EuroFasteners July 2024

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online

Photo by Valentina Giarre, Unsplash

Contents July 2024

Diary of events 25-28 September 2024 wire China 2024 Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute Co Ltd Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai Co Ltd www.wirechina.net 14-17 October 2024 IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum Trade exhibition & Technical Symposium Providence, Rhode Island, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org 15-17 October 2024 FABTECH Trade exhibition Orlando, Florida, USA Organisers: FMA (Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International) www.fabtechexpo.com

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Corporate News

Products

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22-25 October 2024 EuroBlech Trade exhibition Hanover, Germany Organisers: Mack-Brooks Exhibitions www.euroblech.com 27-29 November 2024 wire India Trade exhibition Mumbai, India Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-india.com 4-6 March 2025 AMI Cables Conference Düsseldorf, Germany Organisers: Applied Market Information www.ami-events.com

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11-14 March 2025 Global Industrie Trade exhibition Lyon, France Organisers: GL Events www.global-industrie.com

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Shows correct at time of publication, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

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Corporate News

Bumax solves urgent problem

Adaptive secondary mirror

for NASA telescope

Swedish premium fastener manufacturer Bumax was selected to solve a potential galling issue in an adaptive secondary mirror for a NASA telescope in Hawaii. A DX 129 model variant was delivered to TNO to solve a manufacturing error in the adaptive secondary mirror structure. The Dutch organisation TNO had developed an adaptive secondary mirror for NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in Hawaii. Following a manufacturing error that was discovered during the integration phase in the Netherlands, TNO required an immediate fastener solution, in order to be able to proceed with the integration. TNO turned to specialist fastener manufacturer Bumax, which delivered critical fasteners to overcome the galling (wear) issues discovered in the assembly. Within 24 hours, Bumax had supplied TNO with a special variant of its high-performance DX 129 model, designed for strength, ductility and corrosion resistance, which solved the problem.

“Bumax really saved the day at a point in our project when it was critical that we had no delays,” said Matias Kidron, project manager space systems engineering at TNO. “The next day delivery of the screws was quite a feat and was greatly appreciated by our entire project team and enabled us to stick to our schedule.” The Bumax DX 129 EPK fasteners used for this application were a special variant of the standard high-performance DX 129 product grade. DX 129 EPK fasteners have even higher surface hardness, making them almost impervious to galling. They also have the advantage of lower surface roughness and a cleaner finish, which eliminates the need for additional lubrication in applications where contamination or outgassing may be of concern. NASA’s IRTF is a 3m infrared telescope located at an altitude of around 4,200m, at the summit of Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii. It is operated by the University of Hawaii under a cooperative agreement with NASA. Designed for maximum performance in the infrared portion of the spectrum, it takes advantage of the excellent visibility, minimal water vapour and low thermal background that characterise the atmosphere above Mauna Kea. Bumax fasteners have been chosen for high-profile scientific projects and products including CERN, ISS, Opus Aerospace and the Einstein Telescope project. They have also been used on the European Southern Observatory Extremely Large Telescope (ESO ELT) in Chile, which required a high-strength corrosion resistant solution. Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com

The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii

New headquarters for Fastener SuperStore Fastener SuperStore, a company with 20 years’ experience of online selling and distribution of hardware solutions, has announced the opening of its new headquarters and primary distribution centre in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA. The company’s business model focuses on on-demand shipping of bulk industrial fasteners. demand. Greg Fields, president, said, “As we continue to add products and people, this larger and more modern space will allow us to maintain our pace and expedite our growth curve.” The company has recently added services such as kitting, painting and plating, to expand its product offerings.

offers opportunities for availability and productivity. With an increased inventory capacity, the new headquarters will allow Fastener SuperStore to better meet evolving customer needs. Fastener SuperStore ships more than 95 per cent of online orders the same day, and has recently increased its catalogue by 1,000+ products. Fastener SuperStore, Inc www.fastenersuperstore.com

While the relocation will not change its main operations, the expansion into a larger and better-equipped warehouse

With sales doubling between 2020 and 2022, Fastener SuperStore has faced challenges brought by this increased

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

Producing wire for spring applications with quality and efficiency

our M&A and investment programme has been building a global network of Lesjöfors manufacturing, sales and distribution sites, all with the intention of furthering our growth ambitions across the manufacture and supply of quality customised components and standard stock springs. This established infrastructure is now perfectly positioned to be able to deliver a customer-focused online purchasing platform that gives instant buying power to the widest spring product portfolio in the world.” Catering to both DIY enthusiasts needing one replacement spring for a garage door to SMEs and multi-nationals looking for 10,000+ springs as a component part to a product, the new web shop details tolerances alongside each product, and offers fast dispatch and customer and technical support services. The web shop also acts as a warehouse, storing stock and making it available within hours of the customer’s order. With thousands of configurations, the advanced gas spring builder can provide any gas spring solution. complete control of production from the raw material to the final drawing of the wire. Technical customer support at the stainless research centre in Ugine is central to the design and development of customised products. Technical support ensures that the products are right for customers’ specific applications and the special requirements of many markets. One example is significant investment in research into the surface finish of drawn wires – a crucial parameter for the high speed configuration of springs. Technical advances in the stainless and alloy spring market offered by Swiss Steel Group include re-melted round and shaped wire with diameters ranging from 0.18 to 20mm. The grades Ugipure 4568 and Ugipure 4462 are solutions with improved inclusion purity for heavy spring applications.

