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One of the most common questions we hear at Bossard involves fastener reuse. While there are plenty of applications and scenarios where reusing existing fasteners makes sense, the answer isn’t always as straightforward. Depending on their application, fasteners can experience a broad range of external loads, making reuse an issue that requires careful consideration.

Simple Guidelines for Reuse

One major factor that determines a fastener’s reusability is its function. Before making your decision, consider these important questions:

• Will a joint failure pose any danger to people?
• Will a joint failure incur any significant costs?

If you’ve answered “yes” to either question, then you’re better off replacing the fastener in question instead of reusing it. Critical applications often require fasteners to carry a specific load achieved by a measured torque. Any damage to the threads or the surface finish could change the load amount transferred to the fastener when torqued to a specific value.

Contamination caused by dirt and debris or external lubrication can also change the specific loading, which could also result in problems later. Under these circumstances, using new fasteners prevents these issues from occurring by ensuring the fastener can achieve its proper loading.

If you’ve answered “no” to both questions mentioned above, then it’s possible to reuse the fastener in question. Before you reuse any fasteners, make sure the mating surfaces are clean and free of any damage or contamination before reinstallation. Always reinstall fasteners according to the manufacturer’s instructions, if applicable.

Common Cases for Fastener Reuse

Fastener reuse isn’t out of the ordinary for many applications. Take automobiles, for instance. Lug nuts are regularly reused on vehicle wheels without any ill effects. But this use case only works if they’re re-torqued properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For instance, lug nuts often require re-tightening to the proper torque specification after 50 miles of driving.

To learn more about fastener reuse or if you have any more questions, get in touch with us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Digitalization, or the use of technology to improve how work gets done, may be the wave of the future. But at Bossard, we understand how the process can be fraught with challenges and uncertainty. To make informed decisions about this path, check out its pros and cons.

Digitalization Pros

Digitalization offers the following benefits:

• Increased Productivity. While digitalization centralizes data, it allows retrieval from any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone in your plant. Information goes to where your employees need it and exports to other applications for analysis, which can provide better insights. Your workers don’t have to go searching for what they need and entering it many times into different physical locations, which can cause errors. The result is efficiency, time savings, and better productivity.
• Better Customer Experience. With your customers spending more and more time in the digital space, it makes sense to offer them seamless access to the same information that you have. Purchasing becomes easier for them and you when your employee intervention becomes unnecessary. You also analyze your customers’ digital patterns to offer them experiences tailored to their needs.
• Optimized Supply Chain. Digitalization optimizes your supply chain by reducing the time it takes to fulfill customer requests and request restocking. Leaner manufacturing reduces your time to market.

Digitalization Cons

The following are some of the challenges of Digitalization:

• Implementation. Investing in digitalization takes plenty of time and money. But you can mitigate the effort by digitizing one area at a time step-by-step rather than transforming everything at once. You will still see immediate benefits even if you take a piecemeal approach.
• Employee Uncertainty. Your employees may be eager to embrace the advantages of digitalization, but they may be uncertain about how they will learn the necessary skills. Through our digital tools, Bossard can customize its training to each employee’s learning style and give them the support they need to succeed.

Want more information or help on digitalization for your organization? Please contact us today at provenproductivity@bossard.com.

Two of the terms you encounter when considering fasteners are tensile strength and yield strength. Both reveal the strength of the fastener. But, despite the similarities of these terms, they are not interchangeable. We at Bossard want to explain the differences, so you can make an informed decision when choosing fasteners.

• You don’t want a fastener that is too weak for your application.
• But you also don’t want a fastener that is too strong because you’re spending extra money on strength that you don’t need.

Why is a fastener like a spring?

A fastener like a bolt behaves in the same way as a spring.

• When you use a fastener to clamp down two components, they act as a compression spring.
• Meanwhile, the bolt acts as a tension spring and stretches when you apply force to it.

If you do not overload the bolt, it springs back to its original length when you release the load. But, if you overload the bolt beyond its yield point, it does not return to its original shape and suffers permanent deformity.

Coming to terms

The point before which the fastener fractures indicates the tensile strength. You want to focus on this number when choosing fasteners that must sustain huge forces.

Yield strength generally comprises 80 or 90 percent of tensile strength. Yield indicates the point at which the fastener starts deforming. A useful way to determine the yield strength of a bolt based on its tensile strength is to examine its property class.

• Property class of 10.9: The 9 after the decimal point shows that the yield strength comprises 90 percent of tensile strength.
• Property class of 8.8: The 8 after the decimal points shows that yield strength comprises 80 percent of tensile strength.

