Tag Archive: rivet nut tooling

  1. When Fastening Automation Makes Sense

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    There are variety of ways to install fasteners like rivet nuts or clinch nuts into workpieces. Hand tools — manual, hydro-pneumatic, or pneumatic, are popular options and are used in low and high volume assemblies.

    Automation is another option. Fastener automation systems usually consists of a robotic arm or robotic station where fasteners are automatically installed into the workpiece. In some cases, this removes the need for a human to be involved, letting the automation system handle the work itself. Sounds great, but let’s take a look at when using these systems make a lot of sense, and the advantages of having an automated system.

    Large Quantity Installations

    Automated fastening systems are typically used for high volume installations, on an assembly line for example. These systems install fasteners faster than manual assembly, and it might not take much human operation besides initial set up. Some automation systems even have a mobile arm that grabs the work piece and installs the rivet nut or clinch nut. Either way, the cycle time from part installation to part installation on an automated fastening system are faster than installations with spin-pull hand tools, which are also used in high volume installations, by at least a 2 to 3 seconds. Multiply that over the course of an hour and your throughput could increase considerably.

    Automation Fastener System with Mobile Arm

    24/7 Installations

    US manufacturers are BUSY. Demand for everything from cars, to exercise machines, to refrigerators, to furniture is through the roof. Increase in demand means time is money. The quicker things leave the plant, the more money to be made. This is where automation comes in. Automated fastening systems can run 24/7 without the need for humans. Once set up properly, and enough fasteners and materials are in place, the fastening systems can be self-sufficient. As long as there are parts and a conveyor system, the system could run non-stop.

    Quality

    Automated Fastening System

    MDS A240-BI Stationary Robotic Workstation installs rivet nuts

    For as intelligent as mankind is, we’re also clumsy. Robots, on the other hand, are precise. Automated fastening systems install parts to the exact force and at the exact location every time. Some systems also come with process monitoring, which can tell if the part has been installed properly based on a variety of factors, including pulling force of the system and material thickness of the application. If an installation is improper, a stop tool function is an option to ensure no more unsatisfactory installations take place which would avoid rework and material waste. This also prevents potentially dozens or hundreds of unsatisfactory installations from taking place.

    ROI

    This is the most important factor in any decision about automation. What’s the cost? And will I make my money back? It’s no secret that automation is more expensive than a traditional spin-pull, line ready tool like the FLEX-5. But factor in increased quality of installations, increased throughput, and ability for the fastening system to be more efficient and able to run without operators, the return on investment could be substantial over time if you factor in labor costs. Maintenance on automation systems will occur over time, and it might be recommended to have yearly scheduled maintenance on the systems to ensure efficient performance, but during that time there could potentially be no rework, no waste, and outstanding quality at no operator expense.

    Sherex has a wide range of fastening installation systems that can satisfy a wide range of high volume rivet nut and clinch nut installations. The Sherex Engineering Team can help determine the best tooling option at your facility, including if automation is an viable option. Contact us to learn more about fastener automation and how it could be a solution at your location.

  2. Why Process Monitoring Is More Important Than Ever

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    Deciding on what fastener to use on an assembly takes a lot of time and effort.

    First you have to analyze what fastener will provide the proper strength and grip to secure joints, and then combine that with the right tooling to make installations efficient.  These processes take a lot of time and effort from engineering to determine the best fit for your product, and that doesn’t even factor in the investment in purchasing fasteners, tooling and calibration units.

    So when it comes to the actual installation of the fastener on to the assembly, and after putting in all the work to find the correct product and tooling, the installation has to be perfect. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

    Sherex Process Monitoring System analyzes fastener installations

    When installing fasteners at a high volume, anything from human error, tooling issues, improper hole sizes or material thickness variations may occur from time to time. These improper installations could lead to bigger problems down the road. Not only could it lead to safety concerns, but could also lead to material waste, re-work, and other expensive delays that cost manufactures valuable time and money.

