Star Fasteners (UK) Ltd

Spotlight: Hucktainer® the maintenance free fastener for trucks and trailers

20-09-2023

The structural strength of any door is dependent upon how strong the material is, whether the door gear is specified correctly and ultimately how strong the fasteners are themselves.

Available from Star Fasteners, the Hucktainer® fastener consistently provides proven joint strength, vibration resistance and overall durability. It has been uniquely engineered for use in structures fabricated from fiberglass reinforced plywood, metal-clad polymer core panels and other reinforced composite panel structures. Because Hucktainer® has been designed to distribute force over a wide area, it will not crush, craze, or bull-nose composite panels.

Star Fasteners has specifically designed a restrictor shim to be used in conjunction with the Hucktainer® fastener. This shim enables the Hucktainer® fastener to be installed into lightweight, composite materials (sandwich panel) without damaging the surface material.

In addition to high strength and vibration resistance Huck® fasteners are maintenance free. There is no re-torquing or re-tightening needed as with traditional nuts and bolts. This establishes Hucktainer® as a superior value fastener; its lower maintenance requirements are reflected in negligible associated on costs. Huck® fasteners deliver a better life cycle value through reduced warranty claims and longer life.

An example of an installed Hucktainer® fastener:

The structural strength of any door is dependent upon how strong the panel material is, whether the door gear is specified correctly and ultimately how strong the fasteners are themselves.
Hucktainer® fasteners are dependable fastening solutions for commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Huck® Hucktainer® is a two piece fastening solution with metal to metal contact - the collar is spiral locked during the installation process to the pin onto the pin.
Hucktainers® simple installation ensures that fasteners are installed in seconds and has been proven to be reliable and vibration resistant in many applications and are also used in the assembly of side panels and bulkheads.

Star Fasteners in-house powder coating facility regularly powder coats Hucktainer’s® to match customer’s livery. Polyester powder coating adds durability and provides additional corrosion resistance. By using high-quality powder, the process ensures a maintenance free, hard-wearing finish which is resistant to yellowing and fading over time.

The under-head liquid seal protects the application from weather and contaminant ingress. The liquid applied seal is a unique resin matrix sealing product and works by compression seating once the fastener has been installed. The material absorbs shock, movement and temperature differentials of thermal expansion between parts.

New exclusively from Star Fasteners is the foam seal - this new addition to our product range gives additional contaminant ingress assurance as once the fastener has been installed, the 'thicker' seal 'fills' deeper drill grooves / variants in the application.

The growing trend towards light-weighting the increased use of composite panel and also technological improvements in the commercial vehicle market has seen innovation in design. With this in mind Star Fasteners has brought to the market a coloured encapsulated Hucktainer®.

Custom colour encapsulated head.

Colour matched to any colour of your choice.
Low minimum order quantity and fast turnaround.
Plastic encapsulated, UV resistant head reduces corrosion.
Integral seal prevents weather ingress.
Increased head diameter spreads the load; helps eliminate panel crushing.
Neat appearance gives a professional finish.

Unlike impact wrenches, the tools used to install Hucktainer® fasteners are quiet and come in a choice of battery powered, air-powered of hydraulic models. Star Fasteners have a choice of quality battery powered installation tools capable of enduring tough environments. They are proving to be a popular choice with service teams and assembly lines and are an invaluable tool for working in areas where there isn’t any power on site. Battery tools are becoming the ‘go-to’ tool; they are generally lighter to use which allows for ease of movement as they can be manipulated into confined spaces with the added health and safety bonus of there being no airline to get tangled or trip hazards.

Hucktainer® benefits

Fast, quiet, simple installation.
Installs with consistent pressure, reducing panel crushing or crazing.
Spiral lock system, breakaway pintail, and smooth bore sleeve.
Exclusively from Star Fasteners; improved zinc nickel J63 plating resists corrosion (offers 720 hours without ferrous corrosion).
A choice of liquid seal or new* foam seal, keeps contaminants from invading joint / weather-resistant (*foam seal exclusively from Star Fasteners - perfect for 'filling' deep drill groves).
Eliminates the requirement of torque settings.
Tamper-resistant.
Encapsulated Hucktainers® can be manufactured to custom colours, available, with short lead times and low order quantity.
Shorter grips available for today’s thin metal-clad panels.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant.