EuroFasteners July 2023

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online Photo by Hamed Taha, Unsplash

Contents July 2023

Diary of events

2-4 September 2023 wire Middle East Africa Trade exhibition Cairo, Egypt Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-mea.com

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Corporate News

Products

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4-7 September 2023 wire China Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute Co Ltd Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai Co Ltd www.wirechina.net

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17-20 September 2023 IWCS

Trade exhibition Orlando, FL, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org

18-23 September 2023 EMO-Hannover Trade exhibition Hanover, Germany Organisers: Deutsche Messe www.emo.hannover.de

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20-22 September 2023 wire Southeast Asia Trade exhibition Bangkok, Thailand Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Asia www.wire-southeastasia.com

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29 November – 1 December 2023 MTM Expo 2023

Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Shanghai Shenshi Exhibition Service www.mtmexpo.cn

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

Photo courtesy of NASA

Bumax fasteners will again be used on the International Space Station

Delivering fasteners that are out of this world

data for various terrestrial and space applications – from more effective concrete processing to 3D printing in space or on the moon.” The enhanced properties of Bumax 88 fasteners are achieved through a combination of unique manufacturing processes and the highest quality European steel. Since January 2022, Bumax 88 screws have also been used for the ANITA-2 trace gas monitoring system, to ensure good air quality for the ISS astronauts. The system, which was also developed by OHB System AG, has been simultaneously measuring more than 40 gases every six minutes on the ISS. Bumax 88 screws were used for the ANITA-2 payload to securely seal a safety containment and fasten crucial optical components. Lars Holm, Bumax managing director, commented, “Being trusted with supplying fasteners for projects such as CERN and ISS, which are essential to the evolution of mankind, is of course a source of immense pride and a testament to the quality of our products, and Bumax as a whole. Being chosen again and again for the most demanding applications means that all our existing and new customers can rest assured that they are getting the best of the best.” Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com OHB System AG www.ohb-system.de

Specialist fastener manufacturer Bumax has been selected to provide fasteners to be used on the International Space Station (ISS). Bumax 88 fasteners will be used to secure a new payload going to the ISS to measure the speed of sound. Bumax premium fasteners are used in a variety of demanding and cutting-edge scientific applications, such as at the scientific research institute CERN in Switzerland and for the world’s largest optical telescope in northern Chile. The extra-strong and fatigue-resistant model 88 has been selected to securely fasten the housing of a new payload on the ISS called Granular Sound. The customer is OHB System AG, a subsidiary of the European space and technology group OHB SE, under contract of the European Space Agency (ESA). OHB SE is a European multinational technology corporation headquartered in Bremen, Germany, and consists of three business divisions: space systems, aerospace and digital. It is currently the third largest corporation in Europe’s space sector. Granular Sound is an experiment in space to measure the speed of sound through a cube filled with glass balls (referred to as a package) in microgravity at different package pressures. The experiment uses thousands of glass balls to simulate granular media such as sand or concrete. “The housing of this package will be securely fastened by Bumax 88 fasteners to avoid the balls from flying around the ISS,” said Lukas Pfeiffer, project manager and systems engineer at OHB System AG. “The microgravity experiment will provide valuable

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

Structural wood screws market to reach $6.8bn Allied Market Research has published an analysis and forecast report into the structural wood screws market. The report breaks down the market into various segments, including type (carbon steel, stainless steel), application (construction, furniture and crafts, others) and business channel (in store, online). including the USA, Germany, Italy and France, and developing countries with large populations such as India and China. These countries were badly affected by the spread of the coronavirus, thereby halting the demand for structural wood screws.

The in-store segment accounted for the largest share in 2021, contributing to more than four-fifths of the market, and is projected to maintain its position during the forecast period. Items purchased from a physical store can be inspected before buying, ensuring the appropriate quality of the structural wood screws. In addition, the lead-time from placing an order and receiving it is effectively zero, making physical stores a preference when deadlines are close. However, the online segment is expected to have the largest CAGR (5.7 per cent) from 2022 to 2031. The main benefits of buying structural wood screws online are a wider range of products and the ability to order larger consignments than are possible from a store with limited inventory. The Asia-Pacific region held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for more than half of the global market, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 5.6 per cent from 2022 to 2031.

