Huck® Fasteners - Mastering Time

We lose time, we kill time, we save time, and we have all the time in the world, but one thing is certain we cannot slow it down or stop the march of time, but we can control how we use it.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” J.R.R. Tolkien.

The effective use of time is a critical factor in a number of manufacturing and construction applications, and more often than not a key factor in profitability. From a manufacturing perspective, the amount of time required to complete a product or assembly directly impacts the number of these items that can be produced during a given time period. Similarly, the time required to assemble, install, or fabricate a product or system on-site can be critical to revenue generation and income.

In many cases, it is actually the joining of elements, either through welding, adhesives, or the installation of fasteners, that can significantly contribute to the time required to assemble a product or system. Correspondingly, the choice of joining methods can have a critical impact on efficiency and productivity. In addition, a quality manufactured or installed product or system can cut expensive downtime, and reduce time-consuming maintenance requirements.

Good time management, or being the master of your time, enables you to be more productive with the time you have. Increased productivity ensures you stay on top of your to-do list, whatever that may be… being more productive, meeting deadlines, gaining time for product / business development, ultimately leading to doing more things that you enjoy or even leaving work on time! Whilst we cannot reclaim wasted time, we can control how we use it.

Here we look at Huck® Structural Blind and Huck® LockBolt® fasteners from a time, efficiency and productivity perspective. This will help to highlight how correct fastener selection, joining decisions and succeeding actions can define whether time is your enemy or ally.

Huck LockBolts and Huck Structural Blind Fasteners

Over the past 30 years, HuckBolt® engineered two-piece LockBolts and Huck structural blind fasteners have become the fastening option of choice for a number of demanding applications where welding, nuts and bolts, and other joining methods were once regularly employed.

When Huck structural blind and HuckBolt fasteners are used there is no need for lengthy training meetings or to employ a team of specialist technicians, all that is required for someone to become proficient at installing them is an understanding of what the installed fastener should look like - a quick visual inspection.

Two-Piece HuckBolts

Available in a wide range of materials and in sizes up to 1-1/8” (28.5mm), they have the ability of delivering up to five times the overall fatigue strength of conventional nuts and bolts. In addition to providing a high level of reliable clamp performance, HuckBolts also provide a highly vibration-resistant joining option.

While the strength of HuckBolts is a key characteristic, HuckBolts also offer several important time-saving features. Installation of these fasteners usually requires less than two seconds. As they are swaged fasteners (cold forged onto the pin during the installation process by the tooling), they never need retightening or re-torquing, even in the most vibration-intensive application.

Huck® Structural Blind Fasteners

Available in a variety of materials and sizes (up to 3/4”). Similar to HuckBolts, these advanced fasteners are also installed using a direct tension swaging technique. And like the installation of HuckBolts, this process provides for both a fast and secure installation. Similarly, a quick visual inspection is all that is required to confirm their proper installation, adding to the speed of assembly associated with these advanced fasteners.

Time-Efficient, Cost-Effective Joining

Both two-piece HuckBolts and structural blind fasteners combine unmatched speed of assembly with the ability to use lower-priced / less specialist labour. “Remember that time is money”(Benjamin Franklin); this combination ensures that these LockBolts and blind fasteners are highly cost effective, adding a strong measure of cost control to a wide range of manufacturing or assembly applications.

The Time Benefit for End Users

Installation and assembly time can be reduced when using Huck fasteners. These precision manufactured fasteners have several key features, for example, locking mandrels and swaged collars, eliminating the need for additional processes such as re-tighten nuts and bolts, waiting for adhesive to cure / set or for welds to cool. This quicker realization of income can be significant, adding to the overall value of any product, installation, or system assembled with Huck fasteners.

Star Fasteners – Huck® fastener distributor, how can we help

Efficient inventory management is necessary to maintain time critical production schedules and meet consumer demand. There is nothing more frustrating than when stockouts prevent product assembly or the fulfilment of customers’ orders on time.

Star Fasteners have several solutions to limit stock shortages and get stock to customers on time; these include great supplier connections and excellent inventory control. It is important to us that we hold good stocks and match our product supply to customers’ demands to limit stock shortages and lead times. We know how frustrating it can be to be left without a reliable supply, not only does this impact the financial and operational aspects of a company, but it influences the emotional and hard-earned relationship with customers. It is essential to us that our customers have trust in our supply and feel confident in the fastening and installation tooling solutions provided. Together with a full hire fleet of air, battery and hydraulic tools, and an in-house tool repair workshop, customers are never left without a backup installation tooling solution and we can always keep production line rolling. Star Fasteners understand the importance of a quick and efficient service, but by using Huck fasteners you can get more done, and have less to do!

For more information call us on +44(0)115 932 4939 or email sales@starfasteners.co.uk

For more information on Huck® Fasteners - Mastering Time talk to Specialist Fastener Systems