Proof Load

A third term that’s often associated with fasteners is proof load. Proof load is the maximum load you can apply to a fastener before it permanently deforms. For Bossard fasteners, you can find the values for tensile strength, yield strength, and proof load in the technical section of our website.

For more information about tensile strength and yield strength, contact us at provenproductivity@bossard.com today.

Bossard is proud to present premium ball-bearing slides crafted by Accuride® International. These high-quality, engineered products work efficiently with a wide range of inventory control applications ranging from storage onboard vehicles in transit to stationary storage cabinets. The 9300 series, forged for heavy-duty movement solutions, has the following features:

• RoHS compliant
• Accommodates heavy duty loads rated up to 600 pounds with lengths up to 60 inches and widths of 42 inches
• Options available to lock in place open (lock-in) or lock closed (lock-out)
• Disengage the slides that lock with a simple press of a tab when you want to open or close the drawer
• Offers convenient access to all your drawers contents with the full-extension three-member design
• Non-disconnecting design
• Mounts flat or on the side for maximum flexibility in your design
• Shock absorbing silencing bumper smooths and refines movement while lowering impact noise when closing the drawer
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

We offer the following 9300 models:

• 9301E: This slide handles mobile loads up to 360 pounds and stationary loads up to 600 pounds. This slide does not lock in or out unless you add the optional Accuride® CBHANDLE Kit.  AWI and BHMA compliant.   
• 9307E: This slide features a front latch lock-out that keeps drawers and trays in an open position for extended access over time. The enhanced spring and lever design improves reliability with repeated use.
• 9308E: To secure vehicle compartments in an opened or closed position this slide also integrates a lock-out feature, as well as a lock-in feature to ensure drawers stay closed during transit.
• 9308-E5: This two-slide set consists of the 9308E with its lock-in and lock-out feature and the 9301E.
• 9322E: Created with pocket and bayonet mounting, providing tool-less installation. For non-locking motion.
• 9328E: Also featuring pocket and bayonet mounting for easy installation, this slider locks in and out through a front-latch release.

For more information about the Accuride 9300 Series, email us at provenproductivity@bossard.com today.

Aside from the potential risk of injury or death, bolted joints that fail can slow down or stop your production line. You could temporarily change to new screws to get things going again but that does not provide a permanent solution.

To prevent future problems, you need to uncover the root cause of the failure, which can include the following.

• Change of friction conditions. An increase may damage the fastener. A decrease may separate joints.
• The tightening torque may be too high, which causes the fastener shank to fail or strip bolt threads. The tightening torque may be too low, which prevents joint tension from meeting design requirements.
• Loss of preload due to a setting change, which loosens fasteners and separates joints.
• Corrosion, such as rust, due to the environment or the use of inadequate materials, which damages the fasteners.
• Operation loads that stress the fastener because they are higher than what the joint was designed for.

At Bossard, we can rely on our test laboratories to uncover the root cause through extensive failure analysis. Only then can we work with you in defining a solution that prevents future failures. Among the many Expert Test Services that we can provide during such analyses are the following:

• Bolted Joint Analysis: By directly measuring the clamping force in a bolted joint while monitoring the torque and angle of the fasteners, or measuring bolt stretch with ultrasonic equipment, we can define the torque/tension relationship to determine what is going on in your assembly and use this information to recommend solutions.
• Joint design calculation can determine the load and stress on bolted joints by calculating such factors as friction variation, contact surface pressure, assembly method, and expansion coefficient. The MDESIGN tool is what we base our calculations on.

Find out more about how we can test your joints before manufacturing by contacting us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Lightweight materials help trains go faster, function more reliably, and arrive at their destinations on time. Also, shorter production times and leaner maintenance are necessary to keep up with the increasing demands of the railway sector.

Our engineers at Bossard understand your need for efficiency and productivity and are eager to help you achieve both by connecting you to innovative fastening developments. If your application demands a solution that does not yet exist, we can create one with you, tailored to your unique situation.

