FASTENER INDUSTRY NEWS NORMA Group composes engine sound
On behalf of a sports car manufacturer NORMA Group AG, a global market and technology leader for engineered joining technology, has developed its first pipe system designed to transmit engine sounds.
even with high performance. The sound tube will meet a sports car driver’s desire to listen to the engine working, thus enjoying the added muscle of the car whenever they like. The specifically designed NORMAFLUID sound system is
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an acoustic application that amplifies the sounds of an eight- cylinder engine via a so-called Sound Symposer. Plastic tubes serve as acoustic channels of the exhaust system transmitting
rivers of a new upgrade edition of a sports car due to be launched on the German market in the spring will actually be able to hear the high engine power although modern technology and insulation typically shield passengers from engine noises
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the sound from the engine into the cabin. These pipe systems contain membranes and controllable valves that can be activated or deactivated to experience the engine sound by the push of a button located on the centre unit. Werner Deggim, CEO of NORMA Group, says: “Developing
engine-sound pipe systems for sports cars has been an exciting challenge. This is the first time we are using our joining technology for transporting sounds - instead of fluids and gases. We look forward to developing this product further going forward as we have already received requests for additional models.”
www.normagroup.com Lesjöfors develops tool for Ericsson invention
A whole new way of producing so-called ‘honeycombs’ that improves the ventilation of electronic modules has been developed by Ericsson. In close cooperation, Lesjöfors has developed a unique tool for bending of the steel strip material used.
n order to improve the ventilation of electronic modules where electromagnetic shielding is required, so-called ‘honeycombs’ are often used. Honeycombs are a lightweight structure made of steel material, shaped hexagonal, which provides superior ventilation properties.
Air permeability is 95% compared to 55% - 60% for traditional perforated sheet. Ericsson has recently developed a new method for bending the material, which ultimately streamlines the manufacturing process.
Design and manufacturing of prototype tools For many years Ericsson has established working relations
with Lesjöfors in various development projects. It was therefore natural for Ericsson to use Lesjöfors as a development partner for the tool concept for the new honeycomb manufacturing method. The cooperation is unusual, because Ericsson owns the patent and Lesjöfors knowledge and capacity for the
bending technology. “In March 2009 the first contact was taken, so the process
has been long and we have been a speaking partner from the beginning. We started out with a pre-study in which opportunities and problem areas were analysed. Then we developed two prototype tools, one small-scale tool and one for production of full-scale prototypes,” says Marcus Hartvigsson, project manager at Lesjöfors in Värnamo, Sweden.
Attractive solution for other industries The new manufacturing method has already attracted
considerable interest. “We see great business potential in this. There are many industries where honeycombs are already used for the phenomenal ventilation and shielding properties. The problem is that manufacturing today is relatively expensive. We are now working towards a competitive production concept compared to traditional methods of manufacture,” adds Marcus Hartvigsson.
bigHead fasteners solve corrosion problems
bigHead has developed an innovative solution for a key contractor to major offshore oil & gas installations. Secure and versatile, the bigHead fasteners are installed on downward facing steel surfaces to hold safety critical insulation materials in position over long periods of time without corroding.
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critical objective for the client was to move away from welded pins which suffer from corrosion in severe offshore climates. When securing insulation and fire protection systems in place such corrosion jeopardises safety and necessitates costly repairs
and maintenance. The bigHead butterfly bracket utilises bigHead’s unique
design to avoid welding and allow simple surface bonding with adhesive. In this particular example the bigHeads were surface bonded into position with a new structural adhesive from 3M. Once installed, the bigHead fastener provides a secure fixing
10 Fastener + Fixing Technology • Issue 5 Apr - Jun 2012
for the application of a wet applied insulation material. bigHead highlights that it was able to come up with design
prototypes within days of the enquiry coming in from the oil & gas contractor. Due to its unique process bigHead was also able to provide multiple designs in a short space of time and also test the strength of those designs for the client. “Made with 316 stainless steel the bigHead butterfly bracket
is resistant to the most severe marine climates. This type of application specific design for technical clients is something that we at bigHead have been specialising in for over 40 years.”
www.bighead.co.uk
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