Following the introduction of various vaccines, the severity of the pandemic has significantly reduced, leading to the full reopening of businesses involved in the structural wood screws market, and also to increased activities in the construction sector. Based on type, the stainless steel segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than three-quarters of the global structural wood screws market, and is estimated to maintain its leading status throughout the forecast period. Structural wood screws that are made with stainless steel are desirable for woodworking applications in construction as well as the furniture industry. With high tensile strength and corrosion resistance, they are utilised where humidity levels are high. However, the carbon steel segment is projected to have the highest CAGR (5.6 per cent) from 2022 to 2031, owing to the material’s high strength and durability, and the fact that carbon steel structural wood screws are cheaper than stainless steel equivalents. to suffer a decline again in 2021. The expected recovery in air passenger travel coupled with order backlogs of aircraft OEMs and retrofitting plans of older aircraft is likely to boost future demand for plastic fasteners. Based on the aircraft type, the market is segmented into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopter, military aircraft and general aviation. With the highest share of plastic fasteners, the commercial aircraft segment is expected to remain the largest and fastest growing during the forecast period. An expected recovery in air travel is pushing airframers to increase the production rate of key programmes by both aircraft giants – Boeing and Airbus. According to the latest Airbus commercial aircraft outlook for 2022-2041, in the next 20 years, 39,490 commercial aircraft are likely to be delivered, of which 80 per cent would be narrow-body.

According to the report, the global structural wood screws industry generated $4.2bn in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $6.8bn by 2031, with a CAGR of 4.9 per cent from 2022 to 2031. The growth of the global structural wood screws market is driven by a growing pop ulation, urbanisation and the expansion of the construction and infrastructure sector. However, the fluctuating cost of raw ma terials required to manufacture structural wood screws is anticipated to restrain the market growth. The rise in concerns over climate change is also influencing the construction industry, presenting new opportunities in coming years. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the market, owing to low demand for structural wood screws from different industries during the lockdowns imposed in many countries. The major demand for structural wood screws was previously from countries Research And Markets has released a report titled “Aircraft plastic fasteners market size, share, trend, forecast, com- petitive analysis, and growth opportunity: 2022-2027”. The report states that the aircraft plastic fasteners market is likely to rebound at a CAGR of 14.4 per cent in the long run, to reach $150mn in 2027. The market is quite aligned with the organic growth of the aircraft industry. The pandemic led to a great decline in the aircraft industry across regions. The impact of this was registered across the supply chain, including all lev els of components. Aircraft plastic fasten ers, a relatively small but unique market, could not escape this trend and witnessed a decline of 41 per cent in 2020. The industry was expecting to commence its recovery in 2021, but the temporary suspension of Boeing 787 deliveries and the postponement of refurbishment orders by several airlines led the industry

The construction and home renovation sector in countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia is experiencing significant growth, owing to an increase in population and a rise in tourism. Allied Market Research www.alliedmarketresearch.com Aircraft plastic fasteners market research report

Nylon is expected to remain the domi- nant material type, while composites are set to be the fastest growing during the same period. Nylon has features such as high tensile strength, electrical insulation and corrosion resistance, as well as being lightweight and versatile. In terms of regions, North America is expected to remain the largest market for aircraft plastic fasteners during the forecast period. The region has the presence of a large number of major OEMs as well as raw material suppliers. Asia-Pacific is likely to grow at the fastest pace in the market over the next five years, driven by an expected rebound in aircraft deliveries to meet the rising air passenger travel, especially in China and India. Research And Markets www.researchandmarkets.com

