The right screw connectiong plays a crucial role in many technical designs. Have you heard of the “captive screw” or know how a “direct screw connection” can make the difference in your assembly? AI has also already moved into it detachable connection technology. In this article we will introduce you to innovations from the world of screw connections that show why these small components are so important. 

Contents

• Artificially intelligent screwing assistant
• Ensure sustainability in screwing & Co
• Direct screw connections made of plastic go digital
• Fasten and loosen captive screw without tools
• Low-maintenance screwdriving systems with servo drive
• Direct screw connection made of plastic for lightweight construction
• Safe screw connection for CFRP materials
• Secure screw connections using a press-in system and screw drive
• Corrosion and heat resistant Dzus quarter turn quick release
  
  

Artificially intelligent screwing assistant

Sep 21.09.2023, XNUMX | Trimiti is an AI-controlled screwing assistant for manual assembly processes Nexustec on Motek will introduce. The worker receives a clear and systematic screwing sequence for each cell via an intuitive interface.

This guides him through it step by step Assembly process. If he tries to fasten the wrong screw in the sequence, the screwing assistant blocks the tool and notifies the worker. He then receives precise instructions for corrective actions in accordance with the prescribed workflow.

The measured values can be transferred to a PC via the Learning by doing (LbD) functionality, workers as supervisors can design individual work processes and adjust the screw settings as needed. This feature frees workflows from restrictions on specific stations. In addition, work processes will become more flexible at the individual stations.

Trimiti enables one First time right-Production and ensures stable processes. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates manual work into the Industry 4.0 paradigm, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and precision of manufacturing processes.

Ensure sustainability in screwing & Co

March 29.03.2022, XNUMX | With a view to global developments in the Automotive industry shows that the weight of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Europe has increased steadily in recent years. Hence focus Arnold Umformtechnik also as part of its product portfolio from the simple Gland to the complete connection system on the subject Sustainability. 

The Weight of new automobiles has increased from approx. 1268 kg in 2000 to 1360 kg in 2010 to approx. 1420 kg in 2020. The development towards more hybrid cars and electric vehicles is likely to intensify this. Because an electric vehicle weighs only because of the weight of the Battery on average 300 kg more than a vehicle with a conventional engine.

Emka fitting parts for electrical engineering and electronics

A clear one CO₂ emissions reduction could nevertheless be achieved by optimizing fuel consumption and new drive concepts. In this way, about 175 g of CO₂/km in 2000 to 140 g CO₂/km in 2010 and 95 g CO₂/km to come in 2020. In order to achieve the climate protection goals of the next few years, this trend must continue in the coming years.

So did the theme Sustainability also for the specialists for screw connections and others Connection Technology a great importance. In addition to electric mobility, internationalization, lightweight engineering and digitization, sustainability is one of the five defined strategies of the Arnold Group.

According to the experts, for each product there is a individual footprint. The emissions of the supply chain members add up. Companies downstream in the supply chain absorb the emissions from their suppliers’ products and services and pass these along with their own CO₂ emissions to their customers.

ACO₂-Save saves CO₂ for fasteners

Against this background, Arnold Umformtechnik took the initiative ACO₂-Save started. (A stands for Arnold) The company actively supports its customers in reducing their CO₂ Emissions by cold stamping and Fasteners designed and applied sustainably. In this way, a CO₂ calculation made. With a specially developed CO₂ Calculator, the so-called Product Carbon Footprint for the requested part can be determined and then optimized together with Arnold. At the end of the development process there is a technically high-quality product that is cost- and CO₂ is optimized.

The following design modules are available for this: a CO₂ optimized engineering with digital forecasting tools, the analysis of the CO₂ Optimization through a change in production technology or a change in connection technology and the use of innovative connection elements or systems.

following Example shows how the ACO₂-Save approach works: A special 23,58 mm aluminum screw weighing 8733 g³ Until now, volume has been produced by machining. A turned part blank weighing 69,2 g with an initial volume of 25.630 mm³ was used in production. The ACO_²-Save analysis determined that this part should be converted to a Conform Next line of formed part. After this optimization, the formed blank only had a volume of 9135 mm³ with 24,82 g on the Scales. In addition to a significant cost reduction due to the lower use of material during cold forming, the optimization had a significant impact on the product carbon footprint of the special screw.

Direct screw connections made of plastic go digital

Aug 05.08.2019, XNUMX | The new EVO PT screw from Ejot was developed for plastic direct screwing. This screw connection can also be calculated in advance taking into account the relevant operating conditions. This allows the predictability of screw early verification in advance of the design at an early stage of development.

In particular, in the Automotive industryThermoplastic ones come where the screws used are often designed for very high temperatures Construction materials for screws used. The specialist for screw connections Ejot has decades of expertise in this segment and is now bringing the next evolutionary stage in plastics with the EVO PT screw Direct screwing on the market.

