Fastener producers are pushing hard to develop technology
that allows engineers to reduce assembly costs.
For example, the PEM Cost Savings Program introduces a free
service to assist companies in potentially reducing their total "assembled
cost" of products and designs. Program
teams will completely disassemble any supplied product and document every
procedural step in writing and with photographs as evidence.
When the investigation is concluded, a comprehensive and
confidential report is developed and submitted with recommendations to help
improve overall assembly costs. Strategies
may include reductions in loose hardware, production steps, and/or assembly
time, among others.
INTERNAL SPACE
SAVINGS
DIRAK's new 3-310
Swinghandle FS Offset-Duo saves space inside an enclosure. The stylized,
low-profile design of this new swinghandle reduces protrusion off the enclosure
door as well as on the inside panel of the door so it does not interfere with tight quarters inside
enclosures. The swinghandle gear actuates a slider that controls the closing
mechanism. This mechanism is offset from the main body of the swinghandle. This
design eliminates the space-consuming wide rod-latch mechanism found in
standard swinghandles. The new 3-310
swinghandle uses just 30 mm of space between the door edge and gasket.
SPRING-LOADED ACCESS
PEM C.A.P.S. access
hardware incorporates a captive screw and plastic colored cap in a
spring-loaded assembly to promote secure attachment and enable later
access. Captive-screw design reduces
parts count, minimizes handling issues, and prevents screws from falling out or
damaging internal components. The
fasteners are offered in self-clinching, flaring, and floating mounting styles
to install permanently in a wide range of panel materials of varying hardness.
These panel fasteners meet EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC.
INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC SOLUTION
The Southco R4-EM
electronic rotary latch combines security and electronic access in an
integrated system. Unlike a standard mechanical latch linked with a separate
solenoid actuator, the gear-motor drive in the R4-EM delivers a better feel to
latch actuation and requires lower power requirements and higher load capability.
Target applications include storage compartments on truck, bus, off-highway,
construction, and agricultural vehicles, RV baggage doors, and storage
compartments or access doors on medical, electronics, self-service, and
industrial equipment.
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