Fastener Technology

Cost Saving Potential with Bossard

The mission of Bossard is to provide our customers with the lowest total in place cost of fasteners. This can be achieved by using effective design, efficient delivery systems, and multi-functional fasteners. An example of how a multi-functional fastener can affect the total cost of the assembly is illustrated in the chart below. A thread forming screw for metal purchase cost is $3.14 per 100 screws higher than the standard machine. As each step required to complete the assembly is reviewed, the final cost of the assembly is reduced by $29.50. Bossard’s staff of engineers and product experts can help review current assemblies or focus on new product design to help eliminate future costs.

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To learn more about “Total Cost of Ownership” as well as streamline your processes to help reduce costs, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com. We are here to help!


July 31, 2015
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ecosyn®-fix and the Electronics Industry

ecosyn®-fix and the Electronics Industry

At Bossard, simpler is often better. Our goal is to streamline your processes and offer more efficient products, and the ecosyn®-fix screw is a perfect example.

This particular fastener was originally designed specifically for joints in electrical equipment, in addition to small and major appliances. For the purposes of this blog post, let’s focus on how the ecosyn®-fix screw can be beneficial to the electronics industry.

What is the biggest benefit of the ecosyn®-fix washer head screw? Just a single part has to be bought, stocked, transported, and assembled. This is a screw, a flat washer, and a lock washer all in one. This one screw can streamline your process and provide a more economical solution.

Your standard machine screw with large washers has nothing on the ecosyn®-fix.

Did we also mention the large conical washer surface? This area possesses a certain spring effect against loss of pre-load. With an increase in friction, there is a greater vibration resistance. This is perfect for long-hole assemblies or for the assembly of soft and plastic parts.

So why not use an innovative fastener you can depend on? The difference could be substantial. The ecosyn®-fix represents an economical solution with cost saving opportunities and practical advantages.

To talk more about how the ecosyn®-fix screw could have a significant impact when applied to the electronics industry, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


July 10, 2015
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Benefits of Precision Torque Wrench Tightening

Precision Torque Wrench

Bossard recommends controlling tightening with a precision torque wrench for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it represents a secure and economical solution. This state-of-the-art method for tightening screws and nuts can reduce the number of fasteners used, especially in comparison to tightening without torque control.

M14x25 screws are the obvious choice for uncontrolled tightening for several reasons. You need to achieve a specified minimum preload in the joint, while also avoiding a torsional fracture. But what if the same can be accomplished with an M8x25 screw under torque control?

You can achieve the same minimum preload needed in the joint with an M8x25 screw, as long as the operation is conducted under torque control. By using this control to avoid the risk of a torsional fracture, the screw diameter can, in turn, be reduced to M8.

If a screw is tightened too much, it can break. If not tightened enough it can become loose or fail as a result of material fatigue. Precision torque tools and practices will protect the assembly from failure.

Suddenly, tightening with a precision torque wrench becomes the more effective and efficient solution.

There is also a substantial difference in the purchasing price of these fasteners. But don’t forget about the total cost savings of using controlled tightening. Because the entire product can now be made smaller and with a reduced weight, the overall cost savings will be significant.

So the question is: Why haven’t you started using precision torque wrench tightening yet?

If you would like to speak with one of our knowledgeable engineers for further guidance on how to implement something similar to this, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


July 03, 2015
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ecosyn®-plast Screws vs. Thread Forming Screws

ecosyn-plast screws vs thread forming screws

You’ve more than likely heard the ecosyn®-plast screw referred to as the screw for thermoplastics. But how does this screw stack up against other options? Allow us to offer you our analysis.

Designed to be utilized for all different types of thermoplastic elements, the ecosyn®-plast screw is another innovative product that offers a number of benefits, including a high durability under various conditions in a variety of applications. But the true value of the ecosyn®-plast screw becomes apparent when compared to thread forming screws.

With the use of ecosyn®-plast screws, material flow around the threads is improved and cracking in the parent material is less of a risk. The 30 degree thread angle is capable of penetrating the plastic material with ease, and the material then flows down the thread flank. The end result is positive contact between the thread flank and the plastic material.

So what about thread forming screws?

If you’re using a thread forming screw with larger angles, it has the opposite effect – pushing rather than penetrating the material. Once assembled, there is reduced contact between the flank and the plastic material. This results in higher stress and lower stripping torques, and not to mention a significant risk for cracks.