Geometry analysis of the screw connection

A consistent geometry analysis of the screw in advance shows the user Potential for standardization on. So far, different lengths of screws were necessary when designing screw connections in order to achieve identical screw-in depths with different clamping part thicknesses. Otherwise, the same tightening torques could not be used.

Thanks to the special thread forming zone of the EVO PT, an almost constant screw-in torque can now be achieved over the Screw-in depth produce. Identical screw dimensions also ensure a reduction in the number of parts in assembly, depending on the individual circumstances.

For different screw diameters, calculations show whether the screw connection is oversized or undersized or whether it can be standardized with existing screws. The prediction of torque and preload force is given. As a special support made possible EVO Calc a calculation of the relaxation behavior of the Plastic Direct screw connections under the influence of temperature.

CAE Servive for the screw connection

Ejot offers a powerful tool for viewing and analyzing the stress on multi-screw connections of a complete assembly CAE service, through FEM analysis the screw connection, the most heavily loaded point in the screw connection is determined.

First locked, then automated: locking bolt

This enables users to check whether the screw connection can withstand the defined loads over the long term. The early detection of possible overloads in the component helps to avoid faulty designs at an early stage of development. With early reaction and changes to the design, designers save time and money. The most heavily loaded point in the screw connection is determined using FEM analysis of the component. This information then flows into the further development of the assembly.

The EVO PT thus combines the connection properties of screw connections novel forecasting toolswhich can precisely map the design, assembly and behavior in terms of torque, thread, nut, preload force, friction, acting forces, etc.

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What is an Ejot PT screw connection?

The screw connection Ejot PT is a further development of the self-tapping screw connection in thermoplastics. With this screw connection, Ejot has for the first time integrated manufacturing and application knowledge into the development process using computer simulations. 

Direct screw connection made of plastic for lightweight construction

March 01.03.2018, XNUMX | The trend that Metals being replaced by ever more powerful and high-strength plastics is just the thing Lightweight at. Against this background, direct screw connections that are optimally designed and adapted for these high-performance plastics are gaining in importance. With the reform screw, Arnold Umformtechnik offers a screw connection that not only takes into account the idea of ​​lightweight construction.

Assembly times can also be shortened and assembly risks minimized. Above all, play that screw design and the correct design of the plastic component play an important role. Unlike the usual Plastic The processing of the plastic direct screw connection with the Reform screw is much leaner. The component can be injected directly with optimally designed core holes and then mounted immediately using plastic screws. This eliminates time-consuming handling steps.

The screw reform ensured by that asymmetric thread profile reliable security in the connection of the plastic direct screw connection. Compared to a conventional plastic screw, it has an optimized thread core, which not only increases the fatigue strength but also significantly increases the breaking torque of the screw. This leads to a more stable connection of the joining partners and enables a higher assembly torque even with high-strength plastics without the risk of screw breakage.

Another improvement on the usual 30° flank represents the radius profile of the thread flanks. Due to the quickly occurring compressive stresses during thread forming and the comparatively high speed, a targeted local heat input into the plastic takes place. Due to the temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties of the plastic, the flow behavior and flow direction can be specifically influenced and exploited. With the higher material volume, the radius profile displaces the plastic towards the load-bearing flank without generating strong stress peaks.

Safe screw connection for CFRP materials

Sep 06.09.2017, XNUMX | Especially pioneering materials like carbon fiber reinforced Plastics (CFRP) enable significant weight savings and have therefore become indispensable in many areas of application. Joining this high-tech material has previously been a challenging task for product developers, for which Ejot has now developed a suitable joining solution.

The Flowpoint Delta PT Screw combines two successful principles of the manufacturer. The special tip enables flow hole-forming screwing in materials without a pre-hole. Tolerance problems with through and screw holes are now a thing of the past.

The specially adapted Delta PT thread offers the best conditions for subsequent thread forming. The Flowpoint Delta PT is available in stainless steel, steel, aluminum and titanium.

Fasten and loosen captive screw without tools

16.06.2016 | Southco has developed a captive screw that can be quickly tightened and loosened without tools. The “4C” Wing Knob features a capped wing knob that allows access points to be identified with a range of standard and custom colors.

The 4C with Wing knob allows easier positioning of sliding components and simple installation.

Versions with press-in sleeves, rivet sleeves and for front mounting ensure flexibility when screwing on and loosening screws manualwhen assembling doors, cover panels and other components in applications where tool-free access is desired.

Low-maintenance screwdriving systems with servo drive

June 15.06.2015, XNUMX | In series assembly, semi- or fully automatic screwing systems are increasingly being used for screw connections. The different requirements for the systems determine the technology to be used and the costs. Screwing systems with servo drive from WSM Automation offer the highest levels of accuracy in the parameters of torque, angle of rotation and screw depth. The values ​​of these parameters are continuously recorded at high clock rates and evaluated in an actual/target comparison to control the drives.

