Fabricated Metal Products

Helicoil Wire Inserts for Modern Manufacturing

image of a Helicoil insert

In the dynamic world of manufacturing and engineering, fasteners play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and longevity of assembled components. When it comes to threaded connections, issues like thread damage, wear, and stripped threads can pose significant challenges. This is where Helicoil inserts come to the rescue, offering a reliable and effective solution for thread reinforcement.

While widely known for its use in stripped thread repair for bolted joints, threaded inserts also allow for a strengthened threaded hole in softer materials like wood, plastic, composite sandwich panels, and softer metals such as aluminum. This attribute gives helicoil inserts an important role in today’s modern manufacturing with 3-D printed parts, lightweighting, composites, and increased use of plastics.

What are Helicoil Inserts?

Helicoil inserts are precision-engineered coils of wire with a diamond-shaped cross-section. These inserts are designed to be installed into a tapped hole, providing a stronger and more durable threaded connection. This is especially useful where you need to have a durable, reusable thread that is stronger than the surrounding material or in softer metals prone to galling.

Helicoil and 3-D Printed Manufacturing

3-D printed parts require post-processing before they are ready for assembly. In addition to the usual finishing techniques of sanding and smoothing, metal inserts should be used where bolted joints are required. This adds durability to your threaded hole to allow for repeat assembly and disassembly as well as providing clean engineered threads.

Helicoil and Composite Panels

Core Blocking allows Helicoil inserts to be used to create a solid mounting point in composite honeycomb and skinned core panels by installing a solid block of material into the panel core to accommodate a drilled hole and helicoil insert.

Suitable for high-volume production

Helicoil offers power tools and strip feed options to speed up assembly with precision in production environments. These tools can be configured for hand-held operation or mounted for repeat accuracy during assembly.

Threaded inserts have evolved from their humble beginnings in the aerospace industry and their utility has far outstripped their reputation in thread repair. With a wide range of inserts and coated options available, Helicoil has an insert for your application. The Assembly Technology Experts at Bossard are more than happy to discuss threaded inserts in greater detail. Contact us to find the right fasteners for your application at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

 

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Bossard
December 20, 2023
Production, Fabricated Metal Products, Quality Practices, Fastener Technology
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The Role of Fasteners in Sustainability

sustainability in manufacturing

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue in manufacturing as the global community seeks to reduce its carbon footprint and protect the environment. One aspect of sustainability often overlooked is the choice of fasteners used in manufacturing.  Fasteners such as bolts, screws, and nuts are essential components of many products, and choosing environmentally friendly options can have a significant impact on the sustainability of the manufacturing process.

Ensuring your suppliers are in compliance with RoHS/REACH is a good baseline start to bringing sustainability to your manufacturing.  RoHS bans the use of certain substances used in the making of electrical and electronic equipment such as lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium.  REACH places responsibility on the industry to be transparent on its use of chemicals in manufacturing and report the properties of chemical substances to a central database.  Bossard is actively working with our manufacturers to offer products that are in compliance with the European Union Environmental Directive and constantly monitor environmental RoHS/REACH directives.

One option for sustainable fasteners is to choose environmentally friendly coatings and fastener finish.  A clean and environmentally friendly coating Bossard offers is a line of Tribological dry-coated fasteners.  This type of coating is a non-electrolytically applied thin layer with integrated lubrication properties, protection against contact corrosion, and no risk of hydrogen embrittlement further saving on the potential for waste.

Additionally, it is essential to consider the end-of-life of fasteners when choosing environmentally friendly options. Fasteners that can be easily disassembled and reused or recycled are preferable to those that are difficult to disassemble or cannot be recycled.  For example, stainless steel fasteners are a great choice to consider due to corrosion resistance, no additional finish requirement as well as ease of recycling.

Finally, choosing fasteners that are locally sourced can reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Sourcing fasteners from local suppliers reduces the distance that the products need to be transported, reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption.

In addition, tracking usage over time by using big data and real-time analytics can also aid in procurement on an optimized schedule further reducing energy overhead in transport or storage.  Analytics can also eliminate wastage due to excess inventory.  Bossard’s ARIMs platform and Smart Factory Logistics can provide you with the data to optimize your C-parts procurement plan and aid in sustainability efforts.

In conclusion, choosing environmentally friendly fasteners is an easy way to make a significant impact on the sustainability of the manufacturing process. By choosing fasteners made from durable materials, prioritizing disassembly and recyclability, smart procurement planning, and sourcing locally, manufacturers can take an important step towards a more sustainable future.