    This is why Process Monitoring is so important. Having a Process Monitoring Installation System in place lets the operator/installer know if their fastener installation is satisfactory or not. With a system that’s configured to the specific part that’s being installed, along with the thickness of the base material it’s being installed into, these systems determine the results of an installation instantaneously. Add in the historical analysis of the installations that are occurring, and installations are driven by quantifiable data, not just by user feel. These systems even support a “stop tool” function to allow operators to analyze or reinstall the part if installation wasn’t satisfactory.

    Process Monitoring Systems are required in a number of industries, including automotive manufacturing, and they’re becoming more popular. The ROI on a Process Monitoring System compared to the time and waste of incorrectly installed items, or even potential litigation from an installation that wasn’t perfect, could pay for itself relatively quickly. These systems can be used in low or high volume installations, including on an assembly line.

    With installations being so critical to the assembly of any product, the risk of not knowing if an installation is proper is not worth saving a few bucks, especially if a worse case scenario happens, whatever that may be. Process Monitoring Systems combines quality control and efficiency so installers can feel good when the assemblies keep moving down the line.

  3. FLEX-5 Durability and Maintenance Tips!

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    It’s always a cool feeling walking around an assembly line or installation station and seeing your parts or tools being put to good use.

    But it’s even sweeter when you see an old tool of yours still being used by the assemblers and it’s still humming. On a recent trip to a construction, military and heavy duty truck fabricator to check out the assembly line, we came across one of our first, possibly THE first, FLEX-5 rivet nut tool we’ve ever sold – and it’s still in use!

    Check out this photo of this first generation FLEX-5 that’s used to install Sherex Rivet Nut Studs. Based on the serial number, this was probably delivered in the second half of 2009. Almost 12 years old and still installing rivet nut studs today. COOL!

    Old Model FLEX-5

    Possibly the first FLEX-5 delivered to a customer in late 2009

    Now, this particular user does have a new FLEX-5 that they are using on the line, but “Ol’ Reliable” is still humming too.

    When these images were shared with our Engineering Technician, Mike, who services a lot of our tools, he was quite impressed.

    “These older FLEX-5’s hold up really well with just some basic care.” Mike said. “But even knowing that, it’s cool seeing one still out in the wild.”

    Mike has FLEX-5 serial No. 1 on his desk, which is a keepsake at Sherex Headquarters for now.

    First Edition FLEX-5

    FLEX-5 Serial No. 1, from probably late 2008 – early 2009

    Easy FLEX-5 Maintenance Tips!

    Basic care of hydro-pnuematic rivet nut tools is really important to their durability. Here are a few easy steps to take to ensure a long-lasting tool like the ones above.

    • If the air supply is not equipped with lubricator before use, squeeze a few drops of light lubricating oil on the tool air inlet.
    • High friction locations, such as spindle housing, should be re-greased with a high speed, high temperature grease.
    • Every 500,000 cycles the tool should be completely checked and parts that are worn or damaged should be replaced.
    • O-rings should be replaced and lubricated with Molykote® 55M grease or equivalent before assembly.

    Please contact Sherex to order replacement o-rings and lubricant. Remember, if having any issues with your tool, contact Sherex.

  4. FLEX-5: Pull to Pressure or Pull to Stroke?

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    When installing rivet nuts using a Sherex FLEX-5 hydro-pneumatic tool, you have a decision to make on what kind of tool you want. Do you want a tool that offers a pull to stroke? Or do you want a tool that offers pull to pressure when installing rivet nuts.

    Sherex has both FLEX-5P (pull to pressure) and FLEX-5S (pull to stroke) tools available and ready for delivery. But before you place your order, let’s go over the tool and the advantages of pull-to-pressure and pull-to-stroke.

    Both Pull-to-Pressure and Pull-to-Stroke tools can install just about any style of rivet nut from sizes #4-40 to 3/18-16 (M3 – M10), and can be used for both low volume and high volume installations, including on an assembly line.

    FLEX-5P – Pull to Pressure

    The FLEX-5P Pull to Pressure tool is a great, all around tool that can be used to install a variety of different products into different thickness material. With a single stage trigger the tool is easy to use and if you know the proper pressure of the part being installed in your specific material, then you are all set. Use the Sherex Hand Tool Calibration Unit to find out the exact pulling force of your tool and begin your installations.

