How can we sustainably use fasteners?

Manufacturers are constantly being asked how they can manage their businesses and develop products in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way. One of the products most commonly implicated by this is the fastener. A vital component in many engineering applications which can
be used in an eco-friendly way by adopting a sustainable business approach. 

Maximising the potential

The average modern vehicle requires approximately 50-200 fasteners, depending on the specifications of the vehicle. Manufacturers are constantly having to develop fastening solutions that meet all the demands
of the necessary applications in the most efficient way. Given the huge number of fasteners being used at any given time, engineers must consider how a fastener should be used and where it is appropriate to find ways to reduce the number of required
fasteners in any given product.

In most instances, engineers are not usually likely to consider the way each fastener is arranged. Therefore, it’s important to strategically install fasteners in a way which will ultimately minimise the number of fasteners required, thus cutting down
the unnecessary use of raw materials for the entire project. Given that a “universal screw” for all applications does not exist, it is vital engineers map out their project in advance by choosing the right components for the application.

Read the full article in the April issue of DPA