 

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Bossard
April 28, 2023
Fabricated Metal Products, Fastener Technology
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Importance of Choosing The Right Fastener for Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)

The Next Big Thing in the Product Design Process

Selecting the best fastener for your application can be tough. To make matters worse, not all fasteners are created equally. Choosing the correct fastener design, finish or material type can make all the difference in assembling a quality product.  As such, it’s imperative to choose the right fastener as early on in the design process as possible and this sentiment outlines the notion of Design for Manufacturing (DFM). Let’s take a closer look at the importance of choosing the right fastener and why DFM principles can serve as a guiding light in the journey. 

What Is Design for Manufacturing?

Design for Manufacturing or Design for Manufacturing and Assembly involves optimizing the design of a product for efficiency in assembly, cost and quality.  To embrace DFM, you must engineer or design in a component or bolted joint with these principles in mind during the product’s design stage.

The alternative is to design the product and then choose the fastener. This less efficient practice can lead to inefficient assembly, weak joints or the necessity of special fasteners, which are not readily available or common. Using special fasteners can also:

  • Greatly increase the cost of production
  • Reduce the lifespan of the product
  • Cause product malfunctions
  • Lead to product performance issues

Implementing Design for Manufacturing and Assembly Principles in Fastener Selection

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly should occur early in the development of a product during the design phase. When using this discipline, manufacturing will become efficient and cost effective, since choosing the right fasteners can later define the assembly process and reduce tooling.   While the exact DFM workflow can be tailored to the unique application and part being designed, a few general DFM principles are:

  • Design fasteners and objects for fast and efficient assembly.
  • Work to standardize components and materials to save money.
  • Achieve design simplicity by reducing the number of parts and complications.
  • Minimize the number of manufacturing operations required on fasteners during assembly.

Why Are DFM Principles Important in Fastener Selection?

Design For Manufacturing represents the evolution of product design and can be leveraged to produce products more economically and at higher quality.  No other component in the assembly process can have as broad of an impact on your DFM as choosing the right fastener.  A few key benefits and reasons why fastener selection should be a core focus of your DFM planning:

  • More cost-effective production.
  • Faster time-to-market.
  • Reduction of the product development process.
  • Production will be up to speed quicker.
  • Components can be combined to reduce assembly steps and the number of parts.
  • It detects and removes faults or mistakes.
  • Delivers a higher quality of the product because the design can be enhanced and refined at each stage.
  • It can create a safer working environment.

Contact Bossard for Fastener Selection Assistance 

Fasteners are engineered to hold two parts together. With this in mind, it’s best to avoid adding “higher responsibilities” to simple fasteners and work to achieve design simplicity. A few additional basic rules for choosing the best fasteners are:

  • Fasteners must always be equal to, or better than, the assembled parts.
  • Bolted joints may never be points of weakness.
  • Assembled fasteners should always be controllable as well as exchangeable.

In the end, making fasteners a top priority in the design process by embracing Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles can unlock all of the aforementioned benefits and more.  Want to implement DFM for your assembly and don’t know where to start?  Bossard’s Assembly Technology Expert Services and Engineers are available to help.

For help with choosing the right fastener for you or if you have other questions about fastener technology, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

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Bossard
December 09, 2022
Production, Supply Chain / Logistics, Fabricated Metal Products, Fastener Technology
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Fastener Finish: Platings and Coatings for Fasteners

Fastener Finish

The finish, or coating, is just as important as the design when you want your fasteners to last for the life of your product. If you want more information on the description below, please contact your local Bossard agent.

Factors to Consider

When you’re trying to decide on the correct finish, consider the following factors.

·         Safety. Improperly applied finish may make the fastener fail. A common failure point that can be introduced by finish is hydrogen embrittlement. Embrittlement reduces ductility and load-bearing because the metal absorbs too much hydrogen during the plating process. Choosing a dip-spin coating or Bossard’s ecosyn® tribological dry coating over using an electroplated finish can alleviate this risk.

·         Corrosion Protection. How long will the finish last based on its operating environment? The fastener requires a stronger coating if it endures very severe conditions that include saline solutions, cleaners, moisture, and collisions that produce abrasions, scratching, and denting.

·         Resistance to Handling Damage. How frequently will workers handle or use tools on the fastener? A softer and more brittle finish demands more care during handling and assembly.

·         Criticality of the Joint. What happens to the entire assembly if a joint becomes loose? Some finishes do not have known friction values. Avoid those finishes for fasteners on joints with consistent and repeatable clamp loads.

·         Functionality. Fasteners with small diameters and threads that have internal recess drives may leave too much coating material in the recesses or threads if the wrong finish is used.

·         Cost. Exotic coatings will increase the price of the fastener and the total cost of production.

·         Availability. Is the finish you want readily available? Or will it have to be special-ordered, which demands a greater lead time and more expense?

Common Finishes

If cost or time is a concern, rely on the following fastener coatings, which are easily available.

