EuroFasteners March 2021

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online

Photo by Ben Lodge, Unsplash

Contents March 2021

Diary of events

8-10 June 2021 wire Russia

Trade exhibition Moscow, Russia Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf

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info@wire-russia.com www.wire-russia.com

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31 August – 2 September 2021 WireShow Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai Co Ltd www.wireshow.com 8-10 September 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

14-16 September 2021 AMI Cables Trade exhibition Cologne, Germany Organisers: AMI www.ami.ltd/event-cables

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16-18 September 2021 China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd julang@julang.com.cn www.julang.com.cn

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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

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

▲ Condat Extrugliss green sustainable cold heading oil

Lubriscore system identifies eco-designed lubricants

Condat, a specialist in the field of industrial lubrication for over 160 years, adapts its products to the needs of each market. Initiated several decades ago, the company’s commitment to responsible performance, combining social and environmental issues, is now a main objective for the firm. Guided by the motto “build to last”, the business has been pursuing a long- term strategy and has been a forerunner in developing industrial lubricants and other speciality products with a reduced environmental impact, without compromising performance or user safety. As an example, Condat launched its first biodegradable lubricants 20 years ago. In order to provide customers with better readability and total transparency in its products, in 2020 Condat established Lubriscore® – a self-scoring system that weights the product properties based on lifecycle criteria: raw materials and design, production, transport, use and end of life. The rating includes impacts on people and the environment, and

takes into consideration the knowledge at the time of assessment and changes to regulations. A bonus is applied in the case of compliance with a label or certification, such as an Ecolabel certified product. Based on a points system and on the answers given to around 20 questions, Lubriscore assigns the product with an associated number of stars. The more eco-designed a lubricant is, the higher the number of stars it gets, to a maximum of three. By choosing a product with at least one star, the user benefits from an eco- designed alternative. The Lubriscore rating is available for a wide range of Condat lubricants, including metalworking fluids, wire drawing soaps, cold heading oils, hydraulic oils, die lubricants, cooling lubricants, hardening/ quenching fluids and maintenance lubricants. For fasteners, Extrugliss A 68 G is a plant- based oil that is claimed to improve productivity and tool life. With a high level of lubricity, Extrugliss A 68 G enables

fastening of difficult parts while increasing efficiency and reducing tooling budget. The oil can be used also for heavy duty forming operations (screws, bolts, nuts and extrusion). Extrugliss A 68 G is also a dual-purpose oil, specially formulated to provide enhanced lubrication characteristics to machinery, as well as lubrication for cold heading processes. Used as a dual-purpose oil, it can prevent cross-contamination to sustain lubricant performance and extend sump life. With a high flash point, ensuring lower mist and smoke, andbeing free of chlorine, Extrugliss A 68 G oil has a reduced impact on the environment and gives operators a better working environment. The lubricant has been awarded a two-star Condat Lubriscore rating. It was formulated with renewable ingredients, resulting in the absence of mineral oil-based products and tax due for import in many regions. Condat SA www.condat.fr

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

Avantus acquires California Screw Products Avantus Aerospace, a leader in C-Class and composite parts for the aerospace and defence industry, has acquired California Screw Products (CalScrew), of Paramount, California, USA. Boeing (including BDSI), Incora (Wesco), Honeywell, Collins, Pratt &Whitney, GE, Airbus and Lockheed Martin.

The existing management teams will continue to operate and grow the business under the guidance of fastener president Dennis Suedkamp and director of business development Larry Valeriano, who was formerly president of CalScrew. Avantus CEO Brian Williams said, “The CalScrew team is known for taking care of their customers and we are excited about dovetailing their unique fasteners into our expanding product line-up. Our combined strength allows Avantus to continue offering a diverse range of high-quality products with exceptional customer service.” Mr Valeriano commented, “California Screw Products is a well- known brand in the fastener standards market, and looks forward to joining FIT and FTC as another integral company in the Avantus fastener and C-Class portfolio.” Avantus Aerospace is owned by private equity firm Inflexion, and Auctus Industries, a specialist investor in aerospace businesses, focusing on off-market deal sourcing and the execution of buy- and-build acquisition strategies. Avantus Aerospace https://avantusaerospace.com

CalScrew manufactures high-strength fasteners for commercial and military aerospace applications and has a natural fit with other companies within the Avantus group, including FTC (Fastener Technology Corp), acquired in December 2019, and FIT (Fastener Innovation Technology), acquired in September 2020. CalScrew, founded in 1984, supplies difficult-to-manufacture “standards”, serving more than 45 aircraft platforms. Some of its customer relationships span multiple decades, such as those with

