Author Archives Bossard

Dowel pins are great for aligning, but in a world where light weighting is becoming more and more pivotal, there may be some alternatives to the standard hardened and ground dowel pin.

The first option to review is if a fully ground and hardened dowel pin is necessary. Can a similar result be achieved with a pin that does not require as much processing and hole preparation?

Looking at a simpler way to align mating components may not only be a way to reduce weight in the completed assembly, but also a way to reduce total cost. The alternative to a reamed hole with a dowel pin is to use a counter bored hole with a hollow dowel pin which a bolt or screw can pass through. This is a very effective way to combine functions of the drilled hole required for the dowel pin and the fastener required for clamping the parts together.

Hollow Dowel Pins & Split Dowel Pins

Hollow dowel pins work for many applications and have some benefits associated with them. They can be used to reduce the tolerance required on the mating hole as well as reduce overall weight. Hollow dowel pins can also come with a split in them. This split offers some advantages over seamless hollow dowel pins. Split dowel pins are easier to manufacture than seamless hollow dowels and can be used with a tolerance zone that isn’t as tight as standard dowel pins.

Another great alternative for plastic parts is barbed pins. These allow the material flow around the barbs to lock in place. If a pin needs to be locked into metal, this can be done with a knurled pin or a grooved pin. Both of these pins can act as a pivot and can also be used for locating purposes.

For more information about dowel pins and how they can be used in your application, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Brandon Bouska
Application Engineer
bbouska@bossard.com

When designing joints with washers, it is important to understand and use the correct washer for the job. Below are a few tips for making a good selection:

1. When using flat washers, match washer hardness with bolt and/or nut hardness to avoid joint settling.

• 140 HV ≤ 8
• 200 HV ≤ 8
• 300 HV ≤ 9

2. Split lock washers are not intended for use with hardened bolts/nuts, only with property class ≤ 8.

3. Toothed lock washers are designed to permit electric current flow between components, and do not provide much of a locking feature. They are also only used for low property class ≤ 8.

4. Specialty washers exist for high strength joints, for example:

• Rip-Lok – designed for property class 8.8
• Conical spring washer with serrations on top

• Schnorr washer – designed for property class 10.9
• Small OD conical spring washer with serrations on both sides

For more details on selecting the correct washers for your application, checkout www.bossard.com or send us an email at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

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Doug Jones
Applications Engineer
djones@bossard.com

How do I know if I have the right installation force? Did I set it right? Do I have the right tool? These are some of the most valid questions when installing and using rivet nuts. Knowing the mating material, grip range, hole size, and clamp force will aid in getting the right fit for the joint in your application. Securing a proper clamp load will prevent from loosening and/or rotational loss. Understanding the creep and material relaxation is also important when using this joint design.

Finding the Correct Fit

Examples of Rivet Nut Applications

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right rivet nut. There are many choices for body styles, material, and coating finishes. Let the experts at Bossard help you narrow down your search and get you on the right path to a secure joint. Let us help you save money and avoid costly warranties or claims. Contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com to learn more.

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John Syharath
Technical Sales
jsyharath@bossard.com

If assembly requires applying liquid thread locker to any threads, pre-applied thread locking patches should be investigated.  Pre-applied thread locking patches could potentially be an untapped area for both time savings and cost savings.

Thread Locking Materials

Pre-applied thread locking materials work in a couple different ways. A nylon thread locker pushes work by forcing metal to metal contact between the threads on the opposite side of the applied area. Because of the way this type of thread locker works, coating all 360° of the threads is not advised.  This type of patch can be reused if care is taken. A thread locking patch works like a two-part epoxy. When installation occurs, the two parts mix together and after the two parts set, the area between the threads are filled. This type of thread locker can only be used once and if the joint needs to be serviced, a bolt with a new patch must be used.

Filling the thread tolerance area between the threads will help resolve some vibrational loosening that might be occurring.

There are many features of pre-applied thread locking patches including the amount of locking material applied to the threads is more consistent, parts can be processed in large lot quantities, and the pre-applied thread locking patch usually has a long shelf life.

Please feel free to contact Bossard to help answer any questions that may arise.

For more information on thread locking patches, check out www.bossard.com or contact us directly at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

Brandon Bouska
Application Engineer
bbouska@bossard.com

Now more than ever consumers are demanding vehicles that are ecologically friendly, as well as fuel efficient, so they can save more at the pump. To meet this demand, automotive engineers are faced with the task of designing capable engines to fit these new requirements. Often, that means making the engines on all vehicles, from small compact cars to large trucks, smaller and lighter.

To reduce engine weight and size, the components must be tightly condensed together, giving the engine parts little wiggle room. The necessary ports and passages used to deliver oil and all the other mandatory engine operations must be carefully integrated into the remaining available space, resulting in thin port walls.

The Challenge of Thin Port Walls

Thin port walls are quickly becoming more common, but they aren’t built to withstand the usual methods of older style plugs, such as cup plugs or threaded screws. These older plug styles can vary greatly in their results, causing a larger fluctuation in process performance—and with thin port walls and tightly packed engine components, even a small discrepancy during the installation process can cause a disaster.

The process must be precise and accurate every time to prevent damage or leakage, as many times ports are in a dangerous proximity to bearings or moving parts. Engineers have consequently been relying on low stress expander seals to attain reliable, precision sealing.

Benefits of Low Force Seals

Low force seals, such as SFC KOENIG EXPANDER® plugs, cause less damage to the port wall and components, having minimal effect on even the most complex engine geometries. All the advantages of low force seals are listed here below:

• Less negative effects on engine components
• Prevent cracking of base
• Avoid expansion of port into nearby components
• Reduce the risk of leaks and wear
• Less effect on overall system performance
• Comes with its own installation equipment to ensure needed precision; gives the installer more control

Unlike cup plugs, threaded plugs and the like, low force seals provide leak-proof security and work well when dealing with extremely sensitive applications. Their reliability is even more critical when dealing with ports located deep within the maze of a tightly packed engine. Due to the little to no margin-for-error in engines with thin port walls, the strict tolerances and reliable installation methods of low force seals are essential to the successful performance of these modern machines.

For more information about SFC KOENIG EXPANDER® plugs and their other products, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.