For the reasons stated above, the difference between the two types of screws is clear. The ecosyn®-plast is a more efficient and effective solution – and could make a world of difference.

For a more in-depth discussion on the merits of ecosyn®-plast screws in comparison to thread forming screws, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


June 26, 2015
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Leankeasy – The Blind Rivet Bolt

Leankeasy® Fastener

Prepare to meet the 3rd generation assembly process fastener that is going to change your manufacturing processes. Requiring no investment in equipment, Leankeasy is a game-changing innovation that represents a significant source of cost savings in the assembly process. With an easy implementation and setting process, this is almost too good to be true.

This one piece – a rivet nut and fastener called the “Blind Rivet Bolt” – simplifies the installation process by taking the place of weld nuts, cage nuts, self-clinching nuts and blind rivet nuts. By offering a setting process in one single step, your assembly time and required tooling is decreased.

1st generation bolts – consisting of a standard nut and screw – represent a lower cost because they are manufactured in the billions, but the cost to set the bolt is about 10 times more than the manufacturing of the actual bolt itself.

2nd generation fasteners have become more popular than their predecessors. These fasteners utilize the nuts and bolts separately, but help prepare the metal sheet support by setting a threaded component before the assembly is completed. In addition to specific setting equipment, these fasteners also require relevant adjustment and monitoring.

The trade-off is that the cost is higher for these components, but the assembly process is time saving.

In comparison to the two previous generations, Leankeasy is a single, ready-to-set, factory preassembled component that consists of both a screw and a blind rivet nut. By combining the crimping of the nut and screwing of the screw into the same step, it simplifies the process significantly.

To turn a 2- or 3-step process into a 1-step process, choose Leankeasy and never look back.

For more information about Leankeasy or how it could streamline your manufacturing process and save you a significant amount of costs, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


June 12, 2015
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Applications for bigHead® in the Marine Industry

bigHead® in the Marine Industry

Strong, simple and secure – bigHead® fasteners are the perfect fastening solution for the marine industry. Boat builders, in particular, would be well served to take notice of the benefits and advantages that bigHead® fastening solutions offer.

bigHead® fixings are high load-bearing and work well with glass-reinforced plastic, carbon fiber and other composite materials. In addition to that, bigHead® also offers a wide range of standard and custom designs to fit customer design and assembly needs.

These fasteners are simple and versatile, with an emphasis on saving time and effort. bigHead® fasteners can be surface bonded with structural adhesive or fully embedded in the composite material, which can include fiber composites, fiber glass, carbon fiber, molding compounds, foam plastics, elastomers, rubbers, and laminated timber.

Chief among the benefits of using bigHead® fasteners is the fact that they are made of grade 316 stainless steel, which is perfect for withstanding the most severe marine environments. bigHead® fasteners are also available in base zinc plated steel.

bigHead® fasteners have been used for insulation blankets, inflatable fabrics, and in headlining structures for lightweight panels.

The standard process for fixing insulation blankets has been a time-consuming procedure in the marine sector, but with bigHead® insulation nails or pins, the process is streamlined. The nail or pin locks the insulation blanket into position with a spring clip, keeping the insulation blankets securely in position.

This is but one example of how bigHead® fasteners have become an innovative solution in the marine industry, proving to be a simpler and easier alternative.

For further questions or inquiries related to bigHead® and applications in the marine industry, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


June 05, 2015
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How Do I Choose the Right Cable Tie?

Choose the Right Cable Tie

(Editor’s Note: Bob Rensa is a Senior Product Manager for Panduit. This blog post was written as part of a joint effort between Bossard and Panduit.)

There are many uses for cable ties, the list seems to be practically endless. But what are some common uses that we see in the industry? Typically you find cable ties anywhere in which you need to organize wiring, or hold something in place. This could range from the transportation industry, all the way down to the cable tie that holds your audio/visual cables in your house. What we want to talk about is how to properly select a cable tie for your project, because there are many things that come into play. One might think that a cable tie is a cable tie, but if you are working in outdoor or harsh environments, there is a lot to consider when choosing your cable tie. Basically it comes down to four things, tie design, length, what environment are you installing the tie in, and how strong do you need it to be.