▲ Avantus specialises in C-Class and composite parts for aerospace and defence Photo credit: PRNewsfoto/Avantus Aerospace

International Spring and Processing Equipment exhibition

The Wuxi Taihu International Spring and Processing Equipment Exhibition was held in Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center in Wuxi, China, in November. The exhibits, in an area of nearly 20,000m 2 , ranged from spring-related products, raw materials for production and key components, to advanced manufacturing equipment, testing instruments and

equipment, and the latest technology, products and services. The exhibition attracted almost 10,000 buyers to negotiate and purchase, and more than 300 machines and pieces of equipment were scheduled for sale. The exhibition was first held in 2004, with accumulated totals of more than 5,000 exhibitors and over 400,000 visitors

across the 16 years. The exhibition is said to be well received by domestic and foreign manufacturers, dealers, buyers, end-users and the related upstream and downstream industries of springs, wire and fasteners. It has become one of the largest domestic exhibitions for the spring industry. The 17 th Wuxi Taihu International Spring and Processing Equipment Exhibition will be held, again in the Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center, in the second half of 2021. Focuses of the exhibition will include precision marketing and deep communication, expanding the industry network, the contradiction between sup- ply and demand, and the development of the machining industry in the Yangtze River Delta region. It will provide a tech- nology and business communication platform for spring and related industry colleagues from around the world, in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Jiangsu Sanjiaozhou International Conference and Exhibition Co Ltd www.wxthz.com

Fasteners diversification

Sundram Fasteners Ltd is to extend into the aerospace and defence sectors, partly to reduce the company’s dependence on the automotive sector. Managing director Arathi Krishna confirmed, “We have commenced operations in defence and aerospace to de-risk our business model, and shelter it against the cyclical nature of the auto industry. “Currently, the auto to non-auto business stands at 80:20 ratio. Going forward, we would like that to be in the ratio of 75:25.” Sundram Fasteners Ltd www.sundram.com

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Corporate News

Würth Action Bolt and Tool joins new construction services division

Würth Industry North America (WINA) has announced that Würth Action Bolt and Tool, a distributor of construction and industrial fasteners, will join its new construction services division, Würth Construction Services. Würth Action Bolt and Tool has been a member of the Würth Group since 1999 and was previously part of theWürthWood Group based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA. Adding the company to the WINA group fits into Würth Industry’s strategy to provide supply chain solutions of construction and industrial fasteners, safety and MRO products, and com- plements Wurth Industry’s position in the construction market. Alongside Würth Action Bolt and Tool, the Würth Construction Services division comprises

Würth House of Threads and Weinstock Bros. Würth Action Bolt and Tool supplies Würth with increased capability in the construction market and improves its ability to offer a wide range of end-to-end structural products, including fasteners, hand and power tools, and construction supplies and equipment. It will provide expanded services to structural customers across the USA, Mexico, Canada and Brazil. “We continue to be committed to achieving our strong growth targets, both organically and through key acquisitions,” said Dan Hill, chief executive officer for Würth Industry North America. “Würth Action joining the WINA family represents an important strategic opportunity to launch our Construction Services division. This division will be our national platform

to serve the construction industry, providing best-in-class supply chain solutions and cost savings for erectors and fabricators across North America.” Shane Adams, director of operations at Würth Action Bolt and Tool, commented, “Joining theWürth Industry North America family, specifically the construction solutions division, means that we will continue to provide outstanding quality and successful partnerships but will also enhance available offerings to our customers. Würth Industry’s North American network will provide greater resources and inventory expansion for our customers.” Würth Industry North America http://wurthindustry.com

Niagara Foot and All Terrain Knee for Bumax Swedish premium fastener specialist Bumax has been selected as sole supplier of screws for advanced and durable prosthetic knees by Weigel+ medical, the German manufacturer of a waterproof and submersible prosthesis knee and foot system. “We tried a variety of stainless steel screws when developing the waterproof knee joint, but Bumax SDX 109 was the only screw that provided both the strength and corrosion resistance we required,” explained Jochen Weigel, owner of Weigel+ medical and co-owner of DOI ortho-innovativ. processing, energy, defence, pulp and paper, construction and general engineering. Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com

Bumax’s SDX 109 high-strength super duplex fastener was the only screw on the market capable of providing a prosthetic knee joint with the necessary high strength and corrosion resistance, to contribute to providing prosthesis solutions to people around the world. The Niagara Foot is an affordable, high- performance prosthetic foot designed for individuals with active lifestyles, brought to the market byWeigel+medical (development and manufacturing) and DOI ortho-innovativ (distribution and education). It will be fitted with Bumax fasteners for strength and corrosion resistance. The Bumax SDX 109 will also be used for the All Terrain Knee, a mechanical prosthetic knee joint used by those with above-kneeamputations. Bothprosthetics can be used in aquatic environments as they work entirely mechanically. However, this requires that all components are resistant to saltwater, including the screws.

