sensors & systems - Industrial Technology Magazine

MECHANICAL JOINING
Fasteners & Adhesives
All the benefits of captive
screws, but easier to use
Dirak says its captive joiner represents a totally
new technology for fastening sheet metal panels
The 1-035SL Captive-Joiner 9.5
Snap-Line offers all the benefits
of traditional captive screws,
says Dirak, plus improved ease
of use by the end-user, significant
reduction in time of installation, and
reduction in the risk of damage to
sensitive electronic equipment housed
inside enclosures. The Captive-Joiner also
functions as a slam to close latch,
requiring just a simple push of the panel
against the frame to ensure latching.
Delivering ease of use, disengaging
the two panels is achieved by turning the
knob 45° instead of the more time
consuming traditional screwing and
unscrewing required for a captive screw.
Further, the Captive-Joiner can be
completely removed from both panels onsite
and re-installed quickly with a simple
push, making it ideal for maintenance
applications. Where misalignment is a
concern the Captive-Joiner compensates
for tight tolerances that are difficult to
achieve.
The knob design offers a comfortable
grip for actuation and opening and
eliminates the need to install a separate
handle. And for applications which
require restricted access, the Captive-
Joiner is available in a tool (NEBS)
operated style.
Protecting the equipment
Traditional captive screws require an
insert which can become dislodged if
excessive force is applied from the
captive screw. The fallen insert can
severely damage the electronic equipment
housed inside the enclosure. Since the
Captive-Joiner does not require an insert,
this problem is completely eliminated.
Secure attachment to the panel
eliminates the possibility of the Captive-
Joiner falling out under extreme vibration
conditions and damaging sensitive
equipment housed inside the enclosure.
The single component design combines
the function of the captive screw and the
captive nut/cage nut. With only one
component to inventory the number of
SKU’s is reduced and the installation
process is significantly simplified.
MORE INFORMATION:
Enter D425 on the enquiry card, or visit ‘latest issue
stories’ at www.industrialtechnology.co.uk for
further details from Dirak
Self pierce rivets bring in the sun
An innovative robotic line ensures fast and efficient assembly of sunroofs
Self pierce rivet manufacturer
Henrob has put together a
robotic assembly cell for the
production of a car sunroof. The
entire cell has been designed and
developed at Henrob’s Deeside plant in
Flintshire. The cell consists of an ABB
robot, a Henrob hydraulically powered
riveting system with tape fed rivets and a
bespoke pneumatic turntable to place the
sunroof components prior to riveting.
As one sunroof is being riveted
together an operative has time to remove
a completed assembly from the turntable
and re-load the jig with the next set of
components ready for the next assembly
cycle. The whole cell has been developed
to produce two variants of the sunroof as
the OEM will use the sunroof design on
two different vehicles. It is estimated that
120,000 units will be built per year, with
eight self pierce rivets per assembly.
Characteristic strength
The OEM specified self pierce rivets
(SPR) because of the strength
characteristics they can offer and their
ability to join dissimilar materials. In the
case of the sunroof the assembly is
joining 2.0mm aluminium to 1.0mm
steel. In addition to these benefits, as
SPR does not need a pre-hole, it
eliminated drilling, swarf and alignment
issues. Further, SPR does not create
heat, sparks or fumes and is a low
noise, environmentally friendly
process.
SPR is not only used in the
automotive sector. SPRs increasingly
feature in a wide range of industries,
as manufacturers face the challenges of
more extensive use of ‘new’ materials like
aluminium, magnesium, high-strength
steels and composites. The SPR process
can join sheets of dissimilar materials,
like aluminium to steel, aluminium to
magnesium, steel to steel and metals to
composites. During the process the selfpierce
rivet is driven into the material to
be joined at high force, piercing the top
sheets of material spreading outwards
into the bottom sheet of material, under
the influence of an upsetting die, to form
a strong joint.
It is a process requiring no holes that
delivers high static strength – similar to
or better than spot welding. The process
produces a fatigue resistant joint that is
up to 30% stronger than spot welding.
Cycle time is two to four seconds.
Henrob has a range of tool
configurations and types of rivet to suit
the widest possible range of general
industry applications.
MORE INFORMATION:
Enter D424 on the enquiry card, or visit ‘latest issue
stories’ at www.industrialtechnology.co.uk for
further details from Henrob
Transparent
option for
fasteners
Anew range of fasteners in
Polycarbonate has been
introduced by Bülte
Plastics, including screws,
washers and Hex nuts. With their
‘see through’ qualities, the
Polycarbonate threaded fasteners
give you the opportunity to use
them as part of the external
design of your assembly. They are
also useful in industries where
light is a necessary component.
The material is resistant to
weather, provides excellent
dimensional stability and ductility,
and high mechanical toughness.
The working temperature range is
–120 to +120°C. Washers and
nuts are available in M5, M6,
M8, M10 and M12 sizes, whilst
the hexagonal head Screws are
available in M5 to M12 sizes,
with other dimensions and forms
available on request.
MORE INFORMATION:
Enter D428 on the enquiry card, or visit
www.industrialtechnology.co.uk for
further details from Bülte Plastics
Custom
assembly
solutions
Fabrico reports that it is
working with 3M to offer
custom, high-performance
solutions for fastening and
assembly applications. The two
companies blend Fabrico
applications and converting
expertise with 3M high-value
products to provide customers
with exceptional bonding, joining,
fastening, and assembly solutions.
MORE INFORMATION:
Enter D427 on the enquiry card, or visit
www.industrialtechnology.co.uk for
further details from Fabrico
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INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • May 2008