EuroFasteners January 2021

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online

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Contents January 2021

Diary of events

25-27 March 2021 wire India Trade exhibition Mumbai, India Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf India Pvt Ltd

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info@wire-india.com www.wire-india.com

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8-10 June 2021 wire Russia

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Trade exhibition Moscow, Russia Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf info@wire-russia.com www.wire-russia.com

22-24 September 2021 wire Southeast Asia Trade exhibition Bangkok, Thailand Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Asia Pte Ltd wire@mda.com.sg www.wire-southeastasia.com 5-7 October 2021 wire South America Trade exhibition São Paulo, Brazil Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH info@wire-south-america.com www.wire-south-america.com 26 -27 October 2021 Interwire Trade exhibition Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers: Wire Association International

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sales@wirenet.org www.wirenet.org

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31 October – 3 November 2021 IWCS Technical symposium and exhibition Orlando, Florida, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org

As with all shows, and with the continuing coronavirus pandemic, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

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Corporate News

▲ Avantus supplies parts for the aerospace and defence industry

Avantus Aerospace acquires Fastener Innovation Technologies

Avantus Aerospace, a supplier of C-class and composite parts for the aerospace and defence industry, has announced the acquisition of Fastener Innovation Technology Corporation (FIT). FIT manufactures high-strength speciality fasteners for military and commercial aerospace applications and has a natural fit with other companies in the Avantus group, including Lamsco and Fastener Technology Corporation (FTC), which was acquired by Avantus in December 2019. Founded in 1979, FIT has built a reputation as an innovative and reliable supplier with a broad range of speciality fastener qualifications and, under the guidance of president Larry Valeriano,

has expanded its applications to more than 25 aircraft platforms. Some customer relationships span multiple decades, such as those with Boeing (including BDSI), Incora (Wesco), Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The existing management team will continue to operate and grow the business under the guidance of Avantus Fastener president Dennis Suedkamp, aided by Avantus’s additional resources. Avantus CEO Brian Williams said, “The FIT team have built an innovative speciality fastener business with an excellent reputation. We believe our combined strength will allow us to better serve our customers. We look forward to making further acquisitions

that complement our existing product and geographic offering.” Mr Valeriano commented, “FIT’s great customer relationships and long tradition of manufacturing excellence make it an ideal fit for an organisation like Avantus Aerospace that shares its values. Together we are well positioned to capitalise on the long-term growth opportunities that lie ahead.” Mr Suedkamp added, “We look for- ward to enhancing our combined tech- nical and manufacturing resources, while also supporting the development of our employees and the success of our customers.” Avantus Aerospace www.avantusaerospace.com

Photo credit: PRNewsfoto/Avantus Aerospace

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

Atlas Copco to acquire automated metrology specialist

Atlas Copco has entered into an agree- ment to acquire Perceptron, a supplier of automated metrology solutions. The company is headquartered in the USA and is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York. “Flexible automation and in-line quality control on the production line are two strong trends where we want to support our customers in their transition towards digital manufacturing,” said Henrik Elmin, business area president industrial technique. “Through Perceptron’s position in auto- mated metrology and robot guidance, together with the recent acquisition of ISRA Vision, we are creating a strong offering in machine vision solutions and extending the smart factory automation business segment.”

Perceptron has approximately 300 employees and is headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, USA. Atlas Copco will pay US$7 per share, corresponding to an enterprise value of $62.7mn, including $6.2mn of assumed net cash on hand. The total purchase price will be $68.9mn. The offer represents a premium of 66 per cent to Perceptron’s 30-day average closing share price of $4.22 up to 25 September 2020, the last trading day prior to the announcement. “The acquisition of Perceptron will enable us to increase our customers’ productivity through best-in-class quality control and an increased automation level,” said Mr Elmin. “Perceptron has almost 40 years of experience as a leading global provider

of 3D automated measurement solu- tions. There are several identified synergies in sales, operations, service and technology development from Perceptron joining the machine vision solutions division.” The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, and Perceptron’s largest shareholder, affiliates of Harbert Management Corporation, has signed a voting and support agreement in favour of the proposed transaction.