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Innovating performance suspension springs In collaboration with electric car company Polestar, Lesjöfors has designed and developed the suspension springs on a limited edition performance vehicle. The Polestar 2 BST edition 270 has been created to push the boundaries of electric performance. It is an expertly tuned, handling-focused performance EV (electric vehicle), hand finished to exact specifications, using zero-tolerance performance parts. Lesjöfors was asked to develop bespoke suspension springs to secure the performance levels required by the advancement in EVs. In a workshop in the Lesjöfors factory in Sweden, equipped with a Polestar test car, suspension spring designs were manufactured and mounted, then tested around the roads of the factory. The suspension spring performance was evaluated and fine-tuned between the Polestar and Lesjöfors engineers. Joakim Rydholm, head of chassis development at Polestar, said, “It was so cool to build and test the suspension spring function on-site, in the factory. Lesjöfors’ service is unique. They have a deep understanding of spring precision. They developed springs that were made just for this car – you could almost say hand crafted with generations of spring specialist knowledge that therefore uniquely delivers the level of quality and performance we require.” Lesjöfors sales manager Olof Jonsson commented, “When Joakim called us and revealed that his CEO wanted to take the DNA of the hugely successful Polestar 2 and reimagine it into a limited Zago recognised by NIST MEP Zago Manufacturing Co, a USA-based manufacturer of sustainable sealing fasteners and components, has been recognised by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and MEP

The Polestar 2 BST edition 270 performance EV

edition performance car, which had to be in production in 12 months and needed some very special springs, we knew we had an exceptional project to deliver. “We have a perfect partnership with Polestar. With them, we work as one team. Everyone from the design departments to the material scientists to the operators on the coilers to the paint shop – all worked and learned together to deliver the results Polestar were looking for.” The success of the project has led to a new development that allows regular Polestar 2 owners to order a new lowering kit from Polestar, complete with two front and two rear Lesjöfors suspension springs. Lesjöfors AB www.lesjoforsab.com

that makes other companies more sustainable.” Zago invests within its community and workforce through education and pro fessional development to recruit, nurture and retain talent. It practises continuous improvement, incorporating automated production on the factory floor. Prioritising diversity and education, Zago created “Sustainability 360°”, which offers scholarships, internships, apprenticeships and professional development. The com pany pays 100 per cent tuition for employ ees wishing to pursue advanced degrees. Zago vice president Jackie Luciano said, “It’s not just making the fasteners – that’s one part of what we do here. The bigger part of that is the people, nurturing the people, educating the people, and making sure that they have a future.” Zago Manufacturing Co Inc www.zago.com

(Manufacturing Extension Partnership) as one of its Heroes of American Manufacturing. “We are honoured to be recognised by NIST MEP as an example of American manufacturing at its best,” said Harvey Rottenstrich, co-founder, president and lead engineer at Zago. The company’s sealing fasteners are reusable and pollutant free, and are engineered with a 360° rubber O-ring that prevents contaminants from leaking into or out of equipment and potentially damaging the environment. Zago implements lean manufacturing processes in a 100-year-old refurbished factory with a 50 kW solar panel array on its roof. Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, co-founder and CEO of Zago, commented, “What makes our company unique is that we are a sustainable company creating a product

NIST MEP has recognised Zago as a “Hero of American Manufacturing”

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Products

New world record for largest forged shackle

be part of a system for the monopile installation of offshore wind turbines. It was forged and produced at GN Rope Fittings’ sole manufacturing facility in Nieuwkoop, the Netherlands, using raw materials from Western Europe. The company first completed one of the world’s largest shackles in 2009, when it manufactured a 1,750-ton version, followed by a 2,000-ton shackle. It broke the record again when it produced a 2,500-ton forged shackle in 2016. For the latest shackle, the bow was designed to be shorter than standard, requiring less raw material. At the client’s request, the bow was designed in a D shape, rather than the conventional omega shape. The bow radius and the jaw opening are larger than for standard shackles, demonstrating GN Rope Fittings’ ability to modify its products to deliver bespoke solutions. Additional features include a shaft for the installation of the pin. The shackle was load tested to DNV lifting standards, followed by a non-destructive testing inspection. The company has its own in-house WLL6000T test bench in the Netherlands, where all testing was carried out. Bart Vossenberg Jr, director, GN Rope Fittings, said, “Innovating forged solutions for the most cost-effective results for our clients is a passion at GN Rope Fittings. We take pride in developing products that not only meet our clients’ needs but also uphold the highest standards of quality and safety. These priorities remain at the forefront of our work. “We’re witnessing an increasing demand in larger capacity equipment for renew able energy projects and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of this industry. We’re confident that our team’s expertise and capabili ties will continue to drive innovation and deliver bespoke solutions in renewa bles. We’re eager and ready to take on more challenging projects like this in the future.”

