti-dumping duties The European Union has published the Implementing Regulation that applies definitive anti-dumping duties of up to 86.5% on imports of certain iron or steel fasteners in the People’s Republic of China.

he regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and came into force on Friday 18 th February 2022. The definitive anti-dumping rates are as followed: Jiangsu Yongyi Fastener Co Ltd: 22.1% Ningbo Jinding Fastening Piece Co Ltd: 46.1% Wenzhou Junhao Industry Co Ltd: 48.8% Other cooperating companies: 39.6% All other companies: 86.5%

The definitive anti-dumping duty is imposed on imports of certain fasteners of iron or steel, other than of stainless steel, i.e. woodscrews (excluding coach screws), self-tapping screws, other screws and bolts with heads (whether or not with their nuts or washers, but excluding

screws and bolts for fixing railway track construction material), and washers originating in the People’s Republic of China, currently classified under CN codes 7318 12 90, 7318 14 91, 7318 14 99, 7318 15 58, 73181568, 73181582, 73181588, ex73181595 (TARIC codes 7318159519 and 7318159589), ex73182100 (TARIC codes 7318210031, 7318210039, 7318210095 and 7318210098) and ex73182200 (TARIC codes 7318 22 00 31, 7318 22 00 39, 7318 22 00 95 and 7318 22 00 98). The regulation also confirms that retrospective duties are not applicable. Customs authorities have been directed to discontinue the registration of imports established in accordance with Article 1 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/970, which is repealed. This means no definitive anti-dumping duty will be levied retroactively for registered imports. Data collected in accordance with Article 1 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/970 shall no longer be kept.

Würth Group sets historic records in 2021 According to the preliminary annual financial statements, Würth Group generated sales of €17.1 billion (2020: €14.4 billion) corresponding to an increase of 18.5% or 19% adjusted for currency effects. In Germany, Würth Group’s sales grew by 14.1% to €6.9 billion (2020: €6.1 billion). With €10.2 billion (2020: €8.3 billion), the Würth companies abroad achieved even more successful results. n southern and western Europe, the Group companies reported above-average growth rates, which were partly due to the very high sales slumps in 2020 in countries such as Spain, Italy and France caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Würth Elektronik eiSos Group (+36.8%) and the Electrical Wholesale unit (+28.8%) were particularly successful. Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG, the parent company and the largest individual company in the Würth Group, generated external sales of €2.1 billion (+11.3%). According to preliminary annual financial statements, the operating result of the Würth Group is clearly up on the previous year with €1.2 billion (2020: €775 million). Strong sales growth and higher productivity contributed significantly to the positive result. In addition, due to the pandemic, costs for travel, trade fairs and conferences did not incur in 2021. Robert Friedmann, chairman of the central managing board of the Würth Group, commented: “We are in the middle of the 4th wave of the pandemic, and the development of supply chains is

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

challenging us all. Achieving results like this under such conditions shows that we have tailor-made products and services for our customers. It is also important to convey calmness and security in a crisis. In a family business like ours, Prof Reinhold Würth and Bettina Würth play a decisive role in such a situation.”

Outlook on 2022 Würth Group believes that the situation on the procurement market will remain tense in 2022. The decision of the German government to make vaccinations compulsory will have a significant impact on the development of the pandemic and thus on the economic activity. “Despite these uncertainties, we assume that we will achieve new record sales in the coming business year and achieve adequate operating result growth, as our multichannel strategy; far reaching digitalisation; and large number of own production facilities; mean that we are in an independent position now and will continue to be so in the future,” explained Robert Friedmann.

WE ARE NOT NUMBERS We have a sixth sense for great business, we go out of one’s way for our customers and when you are satisfied we literally float on cloud nine. However...

NEWS - INDUSTRY

Bufab Group reports continued growth in Q4 Bufab Group has delivered its highest ever sales, operating profit and earnings per share for 2021. The Group also completed three strategic acquisitions, with combined annual sales of more than SEK 500 million (€46.4 million), and continued to invest in its own operations to ensure future sustainable and profitable growth.

s expected, the strong demand continued in the fourth quarter. Bufab delivered a strong organic growth of 19% explained by solid underlying demand in all segments, price increases and increased market shares. “We also reported a strong gross margin, driven by higher volumes and efforts to pass on increased raw materials and freight prices to customers. The high-level of demand, together with the continued challenging situation in the supply chain, places high pressure on our organisation, but our assessment is that the situation improved somewhat during the fourth quarter,” comments Johan Lindqvist, president and CEO at Bufab Group. The share of operating expenses increased during the quarter, but adjusted for acquisitions and remeasured additional purchase considerations, the share of operating expenses is at a stable and continued low level, which contributed to the strong result. This was primarily due to effective cost control, but also due to continued low level of activity in terms of travel, customer events, training, and trade fairs as a result of the pandemic. The challenge going forward

will be to meet the normalisation of the cost level by further increasing productivity. Overall, operating profit increased by 40% and the margin by 0.8 percentage points. Adjusted for acquisitions and remeasured additional purchase considerations, the operating profit increased by 44% and the margin by 2.2 percentage points. “Our strong results of the last quarters are partly due to the investments in processes and digital tools that we made in recent years. This has increased Bufab’s productivity. Moving forward, we will continue our investments in these areas, but also in areas such as sustainability. We also see the need to strengthen the organisation, particularly in sales, to continue creating profitable growth and increase our market share,” explains Johan Lindqvist. “If we look ahead, we see that the strong demand we noted during the fourth quarter continued into January. Together with stable order intake, this indicates a continued positive trend in demand during the first quarter of 2022. The challenges continue to be the handling of the strained supply chain and to offset the increased inflationary pressure through higher productivity.”

Bulten strengthens market position Despite a turbulent year Bulten AB reported net sales of SEK 3.73 billion (€349.5 million), an increase of 16.7% on the same period last year (2020: SEK 3.195 billion). nders Nyström, president and CEO at Bulten AB, commented: “Looking at 2021 as a whole, we grew faster than the market and achieved our highest annual sales ever with SEK 3.73 billion and an EBIT margin of 6.2% (2020: 3.5%). This was despite a turbulent year affected by difficulties in the supply chain; significant price rises for raw materials; and a semiconductor shortage that had major consequences for the automotive industry; especially on our main market of Europe, where fewer vehicles were produced in 2021 than in 2020. It is also pleasing to see that sales outside of the automotive market increased by as much as 69% during the year.” There were several key developments at the business throughout 2021 including in May, with construction beginning on a new production plant in Radziechowy-Wieprz, Poland. In July, a strategically important contract was also signed in China with a leading player in consumer electronics. The contract has an estimated annual value of approximately SEK 50 million,

with delivery beginning in Q3 2021. In August, an existing Full Service Provider (FSP) contract was extended by a European vehicle manufacturer. The order is worth approximately SEK 68 million a year, and deliveries began in Q4 2021. Finally, in September, an FSP contract was signed with a European vehicle manufacturer, a new customer for Bulten. The contract relates to a new electric vehicle that is under development. The contract is worth in the region of SEK 220 million a year at full production. Deliveries are expected to begin in Q3 2022.

Further acquisitions key to strategy for profitable growth The board of directors of Bulten AB has also decided to retain the financial targets set at the beginning of 2020 up to 2024. To achieve these targets, acquired growth primarily in North America, along with continued increased market share in and outside of the automotive sector, will be important parts of the strategy. Anders explains: “We have a clear ambition to grow both organically and through

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

acquisitions. With the addition of PSM International in 2020, we have established a strong platform for growth in Asia. The goal now is to continue our growth journey, for example by focusing on acquisitions in North America. With further acquisitions, a continued focus on increasing our market share within and outside of the automotive industry, and also through our strong sustainability offering, our target remains to achieve sales of SEK 5 billion by 2024.”

PINSTRUCTURE LTD Tel: +44 1527 67999 Fax +44 1527 66557 email sales@pinstructure.com

www.pinstructure.com 50 Enﬁeld Industrial Estate, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 6DE

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

NORMA Group increases sales to over €1 billion NORMA Group has again surpassed the €1 billion sales threshold in 2021 following the Covid-19 pandemic related business decline in the previous year. According to preliminary, unaudited figures, the company increased consolidated sales by 14.7% to €1.091 billion (2020: €952.2 million).

ontributing factors included the sound order volume with standardised joining technology in Europe, strong demand from the Chinese automotive industry and ongoing significant growth in business with water management solutions in America. Organically, sales at Group level showed strong growth of 16.2%; negative currency effects, however, lowered sales growth by 1.5%. Global supply chain bottlenecks also slowed the recovery of earnings and margin in the fourth quarter. Dr Michael Schneider, CEO at NORMA Group, commented: “The global economic recovery has revived demand for our joining solutions. In a difficult environment, with new challenges arising from distortions in global supply chains, NORMA Group has once again demonstrated considerable resilience and achieved sound growth. We will continue to consistently focus our business model on three strategic business units with good growth opportunities:

Hilti Group achieves double-digit sales growth Hilti Group has achieved total sales of nearly CHF 6 billion (€5.87 billion) in 2021, 12.1% above the previous year’s level. In local currencies the increase in sales amounted to 12.2%. EO Christoph Loos explained: “The recovery trend in the construction industry continued during the last four months of 2021. We were able to maintain double-digit growth in a relatively stable currency environment and fully compensate for the coronavirus related decline in sales of the previous year. This has allowed us to close the year well above the precrisis level in local currencies.” In Europe, sales increased by 13.8% in local currencies. The Mediterranean countries, in particular, experienced a strongly improved environment. The Americas also generated double-digit growth of 10.5%, with Latin America posting disproportionately high gains. In Asia/Pacific, sales increased by 8.9%. Southeast Asia, in particular, still had to contend with severe Covid-19 related restrictions. The eastern European countries primarily contributed to the significant increase of 12.3% in the eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa region. Due to ongoing challenges, the Gulf States unsurprisingly fell short of expectations, while Turkey’s currency devaluation had a negative impact. Despite Covid-19, ongoing challenges in the global supply chain, and current political tensions, Hilti Group expects a positive development in the construction industry in 2022 and is once again targeting double-digit sales growth.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

Water management, general industry applications, and mobility and new energy.”

Q4 impacted by supply chain bottlenecks

In the fourth quarter, ongoing bottlenecks in global supply and logistics chains impacted both earnings and margin. For one thing, the shortage of electronic components led automotive customers to call off lower volumes or postpone orders. For another, prices for production materials such as plastics, stainless steel and alloy surcharges, as well as for transportation services, increased noticeably from mid-2021. According to preliminary figures, sales in the fourth quarter of 2021 decreased slightly by 1.2% year-on-year to €258.1 million (Q4 2020: €261.2 million). Organically, sales fell 4.2%. Currency effects, especially in connection with the US dollar, had a positive impact of 3.1%.

Fabory solidifies position in Portuguese fastener market Fabory has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the fastener division of Importinox. The acquisition further strengthens Fabory’s position as a fastener specialist in Portugal and the broader Iberia region.

he strong strategic fit between both companies enables a stronger and more relevant proposition, building further on the deep and relevant range of specialist fasteners, quality and engineering, and differentiating supply chain solutions. Francisco Terol, CEO at Fabory, comments: “We are proud to welcome the Importinox fastener specialists to Fabory. We are highly impressed by Importinox’s long-standing client relationships and solid value adding services. Finalising this deal will make Fabory the market leader in the Portuguese fasteners market and we are looking to further build our positioning across Iberia.” “Fabory is well positioned to further grow the fasteners division starting from our solid base of over 1,000 accounts in amongst others mechanical engineering and construction market. Our market focus is highly accretive and we are convinced that joining forces will open up many new opportunities,” adds Joaquim Polónia, general manager at Importinox.

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

H.I.G. Capital acquires majority stake of Berardi Bullonerie H.I.G. Capital, a global alternative investment firm with over US$47 billion of equity capital under management, has announced that one of its affiliates has acquired a majority stake in Berardi Bullonerie Srl, a specialist in the Italian market for the distribution of fasteners and the supply of integrated logistics services.

ince it was founded in 1919, Berardi has become a reference partner for Italian industrial companies for the ‘Just In Time’ supply of standard and custom fasteners, and, more recently, for the design and implementation of integrated logistics programs using a Kanban system. Berardi benefits from a broad geographical presence, with 14 warehouses located throughout Italy and commercial offices in Italy, Croatia and Morocco. In the last decade, the company has successfully embarked on an ambitious path to expand its product range in adjacent segments, in the C-parts sector, and has been a pioneer in Italy in the introduction of advanced integrated logistics solutions through its own Kanban platform. Giovanni Berardi, CEO and current shareholder of Berardi who will reinvest, along with other family members, alongside H.I.G., commented: “The entry of an international alternative investment fund, such as H.I.G., in Berardi represents a recognition of the work carried out over the years and of the great growth potential of our company, which has a leading position in the sector and a growing share of high value-added services. With the support of H.I.G., Berardi will be able to develop faster, thanks to a combination of organic growth and targeted acquisitions.” Raffaele Legnani, managing director, head of H.I.G.’s office in Italy, added: “Berardi has a position of undisputed leadership in Italy, proven by a growth rate in the last ten years well above the market

and by an impressive track record as a partner of choice for top notch industrial companies, thanks to its value-added service offering and a best-in-class management team. We are excited to support the management in the next phase of the company’s development and we believe that we can provide an important boost to the growth, primarily by supporting an aggressive acquisition strategy, taking advantage of the high fragmentation of the market.”

Berner Group’s new high-bay warehouse opens Berner Group has implemented the next important building block in its European logistics offensive, with a new fully automated high-bay warehouse now operational in Braunau am Inn, Austria. B2B trading company, Berner Group invested a total of almost €6 million in this major project, as well as in further conversion and expansion measures at its Austrian subsidiary. The expansion has increased the logistics capacity of the site by around 1,000m² of floor space and 5,500 additional pallet storage spaces. “We are proud that we managed a precision landing despite the generally difficult raw material and supply situation on the world market,” says Robert Kühl, who as chief supply chain officer is responsible for the logistics division at the Berner Group. “The modernisation was implemented completely and without delays – within the budget plan.” Robert Kühl adds: “Thanks to full automation, including order picking and other targeted improvements – such as a more direct connection to the other sections of the logistics centre – the throughput time of the products has been reduced by about 50%, so that we can now store and retrieve almost twice as many pallets per hour.” The distances travelled in internal transport have also been significantly reduced. “We want to build up a super fast delivery network in order to be able to supply customers ideally on the same day they order, i.e intraday. That’s why we’re turning every screw to speed up the processes.”

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

NEWS - INDUSTRY

Brugola aims to become carbon neutral With an ambitious multi-year project, Brugola has joined the Forever Zero CO2 project, to eliminate the environmental impact of its 11 plants in Italy – by reducing its CO2 emissions and becoming carbon neutral.

orever Zero CO 2 is a project by Forever Bambù that allows companies and professionals to reduce or eliminate their impact environmentally and become carbon neutral – thanks to the absorption of CO 2 from Forever Bambù’s seven bamboo forests in Italy (covering a total of 200 hectares). Over the next three years, Brugola OEB Industriale SpA will acquire the compensation rights of six hectares of Forever Bambù forests, for a total CO 2 sequestration of 1,566 tonnes per year. “The desire to join the Forever Zero CO 2 project is a step consistent with our green commitment, both in small gestures and in the great efficiency actions of a mechanical company,” explains Jody Brugola, president and CEO of Brugola. “Joining the project will allow us, by 2023, to offset the CO 2 emissions from our plants in Italy and underline our commitment that we also undertake as a role model for other companies in our sector.”

How Forever Zero CO2 works

As certified by independent studies, giant bamboo – which lives on average for 100 years – is able to sequester up to 229kg of CO 2 per year, 36 times more than any other plant over one hectare. This means that one hectre of giant bamboo is the equivalent to 36 hectares of mixed forest in terms of carbon uptake. With the Forever Zero CO 2 project the aim is to transfer the CO 2 absorption capacity of the Forever Bambù bamboo groves to the production companies that instead emit it. “We are happy that a world renowned company such as Brugola has chosen the Forever Zero CO 2 project to offset its emissions,” comments Emanuele Rissone, president and founder of Forever Bambù. “Like Brugola, we at Forever Bambù also place importance on safeguarding and protecting the environment. We are sure that the collaboration with Brugola will be extremely positive and profitable on both sides, as well as for the environment.”

Aware of environmental impact

Brugola has been aware of the environmental impact of its production for several years and has been improving the efficiency of its plants and looking to reduce the environmental impact of production processes. For instance, the company has replaced 25 tonnes of paper reels with eco-sustainable and reusable technical cloths – reducing the use of paper by 80%. Other examples including the business recovering litres of emulsion composed of oil and water, necessary and derived from the screw production process, which helped reduce the use of oils by 15%. It also introduced at its OEB1 plant new inverter compressors, which ensures the efficient use of compressed air – leading to a 40% reduction in the consumption of compressed air. Alongside the interventions related to the production activity, Brugola has also undertaken important actions for environmental sustainability. This includes the reduction of the use of plastic, from a consumption of 207 tonnes a day to about 50 tonnes – two thirds of which are made of recycled plastic. The company also renewed its lighting with LED bulbs to lower electricity consumption and reduce CO 2 emissions.

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Bufab Group announces new president and CEO The board of directors of Bufab AB has appointed Erik Lundén as the new president and CEO of Bufab. Erik, currently division manager for parts & services at Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions, in the Netherlands, will assume his role on 15th August 2022.

engt Liljedahl, chairman of the board of Bufab AB, commented: “It is with great pleasure Bufab’s board of directors present Erik Lundén as the new president and CEO for Bufab. Erik’s solid experience from senior positions, primarily within Sandvik in combination with his personal qualities and proven leadership skills, as well as his business acumen when it comes to creating growth, is well suited to Bufab’s future needs. We look forward to developing the Group together with Erik.” Erik was born in 1981 and holds a Master’s degree from the School of Business in Stockholm. During his eight years at Sandvik he has held several senior positions internationally and

before Sandvik Erik worked for several years as a management consultant at Lagerkvist & Partners in Stockholm. “I feel very honoured and happy to have the trust as president and CEO of Bufab. Bufab is an interesting and fine company with great potential. I have followed Bufab’s strong development since the IPO in 2014 and look forward to further developing Bufab together with group management and all employees in the future,” says Erik Lundén. Until Erik Lundén takes office on 15th August 2022, Johan Lindqvist will continue in the role of acting president and CEO and then assume the role of vice-president and deputy CEO.

Lesjöfors expands in the US market Lesjöfors has acquired the assets and operations of Plymouth Spring Company Inc, a US-based manufacturer of industrial springs. The acquisition is another step in Lesjöfors’s ambition to consolidate the industrial springs market and marks an expansion in the US market – where it sees potential for further growth, both organic and through M&A. lymouth is a manufacturer of custom precision metal springs, stampings and wire form parts, located in Bristol, Connecticut, USA. The company has a well-established market position, a diversified customer base and long-lasting customer relationships. The customer base consists of more than 600 customers across multiple sectors such as electrical, hardware, industrial, defence and automotive. Ola Tengroth, president at Lesjöfors, comments: “Lesjöfors has followed Plymouth’s development over time, and we are impressed by the company’s progress. Through this acquisition, Lesjöfors is establishing a US presence within industrial springs, and the company will serve as a platform for future organic and acquisitive growth in the region. I am looking forward to working together with the company’s management team to build on this platform and to continue to develop and grow the company.” Plymouth’s CEO, David Devoe, adds: “I am excited to join Lesjöfors. Having access to Lesjöfors’ global network and broad range of capabilities will support us in developing our customer base and pursuing new business opportunities.”

EXPLORE MORE:

Stainless Steel Fasteners

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NEWS - INDUSTRY

Trifast invests to increase its European manufacturing capacity International fastener specialist TR VIC SpA, part of the Trifast plc group of companies, has once again benefited from a significant investment at its manufacturing site in central Italy.

n expanding the TR Viterie Italia Centrale (TR VIC SpA) site in Fossato Di Vico in Umbria, Trifast is further increasing its capacity to meet the growing European white goods market. It has experienced unprecedented demand, which has been fuelled by the increase in consumer driven home improvements during Covid-19 – that shows no signs of abating. The investment is largely focused on securing new machinery at the site, all locally

sourced from Italian manufacturers, and this will increase the production capacity by some 33%. It builds on an earlier move back in January 2021 to implement additional multi-station cold forming machinery in its heading section. This will result in the ability to produce an additional 500 million pieces annually over the next 12 months. Andrew Nuttall, European managing director of TR Fastenings, said: “The order book has increased dramatically over the past two years. As more people work from

home, they are investing in their domestic appliances and not spending so much on holidays, etc, and instead enhancing their home environment. This means that the demand for white goods has significantly increased. Our major customers want to see shorter and more agile supply chains. The lead times out of Asia have increased significantly during Covid and freight costs and container issues has meant that we had to react and onshore more product. This investment strategy allows us to better meet our customer needs, now and for the future.” Stefano Pisoni, managing director of TR VIC SpA, said: “This investment represents a huge step forwards for our capability to meet growing demand. The site was operating at 130% of its capacity putting a strain on the workforce to meet customers’ demands. We are now embarking on the first steps, not only to futureproof our group against supply chain disruption, but also to ensure we continue to meet the demands of our customers.”

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NEWS - NORTH AMERICA by John Wolz, editor, GlobalFastenerNews.com

Stainless steel shortage: No change until more production “Don’t hold out hope for the USA’s stainless steel shortage to get better until you know of new supply coming online,” guest columnists wrote on AgMetalMiner.com.

.J. Nord, of Supply Chains for Good, and Harry Moser, of the Reshoring Initiative, wrote: “There appears to be no plans in the works to increase domestic production. Supply may tighten even more than we have seen. This is similar to the chip shortage.” Nord and Moser said the shortage “became a national concern in January 2021, when ATI Metals took 304 stainless offline and shifted production to 316 grade”. ATI’s change took away about 30% of the US supply offline. “Even if a mill decides to bring 304 online, it could take as much as a year for supply to reach the distributor level,” they estimated. “This is a long-term, painful shortage,” Nord and Moser concluded. One fastener manufacturer told GlobalFastenerNews.com that its wire supplier would no longer be a source for 430 grade CHQ. The AgMetalMiner.com guest columnists wrote that projects are being cancelled due to lack of stainless steel and/or a price increase “that puts it out of budget. The shortage appears to be hitting ‘mom-and-pop’ manufacturers much harder than the large OEMs”. “Engineers are well respected for developing solutions to material shortages,” Nord and Moser wrote. “3D and additive manufacturing has created new solutions.” There may be other changes a company can make internally, they suggested. “A team investigating the shortage – including a broad range of manufacturing trade associations, steel distributors and manufacturing companies – concluded that the broader economic impact is potentially severe,” Nord and Moser wrote. “Reshoring is booming due to supply chain disruption,” but companies will be less likely to reshore if 304 is not available, Moser said. Impacted industries include construction, infrastructure, defense, aerospace, medical devices and food equipment. OEMs impacted include HVAC, mufflers, plumbing, fabricators, stampers, shims, machine shops and springs. WesternMetalRoofing.com noted steel prices hit record highs in 2021 due to increased demand “and a supply shortage throughout the global steel market that left everyone scrambling to find raw material”. S&P Global Platts reported steel imports into the US “are expected to rise enough in 2022 to keep pressure on domestic prices that reached record levels in 2021, but these shipments will not necessarily represent an import surge”.

John Anton, director of pricing and purchasing at IHS Markit, said these steel imports may appear as a spike, but this is mainly because imports since 2018 have been abnormally low due to tariffs, the coronavirus pandemic and logistics issues. “I would see imports maybe getting back to 2015 – 2017 levels but do not see them surging,” Anton said in a recent interview with S&P Global Platts. UK-based Meps International Ltd, which monitors worldwide steel market data, noted steelmakers are reporting record profits. The Meps European average 304 cold rolled coil basis value now equals the January 2007 all time high and the US figure is at its highest in 14 years. Stainless prices are “expected to decline more slowly than they increased in the past 12 months”, MEP forecasts. North American prices “are expected to be constrained by reduced purchasing activity” in the first half of 2022. Buyers already have significant quantities of material already on order, with both domestic and overseas suppliers. “However, supply from domestic stainless steel producers is expected to remain restricted. This will help to keep prices at elevated levels, in the near term,” MEP reported. European prices are forecast to move upwards early in 2022. “However, inventories are increasing for most grades and sizes. This, plus a softening in demand, is expected to restrict the level of price rises that stainless steel buyers will be prepared to accept during this period.” The Global 304 Stainless Steel Market study projects that over the next five years the 304 stainless steel market will register “a magnificent spike in CAGR in terms of revenue”. The Covid-19 pandemic led to lockdown regulations in multiple nations “resulting in disruptions in import and export activities of 304 stainless steel”. TradingEconomics.com reported Shanghai steel futures were close to levels of late October “amid limited supply, rising iron ore and nickel prices, and prospects of a demand boom”. Production in China is likely to be constrained due to factory maintenance in the first quarter, the Lunar New Year holidays and the desire to limit pollution over the Beijing Winter Olympics. Prices of nickel and iron ore for steel “remain elevated, with possible supply disruptions in top iron ore exporter Australia due to a surge in coronavirus cases”. Second quarter demand in China will increase “as the construction and infrastructure sectors pick up and the Chinese authorities adopt stimulus measures to shore up the economy”. The China Iron & Steel Association projected China’s 2021 crude steel output would fall to 1.03 billion tonnes, from a record 1.065 billion tonnes to reach a “supply and demand balance”.

Steel imports into the US are expected to rise enough in 2022 to keep pressure on domestic prices that reached record levels in 2021.”

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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NEWS - NORTH AMERICA

Fastener stocks outperform industrial indexes in 2021 The FIN Fastener Stock Index increased 25.1% in 2021, besting a 19.2% gain by an index of related industrial stocks during a tumultuous year that saw international shipping rates skyrocket.

ucor Corporation topped the FINdex in 2021, capitalising on its position as a domestic steel manufacturer amid US tariffs on steel imports. The steelmaker, which manufactures industrial fasteners through its Nucor Fastener division, saw its publicly traded shares more than double during 2021, with its share value increasing 115% during the year. In late 2021, Nucor Fastener acquired an existing state of the art coil processing facility in Shelbyville, Indiana. The facility includes an automated clean and coat line, as well as two STC furnaces and wire drawing capabilities. In addition to coil processing, Nucor Fastener will also be expanding its fastener manufacturing capabilities by installing bolt making equipment at the facility. Earlier in the year, Nucor agreed to acquire Hannibal Industries Inc for US$370 million (€330 million). Hannibal utilizes sheet and bar steel, as well as steel decking, wire deck and fasteners to produce warehouse racks, providing potential supply chain efficiencies with other Nucor businesses, including Nucor Fastener. Other FINdex companies that gained 20% or more in share value during 2021 include Dorman Products Inc (up 30.2%), Fastenal (up 31.2%), Grainger Industrial Supply (up 27%), ITW (up 21%), Simpson Mfg (up 34%) and Tree Island Steel (up 80%). During the final quarter of 2021, Grainger shares achieved the largest increase, rising 32.2%. Fastener companies losing share value during the year include MSC Industrial (down 0.3%) and Park Ohio Holdings Corp (down 31.5%). Other FINdex companies that gained 20% or more in share value during the last three months of the year include Fastenal (up 24.7%), ITW (up 20%) and Simpson Mfg (up 30.3%).

S.W Anderson acquires two distributors S.W Anderson Company has acquired two distributors: Jet Fitting & Supply Corporation of Santa Ana, CA, and M.E Martin Company of Cleveland.

im Degnan, president of S.W Anderson, said the two distributors’ “ability to work on applications with customers will pair well with S.W Anderson’s technical sales model and access to engineered products. We look forward to supporting our newly acquired customers with more products, services, and technical resources, to help grow their businesses”. Dana Garlock of Jet Fitting said S.W Anderson’s “support will be huge for Jet Fitting customers. S.W Anderson goes so much further than just selling products; its application and engineering knowledge is invaluable and, when combined with its diverse product offering, Jet Fitting customers have a powerhouse of a distributor to work with”. Dave Nyikes of M.E Martin said his customers “have a new, powerful partner – one with high caliber, specialized products from

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

international manufacturers and decades of application knowledge to fall back on”. Jet Fitting & Supply Corp was started in 1946 as a family business and distributor of aircraft hardware/fittings and standard hardware, fasteners and tooling. Jet Fitting provides spot-buy, inventory services and tool repairs. The M.E Martin Company was started in 1977 as a family business and distributor of standard hardware and fasteners. M.E Martin provides spot-buy and inventory services. Founded in 1926, the S.W Anderson Company supplies specialty and standard fasteners, hardware, slides, and manufacturing components for tier manufacturers and OEMs, including automotive, commercial vehicles, consumer goods, aerospace and food and beverage industries. S.W Anderson has seven sales offices/distribution centers with 37 technical sales professionals in six states.

