Page 21 - Industrial Technology EXTRA 1st March 2021

FASTENING AND JOINING EXTRA ‘FOCUS’

Guide to eliminating fastener failure

o help manufacturers
reduce lead times and
avoid product recalls,
Tfastener specialist TFC
has released a quick guide
illustrating the common quality
issues often encountered with
fasteners and how they can be
detected. For manufacturers
working with c-class components, it
provides a visual guide to the
equipment used to check fastener
quality. It can be accessed for free
on the TFC website here.
Quality is a priority for most manufacturers, distributors must understand common quality
particularly in sectors like automotive, oil and issues,” said Brian Vince, group quality manager
gas, medical and aerospace, where fastener at fastener specialist TFC.
failure could lead to safety problems. If fasteners “Fasteners play a crucial role in the assembly
are not up to specification, it can increase costs of a product for manufacturing industries, yet
and extend lead times while the correct parts are some sources of fastener supply pay no attention
delivered. If the problems are not picked up, it to quality standards,” explained Morgan
can lead to a defective product going out to Burgoyne, managing director at TFC. “The
market, risking reputational damage and a costly industry has historically had quality problems
recall. and we are keen to set a new benchmark to work
In the quick guide, TFC illustrates the to. TFC has always been dedicated to quality,
common quality issues found in fasteners, having an in-house test lab staffed by an expert
including incorrect dimensions and team, who work closely with our customers to
measurements and inconsistent finishing. It also provide the highest standard of products.”
explains the corresponding methods of detection At TFC’s in-house quality laboratory, it tests
for each. The guide covers verniers, fasteners to ensure that its customers receive the
micrometers, microscopes, PMI testing, correct parts, to specification, over 99 per cent
shadowgraphs and more. of the time. It holds ISO 9001, as well as
“Problems can occur for many reasons, such industry specific certifications like Aerospace BS
as errors during picking or labelling. Many EN9100:2009/9120:2010 standards (AS
problems with fasteners cannot be detected by 9100C and AS 9120).
the human eye, which means manufacturers and www.tfc.eu.com

March 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY EXTRA • p21