EuroFasteners May 2023

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online Photo by Gioia M, Unsplash

Contents May 2023

Diary of events

9-11 May 2023 Interwire Trade exhibition Atlanta, Georgia, USA Organisers: Wire Association International www.wirenet.org

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Corporate News

Products

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9-11 May 2023 Made In Steel Trade exhibition Milan, Italy Organisers: Siderweb SpA www.madeinsteel.it

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10-13 May 2023 Lamiera Trade exhibition Milan, Italy Organisers: CEU-Centro Esposizioni Ucimu SpA www.lamiera.net 18-20 May 2023 China (Guangzhou) International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd www.julang.com

24-27 May 2023 Wiretech Istanbul Trade exhibition Istanbul, Turkey Organisers: Tüyap Fairs www.wiretechistanbulfair.com

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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

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

Sealing fasteners to optimise and protect wind turbines

Primus Wind Power is positioning itself to meet heightened demand for its wind turbines. The manufacturer received funding from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to optimise wind turbine system designs and contribute to the wind turbine deployment efforts in the USA. Part of the process includes prototyping and testing hardware and components that are resilient and can perform in harsh weather. One of the largest concerns is the ability to withstand water, saltwater, torrential rain, hurricanes and high winds, repeatedly and over long periods of time. To ensure that water would not enter through the external face cover of the wind turbine and potentially damage the screws or its inner components, Primus Wind Power asked engineering expert John R Marshall Jr, PE, owner of Ransford Engineering, to perform a series of water ingress tests. When compared to other fastening options, such as washer gaskets, Zago sealing screws engineered with a 360° O-ring under the head of the screw successfully prevented water seepage. Zago corrosion-resistant sealing fasteners are engineered with a custom groove underneath the head of the screw, and when combined with a rubber O-ring and tightened, form a 360° leak-proof seal. This seal will not break or crack once the screw is torqued, preventing seepage or leakage of liquids, gases and more from damaging equipment or the environment. When paired with a rubber O-ring such as EPDM, the sealing screw can withstand strong winds, torrential rain, saltwater, extreme heat, frigid temperatures, snow, moisture and dust, etc. With unlimited shelf life, an EPDM O-ring is suitable for sealing outdoor devices. “In addition to passing the water ingress test, investing in Zago sealing fasteners makes sense,” said Ken Kotalik, director of global sales and operations, Primus Wind Power.

Primus Wind Power uses Zago corrosion-resistant sealing fasteners to seal and protect its face covers

“Like Primus Wind Power, they are made in the USA and designed to protect our environment.” Zago Manufacturing Company Inc www.zago.com

Growth and community service award National Nail has won The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Western Michigan’s annual Outstanding Growth Award.

Michigan, USA. The company also has US distribution centres in Syracuse, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle. The company was also listed in Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces in 2021. National Nail has experienced a nearly four-fold revenue increase in recent years, largely due to its commitment to building its brands, such as Pro-Fit® fasteners for general construction, Camo® deck tools and fasteners, and Stinger® roofing tools and fasteners. National Nail www.nationalnail.com

Growth Award,” said W Scott Baker, National Nail president and CEO. “Our core values are centred around inspiring our employee-owners and valued customers to build better lives, careers and projects. In addition, we have a deep commitment to raising up our communities through volunteerism with non-profits and schools throughout the region.” With worldwide distribution in thousands of building supply and national home centres, National Nail employs 160 people, with approximately 50 per cent of the workforce in Grand Rapids,

The award honours a local company that demonstrates sustained growth in sales, profitability, employment and community involvement. National Nail is a 100 per cent employee-owned company that has served the building materials industry for nearly 70 years. “We are honoured to accept the prestigious Association for Corporate

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

Bulten increases holding in TensionCam Bulten, a manufacturer and supplier of fasteners to the automotive and other industries, has acquired an additional 36.5 per cent of the shares in TensionCam Systems AB at a purchase price of SEK 4mn. The acquisition makes Bulten the majority owner with 63.5 per cent of the company’s shares. as wind turbines, water and sewage, and the process industry, in which the sensor technology has been integrated into complete screw joints. The aim of the projects is to accelerate development and finalise a concrete customer offering.