NEWS - RUSSIA + CIS by Alexander Ostashov, editor, Fastener, Adhesives, Tools and... Magazine www.fastinfo.ru

Oryol Steel Rolling Plant completes next stage of investment programme The Oryol Steel Rolling Plant has completed construction work on the next stage of its record breaking investment programme, which saw it invest one billion rubles (€8.3 million) into the modernisation of its production, including the addition of cold heading and thread rolling machines, drawing mills, heat treatment equipment, and a galvanising line.

lexei Yerenichev, director of the Oryol Steel Rolling Plant, explains: “Such a large programme was certainly a challenge for us. However, we have been very successful in rising to this challenge. For instance, in 2021 we took on a number of other projects and purchased another 20 pieces of equipment for the production of fasteners. In fact, this is a small fastening shop with a full production cycle.”

MMK-METIZ adds further fastener capabilities MMK-METIZ has implemented a new project to put into operation a NH528 machine, from Nedschroef Machinery, in order to continue to meet the needs for fasteners in the rail sector.

MK-METIZ is a long-standing supplier of railway fasteners for the Russian Railways Company and looks to develop its fastening production in order to meet the company’s needs, especially when it comes to equipment upgrades. The implementation of the NH528 machine has made it possible for MMK-METIZ to replace obsolete equipment and thereby significantly increase its output, due to the high productivity of the new machine, whilst reducing the number of operations in the production process. The installation of the NH528 machine also allows MMK-METIZ to increase sales and develop new types of fasteners, including those for high-speed railway lines. On the newly acquired equipment, the production of screw track spikes and insert bolts has also been mastered.

New production of drive axles for trucks The supervisory board of the Industrial Development Fund has approved a loan for two billion rubles (€16.7 million) to the Ural Automobile Plant under the Priority Projects programme.

ith the help of the loan, the company will launch the production of drive axles and front axles for Ural trucks. The total budget of the project is 2.9 billion rubles. The loan funds will be used to purchase a complex of CNC automatic lines, as well as to re-equip the foundry. Currently new axles for Ural heavy trucks are purchased in China. The Yuzhnouralsk enterprise is ready to produce these products not only for its own needs, but also to supply them to other Russian truck manufacturers. As part of the project, it is planned to localise all axles currently imported by the plant.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

KAMAZ developing hydrogen transport In 2022 KAMAZ will continue to develop hydrogen transport and plans to deliver an experimental batch of hydrogen buses to Moscow.

hen it comes to its hydrogen project, KAMAZ has two focuses: To produce passenger vehicles for Russia and distribution trucks for Europe. An agreement with Moscow on the creation of samples of passenger transport has already been signed off. The hydrogen bus is planned to be transferred to the capital for further testing, the approximate date is the fourth quarter of 2022. According to Sergey Kogogin, general director of KAMAZ, face-to-face negotiations with potential European customers regarding distribution trucks are still difficult due to Covid-19 restrictions. KAMAZ engineers started developing hydrogen powered vehicles in early 2021. The first results of their work were presented at the Comtrans 2021 exhibition in Moscow in September. KAMAZ presented to the general public its first hydrogen truck KAMAZ-6290. In addition, during this exhibition, the auto giant, together with GreenGT, showed a 44 tonne prototype truck with a 170kW hydrogen fuel cell system. Sergei Kogogin also mentioned another new project on the air of the RTVI TV channel, which was the creation of an electric car – in the taxi and car sharing market niche. He said it is planned for the electric car to be put on sale in 2024-25.

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NEWS - RUSSIA + CIS

Rules for localisation of car production to change The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is planning to radically revise and simplify the conditions for companies that assemble cars in Russia, after the requirements to achieve a high-level of localisation (90% of products) were excluded from the conditions of industrial special investment contracts.

t turns out that the previously set high bar for the localisation of production (7,000 points) cannot be achieved, market participants said. The Russian car market is too small to demand certain conditions from manufacturers and having clear and defined rules are essential for the successful operation of car companies, experts added. According to the explanatory note to the draft government decree, extending this requirement to an improved SPIC “does not seem appropriate due to the specialisation of such investment contracts in the localisation of specific unique technologies”. The requirement to localise technologies by 7,000 points is practically

impossible for any of the automakers. At best, a company would be able to only master one model, but with outdated technologies that are no longer relevant in many countries – a representative of one of the large car manufacturers in Russia told Gazeta.ru. The level of localisation for cars assembled in Russia is assessed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in points according to a special methodology. A certain number of points is assigned to each component of the machine and production operation. The localisation indicator gives the car companies that signed the SPIC a number of preferences from the state. The terms of the SPICs for each car company are concluded on confidential terms and are not equal for all market participants.

Mariya Valiakhmetova, editor in chief, Metiz Magazine, Ukraine

90% of Severstal-Metiz equipment updated Severstal-Metiz has spent more than 600 million rubles (€6.3 million) on the next stage of its investment programme, which is aimed at increasing production volumes, expanding its product range and improving the overall product quality. everstal-Metiz started the investment programme in 2010, with more than 90% of its equipment now updated. This includes the addition of several drawing lines and a line for the production of reinforcing strands. Also, two units of galvanising and phosphating were modernised. The new modern equipment is more efficient, consumes less electricity and is easier and safer in maintaining. In 2021 the company mastered the production of three new types of high strength wire for agriculture, machinery and transport, as well as a two-wire reinforcing rope. “Currently, the second steel wire shop is developing the production of reinforcing ropes, in particular two wire and three wire ropes, as well as crop wire,” said Sergey Kovryakov, general director of Severstal-Metiz.

Dneprometiz increases production Dneprometiz produced 102,500 tonnes of finished products in 2021, which was 16% higher than production in 2020. In particular, the production of zinc coated wire was 25% higher in comparison to 2020, at 45,500 tonnes. neprometiz has implemented a number of investment projects to expand the range of finished products, such as organising a separate production area for sectional fences, on leading European equipment, with a capacity of up to 600 tonnes per month. The company has also developed the production of alloyed welding wire, with a copper plated coating, using an automated line of Swedish production. Plus, a new Italian mill was added to a range of drawing equipment for the production of medium and high carbon wire. In 2022, Dneprometiz plans to implement more investment programmes, including increasing the fleet of equipment for the production of fibre, galvanised and high carbon wire.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

NEWS - ASIA

Taiwan’s fastener exports show growth According to the latest trade statistics released by Taiwan Customs, in the first three quarters of 2021 Taiwan exported nearly 1.25 million tonnes, of fasteners in total to the world – an increase of 19.28% from the same period in 2020 reports Fastener World.

f calculated by value, Taiwan exported around US$4 billion worth of fasteners, up 32.3% from the same period of 2020. The average price landed at US$3.2 per kg, up 10.91% from the same period of 2020. Table One shows more than 60% of Taiwan’s fasteners were exported to Europe and the US. In addition to the US continuously representing over 45% in Taiwan’s total fastener export and being the top export destination every year, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, and Spain, are also important portals for Taiwan’s fastener exports to the EU. Other countries such as the UK, Canada, and China, are also in the top 10. Compared to the same period of 2020, except for

Japan showing merely 0.78% growth margin in Taiwan’s fastener export volume, other countries all revealed the growth margin from 11.83% to 50.64%. If calculated by export value, it also shows the growth from 11.65% to 57.09%. Except for China showing a higher average price at US$5.66 per kg, other countries roughly landed at US$2.41 to US$3.7 per kg based on their specific market demands. Table Two shows 91.07% of Taiwan’s exported fasteners were 7318159000 other screws & bolts (47.96%), 7318140000 selftapping screws (17.40%), 7318160000 nuts (16.99%) and 7318120000 woodscrews (8.72%).

Table One: Taiwan’s fastener and steel nail export in Q1 – Q3 2021 (Top 10 countries) Country

Export (kg)

Change from 2020

Export (US$)

Change from 2020

Average price (US$ per kg)

USA

566,160,916

45.36%

18.25%

172,982,4266

43.28%

32.9%

3.06

12.5%

Germany

98,842,859

7.92%

11.83%

316,684,446

7.92%

24.4%

3.2

11.11%

Change from 2020

The Netherlands

67,123,767

5.37%

38.69%

207,607,892

5.19%

46.74%

3.09

5.82%

Japan

50,966,137

4.08%

0.78%

189,207,992

4.73%

11.65%

3.71

10.74%

45,410,729

3.63%

46.71%

1,547,53,703

3.87%

50.89%

3.41

3.02%

Canada

44,387,057

3.55%

29.44%

136,005,067

3.4%

38.67%

3.06

6.99%

Italy

26,506,975

2.12%

27.88%

77,632,241

1.94%

42.16%

2.93

11.4%

China

24,947,338

1.99%

50.64%

141,111,883

3.53%

51.76%

5.66

0.89%

Poland

24,752,986

1.98%

17.17%

59,760,566

1.49%

34.61%

2.41

14.76%

Spain

24,141,918

1.93%

47.25%

62,010,591

1.55%

57.09%

2.57

6.63%

Table Two: Taiwan’s fastener and steel nail export in Q1 – Q3 2021 (Top 10 product categories)

Product category

Export (kg)

Change from 2020

Export (US$)

Change from 2020

Avg. price (US$/kg)

Change from 2020

7318159000 other screws & bolts

598,501,435

47.96%

11.57%

1,853,220,295

46.37%

25.35%

3.1

12.31%

7318140000 self-tapping screws

217,205,639

17.4%

19.96%

609,054,014

15.24%

33.63%

2.8

11.11%

7318160000 nuts

212,053,376

16.99%

38.32%

765,430,099

19.15%

46.61%

3.61

5.86%

7318120000 woodscrews

108,837,423

8.72%

25.31%

290,179,936

7.26%

35.72%

2.67

8.53%

7317009010 steel nails

43,760,414

3.5%

21.64%

71,983,244

1.8%

26.61%

1.64

3.79%

7318290000 other non-threaded articles

15,710, 806

1.25%

39.15%

71,617,957

1.79%

36.89%

4.56

-1.51%

7318220000 other washers

14,725,460

1.18%

19.19%

82,084,833

2.05%

33.79%

5.57

12.07%

7318190000 other threaded articles

13,137,631

1.05%

24.38%

72,446,461

1.81%

32.32%

5.51

6.37%

731823000 rivets

7,021,946

0.56%

40.23%

32,621,795

0.81%

43.60%

4.65

2.42%

7318240000 pins & cotter pins

6,321,168

0.5%

53.49%

34,377,289

0.86%

69.56%

5.44

10.56%

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

NEWS - ASIA

Taiwan CSC announces steel prices for Q1 2022 The main Taiwanese steel supplier, China Steel Corporation (CSC), has announced it will lower the Q1 2022 prices by an average of 2.15% (NT$0 – NT$900 per tonne) to increase downstream steel consuming industries competitiveness in taking orders and exporting.

he downstream steel consuming industries will benefit from the steel demand derived from domestic and overseas large infrastructure projects. The Taiwanese steel market will remain upwards, steady and strong in the future. In addition, EU’s anti-dumping tax on China’s fasteners will bring orders to Taiwanese suppliers. Baowu Group and Anben Iron & Steel Group from China have announced they will keep their January 2022 prices flat, signalling the market prices are stabilising. Furthermore, China’s crude steel production has dropped more than expected. The

projected total production for 2021 is around 1.04 billion tonnes (down about 26 million tonnes) and it is projected to reduce to 1.04 billion tonnes. The latest EU carbon price is up over €80, an annual growth of over 150%. Additionally, Tata Steel indicated the future steel prices will be much higher than the last decade due to increased material cost and reduced exports from China. Harbour congestion and shortages of containers will continue in the short term. The domestic clients to Taiwan CSC bear the pressure of limited cash flow and rising stock that they can’t ship out due to logistics barriers. Source: Fastener World

China’s steel output Hu Pao moves to new plant declines in 2021 China’s steel output declined in 2021 amid the country’s endeavor to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. The country produced an estimated 1.03 billion tonnes of steel last year, down 35 million tonnes from 2020, according to the China Iron and Steel Association.

n the first 11 months of 2021, China’s steel production reached 946 million tonnes, decreasing 2.6% year-on-year. The steel and iron industry’s combined profits surged 86.46% year-on-year to 351.7 billion yuan (approximately €49.8 billion) during the January – November period last year as rising costs and demand pushed up prices. Enterprises in the industry accelerated green and low carbon transformation last year, with considerable reduction in energy consumption and sulfur dioxide emissions per tonne of steel produced. This year, while investment in the real estate sector is expected to slow down, infrastructure investment will pick up. The total steel demand is likely to remain the same as last year, reports the China Iron and Steel Association. Source: ChinaFastener.com

Hu Pao has moved to a new 26,445m2 plant in Guiren District with a total investment of approximately €19.1 million reports Fastener World

he new plant will include optimised software, hardware, manufacturing procedures, systems, as well as upgraded forming, tapping and optical sorting equipment. Specialised in manufacturing customised automotive, special and locking nuts, Hu Pao Industries Co Ltd is very competitive on the international market. The bright, ventilated and well organised production lines are expected to increase the capacity by 50%, but also make it easier for Hu Pao to meet global customers’ demands and offer services from the new plant. To enhance and stabilise the integral manufacturing quality, an intelligent energy control system has been also introduced into the new plant. On the one hand, stable voltage output can prevent equipment from being overpowered; on the other hand, around 15% of energy can be saved, thus making early preparations for the upcoming EU’s Carbon Borders Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Ching Chan celebrates 30th anniversary An active player in the global optical sorting machine market, and continuously providing customers with proactive and innovative technology, Ching Chan is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022.

hing Chan Optical Technology Co Ltd is a sorting machine supplier in Taiwan with a long company history. Since its first model was released on the market in 2004, Ching Chan has sold more than 4,500 machines to the global market. Strong product competitiveness and service flexibility played an essential role in Ching Chan’s successful penetration into the European and US advanced markets. Particularly since its acquisition last year of The First Contact Tech (T.F.C.T.), specialised in semiconductor inspection technology, Ching Chan has made significant progress on its machines, including speed, precision and appearance. The latest model is installed with six cameras capbale of analysing 48,000 pictures per minute and can achieve the inspection efficiency of 8,000 pieces per minute. The company is now working hard to achieve the goal of 10,000 pieces – 13,000 pieces. Source: Fastener World

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

Fastener imports increase in 2021 Fastener imports saw a record breaking increase in 2021 with the tonnage and value increasing significantly compared to even pre-pandemic levels. Export levels also increased slightly on 2020, but were still down when compared to 2019.

n terms of volumes, a little more than 205,313 tonnes landed in local Brazilian harbours during 2021 (US$4.55/kg), compared to 104,052 tonnes in 2020 (US$4.8/kg) and 123,923 tonnes in 2019 (US$5.02/kg). When it comes to exports, overseas sales reached US$153.28 million in 2021 (58,584 tonnes), a result 12% above the US$136.86 million in 2020 (26,937 tonnes), but down 21% from US$193.93 million in 2019 (29,576 tonnes). The major concentration of Brazilian export customers exported by Brazil.

Brazilian fastener imports and exports Export

2019

2020

2021

US$193.93m

US$136.86m

US$153.28m

Tonnage

29,576

26,937

58,584

Import

US$621.65m

US$499.27m

US$933.90m

Tonnage

123,923

104,052

205,313

is located in South America, with the region consuming 54% of the total fasteners

Record steel production in Brazil In 2021 there was record steel production within Brazil, reaching 36.039 million tonnes, which was a 14.7% increase on the 31.413 million tonnes produced in 2020.

urrently the steel manufacturing sector in Brazil is composed Steel production within Brazil of 31 industrial plants, operated by 12 business groups – with 2019 2020 2021 up to 51 million tonnes of production capacity installed, as 32.57 million tonnes 31.413 million tonnes 36.039 million tonnes reported by the Brazil Steel Institute. Domestic steel crude production in Brazil achieved 36.039 million tonnes in 2021, overcoming the 36 million tonnes barrier for the first time. The closest it had gotten to this figure previously was in 2018, with 35.4 million tonnes. From a world perspective this keeps Brazil in 9 th place for steel production, representing 1.8% of global production and more than 56% in Latin America.

Latam received tooling tax drop Latam Fastener Solutions has obtained an unprecedented tariff reduction for the import of tooling, dropping from 14% to 0%. Positive news for Brazilian industries, as most of the tooling lines needed are not produced in Brazil.

ith operations that cover South America, Latam is managed by CEO Leandro Lopes and is a representative of global brands in machinery and tooling – used in the manufacture, control and sorting inspection, assembly, and packaging processes, of fasteners, as well as metallic items in general. In early December 2021 the company filed a claim for tariff reduction on imports of cold forging tools used in industrial processes involving the manufacture of fasteners in general, as well as special items made under the same processes. “As we have extensive knowledge in these product lines, we took care to prepare a complete text that, at the same time, covered all the tools used in this type of process. Thus, we obtained the reduction in import tax, from 14% to 0%,” explained Leandro. The U-5728 election was granted by the Executive Management Committee (Comitê Executivo de Gestão – Gecex), an agency linked to the Ministry of Economy in Brazil.

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COVER STORY

Fabory: Masters in Fasteners In 2022 Fabory Group celebrates its 75th anniversary as a well rounded fastener specialist, growing from a family-based business stocking items literally under the staircase in 1947 to one that offers a broad fastener product portfolio, technology-enabled supply chain solutions, coupled with technical expertise, application knowledge and engineering capabilities.

or Fabory the last ten years have been dynamic in its development, with the company focusing on digitisation across the customer journey, as well as incorporating state of the art systems, robotic automation and productivity tools. This development has also coincided with changes in ownership. “A major factor in our progress was the acquisition of Fabory by W.W Grainger Inc in 2011, which provided stability for the business and enabled us to make some big investments, especially in the digitalisation of the organisation,” states Francisco Terol, CEO at Fabory. “It also saw us extend our portfolio of products to MRO categories, whilst Fabory was the Grainger centre of expertise regarding fasteners and fastener sourcing.” In 2020 Fabory was acquired from Grainger by Torqx Capital Partners – a private equity firm from the Netherlands. “Since the acquisition, Torqx has supported us in further strengthening our position as a specialist distributor in fasteners with a strong focus on organic growth supported by acquisitions,” explains Francisco. “Fabory builds from an extremely strong heritage and expertise in providing high-quality fastening solutions. There we make the difference in accelerating our customers’ success with our knowledgeable and dedicated team.” Fabory’s strategy over the last two years has been to become a ‘true’ fastener specialist once again, which involved adding the right people, with the right knowledge, to the business in support of the strategy. “We have invested in the Quality & Engineering team as well as in state of the art measurement and analysis equipment. We also rebranded and revamped our Logic supply chain solutions, deploying innovations from adjacent industries. In parallel, we have strengthened the Product Management team and are taking a segmented approach in our fastener range expansions,” points out Francisco. “Our commitment is underlined by the historic tagline ‘Masters in Fasteners’, which the company has been using for decades and will continue to be the base for our strategy going forward.” Francisco adds: “The reason customers come to Fabory is for our industry acumen and our fastener application expertise, a quality that requires and receives continuous development. It is one of the key factors that allows us to stand out, especially in the OEM sector and with large MRO customers.” The strong relationship with its customers and suppliers has been crucial over the past two years, given the turbulent market dynamics. “Next to managing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the challenges in global supply, we were focused on proactively handling the implications regarding possible anti-dumping duties threatening the European industry. Our long-lasting relationships with suppliers across the world have enabled us to redirect and spread our volumes and keep our availability up to the required levels.” Francisco continues: “The Fabory team proved up for the challenge! We are quite satisfied with the way we have

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been able to support our customers in these unparalleled circumstances. Factors such as transportation costs and scarcity in raw materials were impacting not just the fastener market. Thanks to our partnerships and our pro-active team members, who take smart risks and continuously seek improvement, we’ve been able to resolve most issues.”

Digitalisation is now

Alongside refocusing the business on fasteners, a key area Fabory has also looked to develop is its digital capabilities. “Digitalisation is now!” states Francisco. “Digital integration with customers is essential – not only from a purchase or pay perspective, but also to create customer intimacy. We’re partnering closely with our customers to provide localised insights into stock levels and replenishments linked to consumption levels and demand fluctuations. Securing process continuation for our customers is paramount and we are able to provide these insights in ‘real time’ linked to our technology enabled Logic solutions.” Francisco adds: “It’s a win-win situation, we create peace of mind for our customers and we increase our ability to forecast and plan accordingly.” The growth of the digital platform was the silver lining of the Covid-19 Cloud. “It has become increasingly important in the way we work. Not only in providing customers with information – historical orders, frequency of orders, certificates, etc – but also in how we are communicating with them,” mentions Francisco. “Our digital platform is becoming the communications tool of choice over the phone or email. The quick, direct, response is clearly appreciated and I can only see this growing in the future.”

New fully automated warehouse

In 1997 Fabory’s mini-load warehouse was a revelation – a fully automated warehouse operated by 18 cranes housing 281,000 module locations. At the age of 25 the mini-load has seen its share of enhancements adding to its capabilities and is now joined by a larger sibling. Fabory is investing in the infrastructure of the organisation – including a fully automated warehouse expansion to its central warehouse in Tilburg, the Netherlands. “The new warehouse is key for the future evolution of Fabory, it will be directly linked to our automated mini-load picking warehouse. The Still technology will enable us to further improve our efficiency and product availability. This investment is coupled with new storage systems, as well as robotisation,” points out Francisco. “For our customers it will mean that Fabory is ready for growth and can continue to support their evolving demands – for example for smaller packaging and complex kitting.”

Celebrating the past and future

It is clear that Fabory has ambitious plans for the future, but it is also keen to mark what is a significant milestone anniversary. “We are proud of our heritage and we are keen to mark our 75th anniversary for our team members and customers,” concludes Francisco. “This is a key occasion to celebrate our accomplishments and we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead as a business that is a true ‘Master in Fasteners’.” www.faborygroup.com

Growing the Fabory footprint

Next to fortifying Fabory’s fastener base, Fabory has also looked to acquire fastener companies that enable it to grow its footprint in countries it is already active. “Over the last six months we have acquired KEBEK Group, which saw us build a leading position in the broader central eastern European region. In addition, we have acquired the fastener division of Importinox, which strengthened our position in the Portuguese and broader Iberia region.” “Fabory has been involved with the Czech market for over 25 years, but with the addition of KEBEK we have a stronger market position, whilst also becoming a market leader in Slovakia and reinforcing our position in Hungary. Secondly, the capabilities of the KEBEK Group include in-house production capabilities and automated kitting facilities. Its customer portfolio is also complementary to Fabory’s, resulting into a well balanced mix of OEM and MRO type customers.”

WWW.FASTENERANDFIXING.COM

INSIGHT

A UNIQUE AND IN-DEPTH LOOK AT the world of FASTENERs

The pioneer of timber screws For 180 years Schmid Schrauben has looked to develop innovative solutions in the attachment and mounting industry, with the company becoming a pioneer in timber screws.

ased in Hainfeld, Austria, Schmid Schrauben has a long history of developing innovative solutions, with the most important strategic shift for the business happening in the 1990s – when it decided to focus on structural screws for timber constructions. From this decision, Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld GmbH has been able to create a dedicated product line for the timber market that it believes stands out in regards to performance and quality. “Through our RAPID® and StarDrive GPR® screw range systems we have been able to set international benchmarks when it comes to the production of timber screws,” explains Andreas Gebert, CEO at Schmid Schrauben. “This means that we can provide the perfect screw for every application, such as timber construction, multipurpose construction, wood-concrete-composite, and window construction.” In addition to its core competence of timber screws, the company has also developed additional products to help customers, such as its RAPID T-Lift System and the RAPID T-Con for wood-concrete connections. “At Schmid Schrauben we look to offer a full service to customers, whether it be our extensive standard range or custom solutions – all available in any type of packaging a customer can request,” states Andreas. Thanks to its ‘Made in Austria’ production, Schmid Schrauben is able to guarantee the highest quality. “We do not just sell screws, we are producing them according to quality norms, whether in series production or customised production,” mentions Andreas. “We offer full traceability of every screw we produce, from the machine used, the operator, the time and batch it was produced in, right back to the raw material. In addition, we have a third party company, Holzforschung Austria, that regularly carries out independent inspections of our factory to ensure all quality procedures are being followed.” To keep itself at the forefront of the market, Schmid Schrauben looks to use strategic investment and innovation. “Investment and innovation are the only competitive advantages that are sustainable and is something we look to focus on as a business,” explains Andreas. “For instance, we have recently invested heavily in new machinery, as well as in new employees to help cover the growing demand we have experienced.” This investment in additional production capacities has already paid dividends, as Schmid Schrauben has seen an increase in orders from customers who have shifted from Asian suppliers during the challenges that arose from the pandemic. “We are hopeful that this shift will be long-term, as customers realise the benefits of working alongside a European partner.” Another area that might create an opportunity for Schmid Schrauben is the recent introduction of anti-dumping duties on certain iron or steel fasteners from the People’s Republic of China. “We are in a position where we are able to adjust our production, both in quantities as well as types of products, to meet the needs of the market,” states Andreas. Other opportunities that Schmid Schrauben sees for the future includes the continued growth of the timber construction market, as sustainability becomes more and more important. “We strongly believe that parts of concrete construction will be replaced by wood and that will provide us with a lot of opportunities,” reports Andreas. “As the timber construction market develops, so will the need for taller wood construction, which will lead to new requirements on our products. In addition, it will also lead to new types of wood entering the market, which again will lead to new product lines and solutions for customers.” www.schmid-screw.com

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Grand Palais Éphémère – Paris

RAPID® full thread The best technical values - extremely reliable

What we fix holds firm. www.schmid-screw.com

Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld GmbH | Landstal 10 | 3170 Hainfeld T +43 (0)2764 2652 | F +43 (0)2764 7712 | E info@schrauben.at

n. ity tio l a c qu odu . d a fe n pr stri o o u Pr r ow n A ou de i m a M fro

Wood-Wood | Metal-Wood | Wood-Concrete-Composite Systems

INSIGHT

The traffic jam of the recovery By Marco A. Guerritore, editor in chief of Italian Fasteners Magazine The general belief was that the Covid-19 pandemic would develop according to a well defined pattern: Pandemic phase; research and definition of a viable vaccine; slow resumption of economic activities in a climate that had begun to return to normal.

fter the worsening of the infection, the long awaited vaccine finally arrived, the result of intensive studies and frenetic research in the field. Unfortunately, this reality is – inevitably – contested by the anti-vaxxers. In any case, in just under three years the Covid-19 phenomenon has completely influenced and compromised various balances, such as social health and especially the economic production balance. In particular, the pandemic has left a clear mark on the labour sector, especially at its most acute moment. Companies have had to reshape their activities and revise their operational methods, rethinking their work plans. On the management front, uncertainty has become more and more threatening. The questions asked by operational managers were: “What do we do? How do we deal with the issues imposed by the pandemic?” Fortunately, however, the worst of the situation was mitigated by the arrival of the vaccine, which instilled confidence in a future that appeared very uncertain. Then again, what was supposed to be a normal economic recovery is actually proving to be a nervous, chaotic, disorderly awakening. The crossroads of the general malaise is attributable to a container shipping traffic jam – a part of the Pacific Ocean has been transformed into a gigantic parking lot. On average, 70 to 100 ships float offshore for days or weeks because there are no vacant docks to berth and unload containers. Not to mention the problem of the giants of the sea, the mega-containers, which are oversized and have difficulty in finding the right dock. All this cabotage clogs the seas, pollutes the environment and causes other major inconveniences – supermarkets with no goods, companies waiting for parts, and many dissatisfied end consumers.

Numerous economic sectors are therefore suffering, from semiconductors, to cars, water heaters and household appliances, to tyres and electrical-medical equipment. The ‘Mother of all traffic jams’ was not long in making her evil effects felt throughout the economic and social sector. On average, shipping rates have recently increased by 450%. Global congestion of the seas is one of the many factors contributing to inflation. In America, consumer prices have risen by 6.2% and wholesale prices by 8.6%. The US Central Bank has so far tried to reassure everyone. Its favourite insurance company attributes inflation to a ‘funnel effect’ created by the pandemic and therefore surmountable. We are all inclined to believe and hope that these are indeed anomalous and transitory situations. However, the great hope is that the post-Covid recovery will not be reduced to a great big bubble.

