WCA May/July 2020

Products

Sealing fasteners to meet surge in ventilator manufacturing As manufacturers across industry sectors pitch in to accelerate production of life-saving ventilator equipment, Zago Manufacturing is ready to meet heightened global demand for its high-tech sealing fasteners. Manufacturers can use Zago’s clean, sustainable sealing solutions to protect and optimise the functionality and performance of their ventilator equipment. In addition to medical ventilators, Zago sealing screws, nuts, bolts and washers are used in the production of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems (ECMO), which are similar to external blood pumps and are in dwindling supply, and can be used by frontline healthcare workers when treating COVID-19 patients. While applications vary, ventilator manufacturers often integrate Zago sealing fasteners in the suctioning mechanism of the compressor, in order to prevent airflow leakage while ensuring that contaminants are sealed out. Zago’s high-tech sealing fasteners are engineered with a rubber O-ring that, when tightened, permanently seals out hazards while withstanding extreme pressure, temperature and weather. The sealing fasteners are corrosion-resistant and made in the USA with FDA-approved O-rings. According to Harvey Rottenstrich, lead engineer, president and co-founder of Zago Manufacturing, “Medical devices that contain either a suction mechanism or a pumping mechanism benefit from integrating Zago high-tech sealing fasteners with O-ring technology as they are essential for optimal air flow, reliability and peace of mind.” Gail Friedberg, the company’s CEO and co-founder, stated, “Zago is open and operating smoothly, without any disruption to its supply chain. It’s important that manufacturers who are stepping in to produce ventilators and may be unfamiliar with the supply chain know that Zago is here and capable of meeting heightened demand.” Time is of the essence when producing medical ventilators for COVID-19 patients. “If we can save manufacturers, engineers, purchase managers and distributors precious time by letting them know that we are here for them, hopefully we can play our part in the expeditious production of ventilators and in saving lives,” said Ms Friedberg. Zago Manufacturing www.zago.com

Fasteners get smart

Hilti, a manufacturer of products for the construction industry, has launched Internet-of-Things-enabled ’smart’ fasteners using its Tracefast technology. The connected fasteners each have a unique identifying code to simplify the digital documentation of anchors, screws and bolts installed on a job site. The technology uses a data matrix code that can be scanned by construction workers using the Hilti Connect app, in order to view installed fastener details. The company believes that bringing the Internet of Things (IoT) to job sites will provide control and digital access to setting instructions, training, and inspection documents and certifications. ”As IoT transforms the construction industry, our product portfolio will continue to expand and shape possibilities for broader applications and services,” said Muthu Manohar, senior director of fastening and protection at Hilti North America. Hilti www.hilti.com

❍ ‘Smart’ fasteners from Hilti

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Fasteners ASIA – May/July 2020