Many two-part epoxies can be mixed by hand in small batches. A hardener is typically added to the epoxy resin, then the two are stirred with a utensil in a mixing vessel. Complete mixing may take several minutes. Pot life varies from minutes to hours, and mixtures may require additional mixing after a period of…
What are U-clips?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner U-clips are an easy-to-assemble mechanical fastener. They are normally formed from a single strip of sprung steel, bent into a ‘U’ shape to form two legs. These legs often have lead lips so that they can be easily pushed over panels and sheet components, causing the legs to open outwards. The…
What are spacers?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A spacer is used to increase the distance between parts being fastened. Spacers are often a length of tube through which a fastener is inserted; a short spacer may therefore resemble a thick washer. Washers are sometimes used as small spacers. Spacers are similar to standoffs, but standoffs include a threaded…
Why understanding fasteners is more important today than ever
By John Wachman, Managing Director, Fastener Training Institute Unfortunately, most of the details of how components are assembled is an afterthought. This can be a mistake and add to the complexity and cost of finished products. Design for manufacture is not a new concept, but reliable current information about fasteners is not only important but…
Company profile: Kanebridge Corp.
We recently spoke with Vic LaPoma, Marketing Manager for Oakland-N.J. based Kanebridge Corp. about the company’s history, capabilities and outlook. LaPoma said that that company was incorporated 1975 and has two owners. Kanebridge, a master distributor, sells to distributors only and has three locations in the United States: New Jersey, Illinois, and California. “We carry…
What’s a thread repair kit?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner Thread repair kids allow damaged threads in a hole to be removed and replaced with new threads of the same size. They may also be used to provide strong threads in soft materials such as aluminum. A thread repair kit consists of a tapping tool, an insertion tool and some thread…
What are studs?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A stud is essentially just a piece of threaded bar. This often resembles a machine screw without a head, although some studs to have heads that get permanently incorporated into the part they are attached to. Studs are often designed to be permanently attached to one part, proving a means of…
What is a universal joint?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A universal joint is a connection between two objects, typically shafts, that allows relative rotation in two axes. It is made up of two revolute joints with perpendicular and intersecting axes. When shafts are connected using a universal joint, each shaft terminates in a revolute joint with its axis perpendicular to…
What is explosion welding?
Explosion welding, also called explosive cladding, joins two metals together by an explosive force. It is often used to join dissimilar metals that have a significant difference in mechanical properties, thermal expansion coefficients, or melting temperatures — such as a low-cost metal to a more expensive corrosion-resistant metal. Some of the common clad layers deposited…
Looking out for the industry — and toward the new generation
Chat with Frank Devito of Solution Industries for even a few minutes, and you’re a believer in the fastener industry. His energy and enthusiasm — not to mention his knowledge — are sure to draw you in. Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based Solution Industries has been around for 15 years under its current name. Devito explained that…
The birth of a new brand — Fastener Engineering
In my almost-nine years of being here at WTWH Media, I’ve had the pleasure to be involved in numerous new publication launches. When the company began in 2006, Design World was the sole print publication and its website was the only one under the corporate umbrella. But as the years ticked by, our corporate management…
What are handles?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner There are many types of handles, but they are all designed to transmit a force between a person’s hand and an object. Handles are installed on many types of tools, packages, furniture and machinery. Buildings and vehicles may also be fitted with safety handles which a person can hold to prevent themself…
What is a pin joint?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A pin joint is a connection between two objects that allows only relative rotation about a single axis. All translations as well as rotations about any other axis are prevented — the joint therefore has one degree of freedom (1-DOF). A pin joint is formally called a revolute joint in kinematics…
Amada Miyachi America announces series of spot welding power supplies
Amada Miyachi America Inc. has announced that it offers complete local product and sales support for the DC1013-T and DC613-T Series of linear DC resistance spot welding power supplies, manufactured by sister company, MacGregor. Typically used in aerospace, medical, and electronic assembly applications, DC1013-T and DC613-T units are suitable for butt welding fuses, welding components…
What are eyebolts?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner An eyebolt is a mechanical fastener with a threaded shaft and a head forming a ring. Eyebolts are used to attach an eye to a structure, through which rope, cable or shackles can be secured. A common use is to create a lifting eye so that a crane can be attached…
What are rod ends?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A rod end is a joint which maintains a fixed point of contact between two parts, with some degree of rotational freedom about all three axes. It has two main parts, each with a shaft or hole for attachment to other components. The two parts are arranged so that the axes…
What are structural adhesives?
By Julie Miller Adhesives have been applied to surfaces as bonding agents for centuries. While today’s adhesives operate on the same basic principles, designers have a number of variables to consider. Load-carrying capacity is often the deciding factor in choosing an adhesive product for a particular application. The load-carrying capacity is defined by the maximum load…
SPIROL completes major expansion at Connecticut world HQ
SPIROL employees, company executives, board members, state representatives, and other honored guests gathered to celebrate the completion of the major expansion to SPIROL’s world headquarters and largest global manufacturing facility located in Northeastern Connecticut. The expansion that began in early 2016 includes significant additional manufacturing space, new state of the art warehouses for raw material…
What are industrial fasteners?
Industrial fasteners comprise a broad category of devices and tools that are used to connect parts together, usually in a permanent or semi-permanent way. Many of these are mechanical in nature and familiar to anyone who’s a homeowner, such as nuts, bolts, hinges, studs, handles, knobs flanges, rivets, and screws. Some items such as screws…
What are screws?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A screw is a broad category of mechanical fastener with a threaded shaft, designed to screw into a part. This includes wood screws and self-topping screws, which have a tapered shaft with sharp threads designed to cut a mating thread in the part to which they are fastened. It also includes…
What is a bolt?
By Dr. Jody Muelaner A bolt is a mechanical fastener with a threaded shaft. Bolts are closely related to screws, which are also mechanical fasteners with threaded shafts. These types of fasteners are typically inserted through two parts, with aligned holes. According to some definitions, whether something is a bolt or a screw depends on…
Southco adds its C2 Lever Latch product line
Southco Inc. has added a new version to its successful C2 Lever Latch product line that provides the same consistent compression and vibration resistance as the standard C2 series, but features a color coded access indicator that allows the user to see if the latch has been opened. The C2 Lever Latch with Visual Access…
New solder paste enables miniaturization in automotive electronics
Heraeus Electronics has developed Microbond SMT650, a new solder paste that meets the extremely high requirements for the production of miniaturized electrical systems, such as those used in the automotive industry. Microbond SMT650 guarantees consistently high surface resistance. The combination of the new F650 flux system with the Innolot metal alloy increases reliability and prevents…
Southco modular H3-Em swinghandle new product award at ISC West
Southco Inc. has announced that the Security Industry Association (SIA) has named its Modular H3-EM Electronic Locking Swinghandle as the 2019 winner of the Network Support Solutions category. The Modular H3-EM was recognized on the main stage at ISC West, the nation’s largest converged security trade show, on April 10 in Las Vegas. The SIA…
DELO supports racing with structural adhesive for bonding motor magnet segments
DELO is a sponsor of Wisconsin Racing at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. DELO has supplied Wisconsin Racing’s Formula Electric team with DELO Monopox HT2860 to bond together the magnet segments in the car’s electric motor. The adhesive is also used for final rotor assembly. Ideal for bonding magnets in electric motors used in…