Perceptron will become part of Atlas Copco’s newly created machine vision solutions division, within the industrial technique business area. Atlas Copco AB www.atlascopcogroup.com Cable cleat manufacturer’s North Yorks UK facility expansion

UK-based cable cleat manufacturer Ellis Patents has invested in a 25 per cent expansion of its North Yorkshire headquarters. The main element is a new warehouse, to be used primarily for assembly and storage, which has released space in existing areas of the facility to expand production. Managing director Richard Shaw said, “The extended manufacturing space will allow us to increase our range of

manufacturing processes, bring even more new, and unique, products to market, and widen the range of markets we serve.” Danny Macfarlane, operations director of Ellis Patents, said, “Finishing the construction phase just as the pandemic struck the UK provided us with a unique opportunity to completely reorganise our entire factory, which would have been impossible under normal working conditions.

“The new space is more logically planned, which has improved work flow and reduced down time, making us significantly more efficient. “All of which means we are emerging as a business in great shape, ready to make the most of the opportunities and challenges presented by the post- COVID world.” Ellis Patents Ltd www.ellispatents.co.uk

Acquisition brings industrial solutions Condat SA has acquired the Italian company Kemno, and will create a 100 per cent subsidiary to be named Condat Italia. fluids, maintenance oils and greases, and quenching oils.

from the acquisition as it will be able to expand while being supported by a stable international group. Condat Group will benefit from a strengthening of its diversification strategy in Italy, particularly in the fastener and machining industries. Condat SA www.condat-lubricants.com

Condat, based in France, formulates andproduces awide rangeof lubricants. The company is able to supply prod- ucts for a diverse range of industries, including wire drawing, tunnel boring, forging, glass, machining, heat treat- ment and industrial maintenance. It is expected that Kemno will benefit

Kemno sas di Novati Davide & C specialises in the production of neat and soluble coolants. Mainly active in the cold heading business, it also offers metal working

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Corporate News

New MD for premium fastener specialist Bumax, a Swedish manufacturer of premium stainless steel fasteners, appointed a new managing director as of 1 st October 2020.

It adds almost 100 additional require- ments specific to aerospace suppliers beyond the general manufacturing standard ISO 9001:2015, including traceability from receipt to delivery, counterfeit parts prevention and detection, and evidence of conformity and on-time delivery. All of these are critical for meeting the stringent requirements of supplying components into the aerospace and defence sectors. With a track record in these sectors, TR’s post-Brexit strategy is to focus on differentiation by using its industry experience, technical expertise and capabilities to expand its business within aerospace. Sales director Kevin de Stadler commented, “It was a long process “Bumax can help customers in a variety of industries overcome their fastener problems with superior solutions and by rethinking customer needs,” said Mr Holm. “Bumax has huge marketing potential to more proactively target customers with our unique products and customer success stories and that is my objective going forward.” Mr Holm has a strong sales back- ground and has held a number of management roles that have involved building up and managing businesses. Most recently, he was regional manager of Linde Material Handling, a supplier of trucks, truck services and logistics solutions. Prior to that, he was a regional sales manager at Ahlsell, a Nordic technical distributor of installation products, tools and machines, where he led a sales force of 60 sales reps and three sales managers. He also worked for Akzo Nobel Building adhesive for more than 17 years, where he held positions in in sales and built up an entirely new industry division between 2004 and 2015. Bumax is a specialist manufacturer of premium stainless steel fasteners in a variety of steel grades that provide