Tie Design
There are a lot of different types of cable ties, and each of them are used for a different application. Standard nylon ties are your basic every day cable tie. These can be used for various applications such as managing and securing wire harnesses, strain relief and wire management in solar applications, desktop and video cable management, or even temporary child locks on your cabinets! There are also cable ties with a metal barb in the head which reinforces the locking mechanism. These tend to be used in applications that require infinite adjustment positions since it does not use griping teeth. These are also ideal when a more rugged latching mechanism is required under extreme temperatures. We also see contour cable ties, which have teeth on the outside of the tie. These tend to be much less abrasive to wire insulation under vibration and therefore a product of choice in the aerospace industry.

Length
Cable tie length can vary greatly. Think about an application in which you have a wire bundle that is 4” in diameter, but you only have a 1” diameter cable tie. This would not work. You need to match the maximum bundle diameter of the cable tie with the diameter of the wire bundle. Always be cognizant of your application so that you do not purchase a tie that is too short. If they are a little longer, you could always cut off the excess tie length, but from an economical standpoint, choosing the proper length will give your customer the best value. You would hate to use a 36 inch cable tie to secure a couple of wires.

Environment
There are a multitude of things to consider within your environment before selecting a cable tie. Will you be installing the tie outdoors? Will it have direct exposure to sunlight? Are you working in a hazardous environment like a chemical plant in which the ties might get exposure to various chemicals or acids? Is it a high heat application in which flammability and thermal properties become an issue? All of these questions need to be answered before you can choose what type of tie you are going to go with.
For example, a standard cable tie is usually made of Nylon 6.6. Nylon 6.6 is made of a hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid, giving Nylon 6.6 a total of 12 carbon atoms, hence the name Nylon 6.6. Uses for these ties can vary, as we mentioned above. But there are many types of Nylon, and choosing the right one is essential for your application. If your application includes exposure to the elements or high heat exposure, you’re going to want to go with a Weather Resistant Nylon 6.6 material, or a Heat Stabilized Nylon 6.6 material. With Weather Resistant Nylon 6.6 you typically have a 7-9 year life expectancy with regards to UV resistance, as opposed to 1-2 years with standard Nylon 6.6. Heat Stabilized Nylon 6.6 has a continuous temperature range of -76°F – 239°F, which is 54 degrees higher than standard Nylon 6.6. It is important to know these features and properties of the material you are selecting in order to choose the optimal tie for your application.

Strength
Once you understand the environment you are working in, you can then determine the strength of the tie that you will need. The way we measure cable tie strength is by obtaining its tensile strength. Tensile strength is measured in Newton or pounds and is basically the breaking point of a cable tie. The higher the tensile strength, the stronger the tie. Panduit has ties ranging from 18lbs in tensile strength, all the way up to 250lbs. What this means is that it would take over 250lbs of pressure in order to break the latching mechanism on the tie. This is an important factor to consider when you are securing mission critical wire harnesses.

Once you have selected the right cable tie for you and your application, you need to think about the proper way to store them. Bossard, a leading supplier of intelligent industrial fastening solutions, discusses proper storage and industry applications below.

Storage of cable ties is important as well, since the majority of cable ties used in the market are made of Nylon which is hygroscopic. Hygroscopic means that it is affected by moisture in the air, or has the ability to dry out in low RH environments (less than 20% RH). Dry cable ties are very brittle so storing them in sealed bags is essential to maintaining their performance. If cable ties dry due to loss of moisture, they could become brittle and may crack upon installation. Once a cable tie is properly installed, if it then dries out, that is not a problem. Installed cable ties actually become stronger when they dry out. It’s the installation process that is a problem for dry ties.

Bossard customers use cable ties in many different applications. A common use for Bossard customers is to bundle wires together and to fix systems in place. Bossard helps customers to select the perfect cable tie for their application while considering all of the variables mentioned above.

By carefully evaluating your application, environment and the strength of the tie that is needed, you are sure to choose the right tie for the job every time! For more information on Panduit cable ties and how to select them, please take a look at our cable tie selection guide.


May 27, 2015
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Securex® Fastener Components

Securex Fasteners

In the fastening industry, it can sometimes be difficult to find a solution that stands alone above the rest of the competition. But Securex® Wheel Nuts have become the first choice of virtually all hub, drum, and wheel original equipment manufacturers in the United States.

How was Securex® able to achieve this? By offering a fastening solution with 3 to 5 times more clamping force than you’d find in conventional ball-seat fasteners. This helps ensure an extended wheel life, reduces maintenance, and also improves the overall safety.