    The FLEX-5P has a pulling force upwards of 5,000 lbs.

    FLEX-5S Pull to Stroke

    The Sherex FLEX-5S, Pull to Stroke rivet nut tool gives a precise install to an exact material thickness. It can install rivet nuts at a set length and is better suited when the installation has limited backside clearance. The tool offers 7mm of available stroke.

    So if you’re installing a very high volume of rivet nuts into the same material thickness, the perfection of the pull-to-stroke tool may be ideal over a pull-to-pressure tool.

    Pull to stroke tool is also best utilized when installing into soft or brittle materials.

    Conclusion

    In terms of performance, both tools are extremely durable and can install the same rivet nuts. But the biggest question to answer when deciding between the FLEX-5P or FLEX-5S, do you need the flexibility in installing rivet nuts by pressure, or will this tool be used for a specific material thickness and installed length for a project’s needs?

    If you need help on deciding on what tool to purchase, contact us and a member of our engineering team will point you in the right direction.

  5. Spin-Spin vs. Spin-Pull Rivet Nut Tooling

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    When it comes to rivet nut tooling, there are a variety of different options. While small-volume applications may often result in a manual hand tool being the best choice, larger-volume installation projects may require more robust tooling. Two of the most popular non-manual options are air-powered tools that install rivet nuts through either a spin-spin and spin-pull action.

    Let’s go through the differences between spin-spin and spin-pull rivet nut installation tools.

    Spin-Spin Rivet Nut Tool

    A spin-spin rivet nut tool is an air-powered tool that, once a rivet nut is secured onto it, utilizes torque to spin its mandrel inward in order to collapse the rivet nut. The torque, driven by an air motor, ramps up continuously until the rivet nut fully collapses. After installation, the tool’s reverse trigger must be pressed to separate the tool from the now-installed rivet nut. In order to both maintain tool integrity as well as ensure proper installations, it is recommended that spin-spin mandrels be lubricated with wax.

    The benefit of using spin-spin tools is that they are less expensive than spin-pull and can often be more lightweight, but its capabilities aren’t as complete as the spin-pull tool.

    The installation base material can vary in thickness, but it is recommended that the rivet nuts being installed are thin-walled steel, aluminum or brass. Also, depending on what kind of spin-spin tool you purchase, it may often be limited in the thread sizes it can install. For instance, Sherex’s SSG-802 spin-spin tool is capable of installing parts with #10, ¼”, M5, and M6-diameter threads, and the SSG-803 is capable of installing 5/16”, 3/8”, M8, and M10-diameter threads. A hydro-pneumatic spin-pull tool is capable of installing all sizes between M3 to M10.
    For a job that is consistently is going to use one part and one size, a spin-spin rivet nut tool would be a solid recommendation for the price.

    Spin-Pull Rivet Nut Tool

    A spin-pull rivet nut tool installs rivet nuts by pulling back its mandrel, rather than spinning it back. The rivet nut spins itself on to the mandrel, and then the mandrel pulls the threads of the rivet nut on to the base material, installing the rivet nut. The tool then spins the opposite way to release installed rivet nut. This tool is also referred to spin-pull-spin as explained in the two sentences before.

    Sherex’s Flex-5 line of spin-pull tools is hydro-pneumatic, as the tool uses air and oil to install the part. A spin-pull tool can install everything that a spin-spin tool can, as well as more heavy-duty rivet nuts like full-body hex-style rivet nuts, European body styles, and stainless steel parts.

    Another benefit of using a spin-pull tool is that it can install a wide range of thread sizes – from M3 through M10 for metric sizes, and from #4-40 to 3/8”-24 for inch sizes. You would need three different spin-spin tools to install that thread range!

    For a job that is consistently is going to use one (compatible) part at one size, a spin-spin rivet nut tool would be a solid recommendation for the price. A spin-spin tool may be heavier and more expensive, but it is a far more versatile tool that can install more styles and more sizes of rivet nuts. All that is needed – for either tool – is the appropriate headset for the thread size you are trying to install.

    Need help deciding between a spin-spin tool and a spin-pull tool for your next project? Contact us!

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