You can look forward to the following advantages when engaging with Bossard:

• One-Stop-Shop. We meet all your application needs by providing reliable fasteners that are ideal for mechanical purposes as well as train construction.
• Optimal Delivery Conditions. With more than 70 subsidiaries worldwide, you can count on short delivery and response times. When you need a part right away, you can check our online catalog for all our catalog products. If you’re not finding what you need, our engineers can customize a solution for you.
• Engineered Parts. With almost 200 hundred years of fastening technology behind us, our in-house engineers have the know-how to handle any kind of application involving joints, bolts, nuts, screws, and washers. We can also take advantage of an international network of specialized partner companies.
• Our Own Testing Labs. We make use of our own ISO/IEC 17025-accredited testing labs in 10 countries around the world. Whether tests require mechanical, optical, geometric, or chemical methods, we can provide the facilities and expertise.
• Smart Factory Logistics. Our B- and C-part management strategies and technologies are reliable, smart, and lean, and integrate well with the emerging Internet of Things.
• Professional Consulting. Whether you need a better way of joining product components or are looking for a more efficient assembly strategy, our comprehensive engineering services can find an answer. Once we have a fastening solution in place, we can also train your staff on how to best use it.

Find out more about how we can meet your railway sector needs by reaching out to us today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Bossard understands how hard it is to predict whether a fastener will perform properly under load when you work with composites. You must make educated guesses or run time-consuming trials to determine how much load a bonded or embedded fastener can handle, or how it can fail.

Fortunately, bigHead® offers a core range of 156 products. This complete range of fasteners is designed for both bonded and embedded applications, forged from carbon or 316 stainless steel, and available in small, medium, or large sizes.

More importantly, the bigHead® core range comes with a technical guide that makes it easier to identify critical design considerations in your composite application and select the proper bigHead® fastener for the joint. This guide puts the following needed information within easy reach:

• Performance data that includes size, weight, and maximum tensile load for each of the three head types.
• Product range, such as the threaded collar or threaded stud, their available lengths, and examples of their product coding.
• Flexible process integration options such as post-process installation, or co-process integration.
• Critical considerations during design and assembly include the gaps between adjoining components, clearance holes in adjoining components, and the thread friction coefficient and/or modifiers.

Want more technical information about assembly methods in composite applications? Contact us today at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

At the beginning of the new year is a great time to look back at some of Bossard’s top blog posts. Check this list out to see if your favorites made it. You can also catch up with some of the top topics that you may have missed.

Why Fasteners Fail: How to Prevent Vibrational Loosening

Most fasteners provide peace of mind because they never loosen. They only have to endure static or external loading, which is erratic and does not exceed the forces that hold things together.

But there are also joints that suffer cyclical loading that, in some cases, happen at high-frequency cycles. Such loads produce vibrations that may loosen fasteners.

To minimize or eliminate vibrational loosening, the most obvious solution is to remove the source of the vibration. Another includes adding friction to threaded components. A final option is to increase friction to bearing surfaces.

7 Factors to Keep in Mind When Selecting a Fastener Finish

Do not overlook the importance of finish in a fastener, which requires that you consider the following factors:

• How safe is the finish for the fastened joint?
• What is the expected service life of the finish, especially when protecting against corrosion?
• Do nicks, scrapes, and handling affect the finish?
• Will the assembly fail if the joint becomes loose? What are the consequences of such failure?
• Does the finish prevent assembly by filling in recesses or threads?
• How readily available is the finish?
• Is the finish cost-effective for the assembly?

Bossard’s SmartLocker Solution

When you need to automate your inventory control system, SmartLocker impresses as a valuable addition to your methods. It’s designed to be dependable and maintenance-free. It works well for common consumables and high-value items by monitoring your stock.

For maximum security, the doors unlock only with an RFID card. When you take out an item, the system keeps track of stock levels and users. It then tells you when items need replenishing, which gives you more control over inventory data and minimizing order and delivery times.

The ABCs of Interior Railcar Fasteners & Accessories

Bossard offers a variety of fasteners designed to attach seats, folding tables, grab poles, and other components to subway cars, light-rail vehicles, and railcars. These fasteners are made of materials that withstand the strain of daily use.

These fasteners, made with soft and composite materials, ensure that your railcar interiors look sleek and clean. They can mount with adhesive or embed in the application. Many of our offerings come in different colors so that they blend into whatever decorating scheme you choose.

What Are the Best Fasteners for Railcar Body Applications?

Railcar body products demand quick and easy installation, top-quality materials that resist corrosion, and a commitment to high safety standards. Bossard realizes that there is no room for error. That is why we deliver long-lasting fasteners that withstand high temperatures, vibrations, and corrosion.

Examples of our products include slotted self-locking nuts that retain clamp loads in extreme conditions and are reusable. Our lock bolts encourage the automatic and quick installation and our grounding studs need only a battery-powered tool for simple installation. Although they deliver enormous clamping force, our tensioner nuts demand only hand tools for simple and safe tightening.

Want more information about any of these topics? Reach out to Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com!