Each nut body of the Securex® Wheel Fastener is forged with through-hardened carbon steel, and each free spinning washer is also comprised of through-hardened and tempered chrome-moly steel. Why? Because this particular design feature generates a bearing-type action that allows for a greater amount of torque to be transmitted into clamping force.

In addition to that advantage, this bearing action also delivers a more exact torque-to-clamp force relationship. In turn, that then opens the door for the entire fastening system to be used at the optimum end of the load range.

There are a few other features to mention here. Each fastener is complete with a heat lot traceability code, along with the name forged into the washer. This is done to ensure the integrity of the product. To reduce friction and increase protection against corrosion, it has also been coated with PTFE.

This solution also meets the stringent requirements of SAE J1965 for torque tension requirements.

For more information on the Securex® Wheel Fastener and how it could be applied to your hub, drum, and wheel manufacturing process, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


May 22, 2015
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The Screw for Thermoplastics

unique tapping screw for thermoplastic

Material-compatible threads are needed everywhere in day-to-day life. Knowing which screws for thermoplastics and other materials will work best is half the battle. For thermoplastics, accept no substitute for the ecosyn®-plast. With excellent load-bearing capacity, outstanding process capability and high levels of binding safety, ecosyn®-plast is the perfect solution when it come to thermoplastic binding.

Built to Bind

Working with plastics in the area of binding technology requires specific conditions in assembly – thus the need for ecosyn®-plast. The engineers at Bossard possess a significant amount of practical experience in thermoplastic screwing, cultivated from years of work. Utilizing this knowledge, engineers were able to create a screw that works safely and easily with thermoplastic elements.

Where ecosyn®-plast differs is in comparison to conventional tapping screws. Instead of a 60 degree pointed thread angle, ecosyn®-plast screws have a 30 degree pointed thread angle. Not to mention a smaller core diameter with the same nominal diameter and a large thread pitch.

Advantages 

These specific characteristics are what separate ecosyn®-plast from your average tapping screw, allowing for advantages you wouldn’t find elsewhere. This includes an improved thread load bearing depth, improved material flow, and a smaller radical force, which in turn means a higher load capacity.

ecosyn®-plast screws also have less of a burst effect in single-screw tubes, adding to the list of decisive advantages. There is more material present between thread blanks, ensuring a larger shear cylinder. ecosyn®-plast screws also offer the benefit of improved assembly and binding safety, in large part because of a lower driving torque and higher stripping torque.

When working with thermoplastic elements, the advantages of using ecosyn®-plast screws are clear. For more information about the thread geometry of ecosyn®-plast screws or for more construction or assembly notes, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


May 15, 2015
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Advantages of Bossard’s ecosyn®-lubric Products

Bossard is all about innovation – and our ecosyn® product line is proof of that. Ecosyn®-lubric, in particular, is one to watch out for when it comes to fastening solutions.

Ecosyn®-lubric is essentially a dry coating with outstanding durability and performance data. Non-electrolytically applied, this thin coating boasts integrated lubricating properties and is very effective in protecting against contact corrosion.

In particular, ecosyn®-lubric provides excellent protection against fuels, hydraulic and cleaning solutions, in addition to seizing and galling. ecosyn®-lubric also utilizes organic solid lubricants and fluoropolymers. Optimized and consistent friction coefficients are also a benefit of using these products. With pre-applied lubrication, you will also never have to forget about manual lubrication. This product allows for downsizing of applications and less material requirements for applications as well.

But the most significant benefit of using ecosyn®-lubric is that it is best suited for applications with an emphasis on safety and optimization of costs. Essentially, ecosyn®-lubric is a unique option that is both efficient and cost effective for your operation.

More advantages include high temperature stability, and no impairment of mechanical properties of high strength fastening elements. With ecosyn®-lubric, there is also no danger of hydrogen embrittlement.

In terms of safety, the aforementioned corrosion resistance is a huge benefit, but ecosyn®-lubric also has a very narrow friction scatter for a more precise and consistent preload. If you require repeatable tightening, the durable coating ensures the same conditions throughout.

Ecosyn®-lubric is available in two colors: black and silver.

Considering the current challenges of assembly, ecosyn®-lubric represents a more economical solution – one you can’t ignore. To learn more about the innovative line of ecosyn®-lubric products that Bossard has to offer, contact Bossard at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.


May 08, 2015
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