Specialinsert wins award at Bilanci d’Acciaio Taking place in Lecco, Italy, the Bilanci d’Acciaio meeting saw the presentation of awards to specific sectors, including wire drawing, springs and fasteners – with Specialinsert winning the award for fasteners.

iero Arduini, president at Specialinsert Srl, collected the award at the event, with the other winners being ANCCEM for springs and Eure Inox for wire drawing. Founded in 1974, Specialinsert has over 60 employees and two production sites – one in Turin and one in Maerne di Martellago, Venice. The company produces over 100 million fastening systems annually and exports to more than 70 countries. The Bilanci d’Acciaio awards focus on the capital, economic and financial performance of companies active in the Italian steel sector. To be included in the 2021 Bilanci d’Acciaio Study, companies must have had an annual production value for the 2019 financial year (the last year of the three year period examined) above €2 million. The key indicators analysed include overall profitability, marginality rate on sales (identified as the ratio of EBITDA on sales), profitability of sales (identified as the ratio of EBIT on sales), ratio of financial charges on EBITDA, total debt ratio (identified as the ratio of debt to equity) and the turnover growth rate. The jury awarding the prizes was chaired by Claudio Teodori, professor at the department of economics and management of the University of Brescia, and included Stefano Ferrari and Gianfranco Tosini, respectively head and member of the Siderweb Studies Office.

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The speech of Piero Arduini, president of Specialinsert Srl, a UPIVEB Member, during the presentation of the award by Pietro Vargiu, chief underwriting officer of Coface

INSIGHT

BOMET grows production In 2021 Bodegraven Metaal celebrated 40 years in the industry, having become a well established company that exports around the world whilst producing only one product – threaded rods.

odegraven Metaal N.V (BOMET) is able to supply a whole range of threaded rod (DIN 976-1) from M3 to M60 in lengths 1m, 2m and 3m, as well as cut to size. A key factor in BOMET’s capabilities is its focus on continuously improving the automation of its production, which it believes helps it stay ahead of its competitors within Europe and Asia. “We develop and assemble our machines ourselves, which gives us an undeniable advantage,” states BOMET. “It means we can ensure our machines are designed exactly how we need them to work and we can automate them so they are very efficient. The labour cost in Belgium is one of the highest in the EU, so we have to focus on automation.” BOMET has introduced a number of machines over the last year in order to further increase its production capacity and meet the needs of its customers. “With only 35 employees we can guarantee an output of 15,000 tonnes,” states BOMET proudly. “This brings us to the forefront of the threaded rod industry.” Another area that BOMET has looked to develop and meet customers’ needs is the demand for special lengths, which is a growing sector. “We have found that there is still very little cutting on the construction site – customers like to buy a fixed product,” explains BOMET. “This is another reason why we have invested a lot in automatic cutting machines in recent years, in order to follow this trend and shorten the delivery time to a few days.” By investing in its machinery BOMET can also be assured of the quality of its products, which is essential when it comes to threaded rod. “Thanks to our qualified and experienced staff we are able to guarantee a good production flow and we can make sure all the threaded rod we produce is in accordance with DIN standards when it comes to minimum and maximum tolerances,” points out BOMET. “In the past there has been a lot of issues within the threaded rod market

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when it comes to the top angle of the rod and the importance that plays in its quality. According to the norm DIN 976-1 the top angle should be 60 degrees. If you reduce the thread angle the core diameter becomes smaller, but the outer diameter remains the same. This means that a nut can be ripped off the core of the thread relatively easily and can be very dangerous for construction projects. With BOMET, customers can be assured about our quality standard.” To further ensure the quality of its products, BOMET has recently invested in a new tensile testing machine that can pull up to 1,000kN. The machine enables the company to help verify high-quality steels that are being increasingly used in the wind turbine and high-tech industries. Other developments BOMET has introduced include the recent implementation of its webshop – where stocks and prices can be checked 24/7 – as well as the company introducing sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging. Plus, in Spring 2022, the BOMET UK office will be reactivated – making it easier for UK customers to collect their goods from the depot in Birmingham, without extra import costs and delays at the border. “We are very proud to be able to produce our products in the very heart of Europe and ensure customers receive high-quality products as and when they need them,” concludes BOMET. “The last two years have shown that strategically it is better to have a source in Europe for products, especially with such unforeseen circumstances that are out of a company’s control. We have seen an increasing number of requests from existing and potential customers over the last 24 months and with sustainability becoming more and more important, companies will continue to weigh up the benefits of importing a container of threaded rods from the other side of the world, especially if they can buy it for the same price from a centrally located European producer.” www.bomet.com

Webportal for online ordering of threaded rods

www.bomet.com

Largest threaded rod stock in EU

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INSIGHT

Dell’Era: A reputation for quality Founded in 1924 as a workshop specialising in the production of mechanical parts for industrial machines, Dell’Era is today a company that boasts an international reputation in the world of fasteners for cold forming standard and special metric screws.

key factor in Dell’Era’s Ermanno e Figlio success has been its commitment to certified quality – both in terms of internal processes and regards to the final quality of the products. Its most recent certification was the IATF 16949:2016 in reference to the automotive sector, which it obtained in 2018. In 1996 the company obtained the certification for Part Three of its quality management system according to the international standard ISO 9002, which at the time was in force. The system, which is still applied consistently and effectively today, complies to the ISO 9001:2015 certification. Another aspect of its commitment to quality is the company’s range of optical sorting machines, with additional machinery recently added. When combined with the mechanical tests in its laboratory, and systematic checks at each process stage of production, Dell’Era is able to ensure that each individual product complies with the needs of the final customer. Dell’Era’s production machine park also includes monitoring terminals on machines for the control and planning of production – operated by highly qualified employees.

“Dell’Era is an all round partner within the market that is able to advise customers in choosing the best possible solutions,” explains the company. “Using the most modern software on the market, a team of technicians accompanies customers step by step in every phase of the project, from the feasibility study to the final delivery. Thanks to our well stocked warehouse, full of different quality carbon steel, stainless steel and brass materials, we are able to guarantee our production three months in advance.” www.delleraviterie.com

GREAT QUALITY FOR SMALL COMPONENTS

QUALITY - FLEXIBILITY - SPEED - SERVICE 360° DELL’ERA ERMANNO E FLIGLIO SRL - VIA SANTA VECCHIA 82, 23868 VALMADRERA (LC) ITALY Tel. +39 0341.550247 - Fax +39 0341.551364 - info@delleraviterie.com www.delleraviterie.com

Domax makes significant investments Polish-based Domax states it has made some significant investments into its production capabilities, including a new production hall and several production lines, as well as increasing its warehouse capacity, so that it can provide one of the biggest ranges of hardened screws in Europe.

ased in Koleczkowo, near the Baltic Sea, Domax Sp z.o.o has over 25 years of experience in the production of wood screws and connectors – with the company renowned for its DMX® range of screws, which provides customers simple and convenient usage, whilst ensuring high-quality and reliable installation. In addition to the DMX line, Domax also introduced the new Grundline® brand in 2021, which features post supports for a variety of applications. “Through our DMX and Grundline brands we have two of the most comprehensive product ranges in the European market,” states Domax. “This is in addition to the full range of components, brackets and screws we can provide to meet a wide variety of timber solutions.” Alongside the products, Domax can provide extensive marketing support, which includes printed materials, POS accessories and video marketing – helping to increase the knowledge and awareness of the products.

“We believe that being so close to our customers with own production is the key factor. We provide short lead times, which in conjunction with big stock gives us a huge opportunity – especially in regard to the new anti-dumping duties introduced on certain iron or steel fasteners from China,” explains Domax. “As a European producer we are a good alternative, which is why we have made so many investments and improvements, in order to be able to serve the market.” Customers can also be assured of the quality of products produced by Domax. “From the very beginning the durability and strength of our products is determined by our rigorous quality control process – carried out according to the relevant standards,” mentions Domax. “Tests are performed by specialised control and measurement equipment and we have our own laboratory to ensure the highest quality.” www.domax.com

INSIGHT

Quality, the key to a safer world Markets are constantly evolving and so is the sector of security fastener manufacturers. In a world that encourages businesses to study and build new and more efficient solutions and products, Growermetal does just that by keeping up with the current environmental and quality requirements, boosting its production of security washers and investing in the latest services and certifications.

n a consolidated market such as the European market, the last few years have represented a growing challenge for every company striving to offer high-quality products, while responding effectively to the most pressing health & safety, and environmental, concerns. The efforts towards an optimisation of processes and testing, in order to boost growth and qualitative enhancement, has evolved alongside the need to create meaningful and responsible entrepreneurial processes – while facing a pandemic that has impacted and changed businesses around the world. As a leading manufacturer of security, spring and flat washers, as well as blanked parts, Growermetal SpA has felt the responsibility to respond to a

...Growermetal pays great attention and invests resources in equipping its R&D in-house laboratory with the latest tools and testing instruments…”

constantly evolving local and international environment, investing in certified products and services – leading to an outstanding quality, designed on customers’ requests. However, in the market of security washer manufacturers, how does a business establish such an authority? The answer lies in the key factors of Growermetal’s success story – experience, great people, research into more effective solutions, better materials, as well as cutting-edge technologies. Since it was established in 1950, the company has used these key factors to expand globally, whilst developing an outstanding heritage of ideas, skills and the know-how of its specialists. Despite the difficulties of the last two years, Growermetal’s experts continue to be one of its greatest strengths. A world shaped by their willpower, based on the desire to create reliable solutions, has enabled the spread of Growermetal beyond the authority of the brand to make it a strong, reliable business.

Committed to R&D

How is this level of quality maintained and pursued? When talking about internal resources, Growermetal believes mechanical testing is a key investment. In an international market characterised by products with a higher and higher quality, ensuring competitive materials and reducing the risk of material misstatement is strictly necessary. The commitment to provide flawless products that meet the highest technical, quality, and safety standards is part of the credibility of the company. That’s why Growermetal pays great attention and invests resources in equipping its R&D in-house laboratory with the latest tools and testing instruments, which it believes gives it a strategic technical advantage. For instance, the laboratory includes a sophisticated Junker test machine, which can perform tests simulating the behaviour of fasteners under vibration and dynamic loads. The R&D laboratory also conducts other tests that enable the constant improvement of safety fastening systems and their performances.

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INSIGHT To add to the laboratory, in-house processes such as heat treatment and product surface coatings help enable the maximum control of the parts, ensuring the highest safety performance against loosening of security washers. To complete this process, the quality control counts on machinery to make sure that every single unit is checked to guarantee the integrity of the products. Optical sorting also represents one of the most highly advanced technologies – providing an automated process for a detailed inspection of the pieces and their characteristics.

Washers for every sector

Today, Growermetal has an extensive safety washer range, designing and creating products widely and successfully used worldwide in a great number of fields of application, including automotive, rail, electromechanics and electronics, oil and gas, agriculture and earth moving machines, transportation, wind and solar energy, construction, industrial vehicles and finally aerospace. In fact, in April 2021 Growermetal’s processes were certified according to the EN 9100:2018 standard, which meant it could enter the aerospace sector as an official supplier. “To be certified according to EN 9100 is the true expression of our aim to create safer procedures and processes, preventing and reducing risks,” comments Paolo Cattaneo, CEO of Growermetal. “This achievement has been made possible by our talented team of experts and represents the starting point for a new successful chapter of our long history. Being certified allows us to reach higher quality standards and, most of all, gives our company and our staff the opportunity to be included in the Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) database. We are proud to have achieved such a certification.” With decades of experience in the automotive industry, the entry in the aerospace sector has set new standards of quality, safety, and reliability, with Growermetal believing it is the first large European washer manufacturer that has achieved EN 9100:2018 certification for the aerospace industry. The EN 9100:2018 standard is just the last one of a long series of certifications for Growermetal’s quality, testifying to the constant investment to improve its procedures. In the last twenty years Growermetal’s Quality Management System was certified with IATF 16949, including ISO 9001, for the automotive industry and with ISO 14001 for the environment.

…in April 2021 Growermetal’s processes were certified according to the EN 9100:2018 standard, which meant it could enter the aerospace sector as an official supplier.” The latter is part of a shared effort to grow the company and make it more and more aware of environmental requirements. The ISO 14001:2015 certification defines the responsibilities and requirements that are considered necessary to enhance the environmental performance within a company, including the definition of environmental objectives and obligations. “This certification is part of a project that aims to make Growermetal become a pillar of sustainability, involving not only our company, but also our staff. We think that creating a more eco-friendly environment and promoting a responsible approach would make our processes even more efficient and our products even more competitive,” says Paolo.

Focused on quality and the environment

With its policy for ‘Quality and Environment’, Growermetal has defined the

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main goals and commitments that it is going to make; the activities it is going to promote; and the targets involved in the project. “The international market scenario asks companies to take effective measures and face the issues related to the environment. Defining shared tasks and adopting an ethical approach to business management is essential to satisfy the needs of every customer, stakeholder and employee,” explains Paolo. Between the main points of the documents, the company highlights the commitment to the improvement of the Quality and Environmental Management System, through regular reviews to verify its suitability. In addition, strategies focused on quality and programmes of acknowledgement inside and outside the company have been defined. Among the main targets of the document, the full satisfaction of all the customers and stakeholders goes at the same pace as the commitment to improve products and service quality, but also the will to create a safer workplace for the internal staff. “Within the document we look to implement effectiveness and efficiency of all business processes, manage the risks, support internal and constant training and also prevent non-conformities. We also want to manage quickly, effectively and successfully the customer requirements, provide quick answers to questions and respect delivery times. These are all key factors for the success of our company. For our customers and stakeholders, we want to strengthen this vision,” concludes Paolo. “Experience, bold ideas and responsible approaches. That’s how Growermetal intends to define higher production standards in the Italian and global scenario.” www.growermetal.com

INSIGHT

Śrubena-Unia: Reacting and adapting After putting its investment plans on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Śrubena-Unia, one of the largest manufacturers of industrial fasteners in Europe, is now focused on reintroducing its investment strategy to further develop its production capabilities and improve efficiency.

ith a rich tradition in manufacturing, that dates back to 1832, Śrubena-Unia is relatively unique in that it possesses both cold and hot forging technology and offers a wide variety of standard bolts, nuts and screws, as well as custom-made products to drawings, in a full range of materials and coatings, from M5 – M64. The main industries the company supplies include construction, railway, coal mining, machinery, wind power, as well as automotive. “As a business we are always looking to update and modernise our machine park, where possible, in order to improve efficiency, which is necessary to stay competitive,” explains Tadeusz Jopek, sales and marketing director vice-president at Śrubena-Unia. “Before the pandemic we had very ambitious investment plans that we unfortunately had to pause. However, with the market slowly returning to normal we are looking to reintroduce our strategy. For instance, we are currently looking at investing in several modern cold forming machines so that we can support our customers with their product needs.” The Covid-19 pandemic; extreme increases in raw material prices; as well as the interruptions within the supply chain over the last 12 months; have highlighted the need for companies to be able to react quickly to such challenges. “A key aspect of business since the pandemic has been how quickly you can react and adapt to situations,” states Tadeusz. “As a company we immediately established additional working groups to support our customers and to also ensure we could make decisions quickly – guaranteeing we provided products and services to customers whilst reducing risk to the business.” This was especially true in the first half of 2021, when there were huge challenges regarding the availability of raw materials. “Thanks to the structure we had put in place we were able to foresee this situation and managed to book the necessary quantity of raw material in advance,” points out Tadeusz. “Thanks to the good relationships we have with main suppliers, as well as clearly defined logistic paths, we did not suffer so much and were able to continue

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to provide customers with the products they needed.” Tadeusz adds: “Security of supply has always been important, but today it is even more important, especially in terms of the costs it could create. The lack of supply over time of a key component, even a low cost component such as a fastener, can have a huge impact on customers – not only potential penalties but the loss of customer confidence.” Śrubena-Unia believes that such factors, and impacts on the supply chains, could lead to companies reviewing their Far East sources and looking at the feasibility of using more local manufacturers within Europe – where there is less opportunity for the supply chain to be as severely impacted. “Our vision for the coming years is to make sure that Śrubena-Unia continues to be one of the biggest fastener manufacturers in Europe, through the development and investment in both our machinery and products. We believe the situation on the market will let us continue investing in our machine park and we will continue to focus on the construction industry, as well as other sectors, to enable us to continue to grow,” concludes Tadeusz. www.srubena.com

www.saspi.es

T +34 943 850 262 +34 943 850 266 F +34 943 853 445 M saspi@saspi.es

Z.I. Intxausti s/nº 20720 Azkoitia, Gipuzkoa. Spain.

INSIGHT

Big in collated screws

German-based adunox® has been investing in every aspect of its business to ensure it is able to continue to supply customers with the latest products and innovations within collated screws.

ne of adunox® GmbH’s biggest investment has been in its new company headquarters in Schotten, north-east of Frankfurt and in the centre of Germany. The company’s new headquarters includes a production hall and offices, as well as a training room and showroom – where customers can discover all of adunox’s capabilities. The company has also acquired 10,000m 2 of land next to its headquarters, where it plans to build an additional building with modern warehousing. “We are known within the industry for developing systems for processing screws efficiently and our new headquarters, and extra land to develop, will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our customers,” states adunox. Alongside the investment in its headquarters, adunox has also invested within its modern machine shop – equipping it with the latest CNC machinery, as well as further expanding its production capacity for collated screws. “We increased our production capacities in July 2019 prior to the Covid-19 pandemic,” points out adunox. “This meant that we were able to react flexibly to customers’ interrupted supply chains when the pandemic hit. This led to us winning a lot of new additional business thanks to our local production with short delivery times.” adunox is able to supply a wide range of products including standard collated screws in both belt and coil systems. The belt system is divided into two areas: Drywall screws, which are available in phosphate and BLUEfast500® coating; and timber screws, which are available zinc plated, in stainless steel, and as SPAX® screws. In addition to the extensive belt and coil collated screw range, adunox is also able to offer collated systems for special requirements. Products includes the adunox®-ONE, adunox®-HEX and adunox®-tsr. “The adunox-ONE collated system allows for the serial processing of various screw types. The patented injected strip is unique in that the feed and the mounting screws are separated,” mentions adunox. “This way the screw holder can be adapted to nearly all kinds of screw geometries. Another major advantage is the tilted inclination of the screws, which means the screw tips are visible and the screws can be easily put into the pre-drilled holes. After the screw has been fitted, the injected strip is removed via the joints.” The adunox-HEX collated system also provides users with lots of options, as it enables the processing of screws with large

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head diameters, as well as screws with washers – plus screws with hexagon, Phillips or TORX® drive. “The adunox-HEX collated system is idea for a variety of applications including timber construction and steel-to-steel connections, as well as truck superstructures, sheet metal screw connections and longitudinal screw connections (roofs). This system is also available on request with screws in the customer’s desired RAL colour.” adunox continues: “When you add to this the adunox-tsr system, which offers automatic screwing on multifunction bridges, you have a diverse selection of premium screws, and equipment, with guaranteed functionality.” Having such a diverse range of products, in addition to manufacturing capability, and short delivery times, means adunox finds itself in a strong position to meet customers’ requirements. That is why the business will continue to concentrate on innovations that add value for customers. “Our focus is clearly on the development of automated solutions that are playing an increasingly important role, as well as the development of products that fulfil the needs of customers. The manual processing of screws is being replaced by semi and fully automated systems and we want to make sure we are at the forefront of this movement. That is why we look to develop products together with our partners – who benefit from the perfect solutions, produced in the very heart of Europe.” www.adunox.com

INSIGHT

Solutions for every application Established in 1994 Technopartner, an Italian commercial company that distributes high technology products, has introduced a new division with a line of fasteners for sheet metals, plastic and PCB, as well as related tools for mounting.

ased near Bergamo, Technopartner Srl has always looked to be a flexible company that is able to quickly evaluate its products, services, and the market, in order to be a reliable partner to its customers. “In addition to the new division with a line of fasteners, we have also opened a vertical warehouse, for better quality and traceability of our logistics service, as well as opened a showroom dedicated to our self-clinching machines,” points out Technopartner. “Thanks to the wide range of products, and constant focus on investment and innovation, we are able to serve the market

horizontally, throughout the Italian territory – in particular the transportation, automotive, medical and the industrial sectors.” Technopartner’s wide range of products also enables it to provide a solution for nearly every application, with the company able to work with customers across various projects. “We see ourselves as a solution provider,” states Technopartner. “A real technical partner with whom to collaborate from the initial phase of the project, until the final solution.” A key part in this is the experience and knowledge of the company’s product managers, together with the support it receives from leading manufacturers in their fields. “We are able to work with customers to find solutions for all their application needs. Thanks to our wide range of products, we can work with every type of customer on every type of application and our large stock means we are able to provide short delivery times.” In addition to focusing on the current market and how it provides customers with a first-class service, Technopartner is also looking to the future and how it can maintain growth, whilst guaranteeing quality and first-class support and service. “One area where we see a very big opportunity is the replacement of metal parts, which is happening in a variety of industries, such as automotive,” explains Technopartner. “We are currently investing a lot in innovative solutions for plastics, two component parts, as well as composite materials. Furthermore, we are at the forefront of the industry for proposing ready to use solutions for electrical vehicles.” www.technopartner.it

Nögel: Meeting customers’ demands from stock Thanks to strong, long-term partnerships with suppliers and clients – plus the decision to stock 35% more of its core products during the pandemic – German-based Nögel was able to increase its sales by 20% in 2021.

stablished in 1981, Nögel Montagetechnik Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH has developed from a family business into a market leader for the window, construction and industry markets – providing over 45,000 different solutions for applications involving windows, doors, façades and wood construction. “Due to our stable and reliable support to all our customers, we were able to meet their extra demands in what turned out to be a very challenging 2021,” explains Nögel. “A lot of companies have introduced ‘Just In Time’ services, but we have always believed in keeping a good stock level and this meant we could meet our customers’ needs quickly and efficiently.” Nögel has further increased its stock capacity with the addition of a new warehouse in 2021, which brings its storage capacity up to 14,000 pallet spaces. “This additional space will enable us to store more products and keep providing a reliable supply to customers,” points out Nögel. “With our large-scale, and knowledge of our customers’ requirements, we have been able to develop a high-quality range of products and services, which are very popular.” Alongside its distribution capabilities, Nögel also has the ability to manufacture at its headquarters in Twist, Germany. The company can produce more than 250,000 plastic parts for window and door producers each day. It also has a range of high class CNC machinery

that enables it to offer specialised production for aluminium window and door manufacturers. In addition to its headquarters in Germany, Nögel also has operations in Romania, Poland, and Hungary, enabling it to sell its products worldwide, as well as a subsidiary in Austria “Thanks to our PARCO, JETFAST, TOPSTAR and SILISTO brands of products, we have been able to establish ourselves as a supplier of high class fastener solutions.” Alongside its product range, Nögel can also offer a wide range of services to its clients. Its technical department is able to offer help in all kind of construction applications and make sure customers find the right products for their requirements. “A big focus for us a business is our innovation lab, where we develop ideas and bring more unique and patented product ideas to the market. This enables us to offer customers the best practical solutions.” To add to its technical developments, Nögel also has its own QC laboratory and works with external testing institutes to guarantee a constant high-quality level of products. This is underlined by several of Nögel’s products being ETA and CE certified. “We have a wide range of certified products. For instance, our range of window fasteners are Ift Rosenheim certified according to the necessary technical requirements.” www.noegel.de

Für Briefbogen

OVER 40 YEARS QUALITY & INNOVATION FOR WINDOWS, DOORS AND FACADE CONSTRUCTION www.noegel.de • shop.noegel.de Nögel Montagetechnik Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH Koppelweg 1 • 49767 Twist

Phone +49 (0) 59 36/93 63-0

Fax 93 63-63 • E-Mail: info@noegel.de

INSIGHT

Equipped to support new business With over 60 years of experience, BENERI has the expertise, knowledge, production, and commitment to quality, to meet the retaining ring and washer needs of the global market.

ENERI SpA is still a familyowned company, with the third and youngest generation now fully involved in the business and looking to the future. As a leading manufacturer of standard retaining rings and washers, both in metric and inch dimensions, the company is able to supply products that comply with DIN standards, as well as a variety of special solutions. “In the last decade, we have invested a lot in quality and have introduced several additional quality checks in each step of the production process to guarantee the highest quality levels for our products,” states BENERI. “We have also ensured we have a huge stock of our product range that can be delivered quickly to customers globally.” Thanks to its know-how, and constant technical research and investment in the optimisation of the production processes, BENERI has also been able to develop new products – such as its new ‘Automotive’ range of retaining rings, which is a top selection of standard retaining rings (DIN 471/DIN 472) that have successfully passed strict quality checks regarding dimensions and flatness. “We highly recommend this range for applications with automatic feeding systems (automotive or electronic devices industries),” points out BENERI.

Other products that BENERI has used its expertise to develop include the design of its original toothed washers type DIN 6798 A with overlapped teeth and knurled washers, with milling on both bearing surfaces. “We have been producing standard washers since 1958 and even with the low prices available from Asia, we have been able to stay a key player within the market thanks to the high-quality we produce and our ability to manufacture products that meet customers’ needs,” explains BENERI. “We hope that the recently announced anti-dumping duties will bring back some of the old business that we lost to Asia over the last two decades. Thanks to the investments

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that we have continued to make over the years, we are ready and well equipped to support this new increase in demand.” BENERI has a wide production capacity, with parts designed and produced in five production units located in Valmadrera (LC), Italy. These different units also played a significant part in the company being able to quickly adapt to the challenging Covid-19 pandemic and guaranteed that the necessary protocols could be introduced. “Our top management soon recognised the potential risk of the virus and immediately set-up an internal protocol in order to keep working whilst avoiding any possible infection. This included distance between employees, masks, deep sanitisation of workspaces and tooling, etc,” points out BENERI. During the Covid-19 pandemic BENERI also noticed a shift in customers’ buying habits, with the company’s huge stock putting it in a strong position to meet customers’ needs. “We saw demand increase quickly, as competitors were finding it hard to get raw material and transportation – especially sea freight – it was a big mess,” points out BENERI. “Thanks to our huge stock we were able to supply our finished parts to customers and this helped many businesses. We believe the pandemic underlined the benefits of having a local supplier and we hope it will lead to a change in buying habits for the future.” www.beneri.com

“Interesting industry alternatives” “Insightful”

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FASTENER TALK... HEAR WHAT THE INDUSTRY HAS TO SAY:

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ITALIAN MANUFACTURER SINCE 1958

Each one sees what he carries in his heart J. W. Goethe

WE SEE RETAINING RINGS... AND WASHERS!

Explore our full range of metric wahers at

www.beneri.com

INSIGHT

Flexible production within Europe Since it was founded in 1976 Kilton has looked to produce both standard and special fasteners based on its customers’ needs, especially when it comes to the increasingly varied and challenging applications they face.

ilton’s flexibility and commitment to meeting the requirements of its customers, regardless of how niche or specialised, has enabled it to stand out from its competitors. “When we started our business there was a lot of competition within the European market and we quickly decided to focus on ad hoc solutions and to meet small quantity requirements. Then, when the market moved towards Asia, we dedicated ourselves to also offering niche standard products – available from stock,” explains Kilton Srl. “By focusing on these areas, as well as developing the services we could provide customers, based on their requirements, we have been able to establish ourselves as a highly valued manufacturer based in Europe.” Kilton’s operations are located in the south of Milan, Italy, with the business running across three separate units – covering 5,000m 2 . “Initially our production was composed of machinery that was designed and built internally and we have continuously developed our equipment and capabilities to meet the needs of the customers,”

SEDE E STABILIMENTO / OFFICE AND FACTORY Via Sardegna 64 - 20072 Fizzonasco di Pieve Emanuele (MI) - ITALY Tel. +39 02 907 248 17 Fax: +39 02 907 229 77

info@kilton.it - www.kilton.it

...we have been able to establish ourselves as a highly valued manufacturer based in Europe...”

points out Kilton. “Today, all of our machinery uses advance systems and we are able to control every process during production to minimise the chances of errors or waste. Thanks to the technical expertise we have within the business, we are able to produce high-quality products that reach design and production standards in compliance with international regulations.” In addition to its production capabilities, Kilton also has a number of warehouses where it can store products and provide customers with a prompt delivery service and scheduled order management. “Having Kilton in your production chain means having a technical partner that is able to offer simple and effective solutions that can be produced and stored within Europe for quick delivery.” Kilton’s ability to provide products and support was underlined during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Apart from the national lockdown’s the pandemic did not impact us directly. We were still able to meet the needs of our customers, as and when they needed the products. In fact, we saw a lot of customers coming to us asking for supply as they could not get the products from Asia. The low prices in Asia often attract a lot of customers, but I think working with a European manufacturer will become a strategic factor for a lot of businesses going forward, as it offers customers a reliable partner that is close by and able to supply quickly.” With this in mind, Kilton has been making some investments into renewing its machinery, and adding more staff, so that it can further increase its production capability. “Going forward we will continue to invest in our production and our warehouse – focusing on the M2 – M12 range of the most common and special items required by the market,” states Kilton. Kilton adds: “We have a very simply and solid management structure that enables us to make quick decisions regarding investment and we can be very flexible when providing a solution to meet customers’ needs. However, in order for a supplier to be good it is necessary to have equally good customers, such as those who plan their needs ahead of time. As a business we have always looked to ensure we have the necessary stock, whether it be the raw materials for production or finished products in the warehouse. By doing this we can stock a customer’s entire programme and ensure we can deliver products as and when they need them. This approach proved beneficial during the pandemic and by working with customers, and by them planning ahead, we can ensure a reliable supply of high-quality products that meet their every need.” www.kilton.it

Back to industry... ... with the power of innovation.

