Fastener Technology

What Fastener Drive Should You Use?

Fastener drive options

What Fastener Drive Should You Use?

Picking a fastener drive may not seem like a big decision to make, but if you choose the wrong one it can have a significant effect on the assembly of your project and the time it takes to complete your project. It is important to make sure you have the right one, and we can help you come to that decision!

The best fastener drive is always the one that is most effective in transferring torque to the fastener to achieve clamp load.

There are many different types of fastener drives and you will want to use the one that best holds your project together and also achieves a good assembly speed. Some of the types of drives are slotted, Phillips, Frearson, combination, hex, one way, square, and six lobe.

The slotted screw and drive were the first to come about because they were very simple. The problem was that fastener drives can more easily slip out of the slot and damage the screw head or product, so cross drives like the Phillips, Frearson, and combination were created. These drives allow for higher torque because they have greater bit engagement. This leads to quicker assembly, so cross drives such as these should be considered if you are trying to speed up your assembly process. Cross drives are also good for screws with low torque because the cross allows the drives to more easily maintain bit engagement to achieve more torque.

Other types of drives include the square, hex, or six lobe recess. These were designed to be used when high torque is required to achieve maximum clamp load. Most high volume production fasteners will use these types of drive recesses. They also require little effort to maintain bit engagement minimizing drive strip out issues.

It can be frustrating trying to fasten something on a project because you may feel like you aren’t making any headway. Picking the correct fastener drive for the job can make your project go a lot more smoothly. Contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com if you have any questions about fastener drives and choosing the best one for your job.

June 17, 2016
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Stainless Steel Fasteners and their Benefits

stainless steel fasteners and the benefits

When you are moving past the design phase and into the building phase of your project, you need to make sure you have quality materials to help you get the job done right.

When it comes to putting a project together you want to make sure it holds up. We can help! With our stainless steel fasteners you won’t ever have to worry about a project falling apart. We use stainless steel because it is a quality product that will allow you to build whatever you need.

Some of our stainless steel fasteners include your basic screws, nuts, pins, washers, and anchors. However, we also have rivets that can be used for blind fastening solutions, hose clamps that can give you non-leak connections, and thread forming screws that can help you fix malleable materials. Whatever you need to do we have a quality fastener to fit your needs.

Once you know the type of fasteners you need, the question you may be asking next is why choose stainless steel. There are actually many benefits to using stainless steel fasteners such as:

  • Resistance to corrosion – stainless steel does not rust or tarnish giving you a better look and lasts longer.
  • Strength – stainless steel is strong and it will hold up in harsh corrosive environments and it will also hold up in place with very high or low temperatures.
  • Value – stainless steel may cost a little bit more originally, but it has a lasting value. Stainless steel fasteners will last longer than other fasteners so you will have savings in the long term.
  • Low maintenance – stainless steel is easy to keep up because it is resistant to scratches and corrosion and it is easy to clean.

Stainless steel fasteners are definitely something you will want to include in your next project, and with Bossard Proven Productivity we ensure that the products you get from us will be safe and reliable. Contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com with any questions you may have about stainless steel fasteners and their benefits.


June 03, 2016
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Multifunctional Fasteners – Bossard Selection

bossard's selection of multifunctional fasteners

Bossard Selection is a group of multifunctional fasteners selected carefully by Bossard to make your life a whole lot easier. We have come through on our Proven Productivity promise to deliver parts that are of the best quality, reliability, availability and safety. This selection is unique because it was carefully put together to give you the most efficient fasteners, available when you need them.

So, how can Bossard Selection of multifunctional fasteners improve your experience? We’ve compiled a list of ways this selection will enhance your productivity.