International fastener specialist TR Fastenings has achieved AS9120 certification following an extensive audit of its operations, and in response to customer demand. AS9120 recognises the continuing commitment to aerospace quality and conformance and places TR among a select group of companies that have been recognised for practicing the highest quality standards required in this sector. AS9120 certification is specific to organisations holding and distributing aerospace-related components such as fasteners, and is designed to ensure that parts are handled and tracked properly while they are en route from the original manufacturer to the end customer. Lars Holm has a strong background from the logistics, manufacturing, adhesive and tooling industries and will focus on increasing global sales of Bumax fasteners. Mr Holm has taken up his position as new business unit manager/MD of Bumax Sweden AB with the objective to focus on increasing sales of the company’s range of premium stainless steel fasteners. Lennart Löfgren has been promoted to a new position as COO for Bumax, and will oversee the company’s operations at its factory in Åshammar in the heart of Sweden’s steel district, while Mr Holm will focus on the international market. The company’s previous managing director, Patrik Lundström Törnquist, takes up a position as managing director of Bufab Norge AS, Bufab’s Norwegian subsidiary. Bumax is fully owned by the listed Swedish Bufab Group.

safety and reliability in demanding customer applications. Customers include companies in industries such as marine, automotive, oil and gas, chemical processing, energy, defence, pulp and paper, construction and general engineering. Bumax www.bumax-fasteners.com ▲ Lars Holm, the new MD of Bumax

TR Fastenings achieves aerospace AS9120 certification

but the rigorous work behind it further strengthens TR’s position within this sector and guarantees the highest level of competence. “It’s proof that we are committed to being a major player in the supply of fastenings to the aerospace and defence industries and continuing to increase our footprint. “It will open up opportunities such as improved performance against competitors and expansion of our UK market. We also hold ISO 9001 and 14001; however, AS9120 sets us apart in the industry and now firmly positions us at the forefront of fastener provision in this highly regulated sector.” TR Fastenings www.trfastenings.com

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January 2021

Products

▲ The ten-piece ½" drive Bolt Biter deep extraction socket set

Gearwrench expands Bolt Biter line

Building on the success of the original Bolt Biter extraction sockets, launched in 2019, Gearwrench has unveiled a new addition to the range: Bolt Biter lug nut extraction sockets. The new products use the same technology but apply it specifically to removing worn or damaged lug nuts. “We saw the success of the initial launch and people were immediately asking for more, so we listened and took another step further,” said Jarrett Wolf, product manager at Gearwrench. “The Gearwrench Bolt Biter extraction sockets allow auto techs, MRO techs and DIYers to remove and reuse

corroded, weathered, rounded and/or damaged lug nuts with ease.” Bolt Biter lug nut extraction sockets feature a tapered entry that makes them easy to seat on damaged fasteners without hammering, and the “minus- sized” sockets are designed to grip lug nuts that are substantially worn down. The bi-directional design is claimed to generate five times the gripping force of other extraction sockets, and allows fasteners to not only be removed, but also to be reused. The sockets have a deep design to reach the deepest lug nuts.

The square drive with hex base makes Bolt Biter lug nut extraction sockets compatible with an impact gun, ratchet, wrench or pliers. The sockets are made from chrome molyb- denum for a claimed ten times the impact life of competitors, while the black oxide finish provides corrosion resistance. The lug nut extraction sockets are available as ten individual sockets or in two sets: a five-piece ½" drive set and a ten-piece ½" drive set. Gearwrench www.gearwrench.com

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artistnd 3000

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Products

Customised collar nut to reduce construction time

DFConceal has launched a patent- pending product designed to reduce construction time and lower the costs of carriers’ small cell 4G/5G build-out projects. The Collar Nut is a practical alternative to coupler and welding solutions, designed specifically for construction purposes. The patent centres on a signature hardened steel with a tapered collar, sitting inside the holes of the baseplate, with 40 per cent of the strength of each nut being below the top of the baseplate. As the baseplate is tightened, the hardened nut is strong and durable enough to move the softer steel base plate and pole, to allow it to fasten itself and self-correct the threaded rod J-bolt. The product is the result of thorough testing by DFConceal, and is a response to the increasing challenges faced by main cell carriers as 5G projects are launched, requiring carriers to secure permits to modify city infrastructure.