Keeping the overview Monitor the current power and adjust it if necessary.

Quickly changed, quickly welded The integrated quick clamping function guarantees a fast welding process.

Transformer unit IV-1/850 with welding gun The transformer unit offers a powerful and flexible solution for industrial welding processes. From current monitoring and quick attachment change options to a compact housing, the unit comes with a wide range of options for stud welding. As an undercarriage unit, the IV-1/850 offers the possibility to be used in places that are difficult to access. You want to learn more about our campaign? industry.ivostud.com

Contact information: IVOSTUD GmbH, Schützenstraße 6-8, 58339 Breckerfeld, info@ivostud.com, +49 (2338) 870 99 0

We live stud welding. industry.ivostud.com

Prepared for every stud Swap stud attachments in the blink of an eye to dispense with different welding guns.

INSIGHT

Haemers: Ready to meet demand Whilst the fastener market has faced a difficult last two years, with a whole host of challenges, Belgian-based Haemers has used the time to make investments in its capabilities to enable it to grow and meet future demand.

aemers N.V is a fourth generation business that is a specialist in flat washers in all kinds of material – covering 5,800 dimensions and all to DIN, NFE and ISO norms. It is also able to produce press work according to plans or models, with thicknesses up to 20mm and coil widths up to 600mm – in different types of materials such as steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The first major investment by Haemers was in 2020, when it started up its latest new fully automatic production line for presswork. Further investments in 2021 included a new canteen and changing rooms for its employees, as well as a new CNC lathe in the tooling department – enabling faster production of tooling parts. Throughout this time the company was also having to adapt to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. “When Covid-19 broke out and China went into lockdown, our production actually got a huge boost,” mentions Haemers. “When it broke out in Europe there were of course issues, but we looked to be proactive and used the time to analyse our production flow, as our expansion in 2019/20 had given us room to redesign production here and there. This redesign helped us reduce costs, as well as stimulate our employees on the shop floor to think about production processes and how they could be optimised.”

After the initial lockdowns, business started to pick back up in the summer of 2020 and order levels have continued to rise into 2021 – due to the challenges customers were facing with other suppliers, such as transport issues, raw material prices, etc. “2021 was certainly full of tests, but above all it was a year in which we noticed there was more interest in the European manufacturing industry. Both existing and new customers were confronted with shortages and had too much dependence on production outside Europe,” mentions Haemers. “As a manufacturer of fasteners, we have been watching from the sidelines for years as people and companies continued to choose production overseas based solely on price. However, with all the issues over the last two years, companies have been sourcing within Europe and this has been a great opportunity for us to underline the range of quality products we can produce, as well as the services we provide.” Haemers continues: “Another opportunity for us is the anti-dumping duties that have just been announced on certain iron or steel fasteners from China. Whether these types of duties are the best way to support the manufacturing industry is for another debate. However, a good balance ensures that investments can be made again in the manufacturing industry, which creates employment and prosperity. We are convinced that we can help many customers in the coming months and years.” www.nvhaemers.be

SPECIALIST OF FLATWASHER & PRESSURE PLATES Guaranteed supply

State of the art manufacturing Competitive conditions

Up to 6.000 dimensions in ﬂat washers

Tailor made presswork from strips or coils No tool costs

Custom made packaging

Discover more about Haemers www.nvhaemers.be

Made in Plettenberg, Germany. Guaranteed.

ANYTHING

MISSING?

Better use high quality washers for more reliable products.

Stamped parts

R+FK SCHULTE KG

Washers Screw locking devices

R+FK Schulte KG | Herscheider Str. 73 | 58840 Plettenberg | Phone +49 (0) 2391 9192-0 | www.rfks.com

EXHIBITIONS

PREVIEWS AND REPORTS FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS

wire® Düsseldorf moves to June Messe Düsseldorf has announced that the wire® and Tube shows will be postponed until 20th – 24th June 2022. Originally scheduled for May, in consultation with the partners and associations, Messe Düsseldorf decided to move the shows due to the very dynamic infection patterns and spread of the Omicron variant.

olfram N Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, emphasised the backing for the new trade fair dates in June: “The tenor among our exhibitors is: We want and need wire® and Tube – but at a point in time that promises the biggest prospects of success. Together with the partners and associations involved, we regard early summer as the ideal period for this. We not only expect infection patterns to calm down but also more people to be able to enter the country and take part. This means exhibiting companies as well as visitors can do their business in an environment that is clearly less impacted by Covid-19.” As the biggest international trade fairs for their industries, wire and Tube have global appeal and require particularly long lead times. Traditionally, two thirds of all exhibiting companies travel to Düsseldorf from abroad every two years. Trade visitors from over 80 countries meet at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds at peak times. The new fair date of 20 th – 24th June 2022 therefore provides these industries with clear planning security. Exhibitors at wire will present their technological highlights in exhibition halls 9 to 15, while Tube exhibitors will be in halls 1 to 7a.

Construction industry gets ready for bauma 97% of available space has already been booked by exhibitors for bauma 2022, a trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, construction vehicles and equipment, taking place in Munich from 24th – 30th October. ith so much space already booked Klaus Dittrich, chairman and CEO of Messe München, is very optimistic about the upcoming fair: “This feedback is a clear signal of our customers’ intention to take part in bauma. In the personal conversations we have with exhibitors and visitors, we hear one thing over and over again: They are really looking forward to having face-to-face discussions and, of course, to experiencing the special atmosphere that only bauma can create. I am confident the market situation will soon have improved to the point that we will be able to put on an exciting bauma that will attract a large number of international companies and visitors.” Every event bauma concentrates on innovations and it is no different this year with innovation hall LAB0, an area that will include the bauma Forum, virtual reality, MIC 4.0, startups and a science hub. ‘Think Big’, a programme that promotes talented young people, will also be included as a key issue for the industry. The trade fair will also focus on five key topics that will be covered by exhibitors for the trade fair’s very first series of webinars: ‘Zero emissions’, ‘The digital construction site’, ‘Tomorrow’s construction techniques and materials’, ‘The way to autonomous machines’ and ‘Mining – sustainable, efficient, reliable’. The webinar series will begin in March and will be conducted in English. Industry experts will use the new format to explore bauma’s key topics in-depth.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

www.colombofasteners.com

EVENTS CALENDAR

wire Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany 20 June – 24 June 2022 www.wire.de Wire and cable, including fastener manufacturing technology.

Taiwan International Fastener Show

Intersolar Europe

Paint Expo

SchraubTec NORD

Karlsruhe, Germany 26 Apr – 29 Apr 2022 www.paintexpo.de World’s leading trade fair for industrial coating technology.

Hamburg, Germany 12 May 2022 www.schraubtec.com German regional trade fair for screw connections.

Nordbygg

Fastener Fair Mexico

Stockholm, Sweden 26 Apr – 29 Apr 2022 www.nordbygg.se Nordic construction industry.

Mexico City, Mexico 22 June – 23 June 2022 www.fastenerfairmexico.com The fastener event for Mexico.

SchraubTec SÜD

Mechanical Components & Materials Technology Expo

Kaohsiung, Taiwan 19 Apr – 21 Apr 2022 www.fastenertaiwan.com.tw Specialist fastener show.

Sindelfingen, Germany 27 Apr 2022 www.schraubtec.com German regional trade fair for screw connections.

FIT Show

Birmingham, UK 10 May – 12 May 2022 www.fitshow.co.uk UK event for the window, door, flat glass and conservatory market.

INTERTOOL

Wels, Austria 10 May – 13 May 2022 www.intertool.at Austria’s only trade fair for manufacturing technology in the metal processing sector.

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Munich, Germany 11 May – 13 May 2022 www.intersolar.de International exhibition for solar technology.

Tokyo, Japan 22 June – 24 June 2022 www.japan-mfg.jp/en-gb.html World’s leading B2B trade show for mechanical components/processing technology.

Fastener Expo Shanghai Shanghai, China 8 June – 10 June 2022 https://shen.fastenerexpo.cn Asia’s fastener trade fair.

Adhesive & Bonding Expo

Michigan, USA 28 June – 30 June 2022 www.adhesivesandbondingexpo.com Innovative bonding products and technology to the full range of end user buyers and specifiers.

Your reliable partner, even when times are challenging

www.puehl.de

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

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

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

PARTS ACCORDING DRAWING

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

news and information dedicated to construction fixing products

The Construction Products Regulation – the industry’s headache By Barbara Sorgato, secretary general, European Consortium of Anchor Producers (ECAP) When it comes to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) a good comparison, for those of you who occasionally find yourself cooking, is the feeling you get when you have a pot with a lid where different ingredients are bubbling. You feel that something is sticking to the bottom of the pan and you are afraid that your lunch will end up burnt, but you can only partially lift the lid, you cannot stir the contents or put out the fire.

his is a topic that has been dragging on for a long time and some of you may be not very old. I would therefore like to make a brief summary of the key points starting from 2011. To open the single market and facilitate the circulation of products, the European Commission decided to transpose the CPD – Construction Products Directive into the CPR – Construction Products Regulation. The aim of the CPR was pretty much the same as the CPD – to reach a common European technical language, smoothing out national

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS differences, and to enhance the free circulation of construction products in the EU’s single market. In 2005, the famous James Elliott case, consecrated harmonised technical specifications (what the experts call HTS and what construction people call “standards”) as a provision of EU law. This judgement did not clarify all legal issues surrounding the use of HTSs for regulatory purposes. However, by establishing its jurisdiction over a standard, the Court certainly paved the way for future questions concerning the legal aspects of European standardisation. A first result was that the European Commission started to consider from now on the harmonised standards as an integral part of the Construction Products Regulation, and it considered itself the guarantor of their content. A victory of the European Commission against the particularities of the member states, of course, but at the same time a hot potato for the Commission, which began to enter into the content and structure of the rules. Entering into the content of a standard means entering into the merits of the European compromises that are behind the structural mechanism of a standard; behind a coefficient there are implications at the national level and opting for a formula or a note can change the market. How to ensure balance and justice in a mechanism like this? To reach this target, the Commission used the ‘lawyers’ approach’ to try and crystalise everything into a format that offers legal certainty. But is this goal, is this ‘reasonable legality’, really achievable? And, if yes, at what price? From that moment on the CPR became a legal matter at all levels. Engineers, accustomed to handling technical issues, gradually found themselves surrounded more and more by lawyers and the structure of the rules – conveying their contents in a legal format that makes clear what is permitted by law and what is not – characteristic, uses, classes and thresholds, pass-fail criteria. The Member States discovered suddenly ancient incompatibilities with national laws, which had been ignored for years, the experts at the regulatory table were unable (or not willing) to write standards in legalese – both because it is not their profession and because the regulatory structure was not conceived for this approach. The result has been the continuous rejection by the Commission of almost all the standards offered for publication. Furthermore, the legal basis of the standards, the so-called Mandates, were written for the most part in the 1990s, so they are now obsolete and no longer reflect the state of the art. Up to date technical standards, perhaps written in correct legalese, are anyway rejected because they are incompatible with their obsolete legal basis. The result is a mechanism that has jammed. While the legal part got stuck, the technical drafting machine still worked for some years, so that today several up to date technical standards exist, but are just published as European standards and not as harmonised standards. Translation from the legalese: A European standard is not published in the OJEU – Official Journal of the European Union, so it cannot be used as legal basis for CE Marking. This means that the CE Marking of products covered by these up to date standards is only possible on the basis of their previous, i.e. obsolete, version. Instead, the reference to these standards is possible in Eurocodes, which are the European design standards. So, the next generation of Eurocodes is based on up to date technical standards, which however cannot be used as a basis for legally placing the products on the market. Today, faced with this contradiction and years of frustration, many technical tables are dormant, others publish only European standards. Let’s take as example: The harmonised standard EN 14592:2012 ‘Timber structures – Dowel-type fasteners – Requirements’. The old version is updated and incomplete, and the standard overlaps with some EADs, issued as a fast solution to skip the complicated standardisation

machine. The standard was updated technically in 2019, then it was drafted over ten times to match the CPR legal requirements. In the old mechanism, the legal basis was adjusted by preparing so called ‘answers to the mandate’, but such a procedure became unacceptable under the CPR. So, when the standard got green light for publication, it was clear that it was going to be rejected by the European Commission, hence no possibility of CE Marking. The industry decided first to stop the publication of the standard altogether, then changed idea upon request of the Eurocode designers, who appreciated the standard and needed to reference it in the Eurocodes. Now the standard is waiting to be published as a European standard. So, the Eurocodes will refer to it, but the CE Marking will still be based on its old version. A technical nonsense and a defeat for the European market. As for the EOTA European Assessment Documents (EAD), they continue to be published in a growing confusion of variations of the EADs themselves (variant 1, variant 2, etc), where only the few professionals in the sector are able to look through the situation. The European Commission is well aware of the situation and is preparing a two pronged approach. On the one hand, the Commission has initiated dialogue with EU countries to plan for and organise future work to adapt the existing ‘CPR Acquis’ (i.e. the harmonised standards, the European assessment documents and the legal acts of the European Commission). Indeed, existing harmonised technical specifications are mostly incomplete as they are CPD-based and fail to address the specificities of the CPR. This process started in the last part of 2021 by reviewing the Acquis of the two top priorities identified, corresponding to the product areas of ‘Precast normal/lightweight/autoclaved aerated concrete products’ and ‘Structural metallic products and ancillaries’. In 2022, two additional subgroups are intended to start, corresponding to the priorities ‘Reinforcing and prestressing steel for concrete (and ancillaries). Post tensioning kits’ and ‘Doors, windows, shutters, gates and related building hardware’. A horizontal subgroup on ‘Environmental sustainability of construction products’ will also start in 2022. On the other hand, the European Commission is planning the CPR review. In this historic moment, the proposal will necessarily be integrated with the European roadmap, namely: Green Deal, Circular economy, Digitalisation. The perception of the industry is that the Commission could come out with a complex mechanism, for the management of which external organisations will be necessary. Based on this fear, the industry insists on re-proposing its CPR review proposal, signed by the three major industry organisations: CPE, SBS and FIEC. The proposal calls for dividing the legal approach from the technical one, lightening the structure without taking away from the standards their legal value. Dialogue is there but it seems that, in this impasse, the Commission suggests its proposals while the industry suggests its own, simply because the aims are different. The Commission aims to avoid national or lobbying approaches, while the industry aims to sell products in a global market. After ten years of the CPR, and after two years of Covid-19, who is the ‘real enemy’ to blame for all this? Should we blame the Commission, because they are blind bureaucrats who live in their offices without knowing what the real world is? Should we blame the Member States that have spent years ignoring the construction world to get us to this point and then blame the Commission? Or should we maybe blame the industry, that continues to offer solutions, ignoring the political reasons that make them inapplicable – whilst it continues its business? Or should we blame all three? Maybe instead we look to continue working for a solution. www.ecap-sme.org

...the Construction Products Regulation became a legal matter at all levels.”

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Importance of the ETA route T hough being small in size, the importance of fasteners for the safety of construction is widely understood. Therefore, it is obvious that major changes to the CPR (Construction Product Regulation), as the legal framework for construction products in Europe, will substantially impact the economics of the industry as well as the safety level of structures. Fastening technology products are widely used in construction and play a major role for the functionality and safety of constructions. Fasteners are used across a wide range of construction applications such as tunnel construction, insulation, façades, ceiling and roof substructures, high steel railings, roofing, as well as bridge construction, which also demonstrates the huge impact on the productivity in this area. In any case it is easy to imagine what happens if the products in the respective application fail. Transparent safety level and reliable installation are vital for constructions. Major accidents over recent years around the world have clearly shown that this should not be taken for granted and requires continuous focus and a reliable and solid basis.

Options to generate harmonised technical European documents

To arrive at a balanced level of costs and appropriate safety in construction, standards (hEN) have been developed over many years. Additionally, some years ago the concept of European Technical Assessment (ETA) was developed to respond to applications in a more agile fashion, which was well received by many stakeholders in construction. The ETA identifies performance data for products for a specific set of applications and intended use cases, such as earthquake loading or fire – depending on what the applications are subjected to. The basis for issuing an ETA is the EAD (European Assessment Document), which is a document generated by the European

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By Dr Ulrich Bourgund, chairman, Construction Fixings Europe This article looks at the importance and benefits of the ETA route to CE Marking for fastener manufacturers and end users of construction products.

Figure One: Main differences hEN versus ETA route hEN standardisation route

ETA assessment route

Initiation / Mandate

Mandate is provided by the European Commission

Manufacturer can apply for CE Marking and performance assessment of a product in a respective application

Time to develop final document

From 3 to 7 years

For new EADs from 12 to 15 months

Impact & implementation

Mandatory CE Marking

Voluntary CE Marking of respective product in combination with the intended use

Organisation for Technical Assessment (EOTA) for relevant parameters identified in the CPR as basic requirements for construction works – also known as Basic Work Requirements (BWR) in the EAD. In Figure One the main differences between the hEN route and the ETA route are identified. It is obvious that the ETA route is by far more attractive for small and mid-size companies, apart from just the speed of development.

The development in Europe and worldwide

Over the last few years, the European harmonised documents (ETAs, EAD, hEN) have accelerated the technical development in fastening technology in Europe and many other countries. In some countries outside of Europe these documents are accepted even as reference documents directly. 2,800 ETAs in the scope of fastening technology in concrete and masonry have been granted for many companies in and outside Europe.

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS One of the main intentions of the European Commission (EC) during the development of the CPR was to enhance and strengthen the common market. A common market requires transparent rules for identification of performance data for products in specific applications. The performance data for fastening products via the ETA route covers more than 54 areas of application. The most important ones are displayed in Figure Two. Bonded anchors in concrete show the largest number of ETAs among the 54 applications.

Figure Two: Number of fastening products with ETAs in various areas of application Further analysis of available data from various member states indicates that the level of European technical harmonisation still has potential to grow substantially. As an example, Figure Three shows the number of European Technical Assessments for all construction products versus National Assessment documents for one member state. Quite surprisingly the number of European documents is only on the level of 10% of the national documents, which clearly indicates the level of upside potential for technical harmonisation.

Figure Three: European Technical Assessments versus National Assessment documents for a selected member state

Important aspects from the industry perspective

The wide recognition and dynamics of the ETA route clearly indicate that this concept substantially supports the further development of the common market as intended by the EC. The great importance of the ETA route for the construction industry can be described in six essential dimensions: High attractiveness for small and medium enterprises (resource availability, confidentiality, room for innovation). Fast reaction time on customer needs in construction (safety, productivity). High demand from the construction community, since this route is considered an important driver for efficient technical harmonisation documents in Europe. Outstanding importance for strengthening the leading market position of European industry in some sectors of construction.

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Expected return on investment for the European industry after more than 30 years of continuous and sound work on harmonised documents, which has been backed up by respective industry and public financed research. Possibility of voluntary CE Marking for products qualified via EAD/ETAs for specific applications and intended uses.

Opportunities and risks for future revisions of the CPR

From the fastening industry, as well as from the customer point of view, the legal framework of the previous CPD and actual CPR has triggered quite some dynamics. New products and new applications have been developed continuously to an extent that the range of applicability was dramatically increased and at the same time the performance of the fastening products have nearly doubled in some areas. The investment of the industry has led to a clear leadership position of the European fastening industry in the world. To keep up the momentum, and to enhance the European harmonisation process, there are still some opportunities that should be considered in the revision process of the European Commission. These include: The publication process of EADs in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) still takes too long (sometimes many months), mainly driven by formal or administrative reasons, which are beyond the control of the industry stakeholder. The interaction of the public stakeholders in the European technical harmonisation process (EC, EOTA, CEN and member states) need to be developed further to solve issues of conflicts in an efficient and fast way. There is a strong need to avoid blocked processes. The current system deserves a more digital friendly and transparent ‘Change Management and Documentation System’, which can be easily extended in a modular way for future new elements of the European construction product performance qualification system. Maybe the biggest potential for improvement lies in market surveillance, which should be developed stronger on a European level and be fully implemented in all member states. The consistency of a future revised CPR may be increased by systematically engaging industry experts. Of course, next to the opportunities typically there are also risks associated with the revision of the CPR. The current effort to run the EAD/ETA process must stay lean and efficient, no additional efforts or new formal burdens should be requested from the industrial stakeholders and any slowdown of the speed must be avoided. These dimensions, as well as the retention of the confidentiality during the EAD development for new products and/or new applications, are vital for the acceptance of the overall process by small and medium size manufacturers. The transition from the current CPR to a revised CPR must also be managed carefully. The transition from the CPD to the CPR is now less than 10 years old and it took years to implement this with still some elements from the CPD times not yet fully transferred. Therefore, the implementation of a revised CPR should keep in mind that a meaningful and reasonably short transition period is important. This aspect should be developed under the guidance of cost minimisation. The legal framework for construction products is discussed and analysed with respect to performance identification of products in the respective application. Future work for the revision of the current CPR should consider the strength and successes of the current system and eliminate the obvious weaknesses. The efforts, efficiency, and the costs related to the development of harmonised European documents, should be kept on the current level, otherwise there is a considerable risk that the European harmonisation will not further develop and manufacturers will go back to national solutions wherever possible. www.construction-fixings.eu

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Sustainability meets versatility

Safety requirements protecting people and nature are on the increase in every industry and all aspects of life. As a pioneer in the field of sustainable fixing solutions, fischer now offers the new injection mortar FIS V Zero with a patented formula free from hazard labels.

ischer’s new product protects the environment as well as the health of those using it and the buildings it is used in. In doing so, the versatile FIS V Zero achieves the same performance characteristics as other universal mortars. Be it professional applications such as installing railings and post-installed rebar connections or DIY projects such as hammocks – the injection mortar FIS V Zero is suitable for all common chemical fastening applications. The new product combines a secure hold in conventional building materials with the highest health and safety requirements. The innovative formula of the label free universal mortar guarantees user-friendly and secure use with environmentally friendly application and disposal. Used cartridges can be discarded with the usual household waste, avoiding the costly disposal of hazardous waste. fischer points out the FIS V Zero also requires less administrative work, because unlike other injection mortars, it does not require the shipping and handling of hazardous materials.

Innovative formula protects people and planet

By replacing dibenzoyl peroxide and other substances classified as environmentally hazardous, sensitising and eye irritating, the FIS V Zero does not require a hazard label and the corresponding safety data sheet. Instead of this peroxide commonly used for radical curing bonded anchors, the product uses environmentally friendly substances and a new, patented curing mechanism, resulting in maximum protection of people and the environment. Thanks to its innovative formula, the mortar fulfils the highest requirements to maintain clean indoor air quality with VOC content and VOC emissions (Volatile Organic Compounds) as confirmed by the Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold certificate. This makes the universal mortar ideal for closed rooms. The product is furthermore certified in accordance with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, the official ecolabel of the Nordic countries, which identifies products that are particularly environmentally friendly.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

Flexible applications on the construction site

The new universal mortar has a wide range of applications. It has a European Technical Assessment (ETA) for fastenings in concrete (ETA – 20/0572) and all conventional types of masonry (ETA – 21/0267) as well as post installed rebar connections (ETA – 20/0574) and water-filled drill holes. The universal mortar can also be used in any weather condition. By being simple to use in water-filled drill holes, it can also be installed in various conditions on the construction site. The approved installation temperature of -10°C to 40°C allows the product to be used on the construction site all year round, as well as for flexible applications by various trades. An in-house assessment from fischer has confirmed installation temperatures of up to -15°C. The FIS V Zero can be processed in the same manner as other injection mortars. The mortar is injected into the cleaned drill hole into which the system component is inserted to fasten the attachment part in concrete or masonry. Options include the anchor rods FIS A and RG M in solid building materials, available in many different diameter versions (M8 to M24 in concrete and M8 to M16 in masonry). Variable anchoring depths allow it to be adapted to the application and load requirement in concrete. There are also internal threaded anchors for applications in concrete and masonry. System components made of electrogalvanised or stainless steel are available for indoor and outdoor applications. Together with the fischer FRA rebar anchors (stainless steel R), the FIS V Zero is ideal for restoration and renovation projects on reinforced concrete buildings. fischer dispensers allow quick and easy processing of the injection mortar. Upon activating the dispenser, the two separately stored resin and hardener components are mixed and activated in the static mixer. Opened cartridges can be reused. The anchor sleeve FIS HK can additionally be used in perforated construction materials, which guarantees low mortar use with an optimum fit in the chambers of the perforated brick when inserting the anchor rod. www.fischer.de

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS STRUCTURAL STEEL + CLADDING FASTENERS FEATURE

Rebuilding the Genoa bridge Constructing a new bridge in record time is always a challenge, but when it is to replace one that tragically collapsed it becomes an even higher profile project. That is why Nord-Lock Group was proud to offer its wedge-locking washers, which utilise tension instead of friction to secure each bolted joint, as a solution for the new bridge.

ragedy struck Genoa, northwestern Italy, on the morning of 14th August 2018. During a torrential rainstorm, the city’s Ponte Morandi (Morandi Bridge) collapsed so suddenly that some thought it had been struck by lightning. The disaster killed 43 people, destroyed homes and businesses, and exposed infrastructure problems that had existed for decades. Technically, Ponte Morandi was a viaduct, not a bridge – a cable stayed structure 1,182m in length, spanning Genoa’s Polcevera Valley. It connected two areas of the city and formed part of the road network linking Italy to France. When it was completed in 1967, its innovative design by engineer Riccardo Morandi, making use of pre-stressed concrete encasings for its steel cables, was a source of national pride. However, traffic in 1967 was about six million transits annually. By the early 2000s, that amount had quadrupled, and the bridge began to show the strain. In the aftermath of the disaster, the government vowed to dismantle what remained of Ponte Morandi and replace it with a new, safe and reliable viaduct. Renowned Genovese architect Renzo Piano offered his services for free, and the construction contract for what was to become Viadotto Genova-San Giorgio (the Genoa Saint George Bridge) was awarded to PERGENOVA, a consortium created ad hoc for the project.

Construction faced many challenges

To save time, there was no bidding process but PERGENOVA’s credentials were impeccable. Its three participants were Fincantieri Infrastructure, a subsidy of Fincantieri SpA – Italy’s largest shipbuilding company, WeBuild SpA, Italy’s largest engineering and general contractor group (then called Salini Impregilo), and Italferr, a state-owned engineering firm focusing on transportation-related infrastructure. Safety is always the major consideration in bridge construction, but the circumstances of the Genoa project underscored its absolute priority for PERGENOVA. They faced challenges both foreseen and unexpected such as the tight timetable and a restricted construction site. Demolition of the remains of the old bridge continued through to late June 2019, having to take into account the residents living nearby. Unforeseen complications included more than 100 days of rain – the most in a century – beginning in late 2019. Then in early 2020, Covid-19 struck.

