WCA May 2022

Industry news

Stainless steel fastener solution for catamaran rudder

Bumax 109 screws are used on the rudders of A-Cat catamarans

The Bumax 109 is used for water jets, subsea equipment, pumps, valves, wind turbines,

Swiss ship builder Scheurer Bootswerft AG has opted for screws from Swedish specialist fastener maker Bumax to fix its high-performance catamaran rudders, where standard fasteners would fail. High-strength Bumax 109 screws are being used to fasten the A-Cat cata- maran rudders constructed by Scheurer Bootswerft. An A-Cat catamaran has two rudders, and in this application, each is secured with two Bumax 109 screws. The fasteners offer high corrosion resistance and strength in demanding applications. They have a high molyb- denum content, which Bumax claims makes them the strongest A4 fastener on the market when coupled with its manufacturing processes and sourcing of high quality European raw material.

screws can cope with this high tension to keep the rudder at the correct angle while maintaining corrosion resistance in salt water environments.” Scheurer Bootswerft has also found that Bumax fasteners can cope with sudden impacts, for example when the rudder hits debris in the water. “The screws fastening the rudder are a simple but essential part of the catamaran as their failure can be the difference between winning or losing a race,” said Mr Steinmann. Bumax www.bumax-fasteners.com

high-pressure equipment, nuclear plants, submarines, particle accelerators and other demanding applications. The manu- facturer says that the screws provide greater safety and will last longer than standard fasteners. Aron Steinmann, CEO at Scheurer Bootswerft, commented, “We originally used standard stainless steel A4 screws to fasten the rudders, but as the rudders come under very high tension when turning through the water at speed, we found that these screws were bending and eventually breaking. Even a small bend in these fasteners can alter the angle of the rudder, which reduces performance. Importantly, the high-strength Bumax

Spring experts for further US expansion Following its acquisition of the firm, Lesjöfors is introducing the newest company to join the group: Plymouth Spring Company, a US manufacturer of springs, stampings, wire forms and precision pins. company can manufacture quantities from a single prototype to long, high volume runs. In addition to springs, the company offers fourslide stamping, wire form and precision pin manufacturing.

The acquisition of the assets and operations of Plymouth Spring, which took place late last year, is another step in Lesjöfors’s aim to consolidate the industrial springs market, and marks an expansion in the US market where it sees potential for further growth, both organic and through M&A. Tengroth commented on the transaction: “Lesjöfors has followed Plymouth’s development over time, and we are impressed by the company’s progress. Through this acquisition, Lesjöfors is establishing a US presence within industrial springs, and the company will serve as a platform for future organic and acquisitive growth in the region. I am looking forward to working together with the company’s management team to build on this platform and to continue to develop and grow the company.” Lesjöfors president Ola

Plymouth Spring, located in Bristol, Connecticut, between Boston and New York City, has a long history of spring manufacturing. Since 1959, it has continuously expanded and grown through new technologies and acquisitions. Its largest customer segment is the electrical sector, and products are shipped around the world. The company manufactures custom made springs from custom drawings, but also offers stock up to 12 months. The

Spring production at Lesjöfors’s facility in Herrljunga, Sweden

David Devoe, MD of Plymouth Spring, commented on the new opportunities the Lesjöfors group brings: “We are happy to have a large global group behind us that are leading in spring excellence and see growth opportunities in the American market. “We can offer a wider product range to our customers and assist the companies in the group with our capacity and knowledge.” Lesjöfors AB www.lesjoforsab.com Plymouth Spring Company, Inc https://plymouthspring.com

Ola Tengroth, president of Lesjöfors

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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May 2022