  • Multifunctional in the application—these fasteners work in a variety of applications, giving you parts that are flexible for your needs.
  • Less individual pieces—when you are using our multifunctional fasteners, there is no need to use one hundred different fasteners that will give you the same result as this selection will.
  • Shorter throughput time—our fasteners will be available to you when you need them!
  • Faster and safer assembly—who doesn’t want to save time during this process? Enhance your efficiency for a faster and safer assembly.
  • Reduced installation time—with simple installation comes quick installation. Experience efficiency with our selection of multifunctional fasteners. You will know exactly what you need and how they work together.
  • Increased productivity—with all of these benefits combined, you have one efficient process of assembly, which will increase your productivity.

Our unique product features are the reason why we call our services “Proven Productivity.” Bossard comes up with new ways to increase your efficiency to get the job done quickly, safely and with the best quality. Our exclusive product selection is sure to help you get the best results for whatever project you are working hard on.

For more handy product solutions and information about our multifunctional fasteners and Bossard Selection, check out the rest of our website. Make sure you subscribe to our blog to receive insight into our company and our products. We would love to provide you with additional advice so contact us anytime at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


May 20, 2016
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How to Prevent Loosening

How to prevent self loosening

We know you have all experienced the loosening of fasteners at some point in your career…but have you received any good tips on how to prevent it from happening? Bossard is here to help. We have come up with a few pointers to help you solve this problem.

A little loosening is inevitable. There is constant wear and tear on parts over time, no matter how strong they are. We have highlighted a few scenarios that explain how loosening happens below:

  • Static loosening: Loosening occurs because of the relaxation of a joint (loss of clamp load)
  • Rotational loosening: As fasteners rotate, due to slippage in the interfaces of joint members, it can become loose and can become a problem
  • Loss: When the fastener is under constant vibration, nuts and bolts slack off until it eventually separates from the base

Here at Bossard, we believe that there is a solution to every problem, and we would like to help you solve that problem. Check out these ways to prevent loosening:

  • To prevent loosening from occurring, increase the stiffness of the clamped parts or make your fastener more flexible. For maximum hold, the following parts are useful: a flange screw, a hardened washer, or a spring washer (Belleville).
  • To prevent rotational loosening, try using the following items: a locking adhesive, a thread forming screw, a Nord-Lock® washer, a serrated/corrugated flange, a rib lock washer, or a locking nut.

Do you have questions about how to prevent loosening? Contact us anytime at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com. We want our customers to have the best experience with products provided to you by Bossard.

Check out our other blogs to find out more about our products and to learn more about our company. You can subscribe to get regular updates and tips from us at Bossard. Discover new parts and solutions by scrolling through the rest of our website.


April 29, 2016
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BCT® for Composites

BCT-fastener

Can you imagine relying on a small, but mighty rivet nut to connect important materials used for electronics, energy, automotive, and so much more? We can. With Bossard Proven Productivity, we ensure that your BCT®* blind rivet nut will be safe and reliable, just like our other products.

We understand that our little, yet strong products display “simplicity at work” as they are economical and meet the needs of all types of customers. BCT stands for “Bulge Control Technology”, and provides stronger threads than the competition. Trust that these products will form a bulge without controlled hole-filling and stress induction into your work.

Does your project demand high performance with thin-walled, high-tensile, soft, porous, or sandwich materials or involve tight spots? If you answered yes, then our BCT® blind rivet nuts are ideal for your type of work. Don’t worry if your materials have been poorly prepared or involve oversized holes, these rivet nuts thrive in tough situations, and provide an easy assembly process.

Assemble the BCT® blind rivet nut with confidence in delicate materials, plastics, composite woods, and many other materials.

The resilient connection is formed by applying minimal stress around the base material so there’s no damage to it. A “controlled deformation” is created to assure that the position of the blind side is precise. The constant deformation continues until the bulge is plane on the base material.

Rely on BCT® for your jobs that are a real piece of work. Check out our website for more information about installation, application and benefits of our rivet nuts to really catch a glimpse of what they are capable of.

We would love to hear from you! Contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com with inquiries and comments about our quality products.

*BCT® is a registered trademark owned by BBA srl Italy

April 15, 2016
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Fastener Platings & Coatings

Coating fasteners

Keeping your fasteners in top working condition is important to maintaining their effectiveness. There are several reasons for coating fasteners. Listed below are the 4 primary reasons:

  1. To improve the appearance of the fastener
  2. To fight corrosion
  3. To reduce friction
  4. To reduce scatter in the amount of preload achieved for a given torque.