For simpler screwing processes, which do not require the monitoring criteria of highly accurate screwing systems, pneumatic drive systems are often used. It is accepted that compressed air is expensive, air drives are loud and maintenance-intensive and usually have to be operated with oiled compressed air. This in turn causes exhaust air and oil mist in the system.

The drive series now offers a cost-conscious alternative to compressed air-operated screwing systems EA-AK. The brushless and therefore low-maintenance electric drives achieve the desired torque via an adjustable shut-off clutch. An external 24-volt signal starts the drives; the control box sends a signal to the higher-level controller when the clutch is engaged or the torque is reached. The target values ​​of the clutches are set depending on the application. Basically, speed or torque combinations are between 600 and 1500 rpm^-1 and torques from 0,05 to 5,5 Nm available.

Whether in fully automated assembly systems or on semi-automatic manual workstations, the new screwdriving systems work without major programming effort in the higher-level system and without separate nutrunner control. The omitted hardware and software effort facilitates the step towards automated screwing.

The Flange dimensions The new drives are identical to those of high-quality servo drives and previously installed air motors. If quality requirements change or older air drives are replaced by new systems, extensions or conversions can be implemented with minimal effort.

Secure screw connections using a press-in system and screw drive

November 20.11.2013, XNUMX | The need for security systems and access restrictions is constantly growing: Highly sensitive applications must be protected against incorrect handling and false desires for technical innovations must be prevented by suitable security mechanisms. In the past, Arnold Umformtechnik has developed various connection systems especially for these applications.

Securing a highly sensitive application with a special type of fastener has been practiced for many years. The market requirements for such connection solutions are quite complex. In general, these can be two main groups subdivide: detachable and non-detachable connections.

Detachable and non-detachable connections

Releasable safety connections are in demand wherever the connection is in the damage or repairs must be resolved. In this case, the requirements of the market relate to making it more difficult to loosen the connection, to inexpensive components and equipment, and to a high level of operational and process reliability. The anti-loosening device is usually implemented by a special screw drive, which only allows the screw connection to be opened with a special loosening tool.

Inseparable connections, on the other hand, are mainly used in cases where Components not repairable are or where connections should not be released due to quality and safety specifications and may, such as in airbag applications in the automotive sector or module fuses in the solar technology. In addition to captive fasteners, the market demands low assembly costs and high process reliability.

Inseparable security connections are mostly through welding, Glue, rivets or clips. Although they cannot be lost, they are often expensive to implement. Arnold Umformtechnik has taken up the requirements of the market and in the area of ​​the unsolvable safety connections set new market standards with two solutions:

Safety connection Tripress

The press-in system tripress consists of a press-in bolt that can be produced in different variants and combinations. Compared to conventional products with a round shaft, it has a trilobular (triangular) cross-section. The bolt is pressed into round core holes, which then take on the trilobular shape of the bolt. This ensures a form fit, which minimizes the press-in force. After the shank has been pressed in, large torsional and pull-out forces are generated, which exceed the breaking moments of a conventional connecting element. Tripress can be pressed primarily into ductile light metals and plastics.

However, the market analysis that preceded the development of the new connecting element revealed that permanent connections are nowadays mainly made with shear bolts and nuts as well as safety drives will be realized. These can only be loosened with certain screw keys or by hammering small steel balls into the screw drive. So there are already a large number of more or less practicable solutions for screw connections as non-detachable safety connections.

Loctec safety screw drives

In order to be able to offer an alternative where the processing technology does not have to be changed, the aim was not only to develop the Tripress system, but also to optimize the existing screw locking systems. The need for optimization here is primarily in the security of the solution protection, the improvement of the processing speed and the prevention of injuries, e.g. B. by protruding fragments. On this basis, the connection specialist created the screw drive Loctec developed, which optimizes the previously used systems.

This is a special one Screw drive - tool combination, with the help of which the connection element can only be released by destroying the connection itself. The one integrated in the screw head Power Type allows the connection element to be screwed in only with an individually tailored screwdriver.

The Edge position of the drive is a loosening itself with the special used for assemblywerkzeug not possible anymore. An attempt ends when the screwing tool is unscrewed from the screw head. Any dismantling can only be done by mechanically drilling out the screw or by milling a groove.

Both possible solutions have the consequence that warranty claims expire or theft can be prevented by the significant noise. The Loctec system can be used for screwing all of the industry standard Materials be used. Thus, the goal of the analysis, namely the optimization of the existing non-detachable safety connections in the industry, was achieved.

Corrosion and heat resistant Dzus quarter turn quick release

05.06.2013 | Southco expands the range of “Dzus Panex” quarter-turn quick-release fasteners with a stainless steel version. The stainless steel Dzus D8 is just as easy to install and offers the same quick access as the standard D8.

Additionally, it provides reliable, vibration-resistant tightening in harsh environmental conditions where heat and corrosion can affect operation.

The clasp is in Size 6 (EU) Available with slotted, hexagonal or Phillips screw heads and matching mini counterparts for attaching and riveting. It is compatible with a variety of installation requirements.