Welding, joining and fastening
The technical performance of welded fas-
body. The sheet metal component must be
teners for new materials such as aluminium,
properly positioned in the tool so that it is
high strength steel and sandwich materials,
easy to install the fastener itself in the right
adds Rautenstrauch, is not as good. The heat-
position. The tolerance therefore becomes
ing process, in welding operations, can also
much smaller (approximately half that of a
weaken the fastener itself. Profil aims to be
welded fastener).
with component designers as early as possi-
Modern fastening systems are also bearing
ble in the process so that parts are integrated
greater loads i.e. seat belt mountings.
into the design of the sheet metal part.
“It has been proved that our fasteners
“We need to analyse the part with the
can take the load even for grade 10 and
customer’s project manager,” he explains.
12 applications,” Michael Vieth explains.
“Is there enough space for a fastener? How
“Under dynamic conditions, you see signifi-
should the tool be designed? It may call for a
cant advantages with our fasteners. We have
part modification or a change in the type of
therefore moved even further away from the
fastener. If we can influence the shape of the
‘cheap and simple’ mindset to a preferred
panel to facilitate the installation, it is better
automotive option, particularly for heavy
done earlier in the process. We need to be at
and dynamic loads.”
the very first design review.”
Another important asset for modern cars
Special applications and
is the reduction of positioning tolerances of
products
the fastener in the sheet metal. The fastener is
Profil sells eleven ‘standard range’ fastening
relevant for the positioning of the sub assem-
types as well as a range of other special fas-
blies in a car – it affects how accurately the
tening solutions.
sheet metal part can be positioned in the car
“We are not a company from which you buy
‘one nut’ - we offer distinct fastening solutions
to challenges, recommend options to custom-
ers and develop special solutions for them,”
says Hubert Rautenstrauch. “We have such a
large range of products that we can develop a
range of solutions from our product portfolio
after discussing application requirements with
customers. We prefer to be viewed as partners,
rather than suppliers, by our customers.
For example, we developed a special type
of fastener with a customer, which became
the basis for a new fastener family – a centring
bolt, now being used in Spain (for a Renault
Megane sheet metal part). We also developed
a hinge reinforcement, as a special fastener,
for the Renault Scenic and a firewall for the
Mercedes A-class.”
The focus for the new Mercedes A-class
development was on the reduction of engine
noise. A key element for noise reduction is
the firewall – the sheet metal part between
the engine area and passenger compartment.
Mercedes decided to use sandwich material
for the firewall part (two 0.6mm sheets plus
polymer filling).
International Sheet Metal Review May/June 2007 17
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