Emmy Pavlovic, SVP technology and innovation at Bulten, commented, “TensionCam has a highly interesting product that’s particularly suitable for installation and monitoring of critical fastener applications, such as large pipe joints and machines that are exposed to various types of stress and strain. “These are the kind of applications we believe to be of interest, and ones that can bring new business opportunities for Bulten.” Bulten AB www.bulten.com

“Pilot projects over the past year using TensionCam’s sensor technology have produced positive results,” said Anders Nyström, president and CEO of Bulten. “It is now time to begin industrialisation and commercialisation of the product. This is completely in line with our strategy to diversify our offering with new, practically applicable technology.”

In 2020, Bulten acquired a minority holding in TensionCam, a Sweden-based company specialising in developing sensors for measuring and monitoring clamp loads in screw joints. Since then, TensionCam has initiated several pilot projects with third parties in areas such

Creating opportunities for disabled community to participate in manufacturing careers

in various manufacturing environments. During the VPI camp, participants were offered paid work experiences on a variety of VPI’s packaging production lines to develop the “hard skills” needed for manufacturing jobs. In addition, they toured several local employers to learn about the wide variety of industries and jobs in manufacturing. “Our vision is to empower youth with disabilities to lead productive lives,” says Kevin R Webb, who serves as senior director of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) and sustainability and social impact with Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. “We see the NBT Inclusion Camps as a unique way to introduce youth with disabilities to job opportunities and help develop a pipeline of talent for the manufacturing industry. MEAF is proud to support this innovative programme and see it expand around the country.” The Inclusion Camp model is an expansion of NBT’s traditional Summer Manufacturing Camps, designed for students aged 12-16. More than 160 NBT camps were hosted at community colleges and technical schools across the USA and Canada in 2022. Studies have shown that attending an NBT camp increases participants’ awareness of career options and job availability in manufacturing, including those in their local community, by at least 82 per cent by the end of camp. Fabricators and Manufacturers

Dernulc, director, foundation, Fabricators & Manufacturers Association. “We are grateful to our partners, to these local communities and to the broader metal fabrication industry for their commitment to strengthen our future workforce in such a positive manner.” NBT partnered with agency staff from Trinity Services and Helping Hand in the Chicago area to host an Inclusion Camp at Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. A second Inclusion Camp was hosted by VPI, Inc (formerly Valley Packaging, Inc), in Appleton. Each four-week camp programme allowed participants to engage in interactive activities designed to improve job readiness and “soft skills”, help individuals gain confidence in their abilities and provide opportunities to explore careers

A new programme last summer opened new opportunities as young adults with disabilities joined manufacturing camps across the Midwest USA. Hosted by Nuts, Bolts, & Thingamajigs (NBT), the foundation of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA), two Inclusion Manufacturing Camps were launched, aimed at showing local employers that this group of indi- viduals is a viable option to meet their workforce demands. Held in the Chicago area and in Appleton, Wisconsin, the pro- grammes were made possible by dona- tions from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) and Nestlé USA. “At the heart of the NBT Inclusion Camps is the opportunity to provide real pathways to meaningful careers to those who have been underserved,” said Ed Participants in the NBT summer camp programme

Association, Int’l www.fmamfg.org

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Corporate News

Fastener Fair Global connects international professionals

Other major European visitor countries were Poland, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria and Belgium. Asian visitors mainly came from Taiwan and China. The next Fastener Fair Global will take place from 25 to 27 March 2025 at the Stuttgart Exhibition Grounds in Germany. RX www.rxglobal.com

The first analysis of the exhibitor feedback showed that participating companies were highly satisfied with the outcome of Fastener Fair Global 2023. A majority of exhibitors were able to reach their target groups and they praised the high quality of trade visitors. Around 72 per cent of all visitors came from abroad. Germany was the largest visitor country, followed by Italy and the UK.