Cooperation key to success

The challenge was daunting for Luca Gheddo, general manager of Nord-Lock Srl, and Lorenzo Sartori, head of the technical office for Fincantieri Infrastructure, when they met in August 2019. The new bridge needed bolts that would not loosen under

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

stress, including dynamic loads and traffic vibrations. Moreover, these bolts, once installed, could not be inspected – much less tightened – continually. So, the washers had to be reliable in an elevated setting with difficult access in a saline environment. The solution, they decided, lay with Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers, which utilise tension instead of friction to secure each bolted joint. These washers provide high corrosion resistance, confirming their durability in the harsh environmental conditions of Genoa, Italy’s busiest port. These results are proven by more than 1,000 hours of ISO 9227 salt spray testing. According to Frank Götz, EMEA industry manager for building and steel construction at Nord-Lock Group, some engineers hesitate to use them for fear they do not meet the exacting standards of the European construction regulation EN 1090-2. But in fact, Nord-Lock washers do meet these standards, while also increasing safety and decreasing life cycle cost. Sartori was convinced, and Nord-Lock washers were chosen based on specific functionalities. One series helps secure the frames of the deck edges as well as the bridge ramp, with a wedge design ensuring that the bolts they reinforce cannot loosen on their own, despite exposure to the strong vibrations and dynamic loads characteristic of the bridge and ramp. Separately, a series of steel construction washers were specially designed for use on steel constructions and HV/HR sets (high strength structural bolting assemblies for preloading). They can be found on the bridge platforms where the VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) robots patrol the lower surface of the deck to spot and report on anomalies. Fincantieri infrastructure was pleased not only with the technical specifications of the washers but with Nord-Lock’s speed in providing necessary certification, technical assistance, and product delivery in a timely fashion. The first orders were delivered in January 2020 and Nord-Lock Group was happy to have played a crucial role in this important and challenging project. www.nord-lock.com

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

STRUCTURAL STEEL + CLADDING FASTENERS FEATURE

Blind Bolt – changing the way for designers and architects Thanks to a combination of engineering innovation, new ways of thinking, and manufacturing quality, Owlett-Jaton states the Blind Bolt provides a solution to blind fixing issues which is effective, affordable and versatile.

wlett-Jaton, the master wholesaler for the Blind Bolt brand, has seen consistent growth of the high performance fixing included within its specialist fixings range – JCP. Independently SCI assessed, Owlett-Jaton points out Blind Bolt brings exceptional qualities to the market and is utilised throughout the construction industry in all corners of the world – in areas never expected, as well as growing applications. Every day specifiers come up with new and innovative ways of taking advantage of the unique properties Blind Bolt has to offer. Blind Bolt is a constructional cavity fixing covering both horizontal and vertical applications. The simplicity of the fixing also makes it an ideal choice for fixing steel sections where access is restricted or when working at height. With three different ranges available, Blind Bolt products are commonly used in hollow sections, girders and beams, masonry support systems, as well as cladding and façades. A removable blind fixing, Blind Bolt does not require an oversized hole and can be installed in just a standard hole clearance. Manufactured from high-tensile steel, it has a product range of M8 to M30. For applications requiring a high degree of protection, a Geomet® 500 finish offers approximately 1,000 hours of salt spray protection. A range is also available in A4 stainless steel. The range also features a heavy-duty version with an expanding base and unique pin locking mechanism, as well as a higher tensile strength than the standard Blind Bolt. It guarantees fast installation with no special tools required. Developed to address the need for a shorter blind fixing, Owlett-Jaton reports it is the ideal fixing solution between heavyweight steel sections. It employs a simple activation method designed to reduce installation time and expense; a hammer and spanner are all that’s required. The thin wall bolt

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

was developed to address the need for blind fixings to be used in a lightweight steel sheet or cladding material. After installation, a neat low profile head is left with no stud. Blind Bolt products have been used on a multitude of high profile projects in the UK by leading companies, including the Bull Ring project in Birmingham, British Waterways, Heathrow Airport, and BP/Amoco Oil Production Co. It is also Railtrack approved for up to 125mph (PA05/710) on steel sleepers. JCP’s technical helpline can provide detailed technical information on the installation and removal of Blind Bolts to both customers and end-users. Blind Bolt products are available for free next day delivery, with low minimum order levels, across the majority of the UK mainland. www.owlett-jaton.com

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

New LIGNOLOC® wooden nails with head After receiving the German general construction technique permit in 2020 for its collated LIGNOLOC® wooden nail, BECK has now launched the LIGNOLOC® wooden nail with head – especially for façade applications.

ith its latest product innovation, Raimund BECK KG has completed months of work and fine tuning to ensure the LIGNOLOC® wooden nail with head reaches market maturity. The main target application for these LIGNOLOC nails is horizontal and vertical wood cladding. The nail with head allows exterior cladding panels to be held securely in position. It has a blunt anti-splitting point and is suitable for most common softwood façades, as well as a wide range of other applications, both indoors and outdoors, such as privacy screens, garden sheds, gazebos and room dividers. To go alongside this launch, the most recent version of the LIGNOLOC F60 pneumatic nailer has also been adapted to accept the new nails. LIGNOLOC is the first collated wooden nail for future oriented use in industrial production and ecological wood processing. The wooden nails are made from central European beech wood. The special design of the nail point, and the large amount of heat generated by friction when the nail is driven in at a high-speed, cause the lignin of the wooden nail to weld with the surrounding wood to form a substance-to-substance bond. From production to recycling, the nails also have remarkable eco-friendly properties. European beech wood is a renewable raw material with short transport routes. The wooden nails also convince with many more key benefits. They do not act as thermal bridges and avoid unsightly wood discoloration or traces of corrosion. The nails also cause less tool wear when processing nailed wooden components subsequently.

Innovative airtight technology Recently launched in the UK, TP654 illmod TRIO 1050 window and door sealing tape features new geometric technology to ensure warm and cold air is kept within the structure, providing an airtight finish to support energy efficient buildings. llbruck – a brand part of the Construction Products Group (CPG) – states the new TP654 also offers exceptional acoustic qualities and weather tightness, as well as strength and safety features as standard. Alistair Inglis, sales director for CPG UK’s Sealing, Bonding & Insulation division, said: “TP654 offers an innovative and sustainable solution. The tape provides significant advantages for architects and specifiers, particularly with the industry now working to achieve nearly net zero energy use in new buildings.” Longevity is also assured, with TP654 formulated to robustly withstand weather conditions including UV rays and driving rain resistance up to 1,050 Pa. “Achieving airtightness is also a key factor in TP654’s design, which includes closed cell foam and airtight film technologies – combined with a new geometrical shape for maximum performance. TP654 also helps to create a comfortable and safe environment for building users too, with the design offering enhanced thermal and sound insulation, as well as the reassurance of a B1 flammability class,” concludes Alistair. Offering sealing and bonding products for windows, façades, interiors and exteriors, illbruck caters for the complete building envelope under a single source solution.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

1 9 3 7 - 2 0 2 2 MÜNCHEN-DÜSSELDORF

RESIN MADE IN IN

info@blumorgana.it

UF MAN

ONG

TUR E D BY BO SS

HAppy birthdAy

1 9 6 2 - 2 0 2 2

93 19

THE ITALIAN MANUFACTURER OF CHEMICAL ANCHORS ETA

SEISMIC

ETA

OPTION 1

OPTION 7

ETA

REBAR

MASONRY

DESIGN SOFTWARE

FIRE

STYRENE FREE CLP Classification

RESISTANCE R120 EOTA - TR 020

300 - 165 ml Opening system

fastening systems

w w w . b o s s o n g . c o m Z.I. 2 - Via E. Fermi, 49/51 - 24050 Grassobbio (BG) Tel +39 035 3846 011 - info@bossong.com

FIXING SYSTEMS ETA

OPTION 7

OPTION 7 - 1 SEISMIC C1-C2 ETAG 020 - 014 FIRE

Pictures: Milano-Bergamo landscapes

Keeping things tight. Since 1921.

100 YEARS

When it comes to delivering perfect results, you need a partner you can rely on. With Don Quichotte, you can be certain of just that. We put all of our 100 years of experience into providing first class solutions for fastening, connecting, routing and protection. Count on us for high quality and clever solutions at competitive prices. That’s what we call being at home at your building site. See you around!

www.don-quichotte.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

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

TRADE NAME

t is important to note that existing ETAs may be amended or withdrawn so this list should not be considered definitive. For further information and a full list of valid ETAs visit EOTA’s website. If you have recently received an ETA, and would like to have it included in our table, please email us the full details at editor@verulammedia.com www.eota.eu

COMPANY

ETA NUMBER

TRADE NAME

Metal anchors for use in concrete used as an EAD

Mechanical fasteners for use in concrete

ETA - 98/0004

fischer-Zykon-Anchor FZA, FZA-D, FZA-I, FZA ST

fischerwerke GmbH & Co KG

ETA - 98/0009

Hilti HDA and HDA-R

HILTI Corporation

ETA - 98/0001

Hilti metal expansion anchor HST, HST-R, HST-HCR, HST3 and HST3-R

HILTI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

ETA - 98/0010

Wedge anchor BZ plus and BZ-IG

MKT Metall-Kunststoff-Technik GmbH & Co KG

Metal injection anchors for use in masonry

ETA - 98/0011

Würth Fixanchor W-FAZ and W-FAZ-IG

Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG

ETA - 22/0016

Résine DI Injection anchor

I.N.G. Fixations

CELO ResiTHERM 37

I.N.G. Fixations

ETA - 22/0002

Rotho Blaas Connector Nails LBA

Rotho Blaas Srl

Linear joint and gap seals

Distance fixing system ETA - 22/0026

Résine DI Injection anchor

Nails and screws for use in nailing plates in timber structures

Bonded fasteners for use in concrete ETA - 22/0025

COMPANY

CELO Befestigungssysteme GmbH

Fire stopping and fire sealing products - Penetration seals ETA - 22/0022

Pacifyre® FPW – Fire Protection Wrap

J. van Walraven Holding B.V.

ETA - 22/0023

Pacifyre® G – Fire Protection Graphite Sealant

J. van Walraven Holding B.V.

ETA - 21/1111

Nullifire FS701

tremco-illbruck Ltd

Kits for external wall claddings mechanically fixed ETA - 21/1102

NEOBOND® Riveted Boards, NEOBOND® Suspended Cassettes (Kits based on metal composite panels with NEOBOND® FR and NEOBOND® A2 boards)

Williams Ltd

Rapierstar supports window manufacturing Rapierstar has collaborated with Carl F Groupco and Eurocell to help long established and highly respected UK installer Newview to launch its new window and door manufacturing business – Newframe. ore than GB£1 million (€1.19 million) has been invested in new machinery and technology to create a manufacturing facility capable of delivering Newframe’s goal to raise the bar in terms of quality and service in the local market, as well as for customers across the south of England. The new state of the art PVCu window and door factory in Worthing, UK, will produce around 500 units every week using Eurocell systems, plus Newframe’s own new range of composite doors. To assist in the set-up of this exciting new venture, Rapierstar was invited to provide all the specialist advice needed to develop a fastener specification that will optimise both manufacturing efficiency and safety, as well as long-term finished product performance and quality. It means that everyone in the Newframe factory benefits from clear guidance on what fasteners to use for the many different applications across all window types. Rapierstar produced a series of standard operating procedure sheets to help train the new staff to select the correct fasteners for each of the cells within the factory. These pictorial sheets show which screws work best with the Eurocell profiles and the hardware supplied by Carl F Groupco. Rapierstar Ltd works extensively with fabricators, systems companies, and hardware manufacturers, across the UK and Ireland, to ensure fastener usage is optimised in window and door manufacturing. One of the ways it helps to do this is through a free Fastener Health Check – a full factory audit that reviews which fasteners are being used, and why, before providing a series of recommendations on where improvements can be made, often reducing stockholding and saving money in the process.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

吀攀挀栀渀漀氀漀最礀戀攀栀椀渀搀琀栀攀猀琀愀最攀

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

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY IN-DEPTH COVERAGE OF THE FASTENER MANUFACTURING PROCESS HEADING + FORGING FEATURE

Carlo Salvi Stories: Partnering with CELO With the aim to celebrate business collaboration, success and shared goals, Carlo Salvi has launched ‘Carlo Salvi Stories’ – a series of articles told from the customer’s perspective. Here, in the first from its series, Carlo Salvi focuses on how it helped CELO Group improve its production processes and face the growing complex requirements of its customers.

he current collaboration between Carlo Salvi and CELO is the result of a story of mutual esteem and appreciation. To date, CELO has installed 15 new high-tech Carlo Salvi headers in its factory in Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 1963 by Mr Ceravalls and Mr Lopez, CELO is specialised in the development and manufacturing of parts for automotive and for electrical fields. “We met at the 2018 wire® Düsseldorf show, which led to us trialling some machines in our factory in Garlate, Italy, focusing on a representation of CELO’s production range,” comments Marco Pizzi, chief commercial officer at Carlo Salvi. ”This enabled us to prove we were the right partner for CELO

to upgrade and modernise its machinery. Our aim was to reduce CELO’s machinery, as well as time and costs, and increase the productivity by up to as much as 20% – 30%.” Openness, entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration are the values that were underlined throughout the project, since its beginning. The expert team of both companies shared their know-how to develop a tailor-made solution able to satisfy requests and needs. In two years, CELO had replaced around 30 machines with quick and reliable Carlo Salvi headers, enabling it to achieve and overcome the production expectations promised. As well as this, the easy and quick

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

tool set-up also allowed CELO to save time. “We looked at Carlo Salvi due to our need to improve our production processes and fit them to the market’s volatility,” explains Teresa Pons, plant manager at CELO. “The current growing market demand requires a series of parts more and more complex and completely customised. CELO is determined to face the changes and uncertainties of this period and is able to look to the future with versatility and trust. Carlo Salvi’s headers contributed and will continue giving our company a boost to face challenges.”

Carlo Salvi Stories

Carlo Salvi SpA specialises in the production of special headers for cold and hot wire forming. Carlo Salvi’s headers are sold directly or through agents and official distributors and are used all over the world by well known fastener manufacturers in a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace and electrical. Having thousands of headers all around the world, Carlo Salvi wants to showcase the significance of team spirit and solidarity, which has never been more important – especially in times of a pandemic. www.carlosalvi.com

StudioDagAgency.com

Our performance. Your advantage.

Combined Machines

Tapping & Secondary Operations

Carlo Salvi

Full Key Solution Cold and Warm Metal Forming.

Special Assembling Machines

Tools

Customized turnkey solutions with integration of equipment for secondary operations like: threading, pointing, drilling, tapping, washing and packaging machines. A complete line can be pre-assembled and tested at our plant. “Our success is entirely reflected in the satisfaction

carlosalvi.com < > hatebur.com

of each customer”.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY HEADING + FORGING FEATURE

The right twist for large screws LASCO states that hot forming on its screw presses, with electric direct drive, provides an optimal forming process for standard and special screws of larger dimensions. Depending on the press size, screws with shank diameters of up to 90mm can be produced.

irstly, bar material is cut to size and fed to a heating device for partial heating of the bar head. The bar sections then pass through an induction unit in which either the bar heads are heated to forging temperature partially (long screws) or over the entire length (short screws). Loading into the lower die of the screw press and unloading is performed by two robots. In the die of the LASCO screw press, the head is formed by a maximum of two strokes. For special screws with oversized heads, it may be necessary to perform a taper operation before the upsetting operation – due to the risk of buckling. In these cases, the press is equipped with a shifting slide on the press ram, which carries the two different upper dies. A hydraulic ejector lifts the screw out of the lower die after the forming process. The ejector is also height adjustable to adapt for different screw lengths.

LARGE SCREWS forged on

screw presses

Large screws for wind turbines are produced

on LASCO screw presses, which provide their performance with maximum accuracy at

minimum energy consumption. Direct-drive

screw presses – made by the specialist in solid forming machinery and equipment: LASCO Umformtechnik GmbH

Hahnweg 139 • 96450 Coburg • Germany phone +49 9561 642-0 LASCO.COM

Screw press SPR 400 installed at the German plant of Sternberg

Forging with and without flash

In practice, both process and tool designs can be found in which forging is carried out without flash, as well as the design deliberately with flash. Flashless forging requires very precise, usually peeled source material, in addition to exact cutting of the billets to length by sawing. In the case of forging with flash, the die is designed in such a way that the flash forms radially on the screw head rest. It is trimmed hot in a separate operation directly after the forging process in a downstream trimming press or cold after cooling. If it is possible to keep the flash small, it is also possible to remove the flash in the course of machining the screw head rest. Screw presses with the four quadrant frequency converter controlled drive, that are driven directly with electricity, are ideally suited for these forming tasks, due to their high accuracy and reproducibility of the impact energy output. In addition, the converter function allows energy to be recovered through recuperation. Due to the characteristic of the non-stroke bound forging unit, and when the impact energy is precisely adjusted, the dies always close on the impact surfaces and optimum part accuracy is achieved. With the frequency converter, the speed and thus the impact energy of the press can be adjusted so precisely that forging takes place with minimal excess energy. This ensures the dies are not exposed to unnecessarily high loads. Specialising in modern machine tools, efficient production lines, and comprehensive automation technology, LASCO Umformtechnik GmbH supplies machines and systems for metal forming, forging technology and sheet metal forming around the world – in very demanding and hostile production environments. Headquarterd in Coburg, Germany, Lasco has representations and sales offices in 60 countries. www.lasco.com

precote meets electronics ®

precote® 50

thread locking + sealing

omniTECHNIK Mikroverkapselungs GmbH Munich | Germany | precote.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Forming station

HEADING + FORGING FEATURE

A master of combined headers SACMA Group is well known for designing and manufacturing combined headers that are able to produce fasteners from M4 to M24, and to date, has provided more than 4,000 combined headers worldwide. Here, SACMA outlines step-by-step how combined headers work and the benefits of its innovative technology.

ll SACMA machines are fitted as standard with hydraulic clamping of die side adjustments, such as threaded sleeves, kick out levers and trimming cam. The M version, with motorised DKO adjustment, is an important system to reduce the changeover time and to speed up the fine setting. The set-up data of each product code is also stored in the PLC. Via the control panel, the operator can adjust the machine automatically to the feed length, the stock gage position, and the DKO stroke. As well as this, the hydraulic clamping of adjustments and tools is a great help when setting the machine, assuring the best repeatability. “We are proud that the transfer mechanism of SACMA combined machines is considered the world benchmark,” comments SACMA. “So much so, that the transfer mechanism has been the subject of many unsuccessful imitation attempts.” The precise movement of the transfer fingers is determined by a smooth oscillating mechanism, which is generated by perfect desmodromic cams. This also enables a perfect control of the whole system at the maximal production speed. The multiple adjustments, such as timing of the transfer phase, variation of the clamping force, variation of the opening/closing speed of the fingers, as well as the absence of springs, also allow the safe transfer of long and short parts at the highest speed.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

From the forming station the parts are directed to the pointing station by means of a fingers elevator, which is easily adjusted in width according to the diameter of the shank. The adjustment is made by a micrometric system and is simple to implement. The forged parts are then fed to the pointing unit where the extremity of the shank will be machined. Here it is possible to produce points with different geometries and angles, including the typical 90° robot point widely used in the automotive industry. From the pointing station the blanks are then fed to the flat die thread rolling station.

Pointing station

MULTI OPERATION MACHINES

ALL-IN-ONE for high productivity requirements and rational production methods www.sacmagroup.com

FORMING

WASHER ASSEMBLING

MACHINING

VIBRATING HOPPER

POINTING

ROTARY ROLLING

DRILLING

WEIGHT CONTROLLING

THREADING

TAPPING

VERTICAL LOADING

Four Companies to design and to manufacture cutting edge multi operation solutions.

Forming, Rolling, Machining, Drilling, Tapping and Loading. The proper and best answer to high productivity requirements, rationalization of production methods, floor lay-out and material flow in fastener and special parts manufacturing environment is represented by performing more operations, All-In-One. Those machines allow maximal efficiency and quality in the manufacturing processes by reducing intermediate operations and stocks: - Sacma Combined Header with forming, pointing and threading stations - Ingramatic Combined Threader with washer assembly, rotary rolling and flat dies threading stations. - HS Aspe Combined and Transfer machines with drilling, tapping and machining units. - Tecno Lift Combined Loading units with vibrating hopper, weighing station and elevating device. Ask for more information to : info@sacmalimbiate.it

Sacma Limbiate S.p.A.

Viale Dei Mille 126-128 • 20812 Limbiate (MB) - ITALY Ph. +39 0299 4521 • info@sacmalimbiate.it

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY The threading station carries a flat die, alternating motion, main slide. As well as this, a stop gate and a single starter blade system, fitted at the end of the rails, helps guarantee a perfect introduction of the blanks between the roll dies. The match adjustment of the threaded profiles can be obtained either by means of the eccentric mechanism of the connecting rod, which drives the slide, or by means of a wedge that provides vertical adjustment of the fixed die – which can be adjusted in all three directions. Next, calibrated hardened spacers are quickly fit behind the fixed die according to the thread size for a quick changeover.

By having the forming and thread rolling all in one machine, SACMA says its combined headers are a good solution for high productivity requirements, consolidation of production methods, as well as floor space utilisation and workflow in fastener manufacturing. “The floor utilised by a combined header against a line of connected machines is normally 1 to 3. Consequently, more parts produced per area make the overall plant more profitable and efficient,” explains SACMA. “Often one operator can manage two or three small combined headers, saving maintenance costs – as well as a faster production changeover thanks to the fully motorised adjustments and the direct drive motor, which enables a very easy set-up of the threading station.” Other advantages of the combined SACMA headers include a soundproof enclosure, as well as a sealed area which houses the cooling and lubricating oils to ensure no oil leakage, less pollution and a clean and safe working place. All SACMA machines are also recognised as ‘quick plug in’ equipment, which means the combined headers are ready for production just a few hours after installation.

SACMA says its combined headers are a good solution for high productivity requirements.”

Thread rolling station

In addition, SACMA’s V version of the combined headers has been designed for the production of very short fasteners. A shutter elevator feeds the blanks from the heading station to the bowl of a vibratory feeder, where the parts are correctly orientated and delivered by rails to the pointing unit. The pointed blanks thereafter go to the rolling station to form the thread. By means of dedicated devices, the pointing operation or the rolling operation can be bypassed, according to the process the customer intends to apply.

SP18 combined header In addition to the multi station combined headers, SACMA is also reintroducing the 1D2B combined header for small and self-tapping screws – widely used in different industry fields. This combined header can produce fasteners and screws for the automotive, construction, electric/electronic, and white goods industries, starting from wire.

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

1D2B combined header model KSP12-R For the new SACMA combined header model KSP12-R, these advantages mean it can run fasteners from M3 to M8, with a maximum shaft length of 60mm, in the best technical and economical way. The KSP12-R combines typical SACMA solutions, proven by thousands of machines, with the most advanced mechatronic technology available on the market. The one piece main frame featuring pearlitic cast iron naturally aged for at least 12 months, as well as being machined with high precision, is a guarantee of rigidity and stability for all machine life. Main set-up adjustments for the KSP12-R are now also motorised for a quick and friendly changeover. This includes a S-feed wire feeder driven by a torque motor, motorised wire stock gauge and DKO, as well as threading starter driven by torque motor with selflearning function. The quality management is facilitated by two gates interfaced with the load monitoring system and discharging NC parts, after the header and after the roller. An optional sophisticated load control system protects the machine against overloads and monitors the forming and rolling processes. Scraps separating grids in different sizes are available when producing self-tapping screws. “The benefits of these features make the KSP12-R the best value for the customer, allowing a quick pay back of investment,” concludes SACMA. “The legendary durability of SACMA machines, together with the everlasting availability of spares, is the guarantee of long-term success and profit.” www.sacmagroup.com

AUTOMATIC TAPPING MACHINES The Automatic Tapping Machines are based on reversible spindle architecture, mechanically driven by lead screw or brushless synchronized motion systems. Internal threads, within the range M2 to M36, can be executed using standard taps in both technologies, cutting and forming. Modularity is at the core of the machines. In relation to the characteristics of the application, it's possible to place single/double spindles enabling two autonomous working areas. Flexibility is maximized with the possibility to work two geometrically different parts in completely independent processes, within the machine footprint. Precision in operation is achieved using a structurally rigid design of frame, along with the engineered and innovative design of the positioning/clamping devices. Orthogonality and concentricity in conjunction with other dimensional/geometrical features, are lifetime guaranteed. Regarding productivity, a conﬁguration with four spindles, with an output rate up to 200 pieces/minute, represents the ultimate machine conﬁguration.

www.hsaspe.com

Lorem ipsum

- Secondary Operations Machines For Fasteners -

Automatic Tapping Machines

Combined Machines

Transfer Machines

Multi Spindle Turning Machines

H.S. AUTOMAZIONI s.r.l. • Via San Maurizio 184/17 • 10073 CIRIE’ (TO) • ITALY • sales@hsautomazioni.it

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY HEADING + FORGING FEATURE

Decentralised machine control with servo technology Over the past 20 years HATEBUR has continued to implement state of the art servo technology in its cold forming COLDmatic machines. This includes its servo-electric direct drive technology, which it has recently implemented on its CM625 and CM725 horizontal multi-stage presses.

he implementation comes after the successful introduction of the servo drives for part transport and material infeed, which now means that all three units have been converted to electric drive technology – giving users many advantages. The servo electric linear infeed displays consistence and speed, as well as easy maintenance and changeover. The same goes for the servo transfer unit, which HATEBUR AG says boasts ease of use, flexibility, minimised changeover times and optimised process reliability. Another important advantage of the servo technology is its flexibility. Infeed, part transport and direct drive can all be programmed and controlled independently. For example, the direct drive can be slowed down at the rear dead centre, allowing more time for the lateral transport of the parts. As a result, raw parts with a

length of up to 155mm can be transported, which is almost 20% larger than before. In addition, the individual control of the press ram allows for unique motion control. A further highlight is the hand wheel, which gives a better feeling for the machine; shortens set-up times; and provides for an intuitive machine operation. Tool life has also been extended, as well as the ergonomics and workspace layout being improved. One of the key benefits of the servo direct drive is that high maintenance mechanical units such as drive belts, flywheels and brake-clutch combinations are no longer needed and the components of the direct drive are practically maintenance-free. With the HATEBUR CM725, up to 180 parts with a diameter of up to 32mm can be produced with a maximum pressing force of 2,500kN per minute. It is ideal for the manufacture of complex cold formed parts for the automotive industry.

CEIA Induction Heating Systems for Fastener Industry

THE HEATING TECHNOLOGY FOR: warm forming • thread rolling • thread-locking • hardening • forging

 T +3 9 0 5 7 5 4 1 8 1  E powercube@ceia-spa.com  W w w w.ceia-power.com

The best partner for your production!

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY HEADING + FORGING FEATURE

All-in-one hot forging line The Videx hot forging line consists of six to ten machines, which the company states is the only hot forging line of its kind – replacing the traditional separate forging presses and trimming operation machines, The Videx line is also fully automated.

vailable in 100MT to 500MT,.the Videx forging machine has a thread range of M20 to M48 and up, with a part length of 200mm – 1,000mm. The production rate is 4 – 6 parts per minute. The line consists of straighten and cut machine for coil or from long bars; a chamfer machine; extrusion machine – extruding the chamfered end from major to pitch diameter; transfer machine – feeding the bars through an induction heating machine; double blow, solid die forging machines with five stations – one feed station, two forging stations and two ejecting stations; cooling conveyor; and a thread rolling machine.

The chamfered and extruded bars are fed into the die by a pneumatic piston. The feed dial then indexes the parts to the first forging station, which upsets the parts and breaks the scale. To complete the head shape, parts are then moved to the second forging station. After heading, the parts are ejected to a conveyor that transfers them onto a cooling conveyor – saving intermediate storage and handling – before the parts are placed into the thread rolling machine. “The VSD line is a unique solution, starting from the raw material and ending with a fully sellable product,” comments Videx Machine Engineering Ltd. “It is the fastest of its kind and enables the production of long bolts. The machine also has in-line cooling, which saves intermediate storage and handling, and features a single panel control for all machines, meaning only one operator is required to run the whole line.”

ROLL WITH THE BEST

FLAT DIES Our tools stand out for their quality, precision, reliability and durability.

THREAD ROLLS

PLANETARY DIES

Personalized Technical Assistance. Custom made tools.

In-house coatings (NIT/GG) that increase tool life, reducing your threading costs.

Tool regrinding service. GUARANTEED REPLY IN 24 HOURS info@heroslam.com

www.heroslam.com

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

2 DIE - 3 BLOW PART FORMER

Model XP6

Nakashimada’s all-new advanced 2D3B “XP6” enables much better cutoff-surface with new, unique Chamfering Device. Quick Change Punch Cassettes and Modular Jig also drastically improve changeover time.

1. OPTIONAL SECOND TRANSFER FINGER 3

2. QUICK CHANGE PUNCH CASSETTE 3. OPTIONAL CHAMFERING DEVICE 4. OPTIONAL MODULAR JIG FOR CHANGEOVER NAKASHIMADA USA

NAKASHIMADA RONDERSON MACHINERY LIMITED SHENZHEN, CHINA Phone: +86 (0) 755-822-11008 Fax: +86 (0) 755-612-37382 Mobile: +86 1355-477-0032 Email: new@ronderson.com

Visit WWW.NAKASHIMADA.CO.JP to find an agent near you.

NAKASHIMADA EUROPE

HANSASTR. 7, 90441 NUREMBERG, GERMANY Phone: +49 (0) 173 3575 928 Fax: +49 (0) 911 5198 220 Email: narumi.fukui@nakashimada.org

NAKASHIMADA ENGINEERING WORKS, LTD.

1164-4 HIYOSHI, HIROKAWA, YAME, FUKUOKA, 834-0196, JAPAN PHONE: +81(0) 943 32-4331 FAX: +81(0) 943 32-5134 http://www.nakashimada.co.jp E-mail: sales@nakashimada.co.jp

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Innovative coating process for small parts Fasteners, bolts and small parts with internal drives play a key role in industrial assembly processes when it comes to the secure fastening of components and assembly groups. Equally important is their corrosion protection – particulary in challenging areas of use. This is why EJOT, WMV and Dörken have joined forces to develop a technological innovation for applications in the dip spin process.

hether it is in the automotive or telecommunications industries, medical technology, electronics or pneumatics – small fastening elements are used everywhere, just a few millimetres in size and typically featuring internal drives such as TORX® or TORX PLUS®. Providing these small fasteners with long-term protection against corrosion calls for a special zinc flake coating. However, fastening technology specialist EJOT saw room for improvement with the technology used thus far, with the company subsequently deciding to invest in its own coating centre of excellence. Together with Dörken and WMV, a new coating technology was developed at the EJOT site in Tambach-Dietharz, Thuringia, Germany, which enables very even and thin coating structures to be achieved. Corrosion expert Dörken supplies the part’s specific coating material to EJOT and was also involved in the planning of the project. This also applies to the third company in the alliance, the globally active manufacturer of coating plants, WMV.

