When designing a bolted joint, many engineers look to a library of current designed-in parts, which is a great practice and should always be the first step when selecting possible fastening components. Many times, a part gets selected based on the dimensions of the fastener and is chosen for that reason alone. If the fastener’s finish is overlooked, it could be outperforming its requirements with regards to the finish. Basic knowledge of plating and coating practices can help create cost effective designs.
In one example, a bolt already in one customer’s fastener library had a finish designed for a corrosive environment. The finish standard limited that particular finish to one applicator. Without a basic knowledge of finishes, it is difficult to understand the consequences of requiring a bolt to use such a restricted supply base. After reviewing the example application, a suggestion was made to change the finish on the fastener to a coating more readily available in the industry. This suggestion resulted in a cost savings of over $30,000 per year.
A basic understanding of any implemented coating could help reduce initial cost of the bolted joint and will help the designer create a cost-effective design.
For more information on how you can create a more cost-effective bolted joint design, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.
Brandon Bouska
Application Engineer