Super duplex stainless steel fasteners combine higher strength and corrosion resistance, compared to alloy steel fasteners. They have two-phase microstructures containing ferrite and austenite and are cold headed and thread rolled. development manager at Bumax, said, “Bumax SDX 109 is from our high-strength super duplex fastener range and provides excellent mechanical properties, and exceptional resistance to general crevice, pitting and stress corrosion. Due to their high levels of chromium and molybdenum, super duplex grades provide even greater corrosion resistance than duplex grades.” Bumax manufactures premium stainless steel fasteners in a variety of steel grades that provide safety and reliability in demanding customer applications. Customers include companies and organisations in industries such as marine, automotive, oil and gas, chemical Klaus Vogt, business

▲ Bumax fasteners will be used in the

waterproof prosthesis knee and foot system

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Products

▲ BOLT locking recovery hook

Recovery hooks BOLT (Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology) Lock has expanded its product line with a new swivel locking recovery hook. the hook. It fits standard 7 / winches and recovery straps.

8 " bumper tabs,

“Off-road enthusiasts finding the need to winch themselves or their friends from precarious predicaments will appreciate the convenient security of our lock technology that uses just one key, the vehicle’s ignition key, to secure our hook to the bumper,” explained Jason Buckles, sales manager for BOLT Lock. “We are excited to partner with Monster Hooks Inc to bring this product to market.” BOLT Lock www.boltlock.com

The BOLT lock cylinder is located on the hook itself, which prevents the pin used to attach the hook to the vehicle from moving freely when locked in order to protect the product from theft. BOLT locks are permanently programmed to the vehicle’s ignition key. The first time the key is inserted into the BOLT cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers move up and down to uniquely code the cylinder to that specific key.

Manufactured from aircraft grade 6061- T6 aluminium, the new locking recovery hook has a 10,000lb capacity and is designed to be 99 per cent faster than other ¾" shackle-type hooks due to its latching mechanism. The top portion does not need to be unscrewed in order to loop the tow strap: the tow strap slides easily into place over

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artistnd 3000

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Products

Cold-forming engineered fasteners and components through direct OEM sales

Optimas Solutions, a global industrial manufacturer/distributor and service provider, has re-engineered the manu- facturing capabilities at its main facility near Chicago, USA, to offer a full suite of fastener manufacturing services direct to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in North America. By adding manufacturing services to its range of supply chain services for OEMs, Optimas claims to have become the only fastener supplier in North America to offer a full breadth of manufacturing and distribution solutions to support OEMs. As part of its Manufacturing Solutions strategy announced last year, Optimas has established a dedicated operational group based at its facility in Wood Dale, Illinois, USA, to directly serve OEM customers with its advanced manufacturing solutions for fastener products. “We’ve invested $10mn in our onshore manufacturingoperations since2012.That has allowed us to offer the most advanced and fastest production capabilities in the industry to meet today’s complex part

requirements from OEMs here in North America,” said Marc Strandquist, CEO of Optimas Solutions. “As an ISO 14001/9001 and IAFT 16949 certified fastener manufacturer, we can efficiently address the needs of OEMs for rapid prototyping, full-scale production, high-demand production and specialised licensed and engineered offerings better than any of our competitors. Few in the industry offer the breadth of supply chain capabilities we do to OEMs which puts us in a class of our own.” As a fastener manufacturer and distri- butor, Optimas has built upon existing capabilities to deliver the custom manufacturing solutions for OEMs by offering cold forming capabilities (larger and existing small diameter of M2-M22); rapid prototyping with 3D printing capabilities; 11 licensed offerings such as Mortorq®Super, FASTENlite™, Hi Torque®, MAThread®, MATpoint®, Phillips Square- Driv® ACR, Plastite®, Powerlok®, Taptite 2000®, Taptite Pro® and Remform®; application and manufacturing engine- ered services (engineered offerings for

custom product production); and a focus on the vertical industries that these capabilities and services best address, including agriculture, automotive, heavy truck, recreational vehicles, furniture/ appliance and medical equipment. Optimas has strengthened its in-house engineering, tooling, cold forming capabilities, licensed offerings, and quality labs to provide a range of production options. “We are laying out a foundationally solid plan that includes investing in people, processes, technologies and organisational alignment to accelerate our ability to deliver manufacturing and engineering services to OEM customers,” said Mr Strandquist. “While we are a best-in-class cold forming service provider, the strategic goal is to further transform Optimas manufacturing into an onshore manufacturing resource for North American OEMs.”