To make its products available to everyone, at any time, the Lesjöfors Group has launched an online shop offering 24/7 access to its wide range of standard stock springs. Having grown threefold in the last decade, into a €430mn company, the spring and pressing manufacturer is not only driving industry change by setting the ambition of becoming the most sustainable spring and pressing manufacturer, but is now also focused on leading the online standard stock sector. Henrik Furhoff, Lesjöfors VP and head of standard stock, said, “Over the years, The market for drawn wire for spring applications is demanding and constantly evolving. The Swiss Steel Group and its subsidiary Ugitech take a role in this market. Continuously increasing demand for new technical solutions in the field of drawn wire for spring applications has driven innovation. Markets such as aviation, medicine, automotive, connection technology, power plant and cosmetics industries demand products of the highest quality, purity and precision. The Swiss Steel Group states that these requirements are part of its philosophy. The group takes a 100 per cent integrated approach to these products, from processing the material in the steelworks in Ugine, France, to forming the wire into a spring in two specialised wire drawing plants in Imphy, France, and San Vendemiano. Italy. This ensures

Swiss Steel Group produces drawn wire for spring applications

Duplex grade UGIS4462 has been upgraded to the high-speed steel properties of the ISO 6931-1 standard. It represents a compromise between high mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and stable material costs. In addition to quality assurance, these factors ensure more efficient and optimised production of spring applications. All of these are already available in Green Steel quality. Swiss Steel Group https://swisssteel-group.com

Online access to wide range of standard stock springs

Mr Furhoff added, “We have been leading up to this moment for a long time. We’ve been waiting to get it right, to ensure we can deliver a customer service and technical support platform that matches the quality expected from our products, so that we can genuinely say that our standard stock web shop is an industry game changer. That’s why we’re starting our rollout in our origin country of Sweden and will then be progressing our campaign, across Europe, America and Asia.” Ola Tengroth, CEO of the Lesjöfors Group, commented, “With the establishment of a network of dedicated Lesjöfors teams around the world, it gives me great pride to think that in 2025, in our 350 th year, customers will be able to purchase our products from anywhere in the world and have it in their hands ‘almost’ instantly. Lesjöfors’ new web shop is a strategic move to expand our spring and pressing supply services to every audience, across every need.” Lesjöfors Group www.lesjoforsab.com

Lesjöfors Group standard stock springs

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Products

New range of screws with optimised thread profile

The efficient and effective operation of automotive applications, domestic appliances and industrial machinery can depend on the use of reliable screws, bolts, washers and clips. Plas-Tech 30-20® screws – the latest product launch from TR Fastenings – aim to give customers advantages in their production processes. Manufactured in TR’s own facilities, the Plas-Tech 30-20 was developed by in-house technical engineering teams across global locations to complement the existing Plas-Tech range. The new product has an optimised thread profile that is claimed to provide advanced performance in a wide variety of plastic materials. Plas-Tech 30-20 screws are new to the market, but are part of the company’s established Plas-Tech range, and are available with various protective coatings. They are said to be of particular importance in the automotive, tech/infrastructure and health/home markets. The screws were developed to offer several advantages over conventional thread-forming screws in plastic, including a 20 per cent finer pitch and lower flank angle to improve axial resistance; a reduced thread angle to lessen axial displacement; up to 25 per cent higher thread fill to improve maximum joint strength; and a smoother installation that heightens resistance to vibration. Key features of the Plas-Tech 30-20 include: • Minimal radial stress – the faceted thread profile directs material flow to reduce radial stress • Vibration resistance – the full engagement of the self locking, angled thread design avoids loosening • High torsional strength and tensile strength – a large core thread profile provides high strength • Optimal thread pitch – ensuring fastener engagement with a minimum number of rotations, keeping installation times to a minimum • High reusability – the fastener can be removed and re installed a number of times The range includes pan head, flange head and countersunk head varieties, enabling customers to choose the right option for each application. Thread diameters are 3, 4, 5 and 6mm,

TR’s Plas-Tech 30-20 screws

and lengths range from 6 to 30mm. The design allows the screw threads to displace the surrounding plastic, in the process strengthening the fix. TR Fastenings can also provide bespoke engineered products and a diverse selection of related components. The screws can be installed with a calibrated pneumatic or electric driver and are suited to robotic assembly processes. With standard drivers, installation is quick and easy, and the sturdy construction allows Plas-Tech 30-20 screws to be reused multiple times. Product engineers can find more information about the screws’ usage via TR’s installation guide and product animation video, on the company’s website and YouTube channel. Founded in 1973, TR is an international specialist in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of industrial fastenings and Category ‘C’ components, principally to major global assembly industries. As an international business it is able to provide 24/7 customer support across key regions in the UK, Asia, Europe and North America. In addition to its service locations, the company operates seven manufacturing facilities focused on high-volume cold-forged fasteners and special parts. It has also established technical and innovation centres to support R&D and customer collaboration around the world. TR Fastenings www.trfastenings.com