The latest product, built in 14 weeks, is a bespoke wide-body shackle with a working load limit of 3,000 tons – equivalent to lifting 13 Statues of Liberty.

GN Rope Fittings, a manufacturer of ROV, mooring, heavy lifting and rigging connections for the global oil and gas and offshore wind industries, has made the world’s largest forged shackle, surpassing its own previous record.

Commissioned by IQIP, the shackle will

(from left) GN Rope Fittings director Bart Vossenberg Jr, head administrator Vera Vossenberg and CEO Bart Vossenberg Sr with the record-breaking shackle

GN Rope Fittings www.gnweb.com

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artistnd 3000

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Products

Single piece inspection machine exhibited General Inspection exhibited its latest single piece inspection machine at Fastener Fair USA in Nashville, Tennessee, in May.

The versatile VisionLab can be used for first-piece inspection, SPC sampling, final audits, or 100 per cent inspection using pick-and place automation. It measures all profile characteristics, with a three-dimensional gauging system that provides complete part measurements in less than seven seconds. The system can measure all profile features, including pertinent GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) characteristics, as well as all thread features, using patented optics and software algorithms that use virtual system-22 thread wireframes. An inte grated thread database provides point-and-click programming. Optional slewing optics automatically tilt for an enhanced view into the radius of the threads to measure root radii and pitch di ameter. Additional options include end-view inspection, surface control and upper tooling with a bit kit. End view is used for measurement and defect detection on both ends of parts. Measurements check for features such as recesses, inner/outer diameters, through holes and counter-bores. Defect detection includes cracks, dents, scratches and plating variations. Optional surface control is used to detect surface defects, such as bad plating, thread patch presence and quality, as well as to measure knurling width, gap and height. Upper tooling and a bit kit are available for uneven parts, or for parts with a recess drive.

VisionLab-75

VisionLab provides comprehensive data reports and graphs with data collection that can be exported to third-party SPC packages. With Windows-based software, VisionLab is easy to program. Templates are saved by part number and then recalled for instant inspection. VisionLab is intended to be in the lab or on the shop floor so that it can be fully utilised, replacing manual inspection. Three models are available. VisionLab-75 and VisionLab-150 can handle parts up to 75mm length and 35mm diameter, or 150mm length and 50mm diameter, respectively. For larger sizes, the VisionLab-X can be custom designed to fit most applications. General Inspection, LLC https://geninsp.com

Wave springs for high force in a tight space If an application requires high forces but the space for deflections is relatively small, wave springs can be the best – and sometimes the only – alternative. Examples are roller bearings and sealings between a housing and a rotating shaft. The geometry and characteristics of wave springs makes them suitable to be assembled in a space that is very limited in the radial direction. The diameter ratio (outer diameter/inner diameter) is close to one.

and lifetime of the bearing increases if it is preloaded with the correct force. Preloading can be applied without a spring, but the flexibility of a spring element compensates for tolerances in axial direction and keeps the preload force within the desired range independent of tolerance outcome. The effects of thermal expansion are reduced by the use of a spring element. The assembly space for roller bearing preload applications is suitable for wave springs. Another application with similar require- ments is sealings, typically between a housing and a rotating shaft. The sealing elements need to be axially preloaded for proper function, and a flexible spring element has the same advantages here as in the roller bearing application. The assembly space is similar to that for roller bearings, and the wave spring is as space effective here. Lesjöfors AB www.lesjoforsab.com

A conventional helical compression spring will not be able to give much force in such a geometry, and a disc spring requires higher diameter ratios. Another scenario for which a wave spring should be considered is if forces are high and deflection relatively small. A wave spring can achieve such characteristics in a smaller axial space than other spring types. This is partly because wave springs often can be made without the dead coils in the ends of the spring that a helical compression spring needs. A typical application where these requirements exist is to apply a preload to a roller bearing, where the performance is improved by an axial preload. Noise is reduced, bearing stiffness is increased

Wave springs belong to the compression springs group, meaning the displacement is linear, and length decreases with increasing force. Their geometry is in some ways similar to helical compression springs, but with the major difference that a wave shape is added to the linearly increasing axial position of the material. They are made from flat rolled wire, with the largest cross section dimension (width) in the radial direction of the spring.

A Lesjöfors wave spring

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