For an OEM specialised in sustainable energy projects, a battery enclosure design specified M12 semi hex closed end rivet nuts. The fasteners had to be closed end to prevent ingress of dust or dirt, and hexagonal for increased spin out resistance in 6mm thick parent material. The deal was signed, but the customer needed the project to kick off much sooner than planned. Therefore the prototype e...

HENKEL has a long-established online network for its customers to access support and instructions, with these resources proving to be particularly useful for businesses during the period of uncertainty caused by the on-going situation with Covid-19. For instance, HENKEL has developed a new website on its LOCTITE® threadlocking technology, which contains application information including a downl...

The team at Challenge Europe are used to dealing with questions of specification regarding materials and finishes of threaded fasteners. This preferably occurs early in the process of defining new assemblies but may equally be of value at service or repair. A good example is one where black stainless steel screws were specified using a treatment involving oil, however the retained oil was a sig...

NORMA has equipped long distance trains from a European manufacturer with durable joining products. The customer uses NORMA Group’s metal clamps to repair and modify trains that have been in operation for several years. In 2019, NORMA Group supplied the train manufacturer with more than 40,000 joining products. The RSGU pipe retaining clips, TORRO hose clamps and GBS heavy-duty clamps are used...

ISO Chemie's ISO-BLOCO ONE self-adhesive weather tight tape for window frames has gained British Board of Agreement (BBA) product approval certification. ISO BLOCO ONE provides a longer lasting seal for window and door joints up to 30mm wide and installation compliance to BS8213-4:2016. It is impermeable to driving rain at a minimum of 1,000 Pa – which ISO Chemie states is 66% higher reliabilit...

Where axial rotation requires control, a torsion spring from Lee Spring Ltd is often the right solution. These compactly wound ex-stock springs look like a common compression spring mounted on a rod or into a cylinder but are activated by radial leverage on their end legs. Common applications involve the need for a pre-loading to act as a counter-weight, e.g. a rear tailgate or garage door. Oth...

Automotive tier 1 company, Faltec Europe required a bespoke fastening for a new major programme it had recently secured with a key global OEM. The trim product to be developed was an injection moulded exterior trim part for a new vehicle due for release in November 2019. A late design change to improve the fit of the part to the vehicle required the attachment of a strengthening support via a P...

Smalley Spirolox® retaining rings and wave springs are suitable for a range of medical devices, including surgical instruments, implantable devices, imaging equipment and dental tools. For almost 40 years, TFC has partnered with US-based Smalley Steel Ring Company to become the leading European supplier and technical support centre for Smalley’s wave springs, Spirolox® retaining rings and snap...

By Dan Starbuck, director, Star Fasteners Despite the challenging economic conditions, at Star Fasteners we believe 2020 is still a year for opportunities and we are looking to embrace new challenges. The fasteners market is greatly affected by the European and global economy and figures from quarter four of 2019 indicated that the first few months were always going to be a challenge. However,...

In order to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Senate of Berlin has imposed a ban on staging large events, in particular exhibitions with more than 5,000 attendees, until 24th October 2020. As a result, it will not be possible for Messe Berlin to hold the 13th edition of InnoTrans from 22nd to 25th September 2020, and the exhibition will now take place from 27th to 30th April 2021. InnoTrans i...