Tightening a fixing to the manufacturer’s recommended torque “induces a clamping force greater than the recommended tensile load so the fixture won’t move” - but does this mean it can also be used to test fixings? In this technical paper, Mark Salmon, of Independent Fixing Consultants, explains in detail how torque relates to the holding power of a fixing in order to understand when we can and...

NORMA Group has developed an innovative metal quick connector that features a 360 degree claw ring locking system that withstands exceptionally high material strain. The patented XM Quick Connector is suited for a wide range of heavy-duty uses, including charge air and cooling systems in the passenger and heavy-duty vehicles industry, as well as in industrial applications. Future generations of...

In just two years, Delta-Prozinc® has been able to establish itself within the market – receiving approvals from users such as Alstom Transport, Brose – Technik für Automobile, Eaton Industries and VW. Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG explains that the Delta-Prozinc® offers great efficiency and process reliability while providing ecological sustainability. It poses no harm to human health...

Lesjöfors Fjädrar AB specialises in the manufacture of springs for extremely heavy loads for customers in areas such as the railway, automotive, paper, mining and military industries. Lesjöfors manufactures both compression springs, tension springs and torsion springs in large dimensions. These springs must withstand extreme conditions and require wire dimensions up to 65mm, weighing up to 350k...

The increasing demand for more comfort, quality and visual appeal for automotive interiors, as well as economical and environmental aspects, are the key drivers for automotive interior designers when selecting new textiles, fabrics or new decorative trim solutions. However, some of these new materials can be difficult to bond and require advanced adhesive assembly technologies to enable custome...

Everyone has experienced it – certain screws or nuts are loosening, but what is the cause? And how do you prevent it happening? Here Michael Kass, Bossard expert team, looks at the function of a joint and how fastener threads interact. He analyses the stresses that can be introduced and lead to loosening, and which fastening solutions are available to minimise or prevent loosening. Ref: FFT1505...

At Clemson University, South Carolina, USA, an old shipyard has been turned into the world’s largest wind energy testing centre. Renk Test System (RTS), a German company, has provided a facility containing the world’s most powerful wind turbine tests rigs, which permit simulation of any type of wind force. As wind energy rapidly develops worldwide, the US government plans to expand the country...

With the recent EBA certificate from the German Federal Railway Authority, Nord-Lock GmbH has added SMO washers to its product range permitted in track systems and construction engineering for the German railway industry. Nord-Lock says the washers’ mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion make the SMO washers ideal for securing railway bridges, noise barriers and rail sensors where wind...

PennEngineering® says that its PEM® floating self-clinching nuts for stainless steel assemblies enable easier mating hole alignment to promote design flexibility in relaxed tolerance applications.PEM® floating self-clinching nuts can be specified either with non-locking or self-locking threads and will permit up to 0.015 inches/0.38mm minimum float in all directions from the centre. PennEnginee...

In industrial production systems, GESIPA Blindniettechnik GmbH says it has been nearly impossible to set blind rivet nuts in a fully automated and economically feasible way – until now. Existing technologies mainly failed because it was neither possible to achieve a precise drill-on or a correct hole location process. GESIPA has now found a way to connect its FireFox® blind rivet nut setting to...