·         Electrodeposited (Commercial) Zinc. This finish is inexpensive, works under mild to moderate conditions, and is moderately resistant to handling damage. It has no problems with recess fill or threads. However, its friction is harder to control and it risks hydrogen embrittlement at high strengths.

·         Electrodeposited Zinc Nickel. This finish functions well under severe to very severe conditions and has good resistance to handling damage. It is also free of issues with recess fill or threads but has a high cost, difficult-to-control friction, and is not as available as commercial zinc. The chances for hydrogen embrittlement are lower but still existent.

·         Mechanical Zinc. With no hydrogen embrittlement risk, this finish features moderate resistance to handling damage and mild to moderate corrosion. It is not recommended for threads because of poor coverage in recesses and holes. The cost is medium to high while availability ranges from medium to low.

·         Zinc Flake. Hydrogen embrittlement is not a risk for this finish that protects against severe to very severe corrosion and has high friction control. It is moderately resistant to handling damage but is not recommended for any fasteners with an internal drive. The cost is moderate.

·         Hot Dip Galvanized. Protecting against severe to very severe corrosion, this moderately-priced coating has excellent handling-damage resistance and moderate cost. However, friction is difficult to control and it is not recommended for threads less than M8 or with an internal drive. The risk for hydrogen embrittlement is low.

·         Epoxy Electrocoat. This coating has no hydrogen embrittlement risk, works under severe to very severe conditions, is moderately resistant to handling damage, and is excellent at controlling friction. It has no problems with recess fill or threads at M4 or more. But it is pricey.

 

·         Tribological Dry Coatings. A solution for mechanically stressed fastening elements and components, such as screws, nuts and washers. The coating is a non-electrolytically applied thin layer with integrated lubrication properties and additional corrosion protection.

Bossard
July 08, 2022
Fabricated Metal Products, Fastener Technology
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Become a Product Design Engineering Expert by Watching These 4 Videos

Become a Product Design Expert by Watching These 4 Videos

As a mechanical engineer, you strive to design and create a safe and effective product at the lowest possible cost. To help you do just that, Bossard offers several innovative solutions and technical resources. In addition to offering tailored fastening solutions, we also provide our clients with in-depth education and learning opportunities. Let’s take a closer look at four educational videos designed to help you become a better product design engineer and expert.

Expert Education

At Bossard, we are proud to share our extensive knowledge about product engineering and fasteners in our Expert Education courses and seminars.

These tailor-made training sessions are designed to answer a range of questions, such as:

  • Can you answer with certainty that the right tightening torque is currently being applied to your application’s bolts?
  • Is the preload in the fastening joints enough to withstand external forces?
  • Will the fastening joint be secure over the lifetime of the product?
  • How many times will an existing bolt be reused while maintaining the application?

In the end, the Expert Education e-learning module can help slash your total cost of production by up to 40%. This robust learning portal will help you develop in-depth knowledge about engineering principles, applications, fasteners, and assembly technology, and more. Through Expert Education, you’ll be empowered to quickly make fastener design decisions and expedite the mechanical design and production process in your organization.

Watch the initial Expert Education video to learn more.

Expert Assortment Analysis

The Expert Assortment Analysis is a cutting-edge process designed to save your firm time and money. This innovative solution is designed to create efficiencies by addressing concerns, such as:

  • Do you suspect you’re utilizing countless C-parts and have lost the overview?
  • Do you believe that your collection of fasteners includes unnecessary or redundant variations and elements?
  • Are you wondering about the potential cost and time savings that could’ve been gained if your C-parts would’ve been streamlined?

Through our Expert Assortment Analysis, we’ll help you eliminate unnecessary elements. We’ll look for similarities where substitutions are possible. We’ll reduce complexities in purchasing, warehouses, and assembly. We’ll define your assortment to pick from and show you how significant your savings can be.

Ready to learn more? Watch the foundational Expert Assortment Analysis video for more on how it works.

Hydrogen Embrittlement of Fasteners

Have you ever experienced a broken screw in one of your products? Unexpected failures of fasteners cause damages and high costs. One of the top reasons is hydrogen embrittlement.

Also known as hydrogen attack, hydrogen embrittlement is a process where the metal becomes brittle or fractures over the exposure of and diffusion of hydrogen through the metal. As you can imagine, hydrogen embrittlement is a very serious matter and can pose monumental problems to your product if overlooked. Fortunately, the team at Bossard Can help.

Watch our recent video that explains the ins and outs of hydrogen embrittlement of fasteners.

Expert Teardown

Sometimes you must work backward to see a product in a new light. And at Bossard, we offer an exceptional Expert Teardown service where will strategically disassemble your product into its single fasteners and parts. Carefully analyzing the interface complexity, our product engineers will examine every square inch to best find cost-saving potential, understand functionality, and discover reliability improvements.

