Welding, joining and fastening
30% to ISMR using this process, compared
An integrated a pproach
to more traditional welding methods. Vieth
quotes the example of one of his customers,
the Ford PAG development centre in Gaydon
(UK).
“We contact the development engineers in
Gaydon when they are designing the details
of their car. When they define how the sheet
metal parts should look, we arrange to see
them to find ways to improve the design of
sheet metal parts with regard to the produc-
tion process in the press shop, including the
integration of a fastener. This benefits the
customer because the overall cost can be
significantly reduced – by around 30% eas-
Hubert Rautenstrauch,
ily if the fastener can be integrated. If you
Profil‘s export sales
manager
have to make compromises afterwards, it
increases the overall production cost.
“It’s not because the fastener is 30%
cheaper – it is because the process is 30%
more cost effective. We want to integrate the
fastener into the sheet metal component as
part of the production process (whilst it is
being formed). If you have a sheet metal part
ready to use in the assembly line, with no
re-work required, it is very cost effective. You
eliminate the welding stage.”
Profil aims to eliminate the ‘hidden costs’
i.e. those that occur before the main body-
in-white assembly process (traditionally the
main focus of automotive OEMs).
ised integrated functions as modern tech- The traditional process is to produce a
nologies bring about radical changes to the sheet metal part, weld the fastener to the
production processes of the future.
Eliminating hidden costs
What began in the 1950s as a simple idea
was developed by Profil into a fastening
technology that took a lot of patience and
experience to bring to market. Its latest ‘inte-
grated fastener in one step’ is a real alter-
native to traditional production processes.
Profil feeding machines and tools locate
the fastening elements in the formed sheet
metal, synchronised to match the operating
speed of the press.
Right: Profil
feeding/
New fastening technology reduces cus-
piercing
tomer production costs by shortening the
technology process chain. Profil cites cost savings of
International Sheet Metal Review May/June 2007 15
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