FASTENER ENGINEERING JULY 2021

Engineering July 2021

A supplement of Design World

What causes

fastener seizing and galling?

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Mark your calendars...

She gives two reasons why the industry attracts such loyalty: “There’s always something new to learn and it’s a close-knit community.” At long last, this community is slowly reconnecting in person, after more than a year of social distancing — so get ready to fill your calendars. The next few months offer a lot of new learning opportunities outside of our homes for a change.

The Fastener Training Institute, a nonprofit training organization, has already begun hosting some of its courses live and in classrooms again. Its renowned Fastener Training Week, which successfully took place in May, will be offered again in Chicago from August 16th to 20th. Register, or check out the other programs available, at fastenertraining. org.

The International Fastener Expo (IFE) is returning to Las Vegas from September 21st to 23rd for the annual event, well-known for bringing manufacturers and distributors together to network, share, and learn.

Although it changed ownership a few years ago, IFE initially launched 40 years ago and has only grown since — which is an example of the staying power the industry evokes.

“We’re continually trying to find ways to make subtle improvements to the event and keep developing it,” shares show manager, Morgan Wilson. But this year, more than anything it’s about reconnecting. “The excitement and enthusiasm to see everyone face-to-face seem to be growing every week,” he adds. Turn to page 62 to read more about the history and success of IFE.

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Fastener Fair USA is also returning this year, scheduled for November 8th to 10th in Cleveland. It’s the only exhibition in the U.S. that’s dedicated to the full fastener supply chain, along with an international platform for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers.

“This year, show visitors can expect a comprehensive display of industry innovation with technical conference sessions, demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with peers and industry experts,” says the show organizers.

Also, did you know Fastener Fair offers a matchmaking service for attendees? It’s not a dating service (sorry, singles!) but, as an attendee, “You’re eligible to be matched with specific exhibitors who provide the exact products you are looking for,” according to the event’s website. These are customized matches based on the information provided during registration (and not based on sponsors or advertisers).

Learn more and register at fastenerfairusa. com.

As Morris mentions in her profile, “The fastener industry offers enormous opportunities in so many different directions.” It’s about time we get to experience those opportunities together again.

Do you have an upcoming event?

Share it with us at fasteners@wtwhmedia. com. FE

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| AdobeStock.com

“Once you’re in it, it’s tough to leave,” shares Jo Morris, who works with the Fastener Training Institute and Desert Distribution. She’s referring to the fastener industry, which is likely somewhat humorous and mostly true for many working in the sector. Morris has spent her career in fastening, which you can read about in her profile on page 74.

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Five best practices for using structural adhesives

Simla AY • Technical Support Manager • Hernon Manufacturing Structural adhesives provide reliable, long-lasting bonds for load-bearing and structural assemblies. There

are several reasons why such adhesives are selected over other forms of joining and fastening. Advantages include assembly cost savings, chemical tolerances, impact and vibration resistance, stress dispersion, curing options, ease of application, and several others depending on the application.

Many types of formulas are also available to meet most project requirements, including epoxies, polyurethanes, cyanoacrylates, vinyl acetates, and phenolics. To ensure the ideal bond for an application, consider a few best practices before choosing and using structural adhesives.

1 Know the environment End-use requirements such as temperature, humidity, and chemical resistance, as well as UV exposure, are determining factors when choosing a structural adhesive’s type and grade. The formula selected should also be tested before use to ensure validation for the intended assembly and the conditions of its end-use environment.

The temperature, humidity, and other potential exposures are important elements to assess during the validation process. For example, along with the temperature, it’s important to factor in whether the material will be exposed to rain, snow, saltwater, sunlight, UV lights, etc. Similarly, if the bonded parts will be subject to fluids (such as oil and gasoline) or must endure high-impact or vibrational forces, the adhesive must be tested accordingly to ensure reliability.

After making the ideal adhesive choice, it’s critical to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for preparation, application, curing,

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removal, and the correct safety, quality testing, and storage measures.

2 Prep the surface Proper substrate surface preparation is crucial to ensure optimum adhesion with good bond strength. All dirt and fluids such as oil, rust, dust, soil, residual release agents, and other contaminants should be removed from the joint surfaces before application.

Of course, different surfaces will require different methods of prep. And, each adhesive has an ideal surface-

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Structural adhesives typically offer greater freedom in material and design choices.

Compared to conventional fastening, they also often reduce the overall weight of an

preparation method, which should be indicated on its technical documents.

These methods might entail: • Degreasing – removing oil and grease from the surfaces • Abrading – sanding or polishing the area • Cleaning – using a solvent or pretreating chemically

After an abrasion treatment, a solvent should always be used to clean any loose particles left on the surface.

It’s also worth noting that a bond is only as strong as its weakest point.

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Sometimes the weakest point relates to prior use of paint or coatings. A chemical paint stripper should be used to remove any painted surface if a maximum bond is required for an application.

Once the surface is cleaned and ready, apply the adhesive soon afterward to avoid contamination or mechanical damage.

Typically, the ideal surface preparation method will also depend on the substrates used, so be sure to read the technical documents carefully before proceeding.

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assembly. Here, a structural adhesive is used to bond metal to plastic.

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Proper preparation of the bonding surface area is as important as choosing the ideal adhesive.

As adhesives are composed of different structured chemical ingredients, remember to wear protective equipment such as safety glasses and gloves. The application area should also be ventilated in case of fumes or vapors.

3 Read the requirements After the surface preparation is completed, double-check the adhesive’s requirements. Always follow the application instructions and any curing directions.

Although a sufficient amount of adhesive should be dispensed on the joining surfaces, more is not always better when applying adhesives or sealants. A common cause of product recall is excess use during application.

In addition, ensure the substrates are mated within the adhesive’s open time for the maximum bond strength.

If the adhesive is a two-component product, it’s essential to first mix the parts thoroughly. Environmental conditions such as temperature,

UV exposure, and humidity should be considered or controlled beforehand.

For instance, if a bonded joint is exposed to rain or saltwater before curing, the bonding process might fail.

Likewise, if the joint is exposed to the sun, this condition could affect the grade of a UV-sensitive adhesive. The environment temperature is also significant, particularly when dispensing from time and pressure valves. Hot or cold conditions can alter the viscosity of the adhesive and subsequently change the volume applied under the preset valve settings.

Quality testing The structural adhesive market is expected to hit a compound annual growth rate of more than five percent over the next five years. To effectively and reliably compete in the market, adequate testing of the adhesives and bonded joints is important.

This means quality testing should be performed twice: when choosing the final adhesive and after the joint-bonding process. For example, peel and shear tests are fairly common and determine the strength of the adhesive on particular substrates.

These tests should be specified on the manufacturer’s datasheet and performed by the end-user in cooperation with the adhesive supplier.

In general, the standard adhesive tests include: • Shear, peel, and impact strength • Moisture, chemical, and UV-resistance • Creep behavior, especially at higher temperatures and humidity.

Bear in mind that the tested adhesive may fail to give an acceptable performance if the bonding surfaces have not been accurately prepared.

Also, best practices should include quality testing of the procedure used and any related equipment, as well. The test equipment manufacturer should be knowledgeable about customer’s testing and performance requirements.

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After the application is complete, immediately clean the equipment and work area before any excess adhesive cures to such surfaces.

4 Be aware of curing catalysts Curing is a chemical reaction required to convert a liquid or thermoplastic adhesive to a solid. Adhesives typically offer high strength and resistance to temperature, humidity, and chemicals after they cure but are vulnerable during the curing process.

Single-component adhesives — such as anaerobics, cyanoacrylates, and silicones — are premixed and require temperature, humidity, or light to initiate the curing process. The containers carrying these adhesives should be selected carefully as they could cause early curing if not protected during transportation.

Anaerobic adhesives, which include thermoset polymers with high strength and resistance to heat, cure under the absence of oxygen.

To prevent premature curing, the adhesive should remain in contact with oxygen until it’s in use. For that reason, air-permeable plastic bottles, which are flushed with oxygen before filling, are preferred to let the adhesive store well.

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Depending on the assembly, clamping the parts together is one method that can provide a secure bond while an adhesive is curing.

bond to a person’s skin). They typically cure instantly in the presence of moisture and degrade when exposed to air.

Adhesives that cure by chemical reactions depend on a set temperature.

These include epoxies, polyurethanes, and silicones. Cure times, pot lives, and open times are shorter at higher temperatures and longer at lower temperatures.

If an adhesive is used outside during the summer, for example, the open time could be as low as half of the reported value at standard room temperatures.

However, on a cool day, the open time could be doubled. So, a 50° F (10° C ) warmer cure environment will cut the open time in half while a 50° F cooler one could double it.

It’s, therefore, extremely important to be aware of the environmental conditions and temperatures, adjusting the cure times accordingly. If the parts are bonded after the open time expires, the result is poor bond strength.

Thermal curing is a more controllable method, providing greater repeatability as an oven’s temperature can easily be set. Among the thermal curing adhesives, polyurethanes do not have high-temperature resistance, so a primer is best used on the substrate before bonding. Silicones bond better to low-surface energy plastics due to their low surface energy.

Depending on the adhesive, its color might change after curing. This can be used as an identifier of the degree of curing that’s occurred. Also, if aesthetics are important to the project, compare cured samples before applying an adhesive on the final assembly.

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5 Think smart storage When adhesives are stored according to the recommendations given in the manufacturer’s guidelines, they will maintain their performance throughout their shelf life.

Each adhesive has a specific storage condition, but several structural adhesives are sensitive to extreme temperatures, light, humidity, and chemicals. To be safe, avoid opening a container until it’s going to be used.

Anaerobics and acrylics should be stored between 41° to 77° F (5° to 25° C). Cyanoacrylates should be stored under refrigeration at a temperature of 35° to 45° F (about 1.5° to 7° C) for an extended shelf life. Before opening, the containers must be warmed to room temperature, or water may condense into the bottle and cause hardening of the adhesive.

Each adhesive has a storage temperature indicated on its datasheet so be sure to refer to it to prolong the life of the compound. As a general rule: use and store adhesives with care and safety in mind. FE

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How plastic welding is

supporting advancements in automotive designs Priyank Kishor • Global Product Manager Branson Welding and Assembly – Emerson (all images courtesy of Emerson)

The sophistication of today’s vehicles is remarkable, with

thousands of low-resistance connections between sensors, cameras, and high-tech lighting. Given the demand for autonomous and electric-vehicle (EV) development, electronic complexity will likely only increase.

New uses for materials — such as reinforced plastics in car manufacturing — require rethinking conventional joining and fastening technologies. Fortunately, new and updated joining methods are meeting these challenges and, in the automotive sector, much credit goes to developments in plastic welding.

Plastic trends Today’s vehicles are far more “connected” than ever before. Ten years ago, the typical car had a relatively small number of sensors, aimed at monitoring the combustion engine and drivetrain components. Now the average number of electronic devices in a car surpasses 200. This includes the sensors, cameras, and radar intended to connect a driver (human or automated) to information about the vehicle and its surroundings.

Typically, these electronic components are a part of tiny, printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are housed in, attached to, and protected by plastic structures. In EVs and hybrids, PCBs and rechargeable batteries require weathertight enclosures.

These housings, which are often made of highly engineered and reinforced polymers, are unique in terms of form, fit, and function.

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High-tech automotive sensors, cameras, and radar are connecting drivers to their vehicle and its surroundings, providing relevant data for better safety. To securely connect these delicate devices (typically to plastic parts or enclosures), joining technologies are advancing, offering greater precision and design freedom.

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J o i n i n g A new “dynamic mode” of ultrasonic welding offers dual-control capabilities based on a material’s density and system reactively.

Available on the Branson GSX E-1 2.0 welder, dynamic welding optimizes part quality by re-calculating and adjusting key parameters during the weld cycle.

The fragility and safety requirements of such devices pose fastening and assembly challenges.

This is where welding comes in.

As auto designers push toward lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles — and components become smaller and more complex — the welding of the plastic enclosures and assemblies has required greater sophistication.

For example, intelligent exterior and interior automotive lighting now rely on organic light-emitting-diode (LED) lamps, which include electronic control components. These lamps must use precise and gentle welding methods to avoid damage. Similarly, a vehicle’s head and tail-lights also have integrated LEDs and sensors that often span the entire width of a car to illuminate the road and potential hazards. They’re built into assemblies that are primarily made of plastics.

Modern dashboards include driverinformation displays (with interactive maps and satellite radio selections) that must connect to nearly every sensor and camera in the car. The outer plastic housings require joining, as do many of the circuit boards and wired assemblies inside the console. Even a driver’s key fob makes use of plastics in sealed assemblies.

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Plastic assemblies Fortunately, continuous advances in plastic welding mean more than one technology is now available to meet different assembly challenges. Here are a few of the methods used in automotive assemblies.

Ultrasonic welding – creates a high-frequency, heat-generating motion between components that require bonding. It’s not new to the

industry and has been used to join thermoplastics for more than 70 years.

Historically, it was used when parts were too complex or costly to be molded in one piece. Instead, they were molded in multiple parts, which allowed for more efficient and cost-effective welding.

Several automotive components are already ultrasonically welded. However, the precision required for today’s delicate sensors, cameras, and lighting components has led to advancements.

For example, “dynamic mode” welding can automatically adjust to respond to part-to-part variabilities and unique materials.

This technique can safely weld small, thin, or complex plastic parts onto plastic structures directly atop sensors or delicate electronics without damage.

It can also weld parts atop plastic

PulseStaking technology can reliably join several different materials to plastic components or housings — including PCBs, sensors, hinges, buttons, plastic keys, and more.

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assemblies containing compressible internal elements (such as elastomeric seals or cores) and handle materials that vary in hardness or structural consistency (such as composites).

Additional benefits: • Short cycle time (usually < 1 sec) • Strong hermetic seals • No curing time or consumables required • Offers outstanding repeatability Laser welding – useful for fast and accurate assemblies of small to large structures, such as the plastic housings that surround hybrid and EV batteries.

A welded joint has little flash and virtually zero particulates, making it ideal for contamination-sensitive applications, such as battery housings.

Laser welding is also precise enough for use on the smallest of structures with critical or complex geometries.

This means pre-assembled parts can be joined without vibration or high-temperature heat sources, which could otherwise damage internal components. This allows for 3D joint configurations and more flexible part designs.

Additional benefits: • Short cycle times • Strong hermetic seals (provides a tight, waterproof assembly) • No curing time or consumables required • Homogeneous and repeatable welds • Greater material compatibility, including soft materials • Design freedom that allows for contoured visible weld joints • Excellent aesthetics PulseStaking – a new advancement in staking technology. Unlike traditional staking tips, which continuously radiate heat, PulseStaker tips are independently and instantaneously heated, cooled, and localized within the heating effect.

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A vehicle’s marker light, which functions as an auxiliary safety light, has been laser welded for a secure assembly.

Therefore, the pulsing tips can be positioned more closely to heat or vibration-sensitive electronic components (such as PCBs), soldered components, or sensors without the risk of radiant heating.

In fact, this technology allows for such small welds that it can safely and reliably secure four corners of a circuit board inside a plastic housing.

Additional benefits, which include the joining of: • Complex 3D part designs with varied surface contours • Multiple, closely aligned post or flap features • Advanced, blended, glass-reinforced, or chromed/metalized plastics

As developments in manufacturing and electronics for the automotive industry advance, expect welding technologies to follow suit and continue meeting the demands for safe, costeffective, and reliable assemblies. FE

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What causes fastener seizing and galling?

Hiroki Goto • Engineering Manager • NBK America LLC

Have you ever had problems with fastener threads getting stuck? If so,

and you attempted to remove the seized fastener by force, you likely ended up with little success to show for it other than a broken screw.

Galling is a form of wear that can lead to seizing, a phenomenon that occurs when a screw is unable to rotate and is locked into place. Unfortunately, these events are common and frustrating, occurring regularly during fastener installation when screws are tightened.

Friction and adhesion are typically blamed for this. However, outside factors can also play a role, such as foreign matter or burrs. Let’s discuss these culprits.

Friction and adhesion Sometimes referred to as “cold welding,” galling occurs when a fastener expands because of the pressure or friction that results during the tightening of a screw upon installation. This causes adhesion in the fastener’s mating threads that can, in more severe cases, lead to seizing. This means the fastener threads are stuck and removal without damage is tough.

Galling and seizing are more likely to occur in high-temperature environments, which makes sense during installation as friction causes heat. Interestingly, the material of the fastener can also make a difference. For example, stainless steel screws are more likely than other types of screws to seize because they have a:

If a fastener has seized up from galling, it’s typically impossible to remove it without cutting the bolt or splitting the nut.

• Higher coefficient of friction – twice that of general steel, which means that heat is easily generated

• Lower rate of thermal conductivity – one-third of that of general steel, which means any heat generated is not easily released

• Larger expansion coefficient – about twice that of general steel, which means the male and female threads will adhere easily to one another

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Friction and adhesion are two common reasons fastener galling and seizing occur. Fortunately, there are prevention measures. For example, the fastener on the left shows clear evidence of seizing, whereas the one on the right is free from galling or seizing. This screw has a fluorine coating, which helped prevent damage during installation.

Whenever fastener threads are prone to adhesion, there’s a greater chance they’ll fuse together. Sometimes with minor galling, it’s still possible to remove the screw without damage. But if the surfaces are completely fused, this is next to impossible.

Also, if enough pressure builds between the contact threads, it can break any oxide coating that’s on the fasteners, further leading to adhesion and seizing.

Outside factors Although galling is typically caused during fastener installation, the environment can also play a factor. For instance, if left outside in the hot sun or in warm conditions for a prolonged period of time, fasteners are likely to heat up. As mentioned, high-temperature conditions can lead to a greater chance of galling, whether that’s caused by friction during installation or the external environment.

Any debris sitting inside of the threading can also pose a risk of increased friction during installation. So, be sure to first check and only use clean parts. If necessary, use compressed air to ensure a clean surface before fastener use.

Similarly, foreign matter such as burrs can cause galling. A burr is a raised edge or small piece of material that’s stuck on the thread of a screw, typically resulting from the thread-rolling process.

Any damaged threading will increase the friction during fastener installation.

Prevention measures It’s important to note that galling and seizing can be prevented by checking the condition of the fastener threads before tightening and using the appropriate torque. Over-torquing a nut can cause damage to the threading, so it can help to use a torque wrench. Pneumatic DESIGN WORLD

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torque wrenches are designed to provide fast, safe, and simple fastening for applications that require controlled bolting solutions.

The load also matters. An increased load will force a fastener’s threading to push against itself while spinning during installation, adding to the friction. So, when possible, decrease the load of the assembly beforehand.

Although changing the thermal conductivity or thermal expansion coefficient is difficult, the friction coefficient can be decreased during fastener installation. This is possible through the use of lubrication and/or surface treatments, such as anti-galling and anti-seize coatings.

Teflon coating is one example of surface treatment for seizing prevention that provides the added advantage of chemical resistance. Fluorine is another type of coating that has proven highly effective. As there are several options, depending on the application, be sure to discuss the ideal surface treatment with your fastener supplier to make the right choice.

As an alternative to coated screws and lubricant, surface-hardened screws reliably prevent galling and seizing. Over time, any coating added to fasteners will peel off, becoming a source of debris and contamination.

This is particularly troublesome in certain industries, including in semiconductor manufacturing and foodprocessing machines. Equipment that’s regularly exposed to high-temperature environments also faces a similar issue. Surface-hardened screws solve this problem, offering a simple fastening solution that helps prevent unnecessary galling challenges. FE

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The making of the

International Fastener Expo Michelle Froese • Editor When the International Fastener Expo (IFE) first launched nearly

40 years ago, the show had a different name and different owners. Las Vegas was also not yet the headquarters for what’s become a key annual fastener event. Back in ’81, veteran fastener expert, Mike McGuire began the expo in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio as the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo.

“Mike came from a strong background in the fastener industry,” shared Morgan Wilson, the current show manager with Emerald Exposition, which now owns IFE. “In fact, fastener distribution was a family business that dated back to his father and even his grandfather. So, he got the original idea for the show and then teamed up with a gentleman, named Jim Bannister, who was more familiar with the trade show industry.”

McGuire’s grandfather was a traveling salesman who started a side business as a distributor of nuts and bolts in 1929. His son soon joined the company, which lead to the founding of Capital Sales, Inc. As they say, like father like son — or, in this case, like grandfather like grandsons. McGuire and his brother followed in the family’s footsteps and eventually founded Buckeye Bolt & Nut Co. It’s since been sold but McGuire is still in the industry. Most recently, he founded Worldwide Fastener Sources, a comprehensive fastener sourcing site.

“Mike’s always been an entrepreneur,” said Wilson. “And maybe not surprisingly, he was quite successful with his concept of the fastener expo right

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The International Fastener Expo is back! The renowned event will be live in Las Vegas, September 21-23, 2021, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (Bayside B).

off the bat. The first show brought some 100 or so exhibitors and 2,000 attendees.”

The aim was to bring manufacturers and distributors of industrial fasteners, precision-formed parts, and machinery tooling together. Although there was certainly a few regional events at the time, the expo was (and still is) the largest fastener event in North America. Now, it’s held annually in Las Vegas, typically attracting more than 650 exhibiting companies and 5,000 attendees from around the world.

“So, in 1997, Mike and Jim decided to hold the event in Vegas for the first time,” explained Wilson. “The audience

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was mostly from the Midwest and East Coast, and this location was not only more fun but possibly more accessible or inviting to a greater number of people.”

For a few years, the expo was held bi-annually, in Columbus and then in Las Vegas. But it didn’t take long for Vegas to become the go-to, annual spot for the event. Then in 2015, McGuire and Bannister decided to sell. Emerald Expositions, a highly successful owner and operator of business-to-business and consumer trade shows in the U.S. took over.

“Emerald Expositions is actually one of the largest, if not the largest, trade www.fastenerengineering.com

show organizers in North America so acquiring this national fastener event made sense,” said Wilson.

Emerald’s history also dates back to the ‘80s, when United News and Media acquired Miller Freeman Publications, a producer of trade shows and business magazines. After a host of acquisitions, Emerald Expositions was created. At this point, the expo had grown considerably, featuring hundreds of exhibitors from almost a dozen countries.

“It was quite amazing what Mike was able to do with such a small team. When we came aboard, it was basically just him, his partner Jim, and show organizer and manager, Susan Hurley,” he said.

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J o i n i n g IFE is planning a diverse conference schedule this year, with coverage on industry trends, new technologies, testing and inspecting, growing sales, and more.

“And when we jumped in, it was a new industry for Emerald.”

This is where Wilson helped considerably as he had nearly a decade of previous experience working for a distributor in the fastener industry.

“I started as the business development manager for the event and was able to help out with creating more precise branding and enhanced digital efforts, such as web development. We also renamed the event in 2018 to the International Fastener Expo or IFE.”

Emerald also offered a dedicated marketing and sales team, including one that targeted a greater international audience. “We were definitely focused on growing domestically, but also internationally because we have a lot of experience with global suppliers.”

One way the Emerald team did this is by implementing a Source Global Area, which is a specific international area on the exhibitor floor. The result has been an increase in attendees from outside of the U.S., including from about 30 different countries. The average attendee also spends about $1.9 million after attending the show, according to statistics from Emerald.

“We’re continually trying to find ways to make subtle improvements to the event for those who attend,” he shared.

Last year was certainly one of the most challenging, given the pandemic.

“We were preparing for the worst as soon as COVID first hit hard in March 2020, but we had hoped that things would turn around in time for the September event. Unfortunately, that

didn’t pan out,” said Wilson.

Although IFE was forced to skip its annual Las Vegas event last fall, it failed to deter the organizers from offering an alternative. To connect the fastener industry, Emerald presented Match & Meet, a unique, AI-powered platform that offered several live, online conference sessions, with more than 50 exhibitors in virtual booths. The show took place last November, attracting more than 500 participants.

“We’re aware of what IFE has grown to mean to the industry and we wanted to present an alternative,” he said.

“Granted, it was not as ideal as an inperson show and it took a lot of effort to build out the online platform for it, but we think overall it was a success.”

Over the two days of the digital show, more than 2,700 connections were made, with 6,700-plus messages exchanged. “We noticed how much more one-on-one time attendees spent with those exhibiting or speaking at the event than typically happens in person at the show, so this was interesting.”

Another bonus: “Now that the platform is built, we’re able to use it in the future. So, for example, we might incorporate this digital side to the event in Vegas,” said Wilson. Registration is now open for IFE, which is set for September 21-23, 2021.

“The excitement and enthusiasm to see everyone face-to-face is growing every week,” he added. “We’re thrilled to create a safe and comfortable environment for our audience to meet in person again.” FE

The organizers of the International Fastener Expo are dedicated to presenting a safe and effective event in Las Vegas this September. They’ve developed an IFE 2021 Health and Safety Plan, where exhibitors and attendees can learn about the health measures that will be implemented and expected at the event. You can download the plan at fastenershows.com.

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5G TECHNOLOGY WORLD Delivers the Latest 5G Technology Trends

5G Technology World is EEWorldOnline’s newest site covering 5G technology, systems, infrastructure, and wireless design and development.

Get caught up on critical 5G information, check out the following articles on 5GTechnologyWorld.com: Massive MIMO performance testing: Emulate the channel Performing MIMO testing using real-world conditions is critical for successful 5G deployments. www.5gtechnologyworld.com/massive-mimoperformance-testing-emulate-the-channel

5G is hot, keep your components and systems cool 5G’s antennas and the devices that drive them generate more heat than their LTE predecessors. That creates new cooling problems for wireless devices and systems. www.5gtechnologyworld.com/5g-is-hot-keep-yourcomponents-and-systems-cool

5G moves into production, causes test issues 5G Technology World talks with Teradyne’s Jeorge Hurtarte, who explains components and over-the-air production test of 5G components. www.5gtechnologyworld.com/5g-moves-intoproduction-causes-test-issues

IEEE 1588 adds timing performance while reducing cost and risk GPS and GNSS have been the standards for network timing, but they have security issues. A Master clock and IEEE 1588 reduces the risk and lowers installation costs. www.5gtechnologyworld.com/ieee-1588-adds-timingperformance-while-reducing-cost-and-risk

For additional content, go to: www.5gtechnologyworld.com

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Rolling the dice on success: A company built on vented screws Michelle Froese • Editor It was polio that set Ron Anderson up for a career as a draftsman. Eventually, this path led him to start his own business, UC Components, Inc. — a manufacturer of vented screws and components — from his home garage in Union City, California. He bought a drill press, a spray-mist cooler, and a small compressor on credit and got started. It was 1974.

“My father was originally from Wisconsin and the state sent him for skills training sometime after his polio diagnosis, where he became a draftsman and then moved out west,” explains Ron’s son, Rick Anderson.

“He always wanted to live on the coast.”

Unfortunately, Ron passed away quite a few years ago but not before UC Components became a family business — and a success. Throughout the years, Ron’s wife and three sons (he also has a daughter) worked in different roles at the company. Rick Anderson is the one who most took to the business and he’s now the co-owner, along with one of his best friends from college, Jeff Renggli.

The co-owners of UC Components, Jeff Renggli and Rick Anderson.

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An O-ring being loaded into a vacuum oven. UC Components also offers seals, which are complementary to its vented fasteners for vacuum applications.

“In some ways, I feel like I’ve always been partially involved in the business,” says Anderson. “I remember when my dad moved out of our garage and rented a facility across the Bay in Mountain View. My siblings and I helped him move all of the little boxes of screws and components. I think I was in fourth grade or something like that and even got the day off of school.”

Anderson’s dad began UC Components because he noticed a lack of standardized, specialty vented fasteners for the vacuum industry.

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the Distant Early Warning or DEW Line, which aimed to provide early detection of any potential nuclear missile launches from the Soviet Union at the time,” he shares.

Varian also provided some early technology for space flight, adds Anderson, but most of it was developed

by Lockheed Martin and NASA proper — both of which became early users of vacuum technology and customers of UC Components.

These products evolved to include the ultra-high vacuum, a widely used system in the semiconductor sector that relies on vented components.

“Initially, my dad’s goal was to work

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for himself part-time and earn enough to take his family on vacation. But he was laid-off twice in the early ’70s and decided to roll the dice and take the UC Components on full-time.” There were ups and downs, he says, but it succeeded. And, as Anderson grew up, his interest in the company also grew.

“I suppose, I decided that working at the business was something I might want to do at a fairly early age,” he says. “I mean, I basically grew up using a Sears’ Craftsman drill press. I’d count parts and then drill holes into screws so each one was vented. My brothers and I were paid a nickel per piece and, eventually, I became quite proficient.”

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Fastening + Joining California-based UC Components offers vented and non-vented fasteners in a wide range of sizes and lengths, including custom configurations.

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That’s how Anderson got on UC’s payroll, sometimes making up to $25/hour — which as a teenager was impressive, particularly in the ’80s.

When it came time for college, he decided to attend San Jose State University because it meant he could commute from home and continue to work for his dad.

“College is where I met Jeff Renggli, my current business partner,” he says. “We were advertising majors and, for the most part, we worked summers and then completed our necessary internship working in the marketing department with UC Components.”

Eventually, Anderson and Renggli bought the business from Anderson’s parents, and it’s continued to grow ever since. What started as a niche market for the aerospace and defense sectors has expanded to serve the electronics and semiconductor industries, as well as several other broad-spectrum applications.

“We’ve certainly become more profitable over the years, but the hard work…the core work of the company was done by my father,” says Anderson.

“This included manual labor and long hours spent building it from the ground up. Essentially, my dad commoditized each product from an early stage, assigning part numbers to each component, ensuring every design had a drawing, and so on. And he never once borrowed a cent to do so.”

Anderson and Renggli also deserve a fair share of the credit. UC Components has developed into mostly a national but also a global company, serving OEMs, end-users, government labs and facilities, universities, and other customers around the world. Customers include Silicon Valley start-ups and big names, such as Apple and Google.

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With a team of about 40 employees, they’ve automated as many of the processes as possible and are no longer relying on those Craftsman drill presses. Although the company still does a lot of machining, the original vented-screw product now only makes up about 50% of the business.

“We’ve definitely become a valueadd company,” explains Anderson. “For example, we now offer a great deal of incoming inspection on the other side of the manufacturing process. A lot of this involves the subcontracting for coating and plating, as well as the inspection of those operations. We also provide cleaning and clean packaging.”

A few years ago, UC Components also transitioned to ISO 9001, which is one of the most widely recognized qualitymanagement system certifications. This standard means a business must comply with stringent requirements that ensure reliable products, which typically exceed customer expectations.

“This was another step in refining the business, so to speak, to transition from a somewhat machine-shop model to a more balanced, high-quality enterprise,” he says.

“And, of course, given our background in advertising, we’ve spent a lot more on marketing to ensure our business is wellrecognized.”

There are a few things that Anderson’s learned since taking over the business from his parents.

“Patience is important, but you also have to have trust and enthusiasm — trust that things will work out and enthusiasm for your team. You always want to encourage your employees and be a cheerleader for them and your business.”

He adds: “There’s always something new, or an accomplishment or achieve-ment to be celebrated, which makes going to work every day exciting.” FE

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Like, father like sons: How the Slass brothers took Rotor Clip to the next level Michelle Froese • Editor Launching a new company is no easy feat, even for the most ambitious of entrepreneurs. For Robert Slass, it took getting fired from one fastener company before he ventured on his own in 1957 and founded Rotor Clip — which has since become a global manufacturer of retaining rings, springs, clamps, and more.

“My father was initially hired as a young engineer while he was still in school by a company called, Waldes Truarc,” shares Craig Slass about his dad. Slass is currently the VP of Rotor Clip. He and his brother, Jonathan, have fully run the company since their dad sadly passed away in 2009.

“After the war, the European-based Waldes set up a factory in America and became licensed by the U.S. government to manufacture retaining rings. As it developed building standards for these parts, my father worked as the ‘checker,’ which meant he double-checked the math and calculations of the draftsmen,” he says.

Brothers and the owners of Rotor Clip, Jonathan and Craig Slass.

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Retaining rings, also known as snap rings or

According to Slass, however, his dad had a bit of an attitude and could act self-assured or somewhat aggressive at times. This eventually led to him getting pushed out of the company. “My dad had a strong personality, to say the least, and it got him fired from Waldes.

They actually said to him: ‘You won’t be happy until you own the company.’”

Turns out, they were right.

“This compelled my father to develop a product line of retaining rings and start his own company in Farmingdale, in Long Island, New York,” says Slass.

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components onto a shaft or into a bore.

In the 60s, his dad moved the company to the Bronx and then, in the early 70s, to Somerset, New Jersey, where the company is still headquartered today.

“What’s interesting is that my father started out with next to nothing. For example, he never had any of the equipment or heat-treating machines necessary to actually make these products,” shares Slass. “Yet, he slowly built Rotor Clip up to become a vertically integrated manufacturer, which is what my brother and I continue to own and manage today.”

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circlips, are one of Rotor Clip’s specialties.

Typically, these metal fasteners are installed into a groove on a shaft, or in a housing or bore to retain an assembly.

Robert Slass, the founder of Rotor Clip.

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Fastening + Joining Rotor Clip’s 238,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey. The company also has operations in England, Germany, the Czech Republic, and China, providing worldwide service to its customers.

This means the company currently does all of its own design, manufacturing, and engineering. “We even have our own miniature steel mill and annealing furnaces, with the capability to provide design, stamping and coiling, laser cutting, heat treating, finishing, and packaging,” he says. “My brother and I have made sure it’s fully integrated and self-sustainable.”

One of several lessons the brothers learned from their father was to never give up on a goal. “I learned the value of staying focused and never doing anything halfway,” says Slass. “It can be intense but if you’re committed to something, ‘no’ is simply not an option.”

One such example: when the company was located in the Bronx, the crime rate became so high at the time that it became a serious problem.

“In fact, it was so bad that my father literally had to weld the typewriters to the desks. So, at one point, he told his accountant that they had to find a way to move out of the area.

His accountant’s reply: ‘Well, you’re an engineer…why not build a place

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of your own?’ And that’s what my dad did, essentially becoming a true entrepreneur.”

That’s when Robert Slass found a piece of property in Somerset to build today’s Rotor Clip location. For him, this also meant driving every morning from his home in the Bronx to the new site in New Jersey to work with the construction crew.

“My father was his own contractor,” Slass says. “He would learn the science of concrete just to be involved with the process of pouring it. He was never afraid to take on projects by himself — from constructing buildings to building roofs, he’d simply learn each step on his own. And so, the foundation of Rotor Clip was truly built on his expertise and love of science and engineering.”

That love of learning was infectious, and both Slass and his brother followed in their dad’s footsteps.

“We were born and bred for attaining anything and believed that anything was possible,” he says. “But as we grew up, Rotor Clip was our playground. I mean, our father even bought us a pony and built his own barn on the company

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property. We were excited as kids to work there one day.”

However, Slass and his brother decided early on to take the company to new levels and do things a little differently. They joined Rotor Clip in the early 90s.

“We were fortunate as kids to learn every aspect of the business, from the hardships of life to watching it grow and prosper. But one thing we decided early on was that we were not going to be paving driveways like our father did,” he laughs. “We made a commitment to focus on the products and make them better than anyone else’s in the world, and that’s what we do.”

Case-in-point: Rotor Clip supports more than a dozen industries (think aerospace, automotive, energy, defense, motion control, medical, and others) and manufactures a full line of inch, DIN, ANSI metric, and JIS retaining rings to global standards.

This includes a complete line of constant section rings, spiral retaining rings, and wave springs. In fact, there are over 50 different styles and over 1,000-part numbers to fit virtually every application.

The company also supports its market with a full line of installation tools such as applicators, pliers, dispensers, and automated assembly equipment.

“We’re constantly asking ourselves how we can best contribute to industry and society, and how to make things better,” says Slass.

Last year, this entailed contributing to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by supplying critical wave

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springs that were needed for a ventilator production project.

“We’ve been challenged before, in 2008 with the recession and in 2001 with the 9/11 tragedy. You can’t think about it too much…simply step up and do whatever’s necessary to support society,” he says. “We wanted to be a part of the solution.” For the ventilator project, this involved producing and delivering those springs within two days.

Slass says the company has the same commitment for its employees.

“Healthcare is so important. I feel it’s my job to provide for and cover as much of the healthcare costs as I can for my staff. So, if one of our employees or their kids gets sick, they don’t have to sell their homes to pay for an illness or serious medical problem.”

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Like father, like son. And, in this case, the saying seems profoundly true. Slass says his dad also made little differentiation between his family and employees.

“My father took such pride in his people. Whenever we had family functions, there would be people from the company invited just like they were one of us. I’ll always remember that,” he says. “He may have been extremely determined in business, but he sure cared a lot. My brother and I feel the same way.” FE

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A life-long

learning career in the fastener industry

If you’ve been in the fastener industry for any length of time, you’re likely aware of Jo Morris. She’s well-known for her work with the Fastener Training Institute (FTI), a non-profit organization dedicated to education and training in the fastener sector. She’s technically FTI’s director of marketing — although she wears many hats and has throughout her career.

Case-in-point: she also works as an outside sales representative at Desert Distribution, a supplier of engineered components and fasteners.

I’m extremely lucky to work in an industry that I love,” she shares. “And that’s important because both FTI and Desert Distribution are full-time jobs. There’s a lot going on…so you’re always on your toes and have to be high functioning.”

High functioning certainly describes Morris. In addition to a couple of full-time gigs, she’s also a mom to 12-year-old triplets.

“It’s certainly a balancing act on some days,” she admits. “But somehow I manage. Fasteners is a great industry because there’s always something new to learn and it’s a close-knit community. It’s also been my only career as an adult, really.”

Morris graduated from Arizona State University with a business degree and plans to go into international business. But first, she was focused on gaining more work experience. She initially interviewed with a pharmaceutical company and considered hotel management. However, 74

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Jo Morris has several roles in the fastener industry. A couple of these include serving as the director of marketing with the Fastener Training Institute and working as a sales rep for Desert Distribution.

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Fastening + Joining

FTI’s Fastener Training Week is an advanced technical training program, offered in partnership with the Industrial Fasteners Institute, which is ideal for fastener distributors, manufacturers, and end-users. It covers consensus standards, quality control, and more. Learn about and register for the next session, scheduled for August 16-20, 2021 in Chicago, at fastenertraining.org.

“The fastener industry offers enormous opportunities in so many different directions. And the people become like family very quickly. It’s a great career.”

— Jo Morris

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before deciding she figured she could benefit from a few more interviews and, by chance, secured a job with a fastener distributor.

“To be honest, the pharmaceutical company was in Texas but the fastener company was in Arizona…which is where my boyfriend and I lived at the time. So, I went with fasteners,” she laughs. “And though I sometimes wonder where l would be today if I chose differently, I do love how my career has unfolded.”

Morris spent six years at the distributor, Copper State Bolt & Nut, which provided her excellent insight into the industry.

“I was hired to support their marketing efforts but left with experience in that, as well as business development, inside sales, administrative work, and even helped out at the front counter — which was www.fastenerengineering.com

excellent exposure for learning about the products,” she says. “At the time, roles weren’t quite as defined and you wore a lot of different hats, so to speak.”

Copper State is where she met John Wachman — also an industry veteran.

He’s the founder of Desert Distribution and managing director of FTI. Wachman was also recently inducted into the Fastener Hall of Fame, which recognizes professionals who’ve made significant and enduring contributions to the industrial fastener industry on a national or global scale.