There are a variety of coatings and platings that can be used to prevent or delay corrosion in fasteners as well as enhance the physical appearance of the fastener. The following are some of the most common.

Zinc Electroplating: Zinc is by far the most common and economical type of plating used for steel fasteners. It is relatively inexpensive and can be applied in a broad range of thicknesses. The service life of zinc plating is a function of its thickness, exposure to conditions and post plating treatments such as top coats. The most common zinc thickness is 2 to 5 microns thick.

Mechanical Galvanizing: The major advantages of mechanical galvanizing is that the fasteners do not suffer the risk of hydrogen embrittlement because the process is carried out without the use of electricity as well as the lack of acid used in the preparation of the fastener. Mechanical galvanizing provides greater corrosion protection because of its thicker layers which can range from 8 to 20 microns. However, the thicker layers will cause gaging issues with smaller fasteners.

Zinc Nickel: This plating offers superior protection than zinc as well as being RoHS compliant. Thicknesses run between 5 to 10 microns which makes this a very good choice for smaller fasteners that require greater protection.

Deciding which would be most effective for you can be a little difficult. To learn more about fastener platings and coatings or to receive help in deciding which you should use, reach out to us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com. We would love to help you out.


March 25, 2016
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Surface Treatment Processes Part Two

Fastener Treatment Processes

Surface Treatment Processes Part Two:
Other Treatment Processes

In our previous blog, you read about the galvanization process that our products undergo prior to packaging and distribution. You also may have noticed the “Part 1” in the title. Well, here in our “Part 2” blog, we are here to talk about the surface treatment processes that you may not know about, other than galvanization.

There are numerous methods of treatment and they all vary on what kind of product we’re dealing with and what works best for said product. We evaluate what the bolt, nut, or other part is used for and treat it appropriately to give our customer the very best products.

There are so many different treatments because the various parts are used in a variety of ways.

Let’s just jump right into it; here are a few other treatment processes that are used to treat your favorite fasteners.

Mechanical plating: This mechanical/chemical process is used by placing the parts in a drum with powdered zinc and glass pellets. The pellets transfer the zinc powder to the surface of the part to be treated.

Black oxidizing of stainless steel: Some treatments are purely decorative, and that is true for this solution. This chemical process involves a hot, hydroxide solution.

Phosphate (Bonderizing, parkerizing, atramentizing): A great undercoat for painting, this process provides slight corrosion protection. It results in a gray to gray/black appearance once the treatment is finished.

Waterproofing/sealing: Used for plated parts, waterproofing and sealing includes dewatering fluid, as well as applying a wax seal. The wax film is invisible when dry.

If you would like more information about surface treatment processes, we would love to tell you all about them! Contact us any time at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com with your questions. Be sure to subscribe to our blogs to keep up with our new posts and learn more about our company!


March 18, 2016
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Surface Treatment Process Part One

Galvanizing Treatments

Surface Treatment Process Part One: Galvanizing Treatments

Bossard Proven Productivity means providing products that you can rely on long-term. This means that we will do everything we can to assure reliable, trust-worthy materials.

For our fasteners, different surface treatment processes are used to make them last. Galvanization is a system that involves the immersion of the steel product into molten zinc that’s been heated to a temperature between 440°C and 470°C.

During galvanization, the steel is lowered inside the kettle until it matches the temperature. A benefit of using this type means that it generally takes less than ten minutes, depending on the thickness of the steel. With a dull and rough finish, it provides corrosion protection; with our “galvanization-passivation” process, it improves the appearance of the fasteners.

In order to prepare the steel for galvanization, among other preparations, it is first cleaned and rid of grease. Next, the product undergoes the treatment and endures a “post treatment” process. During the surface coating, a metallurgical reaction occurs, which is a diffusion measure that assures a regular thickness throughout the treated part.