Carriers were forced to bring light poles, foundations and concrete structures up to current codes at great cost. They secured permits, allowed for weeks of scheduling, underwent special welding inspections, and arranged for lane closures and traffic control at each light pole. DFConceal believed there was a better way, and the result was the Collar Nut, which replaces the need for expensive, heavily involved overhauls. The certified installation brings carrier costs down, with just two technicians and no lane closures as opposed to a whole team and several days of construction. Instead of shutting down lanes of traffic for days, DFConceal technicians change four nuts on a light pole. The Collar Nut allows carriers to get faster results at a lower cost. Working directly with installers, DFConceal offers custom steel fabri- “The Standard Fastener programme applies directly to building an agile supply chain based on the 80/20 rule,” said Marc Strandquist, president and CEO of the Americas for Optimas Solutions. “The vast majority of our customers rely on a core group of fasteners. Roughly 20 per cent of those items comprise 80 per cent of their spend. We are focused on delivering those items quickly and competitively so they can concentrate on managing demand. This is another aspect of our Manufacturing Solutions strategy which we have designed as an agile, flexible supply chain that gives our customer what they value most.” Parts available during the launch phase include hex cap screws, hex nuts, socket cap screws and washers. According to Mr Strandquist, there are several features of the programme that manufacturers will appreciate. Ample inventory provides consistent availability and pricing while reducing lead time compared to off-shore suppliers, and

Photo credit: PRNewsfoto/DFConceal

▲ DFConceal’s Collar Nut

cation in-house, with all parts CNC cut, trimmed and hardware pre- installed. The company’s concealment solutions are crafted from performance plastics, catering to the installer and end user. It manufactures concealment products that are standardised and ready-to-go, but that canbe customised for city code specifications, with fast and easy installation. DFConceal https://dfconceal.com an agile pick, pack and ship process ensures fast turnaround and instant online quotes. Overnight, common carrier, air shipping and expedited service options are available, depending on the order size and customer time- line. Blanket PO and online ordering capabilities support planned and unplanned purchasing channels. Vending machine options offer complementary point solutions for usage accountability and automated replenishment, and tech-enabled (OptiTech) just-in-time parts distribution and inventory management solutions are available for customers needing regular cadence deliveries. “We realise that speed to market is critical to our customers,” said Mr Strandquist, “so we are truly embracing our mantra of ‘efficiency up’ with the Standard Fastener programme to far exceed customer expectations.”

Common parts, on-demand Optimas Solutions has launched a Standard Fastener programme that offers on-demand access to common screws, washers and nuts for mainte- nance, repair and production applica- tions with minimal quality docu- mentation requirements. The service is part of the company’s Manufacturing Solutions strategy, and is aimed at better meeting customers’ existing and future requirements.

The programme is designed to provide availability and consistency for typical usage parts, plus more security from running out of stock or when lead times threaten production. Available online at us.optimas.com, the Standard Fastener programme offers a focused selection of 224 common fasteners (screws, washers and nuts), and targets one business day to ship approved orders available from Optimas’s centrally located distribution centres in St Louis, Missouri, USA, and Monterrey, Mexico. The St Louis facility was recently opened and is the distribution hub for all manufacturing consumables.

Optimas Solutions www.optimas.com

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January 2021

Products

Case study: Victory is mine Mills are a crucial part of mining operations, but also a source of concentrated vibration that can wreak havoc with bolted joints. Most mills are expected to run continuously for extended periods – often months at a time – until scheduled downtime for maintenance. Depending on the mine, some mills can even require a total liner changeout every three months.