Learn more about Bossard’s Expert Tear down and how it works.

 

 

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NEXT UP

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Smart Factory Logistics – Last Mile Management

provadmin
October 22, 2021
Production, Fabricated Metal Products
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2 Solutions for Fastening in Lightweight Applications

2 Solutions for Fastening in Lightweight Applications

In 2018, original equipment manufacturers want to create the most innovative and unique products, all while making sure they are as lightweight as possible. Whether its vehicles or electronics, they are all becoming less bulky and less heavy.

To produce these lightweight products, manufacturers are using different materials than what might have been used just a few years ago. Composites like carbon fiber and fiber glass are the new normal when it comes to materials. Metals like aluminum and magnesium are also becoming more popular. But assembling these products can prove to be challenging.

Fortunately, Bossard has a variety of solutions for how design engineers can use fasteners safely and effectively in these relatively new materials. Here are two of our most popular fasteners for these applications.

bigHead

bigHead is one of the best options for fastening when using composite materials. They consist of a standard fixing welded onto a head. These unique fasteners can be secured via adhesives or by embedding directly into the material. They can be used with carbon fiber, steel, stainless, and more materials.

BCT®

BCT®* is not your typical rivet nut. What makes these blind rivet nuts different from others is that they are designed with strategically placed holes around the body of the nut where the rivet nut body will begin to collapse, controlling where the bulge happens. Hence, BCT® – bulge control technology. BCT® is also great for aluminum, stainless steel, and other lightweight materials

There are four main types of BCT®: bulge control, micro, high strength, and multigrip.

For more information about fastening with lightweight materials, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.

*BCT® is a registered trademark owned by BBA srl Italy
Bossard
June 29, 2018
Fabricated Metal Products, Fastener Technology
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3 Solutions for Nylon Insert Nut Challenges

Challenges with Nylon Insert Nuts

If you use nylon insert lock nuts in production, it is more than likely that you have run into some issues like the ones pictured below:

Nylon Insert Nut 1 Nylon Insert Nut 2 Nylon Insert Nut 3

Causes

Why does this happen, and usually only in January through March?

The inserts are made of 66 nylon which is hydroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture up to 8% of its weight. When exposed to temperature extremes and low humidity, the nylon will lose moisture and can shrink slightly and in some cases become brittle. These conditions are not relevant once the insert is installed, but if the nylon has become too dry prior to assembly, then we can see problems like those pictured above.

Certain assembly conditions can contribute to failure of a dried out insert, such as:
• Poor or no chamfer on mating threads
• Long thread engagement
• High assembly speed
• Any combination of the above conditions

If the insert is very dry and brittle, and the mating thread has a poor chamfer, we can see breaking of the nylon, especially if the assembly speed is very fast as with an impact gun.

Long thread engagements coupled with high speeds seem to heat-up the dried out nylon enough to cause it to extrude out the top of the nut. This can happen with properly hydrated nylon as well, especially if the pitch diameter of the mating thread is at the upper end of tolerance (the nylon has to go someplace) but it seems to happen more when the nylon is dried out.

In extreme cases of dried out inserts, such as those run through a bake oven for some type of post finish (zinc flake for example), the inserts may spin freely in their cavity prior to installation. When the mating part is introduced, some inserts may be pushed out of the nut without even forming threads into the nylon ring.

Solutions

  1. Packaging/environment
  • Wherever possible, keep nuts sealed in their original containers until they are ready to be consumed.
  • Do not store more nuts than needed in extreme cold and/or dry environments.
  1. Assembly
  • Check for chamfers on mating parts – a smooth entry into the nylon will lessen potential problems.
  • Avoid long thread engagement if possible.
    • If not possible, adjust speed down to lessen heat build-up.
  • Check speed of assembly – try slowing down the speed if problems occur.
  1. Additional Insert Material
  • If these solutions do not resolve the issues, then consider another type of insert material.
  • High temperature materials are available that are not as sensitive to environment.

For questions, please contact our Engineering team at ProvenProductivity@Bossard.com.

For more shopping options click here.

Doug Jones
Applications Engineer
djones@bossard.com

Bossard
June 22, 2018
Fabricated Metal Products, Quality Practices, Fastener Technology
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Self-Tapping Screws: How They Work and How to Use Them

what are self tapping screws

When looking for fastening solutions, one common solution to use for routinely maintained products is self-tapping screws. What is a self tapping screw? Self-tapping screws are fasteners that are designed to drill their own hole as they are screwed into wood, plastic or metal. By using a screw driver and self-tapping screws, precisely fitted threads are created. Self-tapping screws are ideal for items that require regular maintenance and work well when working with two different kinds of material being fastened together. (more…)

Bossard
August 06, 2014
Fabricated Metal Products, Quality Practices, Fastener Technology
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