Premium fasteners from China Ningbo Ennaji Machinery Co, Ltd manufactures all kinds of fastener, adhering to ASTM, DIN, JIS, BS, ISO and AS standards. The company also crafts non-standard metal parts. Based in Luotuo Industrial Zone, Ningbo, China, the company’s products have been exported to more than 20 countries and areas, including Germany, Spain, Brazil, the USA, Korea, Russia, Malaysia and the Middle East. The production site hosts various hot forged bolt production lines, multi-station cold

Ennaji has its own research and develop ment department, and welcomes custom isation through drawings and samples. The experienced purchasing team can provide supply chain resources and services, to help customers reduce or eliminate many design, manufacturing and logistics problems. Ningbo Ennaji Machinery Co, Ltd www.enj-machinery.com

heading equipment and screw thread rolling equipment. Main products include hexagon socket cap screws, hexagon head bolts, square bolts, countersunk head fasteners, threaded rods and studs. Specifications include bolt levels 12.9/10.9/8.8/6.8, A325, A490, A394 and A449; and thread rods levels B7, B7M, L7, L7M and B16. Sizes range from 4 to 64mm (¼" to 2½").

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Products

Fastener gauging for large bolts General Inspection, LLC has installed a new VisionLab-300-X 3D fastener gauging system at a large bolt manufacturer in Indiana, USA, to streamline the company’s first-part inspection process. provide complete part dimensional layouts in less than five seconds. The machine can perform 360° dimensional inspection with detailed data reporting, with options to provide 360° visual defect detection, and a bottom camera to verify head markings and measure recess features. VisionLab uses General Inspection’s patented 3D gauging technology to

VisionLab-300-X

reports are created and saved as CSV or Excel files, but in this installation the customer is utilising the built-in MySQL server to connect directly to the SPC program. This saves time and improves quality by accurately measuring parts within two micrometres. Part feature tolerances are assigned with the appropriate part number and stored in memory for quick recall. General Inspection, LLC https://geninsp.com

The bolt manufacturer replaced its three 12" LaserLab systems with a single VisionLab-300-X. Time is saved by VisionLab accepting the transfer of all previously programmed parts from the legacy LaserLab systems. The VisionLab-300-X will measure parts up to 12" long and up to 4" in diameter. All dimensions, including lengths, diameters, radii, angles and GD&T features, are measured and displayed with a pass/fail indication. Custom data

A manufacturer of large bolts is using the system in first-part inspection

Miniature metric ball screws for high load capacity in a small footprint

and 12 x 2mm diameters. Additional size options are in development. Mounting interface options include threaded, flanged or cylindrical. All options feature carbon steel construc tion, high-performance repeatability (0.05mm backlash) and ±52µm/300mm standard lead accuracy (T7). Miniature metric ball screws can also be ordered with custom coatings such as thin dense chrome and black oxide coating.

number of circuits and loaded balls in the nut. A miniature metric system with a multi-liner return system, for example, deploys 168 balls in eight circuits to support 7.6 kN of static load, compared to a single-liner design, which would use 84 balls in four circuits to support only 4.2 kN. Maximising the number of balls within a single nut also extends the life of the system by spreading the load across multiple points. The Thomson multi liner return system floats axially to compensate for misalignment. The miniature metric ball screws are suitable for designers who specify linear motion components with minimal space requirements. Common applications include diagnostic and life science instruments, such as chemistry analysers; test and measurement equipment (eg torque testers); fluid pumping, such as medical infusion pumps; and robotics and pick and place equipment (engraving, scanning and printing machines, for example). The new miniature metric ball screws with multi-liner ball return system are available in 8 x 2.5, 8 x 5, 10 x 2, 10 x 3

Thomson Industries, Inc, a manufacturer of linear motion solutions, has announced the availability of new German-engineered precision ball screw sizes with US-based distribution and machining. The Thomson miniature metric ball screw line uses a multi-start ball return design that maximises support for higher loads. This design provides precise, smooth and quiet operation for applications requiring high precision and load handling in confined spaces. “To achieve specified load capacity, designers of laboratory, medical and other space-constrained mechatronics applications must often choose a larger nut, which makes the final equipment larger than it needs to be,” said Denise Goldman, senior product manager for ball screws at Thomson. “Thanks to our unique ball return system and precision product manufacturing expertise, we can deliver a smaller assembly with higher load handling capacity.” Using more balls enables higher loads to be supported. Thomson miniature metric ball screws accomplish this with a multi liner return system that maximises the

Thomson Industries, Inc www.thomsonlinear.com

Thomson mini metric ball screws

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