The Global international exhibition for the fastener and fixing industry ended in March after three successful show days at the Messe Stuttgart exhibition centre in Germany. Almost 11,000 trade visitors from 83 countries attended the event to discover the latest innovations, products and services from all areas of fastener and fixing technology and to connect with other industry professionals from various manufacturing and industrial sectors. The event welcomed around 1,000 exhibitors from 46 countries, filling halls 1, 3, 5 and 7 of the exhibition venue. Covering a net exhibition space of more than 23,230m 2 , a 1,000m 2 increase compared to the previous show in 2019, exhibitors presented the complete spectrum of fastener and fixing technologies: industrial fasteners and fixings, construction fixings, assembly and installation systems and fastener manufacturing technology. “After four long and challenging years since the last edition took place in 2019, Fastener Fair Global opened the doors to its ninth edition, reasserting its position in the industry as the go-to event for the manufacturing and industrial sector,” said Stephanie Cerri, Fastener Fair Global event manager at organiser RX. ninth Fastener Fair

Nearly 11,000 trade visitors attended the event

Ford aerospace acquired by Spirol Spirol has announced that Ford Aerospace Ltd, based in South Shields, UK, will be joining its group of companies.

Ken Hagan, a division president at Spirol said, “Spirol is an engineering, manufacturing and sales-driven company, and as such we seek to grow and expand in our product space. Where appropriate, this includes acquiring and holding exceptional companies which fit well with our overall business, global strategy and culture of excellence. “We are excited to have Ford Aerospace join Spirol and to be able to offer a more complete solution to our customers in Europe and beyond. We anticipate running Ford as a stand-alone business unit within the Spirol group of companies. By combining the capabilities of both companies, our objective is to enhance our value-added offering to our customers, both in technical expertise and products.” Spirol https://spirol.com

As an expert in fastening, joining and assembly, Spirol’s established global footprint will take the UK-based Ford Aerospace’s products to a wider international market. In addition, one of Spirol’s core principles is to continuously reinvest into the business to ensure long-term success and to better serve its customers – an ethos shared by Ford Aerospace. Commenting on the sale, Chris Ford said, “Ford Aerospace is, and always has been, here for the people, especially our dedicated and skilled team, and it was important that any new Ford Aerospace owner share the values that have been at the heart of the company for over 100 years. Our two companies have a long history of working together, dating back to 1980 where Spirol licensed a specialised manufacturing process from Ford Aerospace, which is still in use today.”

Ford Aerospace was founded at Tyne Dock in 1910 by Robert Ford, and the family business has most recently been led by the founder’s great-grandson, Chris Ford. The company specialises in manufacturing high-precision metal components and sub-assemblies for the aerospace, industrial and high-technology sectors. Spirol is also a family-owned company with close ties to aviation development. Founded in 1948 by Herman Koehl, the grandfather of current CEO Jeff Koehl, Spirol has grown from a single manufacturing facility in the USA to a global enterprise with manufacturing or distribution locations in twelve countries across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

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Products

Flip-Lok shaft collars

Quick-adjust shaft collar A new split-hub flange collar, with an integral lever-operated clamp that can be easily adjusted with one hand and no wrenches, is being introduced by Stafford Manufacturing Corp. and low RPM rotary application. Providing a thumbscrew tension nut that allows for tight clamping when the lever is engaged, the quick-adjust flange collar can handle a 200lb axial load, and is made from aluminium with a black anodised finish.

collars include bagging and packaging machinery, paper rolls and lab equipment. Specials versions in steel, stainless steel and brass are also offered, with modifications to user requirements such as machined mounting holes and keys. Stafford Manufacturing Corp www.staffordmfg.com

Stafford’s Flip-Lok™ shaft collar features a split hub and an integral adjustable clamp to let users make easy adjustments for setting up stops for virtually any linear

Available in ten metric sizes (from 8 to 30mm) and 15 inch sizes ( 3 / 8 " to 1 1 / 4 "), applications for Stafford’s Flip-Lok shaft

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artistnd 3000

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Products

The easiest to-use bolt tensioner

Superbolt®, a pioneer of multi-jackbolt tensioning, has introduced Superbolt NXT – a bolt tensioner that is claimed to be up to 30 per cent faster to install than existing solutions. Safely reducing the installation and maintenance time of tightening large bolts is at the core of Superbolt technologies. With the new Superbolt NXT, designed for user simplicity, safety and speed, Nord-Lock Group says it is taking those capabilities to the next level. While a typical M76 multi-jackbolt tensioner can have up to twelve individual jackbolts, the M76 Superbolt NXT achieves the same secure preload with only eight. The addition of a new knurling grip layer to support handling during installation and removal, among other user-friendly features, makes Superbolt NXT easy to use. “It started with a strategic initiative to improve the customer experience