State of the art technology

Together the companies identified an ideal, parts specific coating and developed a machine capable of coating 120kg material with a simultaneous position shifting at an acceleration of 32 g (g-force). The WMV PULZ® unit – a planet wheel, roller and coating centrifuge – for which a patent is pending – is used to coat items such as small parts with hollow spaces, as well as fasteners. Due to the high requirements on corrosion protection a zinc flake system from Dörken is used. Permanent rotation with simultaneously high acceleration level (32 g) results in the even, process safe and thin coating of the parts in the modern PULZ unit. This also benefits the environment, as the optimised coating process results in a reduction in CO 2 emissions of around 30% compared to previous processes. The project as a whole cost a great deal of time and effort for the companies involved, but all challenges could ultimately be overcome. How? By testing, experimenting and thinking outside of the box. “Innovation sometimes takes time. But with this project, we have not only developed a unique technological innovation, but also a really good partnership,” says Christos Tselebidis, sales director at Dörken.

Application engineering advantages

Dr Fabian Simonsen, operations manager at the Thermal and Surface Coating Centre at EJOT, is also delighted with the expansion of areas of application for small fasteners: “Finally, it is possible to also coat small, complex parts in a process safe manner, without clogging TORX or TORX PLUS drives. Our customers have waited a long time for this.” This considerably improved product quality can now also be measured reliably. In contrast to the previous, improvised method of measuring the depth of penetration of the drive using a standard

100 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

State of the art technology for zinc flake coating at the EJOT site in Tambach-Dietharz assembly bit, EJOT has enabled the use of gauge measurements for the bit penetration of TORX PLUS drive systems. This means that an objective method for checking the bit accessibility of zinc flake coated fasteners is available on the market for the first time.

www.brankamp.com

Experience & professionalism since 1966

MONITORING SOLUTIONS

ready for your warehouse, including:

• Production of high-strength bolts: 10.9 – 8.8 – 5.6 • Partially or fully threaded rod / threaded rod grade • 8.8 Clamping bolts • M4 to M100 – Rolled threads and metric trapezoidal

CERTIFICATES EN 1090-1:2009+A1:2011 UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 ISO 9001

FOR SMART FORMING

Bonfatti Filettature s.r.l. Via De Nicola, 42 - 41100 Modena, Italy Tel: +39 059 251604 Fax: +39 059 254226 email: info@bonfattifilettature.it www.bonfattifilettature .it

mayes warwick quarter page-2018-outlines.pdf

25/01/2018

10:17

TOOL PROTECTION BIG DATA ANALYSIS

PROCESS OPTIMISATION

MACHINE PROTECTION

PRODUCTIVITY INCREASE

CMY

QUALITY CONTROL

SET UP AIDE

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

100% inspection and sorting with Dimac As more and more industries demand top quality screws with 100% inspection, Dimac continues to develop innovative inspection and sorting solutions. This includes the new MCV6 glass rotary table machine and the MCV0 high-speed rotary table machine for micro screws.

CV6 is a new glass rotary table machine featuring a part feeding system designed to achieve the highest output rates with any type of part to be sorted, regardless of whether it is a metal or plastic piece. It combines the advantages of bowl feeders with a conveyor belt and a metering device to orient and deposit the items on the glass, each one equidistant. The machine vision controller also features the latest generation processors, which guarantee high-speed inspection of up to 1,000 pieces/minute – with up to 12 cameras for dimensional controls and surface defect detection. The Dimac MCVx vision software also includes new drag and drop tools developed to measure complex geometries and to scan any surface for aspect anomalies. MCV6 also utilises AI algorithms, together with state of the art equipment for defect recognition, including 3D laser sensors, SFS stations and NDT eddy current devices. MCV6 is made to run 24/7 – unsupervised and programmed offline. Any operator can be trained to operate the machine, with no special skills required. Also available from Dimac Srl is the MCV0 high-speed rotary table machine – suitable for micro screws between M1.5 to M4 up to 25mm shank length. MCV0 features a feeding system with interchangeable pick and place feeding rails dedicated to any size of screw; a rotary table with an outer diameter of 100mm; as well as optical and NDT stations. The basic machine version also includes a digital head top camera with brightfield coaxial illumination; software tools for the screw head dimensional controls, presence, and shape of

the head socket; as well as a side digital camera with backlight illumination. This side camera performs the screw side profile analysis for full dimensional control of the head diameter, head height, shank diameter, shank length, thread major diameter, thread minor diameter, pitch of the thread, thread angle, as well as any other geometrical features of the screw. The machine features an output rate of up to 1,000 pieces per minute.

Inspection machines integration into MES and ERP

The inspection and sorting machines produced by Dimac can be integrated in any company network and connected via MES and ERP into the manufacturing process thanks to Connectivity Pack 4.0 – a software suite developed by Dimac to keep machines connected and exchanging data. The software suite includes API, such as MCV_Plant, which allows the supervision of the machine functions in ‘real time’ for the MES. Each machine in the sorting department is represented on the desktop screen with its icon. By clicking on the machine icon the current machine status is visible together with all the information regarding the current sorting cycle – total number of parts sorted, total OK parts, total NOK and classification statistics for the NOK parts. The suite also features API MCV_ERP, which allows the exchange of the sorting cycle data between the machine and the company ERP system in CSV format or SQL database format. Lastly, the API MCV_Remote feature allows offline programming of the sorting machine. www.dimacsrl.com

Forming with induction wire heating workshop Following a trend towards induction wire heating, WAFIOS forming technology experts recently met wire heating experts from HIMMELWERK GmbH in Wuppertal to discuss the advantages of wire heating. AFIOS explains the trend towards induction wire heating has recently sharply increased, especially in the forming of stainless steels, special alloys such as Inconel® and titanium materials. In the last five years, WAFIOS Umformtechnik alone has equipped approximately 20 different cold formers in various expansion stages with induction heating – not only in Europe, but all over the world. “The advantages of wire heating in the immediate vicinity of forming has impressed users,” comments WAFIOS. “These include optimised material flow and thus higher quality products, as well as an extended tool service life – potentially even forming with fewer press stages is possible. The workshop enabled us to start what we hope to be an even closer cooperation with HIMMELWERK.” WAFIOS Umformtechnik will emphasise the advantages of wire heating even more proactively from now on. In addition to personal discussions with users, further marketing measures are also planned – so that everyone who uses the quality machines from Wuppertal learns about the decisive advantages of induction wire heating.

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Expanite provides sustainable alternative to Teflon® In addition to technical and commercial advantages, the environmental compatibility and sustainability of the Expanite process is playing an increasingly important role for customers. Expanite is becoming a popular alternative to classic fluoroplastic coatings such as Teflon®, Halar® or Xylan®.

fter the discovery of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) – also known as Teflon® – in 1938, some time passed before technically usable applications for the highly inert material paved their way. Today, coatings based on per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), known by their trade names such as Teflon®, Halar® or Xylan® or more generally referred to by the abbreviations ECTFE, PFA, FEP, ETFE, PVDF, etc, are applied in many areas to optimise the sliding and non-stick properties, as well as wear and corrosion resistance of components. In addition to the well known disadvantages of coatings, such as inhomogeneous layer thicknesses, layer detachment and increased corrosion attack if the coating is damaged, PFASbased products have another substantial deficit – the highly stable, and therefore not completely degradable, carbon-fluorine compounds are harmful not only for humans but also to the environment and can cause cancer, among other things.

Expanite surface hardening offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative.”

Accordingly, there has been a trend towards avoiding the use of these materials since the early 2000s, especially when it comes to improving wear and corrosion resistance. Expanite surface hardening offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative. The Expanite technology is based on a gas process in which carbon and nitrogen are diffused in the component surface. The otherwise comparable soft and wear prone stainless steel material hardens by a factor of up to 10 and while classic diffusion processes impacting corrosion resistance of the material, the Expanite processes generally improve the corrosion properties of the component.

Sustainable against wear and galling

Besides the elimination of carcinogenic substances, Expanite’s gas-based diffusion process is significantly more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than comparable wear protection processes, and thanks to treatment in a vacuum, no time-consuming cleaning of the parts, with potentially aggressive chemicals, is necessary after hardening. “The different cases in which Expanite is used as an alternative to such plastic coatings are widely spread and can be found, for example, in the areas of pumps and valves, food and beverage or general industrial applications,” explains Dr Holger Selg, application expert and Expanite sales director DACH. “First and foremost, we increase the wear and galling resistance of stainless steel components. By hardening the surface, the sliding properties are improved at the same time and, depending on the application, offer an adequate replacement for fluoroplastic coatings.” The Expanite technology, specially developed for corrosion resistant materials, offers a solution for austenitic, martensitic, ferritic, and duplex stainless steels, as well as for expensive nickel-based alloys such as Inconel and Hastelloy. Moreover, ExpaniteHard-Ti, which the Expanite team of experts has developed, is used for titanium grades.

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TESTING

INSIGHT INTO TESTING METHODS FOR THE FASTENER SECTOR

MECHANICAL TESTING FEATURE

Instron® introduces new 3400 and 6800 Series universal testing systems Building on a 75 year legacy of excellence in mechanical testing, Instron has announced the capacity expansion of the 3400 and 6800 Series universal testing systems.

he all new 3400 and 6800 Series high force universal testing systems are successors to Instron’s popular 3300 and 5900 Series systems and are now available in force capacities ranging up to 300kN. With the higher capacities come a host of new features focused on durability, ergonomics and simplifying mechanical testing.

Built to perform and built to last

Instron’s 3400 and 6800 Series provide a new dimension of performance and durability. Reduction in debris ingress has been achieved through gasketing and a patent-pending airflow design. The frames have been fortified against shock and vibration, allowing for continuous testing at the maximum rated frame capacity. Additional design steps were taken to locate internal electrical and mechanical hardware safely away from the test area, while an abrasion resistant coating is applied to the 12mm metal work surface for durability. Both series are equipped with maintenance-free brushless AC servomotors supporting continuous cyclic, creep and relaxation testing for up to 10 days. The 3400 Series provides a data acquisition rate up to 1,000Hz and the 6800 Series increases the data acquisition rate up to 5,000Hz, ensuring that a test event is never missed. The culmination of these enhancements is a universal testing system built to perform today and for years into the future.

User safety

Accidents occur at the highest frequency during test set-up and Instron has taken on the challenge to reduce the rate of recurrence with its patent-pending Operator Protect system architecture, along with Safety Coaching. Operator Protect and Safety Coaching are built into the 3400 and 6800 Series and are designed to limit the machine’s movement during test set-up – while providing visual machine status reminders to the operator and bystanders. When the system is in set-up mode, several new features are present to reduce the risk of accidents. Crosshead movement speed is restricted; the

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Smart-Close Air Kit restricts gripping pressure on low force grips to a pre-defined safe level; and Safety Coaching uses system lighting and a colour-coded border around the software to visually indicate the machine is in safe set-up mode. Once the operator is ready to begin testing, a virtual interlock button allows the enablement of the system’s full crosshead speed, full grip pressure capabilities, and triggers visual cues that signify the safety limits have been removed for testing. System movement on the 3400 Series is controlled from a redesigned Operator Panel, while the 6800 Series introduces a new ergonomic handset that allows the user to operate the system from a distance.

User comfort

To improve operator comfort, the new 3400 and 6800 Series systems are available with a tall base option. The tall base moves the testing platform to an ergonomically comfortable height and adds a shelf for storage. The 3400 and 6800 Series also have an all new contoured base design – allowing the operator easy access to the test space for fixture assembly and a comfortable reach to the control panel on the 3400 Series or the handset on the 6800 Series.

Testing repeatability

All 6800 Series systems are equipped with an Auto Positioning feature, which remembers a pre-assigned fixture separation and the starting location for the assigned test method. When using a test method configured with Auto Positioning, an operator is shown a picture of the assigned fixtures; reminded to set travel limits; and notified when and where the crosshead will move for test commencement. The goal of Auto Positioning is to improve data repeatability and reduce testing errors.

Collision Mitigation

The 3400 and 6800 Series systems are equipped with a new Collision Mitigation feature to help reduce accidental equipment and specimen damage. Collision Mitigation enables the systems to continually monitor force during jog and return. It will also automatically stop the crosshead movement if an unexpected force is detected. Mishaps happen and the goal of Collision Mitigation is to reduce the negative financial and downtime impacts associated with such occurrences. www.instron.com

TESTING MECHANICAL TESTING FEATURE

The history of the impact test Here SMT Srl, the independent testing laboratory and mechanical workshop – with over 30 years of experience in mechanical, chemical, metallographic and mechanical fracture testing – looks at how the impact test was discovered and developed.

uring the nineteenth century the railway had an important and rapid development both in Europe and in the United States. All of this involved building locomotives, tunnels, bridges, stations and many other structures. Parallel to this development, unexpected ruptures began to occur in metallic material between 1840 and 1860 – most of them occurred without any warning because they were due to brittle fractures. These failures were investigated and it was determinated that they could occur even when the stresses were lower than the critical values. All this happened in the presence of random or periodic cyclic loads, thus the phenomenon of fatigue was discovered. With the discovery of fatigue came the need to find a test capable of predicting the behaviour of metallic materials when subjected to cyclic stress. It took several years and several stages to arrive at a test shared by all. Firstly, in 1857 Captain T.J Rodman created the first drop-weight machine to improve the performance of steels intended for weapons. Then, in 1892, Le Chatelier introduced the use of notched specimens for the test with the drop-weight machine. He observed that the presence of a notch caused brittle fracture on steels that showed ductile behaviour when tested in unnotched form. Next S. Bent Russel, in 1898, devised a new machine in which he used an hammer in the form of a pendulum. The purpose of

this machine was to measure the energy absorbed by the sample – calculating the difference between the height of the pendulum before and after the fracture. This pendulum was of considerable size and was capable of fracturing full section samples. In the same period, 1901, in France, George A. A. Charpy, used a pendulum very similar to the one used today, but where the samples are notched bars. His aim was to standardise the test in order to create a database with uniform data. From that time on, metallurgists concentrated their efforts on creating a standardised test. Two specimens were mainly used: 10mm x 10mm section with a length of 53mm and with a deep notch from 2mm to 5mm, and with a radius of 1mm. A specimen with the same aspect ratio as the previous one but with the dimensions multiplied by three. The smaller specimen proved to be a winner because it allowed the use of smaller and cheaper machines. The tests carried out with standardised specimens quickly brought the first important results. During the IATM congress (1912) a steel producer presented a report showing that thanks to the improvement given by the resilience tests they had managed to reduce the number of parts rejected due to brittle behaviour by twenty times. In 1922 the ASTM organised a symposium dedicated to the impact test and the following year an ASTM sub-commission was appointed with the aim of preparing a standard. It was 10 years before the ASTM E23-33T ‘Tentative Method of Impact Testing of Metallic Materials’ was published, where the use of the pendulum, both Charpy and Izod, the specimen with V-notch, and the imperial measuring system, was defined. This standard still exists and was revised in 2018. Discussions arose about the radius that the striker should have, which in the UK was 0.57mm, while in France 2mm. In 1940 it was decided to adopt a radius of 8mm, which was formalised in ASTM E23-41, together with the U-shaped notch and the use of the metric system. Despite all these efforts, the impact test was not yet included in construction specifications and regulations. However, between 1942 and 1946 there were a significant number of Liberty ship failures. The reason was investigated and a relationship was discovered between impact properties and transition temperature. A relationship that was not found with the tensile test, chemical analysis and microstructure. The minimum impact test value was determined to be 15 ft-lb. From here to the present day, the value of the impact test was also taken into account during design, both in terms of absorbed energy and transition temperature, and thanks to this, accidents and damage that could have caused deaths and considerable economic damage were avoided. www.smtsrl.com

Bibliography:

Historical Background and Development of the Charpy Test – L. Toth, H.P. Rossmanith, T.A., Siewert. Impact Testing Yesterday and Today – Enrico Lucon, Chris McCowan. Pendulum Impact Testing: A Century of Progress – T. A. Siewert, Michael P. Manahan.

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TESTING MECHANICAL TESTING FEATURE

The facts of pendulum testing Here Cesar Certini, owner of CERMAC Srl – an Italian testing machine manufacturer – focuses on pendulum impact testing machines and how they can be used to determine the amount of energy absorbed by a material during fracture.

endulum impact testing machines are high energy machines that can be used to determine the energy dissipated during fracture of a wide variety of materials, including high strength steels, metals and composites. A standard pendulum impact testing machine is made up of the following key parts: Foundation, to which the machine must be bolted. Anvils and structure supporting the pendulum. Pendulum, including the hammer. Test piece support. Indicating equipment for the absorbed energy (analogue and/or digital). There are two types of pendulum impact tests – Izod and Charpy. For the Izod impact test the sample material is held vertically with the notch facing the pendulum. In a Charpy impact test the sample is held in a horizontal position, with the notch facing away from the pendulum. The decision on which method to be used is normally based on the design and testing configuration of the sample. CERMAC focuses on machines that carry out the Charpy impact test, which is very simple to perform. Firstly, the hammer is led to a fixed height (H) and then is released and dropped by gravity. During its fall, the hammer impacts the test piece exactly in the middle and, after fracture, it continues its motion going up to a height lower than the initial one it started at (h). From this test the absorbed energy can then be calculated: The energy (Ep) of the hammer at the moment in which it hits the test piece is equal to its mass (m) multiplied by the loss of height of the centre of gravity of the hammer (H), while the residual energy (Ef) after impact with the test piece is equal to the mass of the hammer multiplied for the ascent height (h) after the impact. To obtain the energy absorbed by the specimen, it is sufficient to make the difference between the two energies, the initial and the final one:

CERMAC pendulums are built in such a way as to satisfy a series of characteristics that allow them to comply with international standards...”

Energy absorbed by the test piece = Ep - Ef = m x (H-h)

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Until a few decades ago, most of the pendulums in test laboratories had an available energy of 300J, but with the improvement of materials and heat treatments, this energy is sometimes not enough to fracture the test piece. The consequences of such an event are serious from an economic point of view – because they involve the need to recalibrate the machine and often replace the striker. For this reason, there are pendulums with different energies, suitable for every type of material, such as the JBE series by CERMAC, which is available in versions from 300J up to an energy of 750J. This makes it ideal for testing particularly tough materials, with motorised and semi-automatic models available – working in full compliance with all mandatory safety regulations. To add to this, CERMAC pendulums are built in such a way as to satisfy a series of characteristics that allow them to comply with international standards (EN ISO 148 and ASTM E23), relating to precise constructive, static and dynamic geometries, which can be certified by any ISO 1725 accredited calibration centre. Based in Italy, CERMAC is able to supply a wide range of mechanical testing machines to meet all the needs of fastener companies looking to guarantee the quality of their parts. This includes tensile testing machines, pull out testing machines, pendulum testing machines, as well as equipment for high temperature tests, up to 1,000°C. www.cermacsrl.com

ISO 9001

BUREAU VERITAS Certification N° IT251821-1

TESTING

Structural timber fasteners The deadline to have structural timber fasteners and fixings placed on the UK market with UKCA Marking is fast approaching. Here Hugh Mansfield-Williams, technical manager at BM TRADA, discusses the standards and tests that these products need to be tested against to support UKCA Marking to ensure they are compliant for placing on the UK market.

ave for being New Year’s Day, the 1 st of January 2023 may seem like an innocuous date that is far off in the future. However, that could not be further from the truth for manufacturers of structural timber fasteners and fixings. The date actually marks the cut-off point to have fasteners and fixings marked as UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) products. This is a new UK product marking requirement used for goods being placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). The marking covers most goods that previously required CE Marking in the EU. For structural timber connections, whether the fasteners and fixings are forming timber-to-timber or metal-to-timber joints, virtually every variation of the product must be tested so that its performance can be declared in accordance with the applicable standard. With hundreds of different types of fasteners and fixings, the challenge is, how should they be tested to achieve the UKCA Marking before the deadline?

The UK Construction Products Regulations

By applying the UKCA Marking to structural timber fasteners and fixings, manufacturers are adhering to the Construction Products Regulations in the UK (UK CPR). The UK CPR is very similar to the EU-wide Construction Products Regulation (EU CPR), which has been in force since 2013. This regulation lays down ’harmonised’ rules for assessing the conformity of construction products as a pre-requisite to placing the product on the EU market. The EU CPR has been incorporated in the UK CPR, although naturally all references to the EU have been removed, with some changes in terminology such as ‘harmonised’ standards becoming ‘designated’ standards and ‘Notified Bodies’ becoming ’Approved Bodies’. Within the UK CPR, there are five attestation systems, each with different combinations of tasks for manufacturers and Conformity Assessment Bodies (CAB). Products are categorised on risk to determine which system they belong to. System 4 is the most basic level with no tasks for the CAB, i.e no auditing, certification or surveillance is required. Manufacturers carry out any assessment required and declare the performance of the product. The other extreme is System 1+, which requires a CAB to undertake a range of tasks given the associated high risk and

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subsequent danger if the product fails. These products are typically difficult to assess once they are manufactured, so the CAB is not only involved in the initial assessment and ongoing surveillance visits, but also tests samples of regular production. Structural fasteners and fixings for timber sit in System 3. This means any dowel-type fasteners, i.e nails, screws, staples, steel dowels, and bolts with nuts, that are designated for use in structural timber connections, must all be tested in accordance with the designated standard, BS EN 14592. Such testing must take place in a UK-based Approved Laboratory that is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and listed on the appropriate DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) website. It should be noted that even if these fasteners and fixings have been tested since 2013 in an EU Notified Laboratory outside the UK, they will still need to be tested again in a UK Approved Laboratory to support UKCA Marking.

Putting fasteners and fixings to the test

Looking at the actual testing processes, not all fasteners and fixings will be subject to the same tests, and test processes will all depend on the type of fastener or fixing. As an example, some testing will merely involve measuring the product’s geometry and dimensions to ensure that it fits with the advertised product description and specification. Alongside the geometry, the Approved Laboratory may also ‘test’ the yield moment of the fastener by static calculations – based on the yield strength of the steel the fastener is fabricated from. Bolts and dowels are examples of dowel-type fasteners that will require no mechanical testing. Nails and staples on the other hand, whether loose or collated for use with nail guns, will undergo both geometry measurements and mechanical testing. BS EN 14592 refers to various supporting standards for the test methods including: BS EN 1382 for withdrawal resistance (also known as a pull-out test), which indicates how much force it takes to pull the nail or staple from the timber for a certain length of point-side penetration. BS EN 1383 for resistance to head pull-through. This test is similar to the withdrawal testing, but it shows how much force is required to pull the head of a nail or staple through the head-side timber.

and UKCA Marking BS EN 1383 for resistance to head pull-off. This test is essentially the same as the head pull-through test, but a steel plate is used instead of the head-side timber. This causes the fastener to fail so that its tensile capacity is determined. BS EN 409 for yield moment testing of those fasteners where static calculation is not an option. This is a mechanical test that determines the resistance of the fastener to bending. For screws, while testing is very similar, there are a few key additions: BS EN 15737 for torsional resistance to driving in of screws. This test determines how much turning force is required to drive the screw into a selected substrate. BS EN ISO 10666 for the torsional strength of the screw itself. This test determines how much torque can be applied to the screw head before the screw snaps. The result should be significantly higher than that of the driving in test. Usually, C16 grade softwood timber, conditioned at constant humidity and temperature, will be used for withdrawal, head pull through and torque resistance testing. The laboratory will measure the density and moisture content of the timber as part of the test. It is worth mentioning that every diameter within the fastener range needs to be tested, but not every length. Also, the Approved

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Laboratory will not test material properties such as the yield strength of the original steel rod, or indeed the effectiveness of any corrosion resistant layers applied on the surface of a fastener. The obligation lies with the manufacturers to declare the necessary performance for these parameters.

Race against time

As the deadline for the implementation of UKCA Marking rapidly approaches, there is plenty for the manufacturers to do to be ready. While it is true that individual tests discussed, in themselves do not need much time to perform, and that each test only needs to be repeated a limited number of times to meet the testing requirement, most manufacturers and suppliers will find that their range of products need careful planning to get tested before the deadline. As a UKAS accredited Approved Laboratory offering fastener and fixing testing to support UKCA Marking, BM TRADA is expecting a high demand from a wide range of businesses across the UK and around the world. Completion of the accreditation process is imminent. For business and construction to continue apace come 1 st January 2023 next year, fastener and fixings manufacturers need to prepare products for testing now. In addition to the testing, there must also be adequate planning around preparation of literature, Declaration of Performance certificates and packaging, etc, in time to get the products shipped in a timely manner.

TESTING

Quality assurance in fastener assembly Bolted joints must function safely and reliably to avoid extra costs, recall actions or recourse claims. In this interview, Wilfried Blechmann, head of Kistler’s Fastening Technology Business Line, explains the key points in quality assurance for fastening technology. He goes on to describe the systems that provide effective support for users in every step of the process. What are the key points that require attention from manufacturers using fasteners in their production processes?

“The level of quality required is high, so manufacturers need to monitor their fastening technology from end-to-end of the process. They have to carry out quality assurance on the fasteners themselves, the tools and also on the bolted joints in the assembled components. They must do this consistently and with the required frequency – depending on the application, for example, they should test the tool once every shift. They also have to document everything – in case of an investigation after a car accident. For example, they must be able to prove that they tested the bolted joint on the safety belt according to the applicable standards. The basis for performing quality assurance is set out in DIN EN ISO 9001. Of course, the measuring instruments and systems used for quality assurance also need to be calibrated at regular intervals. Traceability of the measurement equipment may be required or indicated, so as to boost confidence in the validity of the measurement results. In these cases, calibration must take place in a laboratory accredited as per DIN EN ISO 17025. According to the risk category, these calibrations have to be repeated at intervals ranging from three months to two years.”

There are vast numbers of standards and regulations in this area. But which ones apply in which cases?

“Depending on the purpose for which the bolted joints are used, manufacturers draw up a test concept that includes the relevant standards for their application. Let’s mention some examples of important standards and guidelines derived from the ISO 9000 series: VDI 2862 sheet 2 on the ‘Minimum Requirements for Application of Fastening Systems and Tools’, VDI 2645 sheet 2 on the ‘Capability Test for Fastening Technology – Machine Capability Test – MCT’, and VDI 2230 on the ‘Systematic Calculation of Highly Stressed Bolted Joints’. As well as these norms, customers often have their own specific requirements. VDI Guideline 2862, which I just mentioned, also includes a classification of bolted joints in three categories: ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’. Category ‘A’ means danger to life and limb, ‘B’ indicates restricted function, and category ‘C’ is for bolted joints where a fault does not present a risk but would be an annoyance for customers. The testing requirements for bolted joints in categories ‘A’ and ‘B’ are naturally stricter than those for category ‘C’.

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What are the most important variables that have to be tested?

“A number of different variables, such as coefficient of friction, preloading force, and torque, are relevant to the quality of a bolted joint. Preloading force – a critical factor in joint stability – is the result of interaction between torque, rotation angle and friction coefficients for the surfaces involved. These parameters have to be monitored continuously. It’s also important to document and archive all the data so the necessary proof can be provided in case of recourse claims.”

What are the advantages of solutions from Kistler Group?

“One decisive advantage is that Kistler offers systems, consulting, and services, for quality assurance from start to finish of the fastening process. Customers benefit from support at every stage – from drafting the test concept and actually carrying out quality assurance, all the way through to documentation and archiving. Also, we often implement adaptations to meet customers’ specific requirements – if space is confined, for example; if two systems are needed; or if a mobile measurement solution is required. There is also another significant advantage. We hold DIN EN ISO 17025 accreditation both as a stationary laboratory and also for on-site deployments, so we can perform the prescribed recalibrations of test and measurement equipment on the customer’s own premises. That means there’s no need to send devices away – so costly periods when they are not available for production are eliminated. Kistler’s portfolio of inspection systems for fastening technology includes devices to test the fasteners themselves, the tools and the bolted joints. The systems and the matching software capture all the measured values and present the documented results in a crystal clear format. User-friendly software modules help to manage tasks and store all the relevant data on testing assignments.” www.kistler.com

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE FASTENER SECTOR

Creating a buzz around a new location By Jason Bader, principle, The Distribution Team A few weeks ago, I was facilitating a discussion of marketing professionals trying to help one of their colleagues provide marketing support for a new location opening. In this article, I will focus on the marketing side, but there is certainly a whole discussion that needs to be had around the inventory and logistical side. Perhaps that would be a good follow up for next edition of the magazine.

n this scenario, brought forth by one of the cohorts, the company had decided to open a new location a few hours away from its headquarters. The thought was to create a much larger facility than they had in relatively close proximity and try to dominate the market by sheer presence and product availability. This member was charged with creating a buzz prior to opening and to identify potential market segments to assist the sales direction. By the way, we don’t have an established budget and no president for promotion. Good luck and make us proud. I can see

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why she was throwing a lifeline out to the group. By any measure, this is a daunting task. Over my years, I have seen many distributors take quite the opposite approach. They do a stealthy incursion into the market and snipe from an undisclosed location. Colourful words aside, this approach feels like there is some doubt in the mind of the organisation. Do I really want to be here? Boy, those competitors look pretty tough. Do I really want to ruffle their feathers and have them gunning for me? If this is the case, we really need to check our motivations for slamming down a brick and mortar facility in a particular area.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS It goes without saying, those places are expensive and can be a real cash bleed until we either succeed or pull out. I had a discussion years ago with a distribution president where we talked about how our egos allow bleeding for way too long before we finally pull the plug. If we aren’t fully committed, it is a whole lot cheaper to send a delivery vehicle and salesperson into the territory to test the waters. In this case, the organisation was all in. The location was chosen, and the resources committed. In true unbridled distributor fashion: “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead.” One of the most impressive parts about this marketing cohort is their ability to dissect a problem and offer different areas to think about. Here is a sample of some of the questions posed: When the location was selected, was their any prospect analysis using market data? Are you known to the potential customers in the area? Was the strategy to locate close to the customer offices or to locate in growth areas? Do your key suppliers know and are they supportive of this new location? What is the availability of experienced associates in the area?

become fairly adept at pushing advertising based on preferences, demographics and physical location. Geo-targeting is a type of advertising that uses location data to reach consumers with messaging appropriate to their locality and behaviour. Doesn’t this seem tailor-made to our challenge – how do we spread the word about our new store opening? After speaking with a few distributors, many have used this technology to specifically target customers in an area that they frequent. For example, let’s say that your city is building a new stadium. This is a big project, and we want to make sure that the contractors on the site know that we are ready to serve. Using targeting technology, usually deployed by an agency partner, we can make sure that messages are pushed directly to the social feed of our intended customers. In a more granular example, we could draw our ‘geo-fence’ around a competitor location and push messaging to anyone entering the perimeter. I know, it seems like a sketchy tactic; but I want you to consider this: “How fair is it going to be when this competitor targets your employees the minute you start making headway?” You are deploying a cutting-edge tactic. They just wish they thought of it first. There are many more ways to give that location a fighting chance at success. Since I only have a bit more than a thousand words before I get the figurative hook from the editor, I had to limit my thoughts. I am not a marketing expert, nor do I claim to be. I just happen to be a good listener and am humble enough to always remain teachable. After losing my backside on a couple of ill-fated branching decisions in the past, I can see the wisdom of taking a deliberate approach. The old Field of Dreams sentiment: “If you build it, they will come,” just doesn’t fly anymore. In this day and age, if we build it, we better learn how to best promote it.

The thought was to create a much larger facility than they had in relatively close proximity and try to dominate the market by sheer presence and product availability.”

All of these questions really gave the team an opportunity to craft different solutions and provide tips from their experience. The solutions provided broke down into four major categories: Location identification, prospect targeting, digital marketing and traditional advertising. There could be an argument made for combining the digital marketing and prospecting areas, but there are distinct suggestions for each. One of the more traditional ways to prime the new market is to get back to some old school smiling and dialing. One of the group members suggested that her company created dialing campaigns into a territory months before an opening. They first started to work any existing customers with a presence in the region. Some of this was promotion, but there was a fair amount of information gathering going on as well. What do you like about the existing supplier in the area? Are there any service holes that you would like to see filled? There are many more efficient ways to reach prospects, but not nearly as personal. Remember, we are still in the relationship business. Stepping a bit outside the traditional comfort zone, the group spent a lot of time discussing digital marketing solutions and mobile technologies. As you might have experienced in your own social media platforms, marketeers have

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About the author

Jason Bader is the principal of The Distribution Team. He is a holistic distribution advisor who is passionate about helping business owners solve challenges, generate wealth and achieve personal goals. He can be found speaking at several industry events throughout the year, providing executive coaching services to private clients and letting his thoughts be known in an industry publication or two. Last year, he launched his first podcast, Distribution Talk. Episodes can be found at www.distributiontalk.com and most podcast applications. He can be reached via email at jason@distributionteam.com.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE FEATURE

Infor strengthens position in manufacturing sector Infor has announced that Tatra Trucks, Škoda Transporation and, most recently, the traditional tractor manufacturer Zetor Tractors, are among the customers of its industry specific ERP systems focused on discrete manufacturing in central and eastern Europe.

etor Tractors has decided to deploy Infor’s ERP solution, which will replace multiple subsystems, to centralise and digitise business processes. The worldwide supplier of tractors expects that the broad functionality and integration of the ERP system, and complementary applications, will allow its more than 500 employees to manage the rapidly changing demands of customers more flexibly, de-risking the current unstable environment. “Especially in the period of Covid-19, we faced many challenges due to lack of parts, personnel limitations and other circumstances,” said Antonín Kubíček, IT manager at Zetor Tractors. “The Infor ERP solution will help us with process integration and enable more effective production planning thanks to streamlined order generation, production entry, faster change management and further innovation.” “We are currently registering high demand for process digitisation solutions across central and eastern Europe,” said David Zeman, Infor’s sales director for CEE. “Higher demands for flexibility, variability and optimisation of production processes, motivate companies in the automotive and engineering industries to implement modern solutions, whether on premises or in the Cloud.”

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Infor ERP solutions have traditionally been used mainly by companies in the manufacturing sector, helping to streamline and automate discrete manufacturing processes and bring industry-specific functions tailored to their requirements.

MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE FEATURE

Navigating the uncertainty No matter the sector, producing enough goods at the right time – without straining resources, can feel like an ongoing battle for manufacturers. Here, Jon Roberts, senior sales consultant at OrderWise, explains how deploying software can help businesses better navigate such uncertain times.

fully integrated, centralised technology solution such as OrderWise brings huge efficiency savings. The platform is able to cope with everything from basic low level assembly through to complex multi-stage builds and sub-assemblies. It also supports users to manage multiple processes for each manufactured variant, as well as tracking associated labour, equipment, time and costs. These systems can generate in-depth reports, detailing customer required dates, manufacturing lead times and component lead times from suppliers. Armed with this information, users can notify customers of any potential delays or disruptions in a timely manner to prevent dissatisfaction. With advanced mobile functionality, fastener companies can also achieve faster, more accurate and paperless management of

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an entire manufacturing operation. This solution can also be used in conjunction with the main OrderWise Manufacturing module and is the logical next step for any manufacturing business looking to drive efficiency and growth. The mobile capabilities enable complete management of work orders, allowing equipment, staff, components and builds to be scanned, tracked, managed and recorded. With this visibility, manufacturers are better placed to drive efficiency across the business. Arguably the main benefit of these systems is that they can be moulded to a specific business, providing the functionality and capabilities needed to scale. At a time when fastener manufacturers are juggling multiple challenges, it’s not about guessing the future, it’s about knowing what’s coming and a scalable manufacturing solution can allow you to do that.

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

Würth launches WISperience for all Würth has recently made its interactive visitor platform WISperience available to all, after its successful use during a hybrid customer event in October 2021.

ith WISperience, Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co KG brings its products and solutions for holistic C-parts management and the logistics centre directly to the workplace or the living room. Whether in Berlin, Copenhagen or Sydney, with WISperience Würth creates a time and location independent visiting experience for all interested parties – without fixed visiting times and time-consuming travel costs. Access is extremely simple, as the application can be accessed directly online via the browser and is openly accessible in German and English. In a fictitious, but quite busy event centre, all innovative logistics solutions for production materials, as well as auxiliary and operating materials, can be realistically experienced in 3D – from vending machines to RFID Kanban or vehicle equipment. The platform focuses on the intended use of the solutions, which is simply illustrated to users via animations. An important part of the platform is also information. At any area of the application, there are digital documents such as flipbooks or videos available, as well as short texts describing the contribution of the system solutions to process optimisation and cost reduction. Within a virtual tour, users can follow the path of the goods through the logistics centre. Step-by-step, the platform guides the user through the different stations and warehouse processes. In addition, the plenum hall offers space for specialist lectures and presentations. Interested parties can enter the interactive experience directly online. The platform will be continuously expanded in the future and additional functions will be added.

abas Software expands in Germany and eastern Europe abas Software has announced two significant M&A milestones it achieved in the fourth quarter of 2021, including the acquisition of abas system GmbH, a value-added reseller of abas ERP serving northern and central Germany, as well as the creation of Forterro Bulgaria Ltd, which will function as a regional service centre for abas ERP customers with operations in eastern Europe.

bas Software GmbH attained 100% ownership of abas system in a transaction that closed in December. Headquartered in Berlin, and supported by a secondary location in Steinhagen, abas system operates as an exclusive value-added reseller for abas ERP. With the acquisition, abas Software further expands its presence in northern and central Germany and gains nearly 40 product experts, as well as a loyal customer base of more than 100 manufacturing companies.

abas establishes regional service hub in eastern Europe The creation of Forterro Bulgaria follows the integration of a minority owned abas partner in Bulgaria. All employees will move

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directly into abas to build a wholly owned subsidiary that is directly servicing and supporting abas ERP implementations that extend from DACH into eastern Europe. The regional service hub in Bulgaria will support the company’s drive to better align its direct international operations with those of its customers, as well as provide increased capacity to support abas customers in Germany with a talented and experienced nearshore team. “We need to be where our customers are and where they want to go,” said Richard Furby, general manager of abas Software. “Bulgaria presented the perfect location to support them, given its proximity to customer sites, as well as the product expertise and language skills of the team there. Opening this hub is a huge step forward in our strategy to provide a more consistent customer experience around the world.”

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY FASTENING SOLUTIONS FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

The right to repair By Dr Peter Standring, technical secretary at Industrial Metalforming Technologies (IMfT) Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This almost childlike question is one known around the world and is indeed profound. In fact, reduced to its simplest form, it could be stated as: ‘Cause’ and ‘Effect’.

he fact that ‘history’ repeats itself is evident in one billion years of evolutionary development, where through countless repetitions of reproduction, we can trace family trees of species, geographic transformations and climate change. Given this knowledge and ability, it shouldn’t be too difficult to determine where the ‘Cause’ for the ‘right to repair’ lies and what its potential ‘Effect’ on fastener design may be.

The how and why

The ‘right to repair’ is a consumer/product user response to manufacturers’ business practices. In turn, these relate to the

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market and supply chain developments, which have transformed all aspects of human activity following the end of World War II (WWII). At the end of WWII, the global population was around 2 billion people – it’s now approaching 8 billion. Although the war had been fought globally, the nature of manufacturing industries was distinctly nationally based. Major national companies did have overseas investments, but these represented a tiny fraction of the host’s gross domestic product (GDP). Recovery from the ravages of WWII gave rise to the development of local production of essential goods – in parts of the world where overseas supplies were either unavailable or too costly to import. In developing countries this led to the need for manufacturing

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY plants and equipment, often obtained second hand from developed countries. In Japan the focus on manufacturing production and quality, coupled with the desire to market goods overseas, provided a distinctive route map to all Pacific Rim countries wishing to improve the quality of life of their populations through manufacturing. Interestingly, a significant problem faced by customers of replacement parts in industrialised countries, for example service items for mass produced vehicles, occurred from the widespread availability of ‘counterfeit’ components from newly developing countries. The fact that, difficult to spot counterfeit parts could be readily produced, demonstrated a manufacturing capability that had both turnaround times and batch sizes ideally suited to ‘Just In Time’ manufacturing. The concept of ‘Trans Plants’, locating manufacturing facilities around the globe, overcame the threat of import tariffs. It also created the demand for manufacturing quality from both the local employees and the indigenous supply chain. Industrial acquisition and mergers, supported by extremely well resourced hedge funds, created global behemoth organisations that quite literally function 24/7 and on which the sun never sets. The primary objectives for these ‘branded’ entities being market share and profit. The nature of all profitable transactions is always to obtain at the lowest price and sell at the highest. Hence, the global endeavour was to manufacture where things were cheaper and sell where folks could afford to buy. In 1990, enter China, with the intention to dump the previously outmoded command economy and to use the Western model to obtain a place at the top table. The offer was extremely low cost labour and materials to make things. Quality was not an issue provided what was made functioned and was cheap. For ten years container ships conveyed ever increasing tsunamis of goods to an over eager world able to buy products at a throwaway price. Don’t bother cleaning, storing and repairing it, just use it then get another one. The net result of this time of plenty was the virtual demise of independent manufacturers in industrialised countries. This corresponded with a stupendous increase in the manufacturing capabilities within China and the infrastructure to ship it. By 2001 China had entered into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and also had the ability to manufacture at the cutting edge, obtained by offering access to its potential market through setting up joint ventures with most of the world’s leading companies. This was the accepted working model and the rest as they say is history!

manufacturing, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) bestride the globe. At one end of this spectrum are those OEMs that rely on mass markets – automotive, white goods, electronics, etc. At the other end are the luxury goods where mass does not equate to profit. In all cases, it’s market share that counts. The supply chains that support the OEMs are like weathervanes, which turn to show the direction and strength of the prevailing market forces. As previously stated, for many global OEMs, the route to the top has been through buying market share by astutely timed acquisition and mergers. This is invariably followed by product and process rationalisation, often leaving parts of the existing supply chain without future business. In this way, the supply chains serving global OEMs are also rationalised. Gaining market share means increased investment to meet the demand. Keeping market share means competition, which is always cost driven. So, to ensure the new investment in productive capacity remains lucrative, OEMs need a constant supply of new and successful product models; a reliable customer base which it serves; and a quiescent supply chain, which always does its bidding. Regulators take no part in the commercial ‘feeding of their flocks’ (the population they serve). Their role is to ensure the products sold in the markets they regulate are ‘fit for purpose’ and satisfy health and safety demands. They are also very aware of the need to ensure their own financial viability by imposing taxes on the population they serve, which very often includes the products they buy. Indigenous OEMs, including the ‘Trans Plants’, are protected from outside competition by import tariffs, unless free trade agreements have been reached between the areas that make and buy. Like any medieval merchant’s balance, the regulator stands astride the fulcrum to ensure the weighting between those supplying goods and the people purchasing them is in equilibrium. Where the goods supplier is internationally large and powerful, the regulators of small communities can be offered incentives to provide market advantages not gained by others. Alternatively, powerful regulatory bodies controlling a gold mine of prospective business for the OEM can, in turn, seek to extract additional benefits from even the biggest players if they see an advantage. Since all trade demands documentation, the linkage between those supplying goods and those regulating them is a natural one. On the other hand, unless the purchaser of such goods is a major organisation able to bestow ‘grace and favour’ on an OEM, then every purchase will be an individual event. From the earliest days of human activity, it has been recognised that when individuals work together, great things can be achieved. Looking back in time it is clear that without ‘people power’ there would be no people.

In the ‘economy of everything’ there are only three players – businesses, regulators (governments) and those who purchase.”

People power

In the ‘economy of everything’ there are only three players – businesses, regulators (governments) and those who purchase. In

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Right to repair

The ‘right to repair’ revolution has been a direct consequence of OEMs and their constant determination to expand their business and make greater profits. Having sold a product, a OEM then seeks to consolidate their continuing profitable linkage with the customer. This was done by insisting that all maintenance and repairs, both within and outside the warranty timescale, were undertaken by the OEM’s network or its agents. How did they do this? By denying the customer or any independent body access to the necessary information, spare parts, tools, software, etc. Anything that was needed for a repair. The push back began in the USA with automotive customers demanding the ‘right to repair’ by obtaining product information, which would allow non-OEM networked operators to independently maintain and repair a product where ever and whenever necessary. In 2014 the State of Massachusetts passed a law allowing the ‘right to reair’ automobiles. Although not a Federal Law, all USA-based vehicle OEMs adopted it. Subsequent roll out across the white goods and other sectors has and is continuing with Executive Order 14036: ‘Promoting Competition in the American Economy’ signed by President Biden on 9th July 2021. In March 2021, the EU introduced measures to promote the repairability of products. Great Britain agreed to do the same. An objective of the initiative is to reduce the amount of waste materials being consumed in new make products. To assist with this, OEMs are required to have spare parts necessary for repair available within two years of a product going on sale and for 7 to 10 years after the product has been discontinued. Many major OEMs have been working together to slow down, reduce or reverse this development. They claim that the purchase and use of new products, offer benefits related to energy savings and safety, which older products do not enjoy. In short, the main items of the ‘right to repair’ initiative are: Products should be designed and constructed to allow easy repair. Have easy access to original spares/ tools (also software) at genuine market conditions. Products should be designed to make repairs possible and not be hindered by the inability to disassemble or include software locks. All information required for repairs should be clearly communicated by the manufacturer.

is the driving force for economic migration and also for the aspiration to obtain what is perceived to represent ‘quality of life’. Only global players are big enough to take part in global manufacturing. This means that to gain the advantages of mass manufacturing, with a profitable churn of products and delivery, it follows that goods made for one market should be available for all. So, if the demands on OEMs for the ‘right to repair’ within the USA, EU and UK purchasers is adopted in other markets around the globe, then it follows that OEMs should be focussing their attention on their supply chain partners who deal with product assembly. This naturally means fastener design. Waste, as perceived by the regulating bodies, occurs when a sensor, a bearing, or some generally low cost single item, fails and is inaccessible for reasonable cost repair. Typical of these are permanent assembly designs, which use gluing, welding/brazing or cold forming to deny access without destruction. Two classic examples of sealed for life units are the drums on front loading washing machines and the ubiquitous automotive wheel hub. In both cases, the bearing is inaccessibly bonded within a permanently sealed drum or trapped by cold forming to function as part of a wheel hub unit. Clearly, the specification of the bearing could be upgraded to ensure failure is in the very outer region of the bell shaped probability curve, or the unit could be redesigned to permit cost-effective disassembly and repair. As the ‘right to repair’ expands, this aspect of product design is very likely to become an increasingly important feature of manufactured goods. In the short to medium term, one immediate problem faced by all OEMs is what to do about inventory. Marketing departments will now have to reconfigure their spreadsheets to accommodate the new requirement for independent repair. This naturally means: The ordering and storage, handling and delivery of spare parts and information. Can this be done within the existing OEM network? Could/should this obligation be outsourced to agents (much as the automotive industry did when the end of vehicle life came into being)?

As the ‘right to repair’ expands, this aspect of product design is very likely to become an increasingly important feature of manufactured goods.”

Likely consequences

The USA, EU and UK only represent around 10% of the world’s population. Of course, these regions do enjoy significant spending power but with increasing global trade this is rapidly becoming ubiquitous. It is the global communications networks, which offer almost all citizens the opportunity to see what their neighbours are doing. This

Irrespective of which side of the argument you stand, it is undeniable that low cost disassembly, whether for repair or disposal, will be a game changer. So, perhaps designers of mass produced goods will adopt a slate of new design principles – based perhaps on the ‘six degrees of freedom’ as is perfectly demonstrated in the design of smartphone cases. Of course, such products are very different to automobiles, white goods, etc, but the principle of designing features such as dovetails, eccentric clamps, embedded clips, etc, could open up new market opportunities for the fastener industry, as did the introduction of flat pack furniture. Watch this space!

WWW.FASTENERANDFIXING.COM 127

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY ELECTRICAL + ELECTRONICS FEATURE

How a safety washer keeps electrical contacts connected In the world of electrical engineering, loose screw connections can add up to costly power failures, which is why teckentrup has developed a locking element – the NSK-E – for reliable electrical connections.

ccording to a survey by a Canadian energy supplier, almost 40% of all power failures can be traced back to loose contact parts. Today, locking elements from mechanical screw connections are very often used, which are only partially – or not at all – suitable for the specific requirements of electrical screw connections and the related standards. In practice, loose screw connections can lead to damage such as increased contact resistance, voltage drops/ fluctuations (flickering), as well as the heating of contact points until it or surrounding equipment combusts. This calls for a new approach. The main task of an electrical connection is to transmit power. Quality factor (ku) is decisive for assessing the joint/screw connection quality. This represents the ratio between the resistance in the joint and the resistance in the busbar. The aim of a joint is therefore to ensure the quality factor is kept as constant as possible over the course of its life. It is necessary to maintain the soft conductor material’s required contact pressure over the life of the joint, in order to keep the quality factor, and therefore the resistance, constant. To achieve stable contact pressure, a screw connection must fulfil two functions – elasticity and the screw locking element. The elasticity function is necessary, because different thermal expansion coefficients and heavily fluctuating operating temperatures lead to varying mechanical tension in the screw connection. Furthermore, settling processes must be compensated. Due to the short clamping lengths, the elasticity required of the screw connection can only be achieved by flexible locking elements. The screw locking element function is necessary as when screws work loose, as a result of vibration and lateral displacement, this can lead to a reduction in the electrical screw connections contact pressure and therefore the types of damage already described.

Figure of merit (ku)

Connection resistance (RV) Material resistance (R M)

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The solution

Thanks to the company’s many years of experience in mechanical screw locking elements, teckentrup GmbH + Co KG was able to react to the specific requirements and, as a result of appropriate testing methods, develop an optimum solution. In partnership with end users and external test labs, the NSK-E was successfully tested under extreme conditions. The test procedures it was subjected to include DIN 25201-4 (Annex B), DIN 267-26 and IEC 61373. The NSK-E demonstrated outstanding performance in all quality inspections, meaning that the washer can be used as a locking element in accordance with most common standards. The washers are available in two variants – coated spring steel and stainless steel 1.4401. The washers are currently available in sizes M3 – M16 and can also be used in combination with conventional screws. Thanks to its arched shape, the NSK-E has an especially pronounced spring effect, meaning the contact pressure and therefore the joint’s connection resistance can be kept virtually constant over a long period of time. The enhanced teeth on the top side ensure a positive locking fit with the bolt head/nut. This ensures the components cannot work loose when subjected to cross loads. To prevent the soft connecting elements becoming damaged, the NSK-E’s underside features a runner like contour. When fitted in a tightened screw joint, the washer lies on the counter support, so that despite its short installation size, the risk of exceeding the surface pressure is reduced. teckentrup concludes: “In the NSK-E, the user has a one part screw locking element, made from spring steel or stainless steel, which has been especially developed to meet the requirements of electrical screw connections.” www.teckentrup.net

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY ELECTRICAL + ELECTRONICS FEATURE

New UV adhesives improve holographic films in AR DELO has developed DELO PHOTOBOND UV acrylates for optoelectronics that enable fast and true colour bonding of holographic films – manufactured by Covestro.

ugmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR-HUDs) represent one of the most important future applications for holographic films, such as Bayfol® HX from Covestro. As these films are integrated into the windshield of vehicles, projections merge with reality so the navigation appears to be displayed directly on the road. The films allow for brighter and larger images while reducing installation space. This holographic film technology also offers design freedom and reduced space requirements in the rear lights of cars and other automotive lighting applications. Customised holograms, such as a warning message that says ‘Stop’ in the driver’s field of vision, can be designed to increase safety. No matter the application, holographic films are thin, lightweight and completely invisible under so-called ‘off-bragg’ conditions – whenever the coupled light does not meet certain requirements, such as the correct wavelength. The films usually consist of RGB-sensitive photopolymers on a transparent carrier film and are embedded between two protective cover layers.

Low optical interaction, high strength

A precondition for high component quality is low optical interaction between adhesive and photopolymer. Because of this, the adhesives are chemically adapted in such a way that they do not shift the absorption into other wavelength ranges when they are combined with the photopolymer. Therefore, the adhesives must ensure colour fidelity under all conditions. Until now, mainly silicones have been used to fix the film layers. Silicones are versatile and high performance materials, however, this is offset by lower strength, slower curing and, in some cases, strong outgassing. During curing, they emit particles to their surroundings. Due to the potential impact on adjacent manufacturing processes, many automotive suppliers are striving for silicone-free production. The DELO PHOTOBOND UV acrylates tested by DELO and Covestro, show a highly improved outgassing behaviour compared to silicones and reach full strength within seconds under UV light.

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY ELECTRICAL + ELECTRONICS FEATURE

Flexible conductive epoxy from Panacol Elecolit® 3647 is a new single component silver filled conductive adhesive from Panacol, which is particularly suitable for bonding with temperature sensitive films or flex PCBs.

anacol says the Elecolit® 3647 adheres very well to plastics, including polyimide, PC, PVC, ABS and FR4 board. When fully cured, the adhesive is very flexible with high peel strength, making it the perfect choice for use in applications subject to vibration, oscillation or rapid temperature changes. Elecolit 3647 can also be used for die attach applications and component assembly on flexible films and printed circuit boards. This conductive adhesive has utilisation in printed and ‘in moulded’ electronics and wearables, as well as the conductive attachment of semiconductor chips. A major advantage of Elecolit 3647 is its very easy handling and storage. The adhesive only needs to be stored refrigerated, not frozen. The single component adhesive can also be dispensed and cures within minutes at temperatures as low as 100°C. This makes it possible to fixture semiconductors and create electrical connections in a single step.

ELECTRICAL + ELECTRONICS FEATURE

SKINTOP® MULTI-M – more sizes, more flexibility LAPP is further expanding its portfolio for SKINTOP® MULTI-M multi-cable entry systems in order to give engineers greater flexibility.

he SKINTOP® MULTI-M round multi-cable entry system was previously available in three sizes: M40 for up to 12 cables, M50 for up to 18 cables and M63 for up to 30 cables, which can be inserted simultaneously into one housing. At customer request, U.I Lapp GmbH is now extending its portfolio with sizes M25 and M32 for 4 or 8 cables respectively. The trend towards digitalisation and miniaturisation is a major challenge for designers. They increasingly have to cope with cabling in restricted spaces. Particularly in control engineering, control cabinet and apparatus construction, as well as in automation technology or robotic arms – where data and control cables need to be installed in tight spaces. Multi-cable entry systems are a space saving alternative for non-assembled cables. LAPP highlights that the SKINTOP MULTI-M offers a particularly compact solution. The fixing is available in rectangular and now also

round designs. The cables are simply pushed through the elastic gel insert and are held securely in place by the static friction on the cable insulation and sealed with IP 68 protection. The patented funnel design at entry points, in combination with innovative gel-based material, allows the maximum clamping ranges to be increased with up to 4mm variance per cable diameter. LAPP points out that this flexibility in selecting the cable diameter reduces the variety of parts in the warehouse, thus generating logistical and financial benefits. It enables the customer to insert a variety of cables or hoses in a tight space, with unused entry points remaining securely sealed. There are also time benefits for installation, as no additional preparatory work is required for rectangular and round multi cable bushings, such as pre-piercing. The SKINTOP MULTI-M can be mounted to the housing very easily by screwing in or fastening with a lock nut.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

By Dr Bill Eccles, Bolt Science Helical spring lock washers have been in use for well over 100 years. They are still used on many applications in the belief that they will ‘lock’ the nut/bolt to the joint and prevent loosening. Bolt Science has released two new videos performing a series of tests to illustrate the performance of this type of washer compared to a plain nut by itself.

Bolt preload (kN)

Helical washer versus plain nut

16 15 14

Plain nut with a helical spring washer

12 11 10 9 8

Plain nut alone

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

he body of evidence, based upon both experience and experimental results, is that helical spring lock washers do not prevent loosening and can be shown to actually speed up the rate of loosening in many cases. Junker originally showed in his work, published in 1969, that these washers are ineffective in preventing loosening. Joints containing these washers have come loose resulting in structural failure leading to both material and human loss. A series of tests were performed by Bolt Science to illustrate the performance of this type of washer compared to a plain nut by itself. The results are shown in videos and in the preload decay curve pictured. The preload decay curve is from the tests shown in the video. The tests were performed on M8 fasteners. To watch the videos go to: www.boltscience.com

Time from start of test (seconds)

A helical spring washer fails to prevent self-loosening

Junker test

Safety to the max SCHNORR® products are always the first choice when metal is being used to meet requirements of movement cushioning - securing through force and form. Original SCHNORR® Safety Washers: • Highly vibration-resistant • Twofold effect from one component • Extensive range Original SCHNORR® disc springs: • Various applications • Best price-performance ratio • Customized solutions

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY

stamping out the impact of theft globally

HEICO Group masters a truly big challenge HEICO-TEC tension nuts provide quick and easy preloading for particularly large bolted joints and are available in a wide range of standardised sizes. However, what happens if the standard does not fit? At the end of last year, HEICO Group faced a truly big and unusual challenge – manufacturing a special tension nut with an outer diameter of 620mm.