Valley Forge products and equipment can reveal what period of time is optimal. Mines can use the Valley Forge Clarkester™ tester to calibrate torque wrenches to bolt tension, improving tension accuracy at installation. Purchase of the tester includes training from Valley Forge on the machine’s proper use. Technical personnel are also available to travel to the site to oversee liner replacement and help ensure it is performed properly. Valley Forge Load Indicating Fasteners measure and display tension from within the bolted joint, accurate to ±5 per cent of true clamp load (compliant with ASTM 52 standards). Valley Forge can increase ductility by creating an application-specific formula for manufacturing bolts needed for individual applications. The company’s SPC4™ fasteners and SPC4 702 Series wireless sensors relay tension information back to a data-logging station, allowing tension to be read in situ. Mine operators can determine when bolts are losing tension, even if just hours after the initial installation and preliminary start- up period. Rather than three to four days after installation, bolts can be retorqued sooner. Valley Forge & Bolt Mfg Co www.vfbolts.com

In these punishing environments, hardened material is rotated and smashed by hundreds of steel grinding balls within the mill shell, which works much like a large cement mixer. Material is constantly falling 40 feet within the shell, crashing into the charge and mill liners fastened to the inside. In the bolted joints that fasten each mill liner to the mill shell, bolt loading can vary widely. At the bolted joints that fasten each rib to the tumbler, bolt life itself can also vary widely. Because of this, it is vital that the fasteners used in the bolted joints maintain proper tension throughout the extended in-service periods. Improper bolt tensioning that requires mill stoppage can add greatly to a mine’s operating costs. Valley Forge & Bolt, which engineers and manufactures fasteners with load indicating technology, offers its capabilities and expertise to mining customers through a multifaceted solution, providing torque-to-tensioning verification equipment for better bolt-

load accuracy; providing on-the-ground support; creating an application- specific blend of bolt materials; and using exclusive Wi-Fi technology to hone bolt performance. Each mill liner is attached to the inside of the mill with multiple bolts, secured in place by a two-part process: impact wrenches are used to set a bolt partially in the joint, then torque multipliers are used for final tightening. Each reline requires hundreds of bolts. Once all liners and bolts are installed and initially torqued, the mill is turned on to run for a period of time. The bolts are then retorqued to accommodate any shift during usage. The amount of time to wait between initial install and retorquing is an important factor in prolonging fastener life. In some instances, mine operators wait several days before retorquing. ▲ Bolted joints fasten mill liners to the mill shell

Clips for faster, easier installation of grooved deck boards

Camo has added to its range a new clip for metal framing. The Camo Edgexmetal™ clip is a new way to fasten any grooved deck board on metal substructure. It installs easily by hand with the included Never-Miss™ guide, or up to five times faster with the Camo Drive™ stand-up tool, both using the contractor’s drill. Edgexmetal clips are one-pass fasteners that use the same technology as Camo Edgex™ clips for wood framing. The wings of the clip fit into the groove of the board, securing it

before fastening, and the 304 stainless steel gusset holds the boards down. The key difference between the two clips is the screw: Edgexmetal features a drill point screw that engages in less than two seconds, rather than a self- tapping screw for wood. “Our Camo innovation team tackles many issues faced by deck builders,” said W Scott Baker, CEO, National Nail. “Edgexmetal clips are a direct response to slow, expensive hidden fasteners for decks built on metal framing, as well as wood’s rising prices.”

Edgexmetal clips are versatile, working with top manufacturer’s deck boards at any angle on 14–18GA metal framing, including Fortress Evolution™ and Trex Elevations ® . The clips are available in 90ct and 450ct pails, which include T15 driver bits and the Never-Miss Guide. The clips are backed by a Camo warranty to match the longevity of the boards and substructure, when installed according to guidelines. Camo Fasteners www.camofasteners.com

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Manufacturing Technology

▲ Inside the new factory in Liepāja, Latvia

Efficient new production facility in Latvia

The Lesjöfors Group provides a wide range of springs and pressings to customers in diverse industries around the world. With expertise in highly technological, custom-made solutions and a flexible manufacturing capacity, Lesjöfors, owned by Beijer Alma, comprises almost 40 manufacturing and sales companies inmany countries. In Latvia, a newmanufacturing plant has been in full operation since last April and is already exceeding expectations. The highly sustainable facility is optimised not only for streamlined production, but also for a healthy working environment. The new 11,300m 2 factory in Liepāja houses all of the company’s manufacturing of springs, gas springs and pressings in Latvia, replacing six different manufacturing buildings in two locations. The new site is good for transportation of both products and people, as well as having close access to surrounding services. Having all of the manufacturing under one roof brings a number of advantages.

