The 2019 Route to Fastener Innovation award winners were announced at Fastener Fair Stuttgart on the Fastener + Fixing Magazine stand this afternoon with Growermetal, SACMA Group and TR Fastenings receiving the accolades technology innovator.
A record 27 products were entered into 2019 edition, underlining the key role innovation plays within the fastener and fixing industry. With the standard of products high, it was difficult to pick between them, however three products have stood out.
Growermetal Srl took third place for its GROWER TENKEEP® flat safety washers introduced to the market for the first time at the show. When compared to other safety washers on the market, GROWER TENKEEP® safety washers have knurls with a different geometry on each side of the two surfaces - specially designed to ensure maximum performance against unscrewing of the bolted joints even in the presence of extreme vibrations and dynamic loads.
In second place was member of the SACMA Group, Ingramatic with its smallest threader inspired by its I-Thread concept, the Micro threader model RP020, W00/W000 die sizes, for the high-speed production of very precise miniature screws. The new machine is equipped with the latest technologies available as an innovative tool holder, such as an introduction system driven by a torque motor for an ultra-precise introduction of the miniature blanks into the dies. The most innovative feature is the slide body running on linear guides (with ball circulation skates) in order to ensure a very high accuracy for the rolling operation allowing the production of the parts with an extreme precision and reliability.
The winner, and heralded ‘Fastener Technology Innovator 2019’ was TR Fastenings Ltd and its EPW thread-forming screw for thin sheet metal. The EPW screw is a self-extruding, high strength thread-form fastener, which creates its own female thread in punched sheet metal, thereby dramatically reducing assembly times and costs. The screw works by being aligned to the pilot hole in the sheet metal, where it then forms the extruded collar, combining the forming of the thread and the creation of a strong extruded profile, before finally tightening and clamping into the metal.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
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