Fasteners ASIA May/July 2020

Products

Sparks Innovation Center releases new Nail Guard

screws, and prevents damage to electrical power cables that could short the conductors and start a fire. Mr Turner had the idea for Smart Shield when he was working on a job: “I was remodelling a home and I realised I can’t drywall if my life depended on it, and the traditional nail plates I was using created unsightly bulges. Smart Shield is easier to install, but it also made the job safer because it stops you from striking wires from either side of the wall.” Inventors are invited to share their product ideas with the Sparks Innovation Center and apply for the chance to develop a contract, allowing their product to be made and sold with support from Madison Electric. “We have marketing; we have the sales channel; we have the distribution channel; we have the manufacturing capability,” said Rob Fisher, vice president of marketing for Madison Electric Products. “What we need are the innovative and relevant ideas that help electricians and contractors work smarter, more safely and efficiently.” The Sparks Innovation Center has also produced inventions such as the Smart Box™ Shark Tooth™ fixture box; the MEIBB intersystem bonding bridge that connects directly to the meter socket and provides protection for the main ground wire; and the Stingray, used to run help pull cable through a drop ceiling without damaging the grid.

Madison Electric Products has launched the new Smart Shield™ Nail Guard, the latest product from its Sparks Innovation Center, a crowd-sourced approach to new product development. The innovative steel nail guard has a cylindrical shape that protects wires and cables in wood framing from stray nails or screws. The concept was submitted by inventor Bruce Turner of San Jose, California, USA.

The Smart Shield protects wires and cables on both sides of a stud, eliminating the need for multiple standard nail plates. It is also easier to install than standard nail plates and eliminates drywall bulge caused by using surface-mounted nail plates. The design also prevents hand injuries from the sharp edges commonly found on traditional nail plates. Smart Shield is resistant to direct strikes from nail guns and ❍ The Smart Shield Nail Guard protects wires and cables in wood framing

Madison Electric Products https://www.meproducts.net

Automotive safety parts

Watching the load

Maxbolt load-indicating fasteners from Valley Forge and Bolt can reduce downtime, premature wear and catastrophic joint failure by using a load-monitoring device inserted into each fastener. Observation of the monitor allows technicians to see if the clamp load falls out of specification on an individual bolt and so correct the issue immediately.

Canatex Industrial Co Ltd, established in 1998, is located in the southern part of Taiwan, close to Kaohsiung – a city where fastener manufacturers gather alongside Taiwan’s main material supplier, China Steel Corp. Canatex is not only familiar with standard parts but also specialises in automotive safety parts – both external and internal thread special parts. The product line involves various production methods, such as cold forging, CNC machining, stamping, deep drawing, sintering, and metal and plastic injection. 100 per cent of the company’s suppliers are from Taiwan, and 70 per cent of its products are used in the automotive industry. Beside the company’s head office, a sorting and logistics centre keeps stocks for customers and improves lead time. Canatex Industrial Co Ltd www.canatex.com.tw

❍ Maxbolt load-indicating fasteners

Maxbolt offers clamp loads within 5 per cent of design specification. Measurements are based on tension, eliminating inaccurate torque control. Custom labels can show the optimum operating range, using a green zone, or pinpoint precise clamp load values. Valley Forge & Bolt Mfg Co www.vfbolts.com

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Fasteners ASIA – May/July 2020