The manufacturing rooms are all designed to meet the diverse needs that different spring type production requires. During the relocation process, the management’s focus was to keep only the latest machinery, to ensure high quality products. The project team also worked to streamline process flows as well as material logistics. The building process went beyond expectations, with the contractors handing over the keys six months ahead of schedule. The relocation from several different addresses into the new premises was also smooth. Some of the busiest and most important machines were only turned off for two hours before they were back in operation in the new factory. “Our turnover or delivery precision were not affected at all by the moving process and there was no need for employee downtime planning either,” said Ingars Jaunzems, MD of Lesjöfors Springs LV. “Everyone involved made extraordinary efforts to make this happen.”

In the planning process of the new building, the project team had the company’s sustainability goals in focus at all times. Every detail in the factory was important to increase productivity, save energy and reduce transportation. There are coordination benefits to having an integrated manufacturing unit, which can also add to the sustainability objectives. “Our new, updated machinery that replaced the old machines is also an important step for us to be not only more productive but also more environmentally friendly,” said Mr Jaunzems. “We are very happy that Lesjöfors’ management team understands the great potential here and believe in us. The Latvian team is now more than ready to take on new business and advanced spring projects.” Lesjöfors Group www.lesjoforsab.com

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Youra_P

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Manufacturing Technology

Eddy current crack detection The RCD-9500 is an eddy current crack detection system designed for a wide variety of fasteners and flanged parts. It is capable of working as either a stand-alone machine, or paired with a Mectron Qualifier, LT or MI8500 machine. and vertical gain, which allows for complete control of the impedance plane signature. A high and low threshold can be set and altered to determine differences between good and bad parts. The usable frequency range of the Mectron EC600 instrument is 2 kHz to 5 MHz. All set-ups are easily saved internally in the instrument and can be recalled at a later date.

differential eddy current probe begins to scan, collecting data for several revolutions and monitoring for defects. When the scan is complete, the rollers are driven apart, allowing the part to fall onto the pneumatically operated gate below, where it is either rejected or accepted. The separator and roller systems are completely modular; rollers and separator wheels can be custom machined to suit unique parts without altering any other tooling. The RCD- 9500 is capable of inspecting many different types of parts, including ball studs, wheel studs and a variety of other fasteners. The rollers can also be contoured to correct for cosine angles of the parts. The split gate system allows for high- speed actuation when scanning small- diameter parts, while remaining robust enough to handle parts up to 10" long and over 1.5" in diameter. The RCD-9500 is also fully compatible with the Mectron Qualifier, for dimensional verification. Mectron is a family-owned company that provides inspection systems for fasteners, cold formed and deep drawn products. Its product development team has been awarded many patents on laser and eddy current inspection systems and continues to innovate with its current patent-pending technology. The company’s quality control sys- tems use eddy current, laser and vision systems to provide advanced inspection. Mectron www.mectroninspection.com

The system includes an array of optical sensors to allow fully automated part separation, feeding, scanning and acceptance testing. Instead of scanning moving parts “on the fly”, the RCD-9500 utilises a pair of stationary motorised rollers to rotate the part in place, scanning the area of interest multiple times. This approach leads to greater accuracy and reduced signal noise without sacrificing speed. The system is integrated with Mectron’s newly upgraded EC600, a digital eddy current instrument with specifically designed software for a diverse range of applications. The eddy current signal can be easily manipulated to alter frequency, phase and horizontal

The system implements a differential eddy current probe for inspection, which uses two coils that send separate eddy current signals. The first coil is the test coil and the second is the reference coil. If the part is free of defects, the eddy current signature of the test coil will always match the signature from the reference coil. If there is a crack or inconsistency in the part, the eddy current signal will register differently. This throws the two coils out of phase with each other, and this inconsistency will be registered in the EC600 and recorded as a defective part. Differential probes allow lift-off variances and increased accuracy for consistently moving parts. The differential probe coupled with Mectron’s proprietary software allows for speeds of up to 180 parts per minute. The RCD-9500 is fed by a vibratory in-line feed system. When an optical sensor detects a part ready for scanning, a sprocket separator wheel pushes a single part onto the rotating rollers, and the part falls into the centre of the rollers in line with the eddy current probe. Once the part is spinning, the

▲ RCD-9500 coupled with Q-5000

Threading and forming for complex parts The new maxi threading and forming machine from Sacma – model RP920 – is the company’s largest high-speed thread roller machine for heavy and complex parts. a double starter unit driven by servo motors.