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his gigantic tension nut was used to fasten a large hydraulic cylinder that is used in a mono pile rolling machine, which can produce large pipes and mono piles with a diameter of up to 12m. A conventional bolted joint of this size, with a thread diameter of 320mm, would theoretically require a tightening torque of more than 1.1 million Nm. This special HEICO-TEC tension nut was designed to be able to create a pre-tension of 23,000kN, which corresponds to 2,300 tonnes. “Considering that a vehicle with a conventional two litre petrol engine creates a torque of around 200Nm, approximately 5,000 vehicles with such an engine power would be needed to create the torque that produces the pre-tension force in a bolted joint of such dimension,” explains Sven Schierz, sales engineer for the HEICO-TEC division, who was responsible for this project. Such enormous forces cannot be generated easily. The use of specially designed hydraulic tools that enable the preloading required can become expensive and also time-consuming – especially when a quantity of only one piece is required. An assembly in which the tied rod would be thermally heated is also a very time-consuming and work intensive method. This is exactly where HEICO-TEC tension nuts make the difference. Two HEICO engineers took just 2.5 hours to assemble this giant tension nut. Pre-assembly of the 525kg tension nut colossus was completed in an upright position supported by a crane before the entire hydraulic cylinder, including the pre-assembled tension nut, was installed in the final upside down position in the machine. Due to the special design of the tension nut, the force required for the pre-tensioning is distributed to 48 smaller pressure bolts of size M30. Each single pressure bolt was tightened with a tightening torque of approximately 1,080Nm. A conventional standard hydraulic tightening tool was all that was used by the HEICO personnel to complete the tightening process during assembly. It is not just the unusually big size that makes this HEICO-TEC tension nut something special. To reduce stress on the bolted joint and increase the lifetime of the bolt, a so called ‘Niemann’ thread was applied on the main thread in this project. “Tension nuts with these dimensions are rather out of the ordinary,” says Tobias Grobe, head of sales and marketing at HEICO Group. “However, we are very excited to see what extraordinary challenges our sales and development engineers will face in 2022.” www.heico-group.com

PRODUCTS + tools THE LAtest product and technology developments RIVETS + RIVET NUTS FEATURE

A specialist in rivets Italian-based Rivit is a specialist in producing rivet solutions, with its latest development the Treriv rivet for high resistance assemblies on light materials or thin parts.

ivit Srl points out that the Treriv rivet is specifically designed for the assembly of plastic, plexiglass, plywood or thin metal sheets and features a unique deformation that enables it to open into the shape of a three pointed star – thanks to the grooves on the body of the rivet itself. These large pressure wings distribute the clamping force evenly over a large area and allow the rivet to be set without damaging the surface and thus ensuring the integrity of the parts to assemble. As for the installation of Treriv rivets, Rivit recommends the use of its cordless RIV750 riveter, designed for the application of rivets in all alloys up to 4.8mm in diameter. Also available from Rivit are its Tubriv rivet nuts, which are designed to provide maximum clamping action over a wide range of material thickness – creating female threads where there is no access from the blind side. The distinctive Tubriv geometry, when deforming, creates a large blind side bearing area, which ensures integrity of the parts to assemble, especially on plastics and composites. Ideal fields of application for the Tubriv are composites and plastics, such as display panels, sandwich sections, household appliances, containers, buses and caravan panelling, as well as the internal parts of ships. The most suitable tool to install Tubriv rivet nuts is the cordless RIV790, designed for M3 to M10 rivet nuts and featuring 13,000N pulling power.

An enhanced technical catalogue

Treriv rivet features a unique deformation that enables it to open into the shape of a three pointed star.” Treriv rivet

Rivit has also recently launched its latest technical catalogue ‘Blind Rivets 9/1’ - 200 pages illustrating the full range of standard, structural, special rivets, speed rivets in cartridge, rivets, eyelets and related installation tools, as well as the new diameters, lengths, and sizes, the company can supply. Available online now, the 9/1 catalogue features: New colours – such as Corten Brown, particularly suitable for roofing and metal sheet CATALOGO | CATALOGUE coverings; Magnabulbriv – structural RIVETTI A STRAPPO rivets featuring a big size blind side that BLIND RIVETS prevents pull through, especially when joining thin or lightweight materials; Flooriv – structural rivets used to join wood and metal sheets, widely used in the industrial car body manufacturing industry; hand riveting tools RIV18, RIV98, RIV19; RIV303 with built-in booster, specifically designed for the application of Speedriv cartridge rivets; automatic systems RIV606 and RIV609, which make riveting operations faster and safer; and finally CONTROLRIV control systems – Basic, Primary and Replica versions – to help plan, control and analyse work. www.rivit.it 9/1 edizione 9/1 | edition RIVIT.IT

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MADE IN TURKEY Advertise in the special feature this May

Make sure you’re included in our in-depth look at Turkish fastener manufacturers and their capabilities.

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS RIVETS + RIVET NUTS FEATURE

eCommerce platform proves its value With the aim of bringing more support to fastener distributors across Europe, Remaches Factory was founded as a ‘fastener hub’ for European distributors – supplying blind rivets, rivet nuts and riveting tools. Today, it offers a 24 hour service through its eCommerce platform to bring more efficiency and business to European distributors.

nhanced during the Covid-19 pandemic, customers are able to check availability in stock, goods in arrival, place orders and keep any documentation in their reserved area on the eCommerce platform. Customers also have access to running orders, stock existence, incoming goods and prices, as well as being able to download technical data and invoices. To ensure availability during these uncertain times, Remaches Factory has tripled its warehousing space to have an effective and real Just In Time delivery, based on the targeted consumption of each customer – with constant contact with all partners to avoid interruptions on European production lines. “Our aim is to constantly support our customers,” comments Patrizia De Gregoriis, sales manager at Remaches Factory Srl. “Our mission is to follow the big distributors in Europe and supply them with quality product directly from our production, without any intermediation, to assure a reliable answer to their needs.” Remaches Factory produces and supplies a wide range of quality blind rivets, rivet nuts, lock bolts, battery tools and pneumatic tools for setting. The company focuses on structural and high strength fasteners to offer the best solutions where high performance is required. Remaches Factory also produces customised parts according to drawing or samples with the surface treatments approved by automotive companies.

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Distributors can order single bulk from Remaches Factory, have programmed deliveries, fill sudden stock changes with help from its Italian hub, as well as purchase full containers. “All these benefits to working with Remaches Factory means we are one partner with easy communication, quick answers, supplying quality product reliably and quickly.” “In today’s international situation it is necessary to give distributors a reliable and constant service in order to make sure production lines are not interrupted and avoid a domino effect of disservices. The problem of transportation, the scarcity of containers, the evolution of the pandemic situation, together with the quadrupled delivery times, make Remaches Factory an important supply partner in Europe to keep deliveries stable and satisfy the final customer,” proudly states Patrizia. As well as this, Remaches Factory has a team of capable technical staff, with years of experience, to assist in the right application for its fasteners. The company supplies distributors working in the automotive industry, electronics, green energy, railways, construction, oil plants, among many others. Complementing its range of rivets and rivet nuts is Remaches Factory’s complete range of pneumatic tools and the IERO range of battery tools. The commercial brand IERO includes five types of battery riveting tools – each one suitable for a different kind of fastener such as blind rivets, rivets and rivet nuts – all with CE certification. “Looking ahead to the future, we have great plans to enlarge our range further with new excellent fastener solutions,” concludes Patricia. “This has involved a great commitment in terms of investment and energy, but with our experience and knowledge in the field, the market has responded enthusiastically to our proposals. Remaches Factory is constantly growing with new proposals and new ideas to improve our range and service.” www.remachesfactory.com

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS RIVETS + RIVET NUTS FEATURE

Reliable leak detection for watertight rivet nuts Together with ATEQ, a specialist in leak detection equipment, as well as a final year student at the University of Leuven, Dejond has developed a reliable leak detection test method for watertight rivet nuts.

annes Lecluse, a final year student at the University of Leuven, was assigned to develop a leak detection test method for blind rivet nuts as the subject of his master’s thesis. Together with ATEQ and Dejond’s R&D team, Hannes designed a test set-up with a specific holder, connected to a leak detection device, that was perfect for the job. The working principle is simple but effective. A sealed Tubtara® is installed and positioned in a test holder, connected to ATEQ’s leak testing equipment. The device generates a dedicated air pressure during a certain amount of time and for a specific part volume. Any decrease in pressure, however small, will be detected and compared to pre-defined parameters, which are calculated and correlated to verify that the IPx7 requirement is met. The testing method works perfectly for all watertight seal types and compounds, including the small head rivet nuts with thin precote® resin seal, developed specifically for flush installations. Tubtara watertight rivet nuts offer excellent chemical and thermal resistance and are suited for many automotive fluids. These female

threaded closed end fasteners usually come in stainless steel and feature an under head seal, offering IPx7 waterproof protection after installation. Dejond N.V supplies stocked standard and customised non-ferrous products, fasteners and fastening systems, and is the EN9100 certified manufacturer of cold formed Tubtara blind rivet nuts. Dejond also offers engineered fastening solutions for demanding applications and serves the general industrial, automotive and aerospace industries through trusted fastener distributors worldwide.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS RIVETS + RIVET NUTS FEATURE

High-quality rivets from Smartfix Headquartered in the north of Spain, Smartfix specialises in mechanical fasteners such as rivet nuts and self-clinching products, including welding studs and blind rivets.

ith more than 40 years of experience in the sector, Smartfix Tecnologia e Innovación S.L is able to help customers across the world minimise product handling with its extensive distribution channels – from manufacturing to delivery – decreasing unnecessary costs, whilst offering the best market prices. The company is able to do this thanks to its own 30,000m 2 facility in Asia, with 40 stamping machines, more than 120 threading machines and five ovens for the production of rivet nuts. As well as this, the manufacturing facility houses a technical department and a research, development and innovation team. Its headquarters in Spain houses the administration, management, as well as processing and shipping deportments. “Smartfix stands for quality. We meet all the standards required by our customers by bringing an excellent and complete product to this ever demanding market,” explains Smartfix. “We are a forward looking company that is strengthed by our commitment to invest 10% of our turnover into research and development to ensure we keep ahead in the fastener industry.” www.smartfixsl.com

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Pol. Ind. Las Labradas | C/ Comunidad Foral de Navarra, 5 31500 Tudela Navarra (Spain) | info@smartfixsl.com (+34) 948 848 892 | www.smartfixsl.com

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS BATTERY POWERED INSTALLATION TOOLS FEATURE

JRP launches range of battery powered tooling Jaton Riveting Products (JRP), the dedicated riveting brand from Owlett-Jaton, has launched four new battery powered tools to complement its existing hand tooling range.

vailable from mid-April 2022, JRP battery tools feature Brushless Technology (BLDC) motors, which offer increased reliability; high power-to-weight ratio; nearly instantaneous control of high-speed and torque; high efficiency; and low maintenance over a brushed motor counterpart. The traction force and stroke setting of the tools can also be easily adjusted via an integrated control panel at the touch of a button. The tools are powered by a 18V 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery designed to give higher performance and increased runtimes of almost 120 minutes, depending on the tool model and fasteners being set. As standard, each tool comes complete with two batteries, a charger, as well as a damage resistant case. Spare parts are available for all models. The batteries have Electronic Cell Protection (ECP) that protects overload, overheating and deep discharge. The ECP system automatically shuts the tool down if it detects the battery is becoming overloaded or overheated and, as a result, ensures that the battery cannot reach a critical level of discharge. This is designed to keep the batteries performing at their maximum for longer and offers a lifespan of nearly 1,000 charges. Additionally, there is an LED charge status indicator on the back of each battery. A simple push of a button indicates the current charge status and a quick reference for when to be recharged. The batteries take less than 30 minutes to fully recharge. JRP states that the ergonomic tool and battery design result in a fantastic weight saving combination. “The heaviest tool in the range is only 1.64kg, making the JRP battery tools significantly lighter than nearly all other tools with similar power output. The design allows operators an extremely well balanced, safe, fast, and reliable tool for continual use in manufacturing processes. The tooling will safely free stand when not in use, and the ECP technology will turn the power off to prolong battery life.” The tools also feature an integrated LED light, which tells the operator that the power is on and ready for use. It also provides perfect illumination in the darkest working area. Finally, all tools are CE approved and carry as standard a 12 month warranty. www.owlett-jaton.com

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS BATTERY POWERED INSTALLATION TOOLS FEATURE

Installing wall anchors with battery power Scell-it has launched a new economical range of tools including the E-007 and E-007-T, which it states are the world’s first battery powered tools for installing hollow wall anchors.

hilst the E-007 sets anchors with a screw, the E-007-T uses a built in mandrel to set anchors without a screw. Both tools can set a range of M4 to M8 and a setting adjustment dial on the back of the tools allow for the perfect setting of stroke adjustment from 4mm to 40mm. This means a wide range of diameters and lengths of anchor can be accommodated. Scell-it highlights a total of 500 anchors can be set on one battery charge, due in part to the very efficient brushless motor. This advanced technology, usually found on more expensive tools, is supplied on the whole range and provides increased durability, more noise reduction and uses less energy. The quick setting powered action of these tools also means setting is performed effortlessly in an instant with ‘one squeeze’ of the trigger. This saves time and effort compared to more conventional methods – such as using hand grip tools or screwing the anchor in manually. The other two tools in the new range, also part of the Element range, include a rivet setting tool – the E-005, and Rivnut setting tool – the E-008. The E-005 has a quick set system with changeable nosepieces stored conveniently in the back of the unit.

This allows it to set a range of aluminium and steel rivets from 2.4mm to 4.8mm, as well as stainless steel from 2.4mm to 4mm. A minimum of 400 rivets can be set on one battery charge depending on the nut diameter. The E-008 comes with a set of four nosepieces and mandrels, allowing for a setting range of Rivnuts from M3 to M6 in aluminium, steel and stainless steel. The tool also has a stroke adjustment dial, similar to the E-007, to fine tune the setting. One battery charge will set a minimum of 320 Rivnuts depending on the nut diameter. Scell-it comments: “All the ‘E-00’ tools range utilise the ergonomic blue design of the Scell-it Element range. This includes a soft feel and high grip material with a smooth trigger and handle – all packed in units that are lightweight at under 1.4kg and just 210mm tall. Although economical on cost, they all have a full set of features – such as LED lights to illuminate the work area, easy grip handle, reverse button, rigid carry case, Scell-it’s usual one year guarantee and an Element battery with a quick charger unit. This lithium-ion battery is interchangeable with all the tools in the Element range from Scell-it UK Ltd and is simple and fast to charge.” www.scellit.co.uk

A total of 500 anchors can be set on one battery charge.”

148 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS BATTERY POWERED INSTALLATION TOOLS FEATURE

The benefits of cordless tools

Built to last thanks to the brushless EC-TEC motors, Festool states its two new cordless drills, QUADRIVE TPC and TDC 18/4, are perfectly equipped to take on any application.

eaturing four speeds, these new tools exhibit more torque and speed under load – making them suitable for a variety of applications. The new EC-TEC motors also ensure the tools are extremely powerful and brushless, giving maximum performance. “Tradespeople can achieve the same or even better result with cordless tools as they did with corded ones,” explains Festool UK Ltd. “There are many requirements when it comes to developing new battery packs including safety, quality, durability, power and of course runtime.” “This combination of lithium-ion batteries, together with the brushless

EC-TEC motor, delivers a longer service life and a more efficient use of each battery charge within each tool. This enables a significantly more compact and weight reduced design, which makes for less tiresome work,” adds Festool. The QUADRIVE drills are also available with the unique KickbackStop feature, which has been developed for improved safety. Many tradespeople will experience the discomfort that comes with a tool jamming and suddenly twisting in their hand. The KickbackStop feature developed exclusively by Festool minimises the risk of this happening.

BATTERY POWERED INSTALLATION TOOLS FEATURE

PKT-HYBRID: The cordless nailer Completely independent of the gas cartridge, power cord and hose, the new powerful PKTHYBRID nailer offers maximum working flexibility and mobility – with PREBENA guaranteeing outstanding performance and high comfort for every application.

rgonomically designed, this innovative PKT-HYBRID technology is a combination of the tried and tested PREBENA PKT technology and an 18V LiHD high performance battery from the Cordless Alliance System (CAS) – a cross manufacturer battery pack system for all trades. More specifically, the CAS brings 17 different manufacturers from a wide variety of industries under one umbrella to ensure the system devices, machines, chargers, and battery packs, are 100% compatible and can be combined as required. In the 18V class, more than 160 high performance battery devices are available. The PKT-HYBRID device family embraces two models, each with a round head and a D-head strip nailer – with a short or long magazine for nails up to an incredible length of 100mm. PREBENA Wilfried Bornemann GmbH & Co KG points out both tools have enormous shooting power, speed, and battery power, to drive nails with a length between 65mm – 100mm and a shaft diameter of 2.8mm – 3.1mm at 1.5 shots per second.

150 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS BATTERY POWERED INSTALLATION TOOLS FEATURE

RED ROOSTER cordless tools

For RED ROOSTER, a global brand of power tools, the possibilities offered by improved battery technology have resulted in an extensive cordless range of tools – including the RRI-BS range, RRI-BA range and RRI-BIM range.

ith years of experience in the assembly industry, and through intensive cooperation with customers, RED ROOSTER B.V has developed an extensive and complete range with specific attention for ergonomics, efficiency and durability. RED ROOSTER’s combination of cordless tools and air tools offers customers the opportunity to implement the most optimal solution, with cordless tools available in a variety of different shapes and models – all meant for tightening threaded fasteners, but each model has its own purpose. For instance, RRI-BS screwdrivers have low rpm and a low torque level, making them ideal for screw sizes M3 – M6; torque levels up to 12Nm; and speeds between 250 rpm and 1,550 rpm. Also available, RRI-BA angle wrenches have a low rpm and a high torque level making them good for screw sizes M4 – M12; torque levels up to 90Nm; and speeds between 90 rpm and 1,000 rpm. RRI-BIM impulse wrenches have high rpm and a high torque level. These tools are for use with sizes M5 – M10 and speeds up to 4,500 rpm. RED ROOSTER points out that most noticeable with the impulse wrenches is the fact that there is virtually no reaction force to the operator’s hands.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

DST fasteners in use at HAROMAC Can a complete workbench be assembled quickly without tools and will it still withstand high strains? A case study with high-quality construction tool manufacturer HAROMAC proves that this can be done using DIRAK-SNAP-Technology fasteners.

liver Lück, managing director of HAROMAC Werkzeugfabrik GmbH & Co KG, explains: “Workbenches presented a new challenge for us. They had to provide good load-bearing capacity and be easy to assemble without any screws and with just a few tools.” This is the challenge DIRAK GmbH, a developer of latch, hinge and fastening technology, took on with its DIRAK-SNAP-Technology (DST). The DST fasteners provide a very simple way to fasten metal sheets together and meant the workbenches could be assembled quickly using no tools – the fasteners are simply pressed into the cutouts in the sheet metal walls. DIRAK explains that the idea behind DIRAK-SNAP-Technology is incredibly simple. DST uses the operating principle of a slam latch, which is commonly found in doors for houses or rooms. It is based on SNAP elements with an angled insert or angled clamps and a spring positioned inside the SNAP elements.

These SNAP elements are inserted into a guide channel of an object and held in place by fixing plugs. If this fastener is then pressed through a cutout, the angled insert pushes the SNAP element back like a latch bolt in the guide channel and the spring is tensioned. As soon as the height of the angled insert is surpassed during the insertion process, the tensioned spring presses the SNAP elements back out of the guide channel. A distinctive ‘SNAP’ sound can be heard as this happens. The result, the fastener is now wedged in the cutout and holds the connected elements together with great strength. The patented fastening method of DST enables easy installation by hand, with no tools, in just seconds while ensuring maximum reliability due to its exact and strong connections, even in applications that are hard to reach. The angled clamps and the spring, which continuously exerts pressure, make DST products rattle, vibration and shock-proof. “DST fasteners are able to withstand high strains without compromising their

154 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

fit accuracy or securing and connecting function,” according to Matthias Velten, area manager at DIRAK. Numerous DST solutions have been tested for vibration and shock (DIN EN 61373), earthquakes (GR-63-CORE, Issue 4), as well as electrically grounded products – due to the use of a grounding clip. DST also has clear advantages over conventional screw fastenings when it comes to easy disassembly. Depending on the individual product, this can be done with either standard or DIRAK-specific special tools. Disassembly with special tools is especially recommended as a way to prevent vandalism and unauthorised disassembly. The easy disassembly makes a modular structure of the workbenches possible. Another advantage is the packaging of the workbenches. Since the workbenches can be assembled quickly, they are broken down and sold unassembled as a flat pack. That makes them easy to handle and only a little space is needed for transport.

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Why is process monitoring more important than ever? Deciding on what fastener to use on an assembly takes a lot of time and effort. Here Sherex Fastening Solutions looks at what issues can arise when installing fasteners at a high volume and why process monitoring is more important than ever.

hen it comes to selecting a fastener engineers need to firstly analyse what type of fastener will provide the proper strength and grip to secure joints, and then combine it with the right tooling to make installations efficient. These processes take a lot of time and effort to determine the best fit for a product, and that doesn’t even factor in the investment in purchasing fasteners, tooling and calibration units. So, when it comes to the actual installation of the fastener on to the assembly, and after putting in all the work to find the correct product and tooling, the installation has to be perfect. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. When installing fasteners at a high volume, anything from human error, tooling issues, improper hole sizes, or material thickness variations, may occur from time to time. These improper installations could lead to bigger problems down the road. Not only could it lead to safety concerns, but also to material waste, rework, and other expensive delays that cost manufacturers valuable time and money. This is why process monitoring is so important. Having a process monitoring installation system in place lets the operator/installer know if their fastener installation is satisfactory or not. With a system that’s configured to the specific part that’s being installed, along with the thickness of the base material it’s being installed into, these systems determine the results of an installation instantaneously. Add in the historical analysis of the installations that are occurring, and installations are driven by quantifiable data, not just by user feel. These systems even support a ‘stop tool’ function to allow operators to analyse or reinstall the part if installation wasn’t satisfactory. Process monitoring systems are required in a number of industries including automotive, and they’re becoming more popular. The ROI on a process monitoring system compared to the time and waste of incorrectly installed items, or even potential litigation from an installation that wasn’t perfect, could pay for itself relatively quickly. These systems can be used in low or high volume installations, including on an assembly line. With installations being so critical to the assembly of any product, the risk of not knowing if an installation is proper is not worth saving a few bucks, especially if a worse case scenario happens, whatever that may be. Process monitoring systems combines quality control and efficiency so installers can feel good when the assemblies keep moving down the line.

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Engineered Huck® fasteners – an alternative to welding The Huck® product range, based on the original HuckBolt® design, has evolved to include small and large diameter LockBolts®, medium and heavy-duty blind fasteners, as well as the associated installation tooling. But where are they used and how do they work?

vailable from UK-based Star Fasteners – the UK’s largest Huck® stockist and distributor for over 30 years – the range of LockBolts® and blind fasteners have been used in a variety of applications with extreme stress and vibration in joints, providing strength and facilitating lighter, stronger, more durable structures, without loosening.

What is a HuckBolt®?

Structural HuckBolts®, also known as Lockbolts, are available in a wide range of sizes up to 1 ⅜ inch and materials, and consist of a pin and a collar. These fasteners are installed using a direct tension technique, in which the pin is pulled and the collar is simultaneously swaged into the locking grooves of the pin, deforming the collar into the grooves. Based on their design and unique direct tension installation, Star states HuckBolts deliver consistent clamp for a strong, stable and vibration resistant joint. Huck Lockbolts provide direct metal-to-metal contact when installed, which eliminates the transverse vibration often found in conventional nuts and bolts. Engineered for a wide range of applications, Huck Lockbolts deliver superior joining strength, as well as shear and tensile strength, for an unmatched fastening solution. In addition to providing faster, safer, and more accurate joining, there are several unique design elements of HuckBolts that ensure their ultimate resistance to the effects of vibration. Conventional nut and bolt installations, can loosen in high vibration environments and need continual checking and maintenance. By comparison Huck LockBolts provide a consistent jointing solution. For applications where only one side of the joint material is accessible, performance engineered Huck structural blind fasteners can often meet design requirements. These blind fasteners can deliver the shear and tensile strength to meet the demands of a number of demanding applications. Available in diameters ranging from 3/16 inch to ¾ inch, these fasteners offer a combination of strength and vibration resistance, easy installation, as well as a high-level of safe operation. Huck fasteners are used in many industrial markets including truck, trailer, automotive, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, bus, coach, portable buildings, agricultural machinery, green energy, and rail, but the application possibilities are endless. HuckBolts and Huck structural blind fasteners have not been designed to replace all welds, but there are many applications where welding has been traditionally employed where Huck fasteners are a viable alternative. Engineered for easy installation, and long, reliable life, these direct tension HuckBolts and structural blind fasteners can be a faster, more cost efficient, and safer alternative to traditional welding processes. HuckBolt fasteners can be effectively used with virtually any metal, and dissimilar metals with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion present. Varying material thicknesses in a joint are readily accommodated and surface finishes are not damaged. Most importantly, HuckBolts are proven to hold up over years of service in demanding high stress and high vibration environments. To accompany the range of fasteners, Star Fasteners offers a wide variety of quality tools that stand up to the rigours of a busy workshop environment, including the latest pneudraulic, battery, hydraulic and hand tools, as well as offering advice on the options best suited to both the application and the environment.

158 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE ≡ ISSUE 134: MARCH 2022

Marine grade eye bolts and nuts New lines of 316 A4 marine grade stainless steel lifting eye bolts, long lifting eye bolts, and eye nuts, are now in stock and available for purchase from SD Products – in metric sizes M6 – M30.

ye bolts and nuts are commonly used in lifting equipment, cable and rope rigging or rigging attachments on boats or vehicles. They offer excellent corrosion resistance in salt water environments, making them ideal for use in boating, sailing and other marine based applications. A new range of 316 A4 stainless steel carabiner spring snap hooks has also been added to SD Products’ catalogue. These are easy to use and versatile connectors for light and heavy-duty applications, with a spring loaded gate providing a quick and secure attachment. Depending on the size, snap hooks can have a variety of uses – from key rings to straps, ropes and heavy chains. Anti-rust marine grade stainless steel also ensures great longevity and reliability in outdoor applications. SD Products Ltd is a third generation family owned business with over 40 years of experience as a stockist distributor of specialist fasteners, supplying products across all industries. www.sdproducts.co.uk

Stamping out theft with Hafren Hafren Fasteners has released its new catalogue, along with product installation videos, to offer an even wider range of security fasteners and services to aid users and distributors in stamping out the impact of theft. oth the print and digital versions of the Edition 11 – 2022 catalogue provide a great deal of information, with integrated QR codes that can be used to access clear product installation videos on YouTube for the entire range. Simply scanning the QR code with a smartphone or tablet will take the user to Hafren’s YouTube channel to view the range of product installation videos. The new product catalogue also pictures some of the varied industries and applications that security fasteners are deployed in. As well as this, Edition 11 also includes technical drawings for each product showing key information such as head diameters and heights, material specifications, plating and coating thicknesses, as well as sizes. www.hafrenfasteners.co.uk

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

A consistent supply Despite the unprecedented and ongoing fluctuations effecting the fastener world, London Screw, one of the world’s oldest screw and bolt manufacturers, states it has remained a consistently steadfast supplier to the UK distribution industry and is now looking to invest in the future.

ondon Screw Company Limited manufactures a wide range of standard fasteners in the Black Country, the traditional heart of the British fastener manufacturing industry, to the west of Birmingham. Known for its range of short Allthreads (stud bolts to DIN976-1), the company also supplies a wide range of machine and security screws. Currently, London Screw sells its production exclusively to UK distributors. This provides significant scope and many opportunities for international growth, especially in Europe with the benefit of zero duty between the UK and the EU. “In anticipation of the effects of the implementation of EU AD676, anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel imported fasteners, the time is right for London Screw to broaden its horizons and ‘change a challenge to a chance’ by offering spare bulk production capacity to our European neighbours,” comments the company. “The London Screw Company has always adapted to change and considers the current market volatility as an opening for UK manufacturing. With this in mind, London Screw is now looking to invest in the future and seeks partners to help develop this historic company for the economic and environmental challenges of the next 150 years.” www.londonscrew.com

New TORX® PARALOBE® ISO standards are released After two years of work by the TC20/SC4 committee, the new TORX® PARALOBE® ISO standards have been completed and published. Although the standards were created in the aerospace committee, the standards can be readily applied to applications in other industries. hese new ISO standards follow SAE standards AS8538 and AS8539 that were published in 2019. The new ISO standards’ titles are: ‘ISO 4579 aerospace – drives, internal, TORX® PARALOBE® drive – geometrical definition, gaging and technical requirements’ and ‘ISO 4580 aerospace – drives, internal, TORX® PARALOBE® driver bit – geometrical definition, gaging and technical requirements’.

Standard But co

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WHEN SAFETY REALLY MATTERS Our wedge-locking solutions are used all over the world, from the deepest subsea situations to power stations, bridges and wind turbines. Whatever your bolting challenge, we will be there to help you ensure safer, more efficient operations. nord-lock.com