Superbolt NXT multi-jackbolt tensioner

partners in the world to get the right materials and processes to increase the strength of our jackbolts. Now, we can offer the customer an equivalent preload with less jackbolts, so it’s faster and easier to install with less torque.” Superbolt NXT also features a black oxidised coating for corrosion protection, laser-markings to guide installation and an anti-slip knurling grip layer. Nord-Lock Group www.nord-lock.com

when using a Superbolt multi-jackbolt tensioner,” said Sébastien Bruyas, strategic sales manager for Nord-Lock Group. The key improvement has been reducing the number of jackbolts required to tighten the bolt, as a small decrease in jackbolts can deliver a large decrease in the tightening time. To achieve this, the design engineers had to rethink the critical component. R&D project manager Max Bastiaansen explained, “We worked with some of the best steel mills and heat treatment

Nail catch for roofing industry

Roof damage from hail, wind and other severe weather elements can have secondary risks for homeowners: nails and debris from the roof replacement process. The Catch All® company has introduced Nail Catch™ downspout filters to help protect homeowners from such problems. Products from the Catch-All company can enhance job-site protection for roofing contractors, and reduce the risk of work-related damage and costly customer callbacks. The Nail Catch is a simple but effective step in improving the roofing customer experience. Made from patented hydrophobic material, Nail Catch filters are installed over customer gutter downspouts to prevent nails and debris from washing onto driveways and landscaping during rainfall. When full, homeowners simply dispose of the full filters. “Customer complaints about nails have always been a challenge for roofers, and the nails that appear after the job is finished are particularly tricky, as they can wash out from gutter downspouts weeks later,” said Eric Mackintosh, the company’s co-founder and new product development leader. “This new Nail Catch product cost-effectively helps solve that. We’re thrilled to bring this exciting new roofing solution to market.” The Catch-All https://thecatchall.com

Nail Catch gutter downspout filters

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Products

The best materials for marine fasteners Marine fasteners and fixings are often exposed to harsh environments, including saltwater, moisture and temperature changes. Selecting the right fastener material is critical to ensuring its long term performance and durability.

applications, this fastener material is preferred to stainless steel due to enhanced performance in aspects such as thermal conductivity and tensile strength. Titanium fasteners have the unique ability to rapidly regrow their protective passive layer in the presence of oxygen, giving them unparalleled resistance to saltwater environments. They are also naturally lighter than other metal alloys and composites, making the material a suit- able choice for weight-sensitive vessels. Like silicon bronze, titanium provides resistance to extreme temperatures and fluctuations, making it suitable for marine applications. When choosing marine fasteners, they need to be very highly resistant to corrosion caused by saltwater (even for internal applications), and able to withstand harsh operating environments such as those in engine rooms or out on deck. The team at Leyton Fasteners can talk customers through their options and source even the most niche types of fasteners. Leyton Fasteners https://leytonfasteners.co.uk

Given these factors, the best materials for marine fasteners are those that offer high corrosion resistance and strength. Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, carbon and chromium and is highly resistant to corrosion. It is often used in marine environments due to its strength and dura- bility. Marine-grade stainless steel, such as A4-316 stainless steel, is exceptionally corrosion resistant and suitable for use in saltwater environments. A2–304 is appro- priate for internal marine applications. Ideally, anything submerged requires an alloy of at least six per cent molybdenum, which the A4-316 grade contains. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, known for its strength and corrosion resistance, and is often used in marine applications, particularly in cabin fittings. Brass often has a higher tensile strength than stainless steel, ranging from 40 to 85 ksi, depending on how much zinc is present in the alloy.

Photo courtesy of https://leytonfasteners.co.uk

Marine fasteners have to be carefully selected

However, only certain classifications of brass fasteners should be used below the waterline, due to the process of dezincification. Zinc is corroded by the chloride in seawater, meaning high zinc brass alloys would have very little structural integrity after prolonged exposure to salt water. It will also readily tarnish when exposed to seawater, usually leaving a green patina. Silicon bronze contains copper, tin, silicon and sometimes small amounts of other metals such as zinc and manganese. The alloy is highly resistant to corrosion and is particularly effective in saltwater environments, where other metals may corrode quicker. It forms a protective oxide layer on its surface, preventing further corrosion and ensuring long lasting performance. In many marine

Industry & technology news from the world of fasteners

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