Optimas Solutions www.optimas.com

Field-replaceable connectors Pasternack, a provider of RF, microwave and millimetre wave products, has launched a new line of field-replaceable RF connectors designed for use in civil and military telecommunications, civil and military aeronautics, military equipment, and space and measurement system applications. the interface pin. To accommodate a wide range of RF components, several configurations of flange sizes and pin sizes are offered off-the-shelf. “Our new field-replaceable connectors are perfect for changing interface types on a variety of RF components used in a wide range of applications,” said Steve Ellis, RF interconnect product manager.

The new RF connectors include SMA, 3.5mm, 2.92mm, 2.4mm and 1.85mm types with two-hole and four-hole mounting configurations. Each connector utilises a metal ring that grounds or mates with the component ground and will work with a range of different pin sizes. These types of connectors can be used on various sealed RF components as replaceable RF interconnects where the component has a pin exposed. The connector is attached to the wall of the component with screws and accepts

“These were designed to address applications where durability, reliability and high frequency performance are required.” Pasternack – an Infinite Electronics brand – is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and supplier offering a large selection of active and passive RF, microwave and millimetre wave products. Infinite Electronics offers a broad range of components, assemblies and wired/ wireless connectivity solutions, serving versatile connectors

▲ Field-replaceable connectors from Pasternack

the aerospace/defence, industrial, govern- ment, consumer electronics, instrumen- tation, medical and telecommunications markets. Pasternack www.pasternack.com

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Products

Bolting data unit is a “flight simulator for assemblers”

▲ Chuck captures readings from instrumented bolts and relays bolt load values wirelessly to a computer or mobile device

▲ Chuck paired with a bolting skid

Chuck, a new bolting data unit from Hex Technology, allows craft assembler trainees to “see the unseen” by showing them readings for the bolt load achieved when they apply torque. This makes it easier to grasp some essential but often- misunderstood elements of bolted assembly, such as the effects of elastic interaction, alignment, lubrication and inconsistencies known as “bolt scatter”. The unit’s many applications for crew demonstration, training and testing have resulted in Chuck being described as like a “flight simulator for assemblers”. Chuck pairs with instrumented bolts to provide its readings. Bolt load data relays

instantaneously from the unit to any laptop via Wi-Fi, and users can log in and see the data in a visual, intuitive, user- friendly display environment. Being able to see and understand what is happening inside bolted assemblies results in better execution on fundamental best practices of bolting. “For a crew learning the reality of what happens inside a bolted flange joint, seeing is believing,” said Scott Hamilton, CEO of Hex Technology. “Chuck shows in vivid detail why the steps in a site’s procedure matter and how they affect the final result. It’s an essential tool for training and assessment – and nothing with an epoxy coating for use in harsher environments, and LSF polymeric liners for additional cable protection. Both Luz del Sur and ENEL Distribución specified the 2A clamps with fitted liners. Ellis’s export operation comprises a network of local distributors across 40 countries. The company has made significant progress in Latin America, including specifications for multi-million- dollar projects in Brazil and Chile. Ellis Patents Ltd www.ellispatents.co.uk

prevents leaks or lost productivity better than a well-trained workforce.” Chuck is available to end-users, vendors andcontractorsaspartofHexTechnology’s Bolted Flanged Joint Assembly digital training programme. Those who enrol in the programme also receive access to the company’s catalogue of computer- based training courses, which includes specific certification tracks for every staff level from front-line assembler to QA/QC inspectors and site subject matter experts (SME)s. All curriculums are based on ASME PCC-1 Appendix A. Hex Technology unveiled Chuck at the 2021 Bolting Symposium, an invite-only annual event bringing together experts in bolting and reliability, including attendees from all US-based supermajors and several other major players in upstream, midstream, chemical and downstream end-users. Chuck pairs with RotaBolt load indicating fasteners created by James Walker. RotaBolts have been used to ensure bolted joint integrity for more than 30 years. Chuck is compatible with any appropri- ately sized flange that uses 5 / 8 ", 3 / 4 ", 7 / 8 ", 1", 1 1 / 8 " or 1 1 / 4 ", so users can connect it to an existing demonstration unit or a bench- mounted flange to get assembly data. Hex Technology http://hextechnology.com

Securing Peruvian power Ellis Patents has supplied its products to help secure the power supply in Peru’s capital city. Energy suppliers Luz del Sur and ENEL Distribución both specified Ellis’s 2A aluminium cable clamps for high- voltage power cables in new substations in the Manchay and Izaquirre areas of Lima.