“It didn’t take long for John to take me under his wing as an assistant at Copper State, which ended up being the best opportunity of my career,” says Morris. “He was a big proponent for knowing what you’re selling, so I was fortunate to learn from some of the best in the industry. John made sure I had the chance to visit and learn from DESIGN WORLD

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Jo Morris, pictured with

manufacturers when the majority of components were still made in the U.S.” One of their major accounts was selling engineered components to a large airbag equipment manufacturer in the Southwest. So, Morris spent time learning from engineers, even working on the manufacturing line.

“I got to fully understand the purpose and functionality of each part, which has been extremely valuable throughout my career,” she says.

“I’ve also spent plenty of time on the customer side, learning about supply chains and vendor-managed inventory, for example, which was fairly new at the time.”

What made this more significant for Morris was how few women were in the industry at the time.

“It’s changing now…fortunately. I mean now, there are women engineers, CEOs, managers, owners, and mentors.

But when I first started in fastening, there were very, very few women, and my experience was quite unique,” she shares. “I like to say, the cream always rises though and it’s wonderful to see how women have risen to the top of this industry, for sure.”

Eventually, Morris decided to move back to her home state of Colorado, where she married, had triplets, and joined another fastener distributor.

There, she worked her way up to general manager until that company sold and Copper State expanded into Colorado and asked her to return. She said yes, for a while.

“My kids were young at this time though and the full-time workload became a little much. I wanted something part-time and that’s when John offered me a new opportunity,” she says. As Morris was settling down in Colorado, Wachman had decided to venture out on his own and launched Desert Distribution.

“Of course, that was ideal for me and I was happy to work with John again. I was able to begin part-time, representing fastener suppliers in

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John Wachman, at a trade show a couple of years ago.

Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah,” says Morris. Her career in the fastener industry continued. “Then, at some point, John asked me to help him with the launch of an online presence for the Fastener Training Institute, where he served as president at the time. Slowly, this work has compounded and grown exponentially — the rep side and the training side. So, now I have more than one full-time job!”

Morris is not complaining. One of the main reasons she’s stayed in the industry, aside from the life-long friends and colleagues she’s made, is that it continually offers her a chance to learn.

“It’s never boring. Truly,” she says.

“It’s like this never-ending place to evolve. I’ve sat in on countless webinars and training sessions and, somehow, there’s always something new to learn.

Yet, for whatever reason, they still don’t teach fasteners in college.”

She recounts the story of a family friend who recently asked her advice about the correct screw to hold an important safety application at a fire department. “He said something along the lines of: ‘I’m a structural engineer and I’m unsure… they never taught us that,’” she explains. “It’s unfortunate on some level, but that’s where FTI fills a gap.”

Even throughout the pandemic, the Fastener Training Institute was able to reconfigure its courses to offer ongoing, online training. It’s also been providing monthly webinars.

“It’s certainly not ideal for every course because it’s impossible to replace the significance of hands-on www.fastenerengineering.com

training when it comes to fasteners. At the same time, it’s been important for us to continue to be available for the industry,” she says. Fortunately, FTI is gradually returning to the classroom.

It held its renowned Fastener Training Week in person in May and will offer the program again in Chicago this August.

“Once you’re in it, it’s tough to leave,” she shares. “The fastener industry offers enormous opportunities in so many different directions. And the people become like family very quickly.

It’s a great career.” FE

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Structural Adhesives for Specialty Trucks and Trailers Many truck and trailer manufacturers are making the switch to adhesives instead of traditional welding and fastening. Lowering fuel cost, wind drag, and weight has become an important component in manufacturing specialty vehicles. Results have shown that structural adhesives are often stronger and more reliable. Ellsworth Adhesives offers a variety of acrylic, epoxy, and urethane structural adhesives.

Structural adhesives can be used to configure work truck equipment, trailer assembly, and aftermarket upfitting. Applications can range from panel bonding for trailers, installation of tool boxes in construction trucks, shelf hanging for delivery vehicles, plumbing equipment for firetrucks, to electrical components in utility vehicles.

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Branson GMX-W1 Ultrasonic Wire Splicer from Emerson Blends Performance, Ergonomics The Branson GMX-W1 Ultrasonic Wire Splicer from Emerson delivers precise and repeatable splicing of non-ferrous wires for in-line or pig-tail configurations. The lightweight, compact design of the GMX-W1 splicer makes it ideal for use as a portable unit for wire harness in-line assembly boards.

The user-friendly design of the GMX-W1 splicer features a 22” touchscreen HMI, whose touch-keyboard and drag-and-drop program editor make it simple to create, edit, and recall different production recipes for splices, sequences, and harnesses. The screen also accesses the unit’s multiple welding control modes and offers flexibility for configuring production- and quality- monitoring solutions. The actuator unit of the GMX-W1 splicer is also userfriendly with an illuminated weld area, and a patented vertical stacking feature in the welding head.

Emerson Automation Solutions www.Emerson.com/Branson

NBK Suggests and Supplies Solutions with Specialty Screws NBK’s history and craftsmanship date back to 1560 when the company first began. Our predecessors were proud to offer their advanced knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and using this today, we have developed various products.

One of NBK’s strengths in the high-tech sector is our Specialty Screws such as vacuum application screws, anti-galling screws, specialty metal screws such as Inconel and Hastelloy, and more.

Furthermore, NBK deals with unique functional screws like low-profile screws, small head diameter screws, captive screws, miniature screws (less than M2), ball transfer screws, ball plungers, clamping screws, and more. We are proud to support our customer’s projects with NBK’s Specialty Screws and their unlimited matching applications. We also offer customized screws!

NBK America LLC 307 East Church Road, Suite 7 King of Prussia, PA 19406 Phone: 484-685-7500 https://www.nbk1560.com/en-US/

www.fastenerengineering.com

July 2021

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6/24/21 8:12 AM