The machine has soft landing rails after the threading operation, and a rejection gate for n.c. parts, as well as a TL1200-R vertical feeder, and a new enclosure for easier automation. It is also equipped with all standard Ingramatic features. Sacma Group www.sacmagroup.com

The new HMI with SC-Matic panel is Industry 4.0-ready. Other features include a drive unit with planetary gear box; motorised die match adjustment; a slide body with hydrostatic guide system; and a quick diameter changeover system.

Designed according to the company’s “I-Thread” concept, the machine has a reinforced bed frame, self-learning and fully motorised adjustments, and

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Manufacturing Technology

Fast and reliable thread rolling Enkotec’s new-generation Enkoroll is a fast and reliable thread rolling machine for the wire nails industry.

The new Enkoroll is also equipped with the latest generation software platform from Enkotec. Enkosmart provides remote access and control for fast- track support. With supplementary features such as user registration and event logging, Enkosmart provides tools to quickly react to errors and to carry out corrective actions. An intuitive interface for control and set-up facilitates the easy operation of the machinery and provides quick access to the features. The methodology of the development of Enkoroll with Enkosmart was to create a product that combines speed, flexibility, easy operation and quality output, merged into a digital framework to ensure maximum productivity for nail manufacturers. Enkotec A/S www.enkotec.com

The Enkoroll TR01, launched in late- 2020, is designed to ensure that the production speed of thread rolling does not cause a bottleneck, whether in an in-line or batch mode set-up. With an output speed of up to 3,000 nails per minute, the Enkoroll is claimed to be equal to superior quality and consistently threaded wire nails, thanks to a highly rigid structure. The mechanical set-up and insertion mechanism allow fast and easy conversion from ring to screw shank, providing production flexibility. An Enkotec feeder bowl, laser-cut for a smooth surface, ensures a stable and continuous flow of nails, assisted by a vibration-monitoring stabilisation

▲ Enkotec’s Enkoroll

feature, allowing maximum uptime by avoiding unnecessary stops. An optional automated lubrication system supports reduced labour intensity by ensuring correct and timely mainte- nance of the main bearing.

Single- and dual-plate addition to spring end grinding series Wafios has launched the G660 single- and dual-plate spring end grinding machine, completing the G450 series first introduced in 2017.

The G660 is equipped with grinding wheels of 660mm diameter and loading plates of 740mm diameter that allow a smooth grinding of spring ends of up to 13mm wire diameter. As with the company’s other machines, the G660 is installed with the latest Wafios WPS EasyWay 3.2 control program, which is easy to use and offers a high level of operational safety. The control system is ready for operation in future Industry 4.0 applications, such as predictive maintenance or smart machine. Features of the G450 machine have also been adopted and refined, includ- ing iQtemperature. This allows the in-process measurement of the workpieces’ temperature, which can then be controlled in accordance with process instruc- tions. This increases production rates while also ensuring quality standards. The machines also include the Wafios particulate deflector, a special coating of the extraction channel that reduces soiling, grinding deposit and other dirt to a minimum, for reduced maintenance. The automatic generation of a basic spring end grinding program on the basis of entered spring data makes it possible to start production quickly and to process even small batch sizes. A newly developed modular loading system optimises the spring end grinding process for batch sizes from 5,000 springs. Wafios AG www.wafios.com

▲ The new G660 single- and dual-plate spring end grinding machine from Wafios

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Industry & technology news from the world of fasteners

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