EuroWire January 2025

Products

Pre-stacked disc springs The terms disc springs and Belleville washers are often used interchangeably. Both are conically shaped spring washers typically made from spring steels and designed to be loaded axially. Both can provide a higher degree of force in a relatively compact area, compared with coil springs or wave springs.

made of high carbon steel, and tend to be thicker for a given OD. Disc springs can be statically loaded, either continuously or intermittently, or dynamically subjected to continuous load cycling. Unlike Belleville washers, they are designed specifically to provide a repeatable force-travel relationship, and have a long and predictable fatigue life in dynamic or cycling applications. Disc springs are commonly found in applications such as pressure controls and regulators, vehicle braking systems, valves, shock absorbers, clutches, friction assemblies, and joints where thermal/ weight cycling occurs. They can be used as a single piece or combined together into different configurations in stacks to achieve the desired force-deflection performance.

However, there are some technical, de sign and application differences between the two products. Typical applications for disc springs are preloading and dynamic loading/cycling. Predictable fatigue life is important. They are usually made from high carbon steel or alloy steel (sizes 1.25mm and greater). Thicknesses range from 0.2 to 14mm. Belleville washers are primarily used in heavy-duty applications, fastened together with a bolt, where the load is considered static. They are generally

Pre-stacked disc springs packaged in shrink-wrap Photo courtesy of www.spirol.com

in custom configurations (greased or ungreased), packaged in shrink-wrap with a perforated tab for ease of insertion into the assembly. 2D drawings and 3D models of Spirol disc springs can be downloaded from https:// shop.spirol.com Spirol www.spirol.com

Spirol offers pre-stacked disc springs

Rivet nut installation solution debuts at EuroBLECH

The exhibit showed how Haeger insertion machines can install a broad range of PEM fasteners, and now Sherex rivet nuts. This expanded capability is an advancement for manufacturers seeking to streamline processes and minimise machine downtime. “This marks a significant milestone for PennEngineering,” said Mary Ann Fleming, president, PennEngineering Europe. “By adding the expertise of rivet nut installation on Haeger machines, we will offer customers greater flexibility, enabling them to select the optimal fasteners for their applications while keeping installation costs low.” For Haeger, the ability to install rivet nuts will further enhance the versatility of its fastener insertion systems. Customers al ready using Haeger machines will be able to broaden the range of fasteners they install, reducing the need for additional equip ment and tools. This upgrade is also claimed to provide more precise installation control, improving production efficiency. “Haeger machines offer unmatched accuracy in force and distance control,” explained Ms Fleming. “Combined with advanced programming and tooling capabilities, this will allow customers to install rivet nuts with greater precision than traditional hand tools, leading to a superior finished product.” PennEngineering www.penn-eng.com Sherex Fastening Solutions www.sherex.com Haeger Inc www.haeger.com

Sherex Fastening Solutions® and Haeger®, both part of the PennEngineering® group, gave the first demonstration of a Sherex rivet nut installation using a Haeger insertion machine in October, at EuroBLECH 2024 in Hanover, Germany. The demonstration highlighted the growing synergy between brands within the PennEngineering portfolio, offering customers an integrated solution for fastener installation.

Haeger’s 824 One Touch 5e insertion machine

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www.read-eurofasteners.com

January 2025