Manufactured from LM6 aluminium, Ellis’s 2A cable clamps are available in sizes ranging from 38 to 168mm, and are primarily used in transmission and distribution projects in unpolluted environments. They can also be supplied

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Manufacturing Technology

▲ Flat die thread rolling machine

Fastener specialist installs next generation manufacturing equipment

Fastener has installed three new machines at its facility in Åshammar in Sweden’s steel belt, to enhance its operations and improve productivity. The company has invested in the latest machines to ensure it continues to deliver high quality fasteners while further enhancing productivity and safety at its factory. The multi-million SEK investment consists of two bolt pointing machines and one flat die thread rolling machine, which were installed following approximately a year of planning and preparation. “The machines replace five older semi- manual pointing and thread rolling manufacturer Bumax

machines and enable us to produce fasteners even more efficiently and safely,” explained Anders Sjölund, manager service and maintenance, project manager at Bumax. “Our newmachines are highly automated, which means that one operator can manage several machines at the same time,” continued Mr Sjölund. “They also use direct drives to provide better control of the production process and are capable of producing more fasteners per shift as they are faster.” In addition, the next-generation machines have fewer mechanical parts, which will ensure they require less maintenance and will further reduce production downtime at the factory.

The company also sees the machines as an investment in securing quality for the future, and in its ability to continue to deliver quality fasteners to customers around the world. Safety and incident rates are consistently below the industry average at Bumax, and the new machines will further enhance safety by reducing risks through greater automation. Bumax plans to continue to invest in its production with a new thread rolling machine, which will replace two older machines and be able to produce threaded rods and stud bolts. Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com

Graphics bigstockphoto.com Artist Youra_P

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Manufacturing Technology

WNJ inaugurates new headquarters

An advanced centre for spring machine technology has been set up by WNJ (Zhejiang Omnipotent Spring Machine Co Ltd). The new headquarters have been inaugurated, and the relocation of all business units to the new site ran smoothly, without delays in production. WNJ has specialised in spring machines since 1986, initially in China, then expanding to overseas markets, with agencies in Europe, Turkey, Korea, Argentina, Iran, India and the USA.

As a major company in the spring machinery industry, WNJ specialises in spring coiling machines, spring forming machines, spring temper furnaces, spring grinding machines and other related equipment. The company designs and manufactures various specifications of product according to customer requirements. been established with Xiamen University, experts from Germany and other institutions. WNJ covers an area of more than 66,000m 2 and has more than 280 employees, including eight senior engineers, 16 engineers and 50 professional technicians. WNJ currently has five series and more than 40 specifications of machine. WNJ’s new production site is designed to foster high levels of flexibility in manufacturing. Along with optimised logistical sequences, machine production at the new plant becomes more efficient. Following years of continuous growth, it was necessary for WNJ to avoid bottlenecks in production and ensure reliable delivery times. Due to an overall improvement in operating processes, Long-term cooperation has

▲ WNJ’s new headquarters

▲ Inside the new facility

▼ WNJ’s CNC-650Z five-axis CNC spring forming machine

throughput times have been reduced and productivity increased in every business unit. The company’s latest seven-axis spring coiling machine (for up to 20mm) has been tested in the domestic market over the past two years and has started to be sold to overseas customers. Its main advantages are speed and accuracy: wire feeding is controlled by separate motors, either simultaneously or separately according to the springs. WNJ – Zhejiang Omnipotent Spring Machine Co Ltd www.wnjspringmachine.com

Combined roller – rotary and flat dies Ingramatic, part of the Sacma Group, has introduced a new range of combined rollers where the implementation of the rotary rolling unit extends the capacity of the flat die rolling machine. The unit is a rotary thread rolling station inspired by the established Ingramatic GR machines. The modular unit allows complex parts to be run in one shot without refeeding the part. The RP620-RR12 is claimed to be the only machine of its kind, with advanced technologies, a heavy-duty frame, servomotor starter units and motorised die match adjustment. The operator can set the machine completely using the electronic handwheel.

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Eight-axis CNC spring scroll machine

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TK-5200-6 five-axis CNC spring coiling machine

Sacma Limbiate SpA www.sacmagroup.com

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