The color may change after a certain length of time; however, this special treatment can last up to 50 years. Variation in length of time occurs based on the location of the steel. Under harsh conditions, its life will be closer to 25 years, rather than 50.

Similar to other technology, there are always new developments in this process, and Bossard Proven Productivity is always ahead of the game. Our clients are guaranteed innovation and reliability when working with our brand. We care for the parts we produce from engineering to production, always keeping our customers in mind.

We want to answer any questions you have about Proven Productivity, our fasteners and the Galvanization Treatment Process. Send inquiries to ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


March 11, 2016
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Fastening in Plastic Materials

plastic materials fastening

If you’ve ever tried to use fasteners for plastic materials, then you know the importance of this post. If you haven’t, then you will learn a little something about the process and things to consider before beginning your project.

Below, we have compiled a list of five things to know about fastening in plastic materials.

  1. “Flexural Modulus.” What is it?
    Also known as “bending modulus,” it is the ratio of stress to strain in flexural deformation, or the tendency for a material to bend. In other words, it’s a ratio that tells you the flexibility of the plastic, and how it responds to the application of threaded fasteners.

    The lower the flexural modulus, the more the material will flow and form threads.

  2. Fillers and Reinforcements. How are they used?
    Fillers and fiberglass reinforcements can affect at least one property of a thermoplastic, which means it can increase the strength and resistance of the plastic. They can also decrease shrinkage and increase the stiffness of the material.
  3. Fastening in plastic materials: pros and cons
    Pros: Using thread forming fasteners in materials comprised of plastic have a low “fastener cost” and a large supply base.
    Cons: In contrast, there can be a high “fastening cost” using screws and inserts, with added inventory and handling of issues. There is also an expected longer cycle time of molding or insert driving.
  4. “Thermal expansion”
    Plastic materials are prone to changing shape with added heat; this is only a problem if the materials have dissimilar expansion rates and if the temperature change is significant. Plastic expands with heat quicker than steel does, resulting in a gap which can form under the head of the fastener.
  5. Guidelines to consider
    If you can, try to test fasteners in the application before committing to hard tooling. In addition, consider the ratio of drive-to-strip in the actual design. Lastly, keep drive gun speeds reduced in a 300-700 RPM range.

Bossard Proven Productivity is full of tips and tricks to bring our customers the best results possible. For more information about our fasteners or production, contact us anytime at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


March 04, 2016
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Injection Molding bigHeads

composites

Here at Bossard, we search for the “hidden potentials of fastening” by looking beyond what others can see in order to boost your productivity.

There’s a reason that bigHead is the leader in the growing industry of embedded fasteners. With new designs being introduced to the market every day, custom bigHeads are ahead of the pack.

Take a look at the advantages of molding bigHeads below and see the unlimited possibilities behind the custom products. BigHead manufactures strong, reliable, quality fasteners to make your job a whole lot easier.

Strength – Embedded bigHeads retain tensile strength. The bigHead is encased in the material due to the way that material flows through the perforations in the base. Because of this process, we’ve produced a more efficient part because of its light weight.

Time – The use of bigHeads in the molding process sets the fastener into its material before assembly takes place. This time-saving procedure ensures immediate access and security for the beginning of assembly.

Precision – Our perfectly innovative procedure of embedding the bigHead in an injection molded part makes sure that the fastener will be in the correct position accurately, every time. Bossard is consistently exceeding customers’ expectations because of our promise of quality. We never disappoint.

Aesthetics – Our mold in applications foster a molded material surface that is smooth, with the ability to create a reliable fastening point.

You can see how our custom bigHead parts have opened the door to new design possibilities. Our intuition of potential beyond the surface is what allows our engineers to dream up fasteners that assure our customers efficient installation and strong bonds. bigHead’s formula of strength, time, precision and aesthetics reflect the time and dedication put into their manufacturing process.

There’s always more to learn from Bossard Proven Productivity. Surf through our website and contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com anytime for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.


February 19, 2016
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