FEATURE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
Peel rivet use explodes into automotive applications
Needing a bespoke fastener for a major new project, a manufacturer of interior and exterior vehicle trim products turned to TR Fastenings for the solution
W
ith an annual turnover of £82 billion (plus £20.2 billion value added), the
automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy. With each car having around 30,000 parts, more than 30 vehicle manufacturers in the UK rely on a complex network of suppliers. Furthermore, in the UK there are around 2,600 component manufacturers supplying parts directly to OEMs. The automotive industry has a traditional
tiered supply chain (Tiers 1, 2 and 3, with Tier 1 feeding directly into OEMs), but some lower tiered component manufacturers such as TR Fastenings (TR) are challenging the existing market structure by taking a much larger role in innovation and Tier 1 production-line support. So when Faltec Europe required a bespoke
fastening for a new major programme it had recently secured with a key global OEM, it turned to TR Fastenings. Part of the Faltec Group, Faltec Europe manufactures many of the interior and exterior vehicle trim products found on the most popular cars on UK roads. In fact it produces over 300 car products – from front bumpers to radiator grills, roof mouldings and door mouldings, to door sashes, roof finishers and weather strips. The bespoke fastening was for an injection
moulded exterior trim part for a new vehicle due for release in November 2019. However, a late design change to improve
the fit of the part to the vehicle required the attachment of a strengthening support via a Peel type rivet. Peel rivets are a type of blind rivet designed to offer improved support in brittle, soft or ductile materials, applicable to the vehicle trim products in this project. Fired using bespoke tooling, the head of the Peel rivets explode and become mushroom-shaped as they enter the moulding. This creates a large blindside bearing surface, significantly reducing the risk of the rivet sinking into or breaking the moulding.
MEETING CHALLENGING TIMESCALES As a global specialist in the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of high quality industrial and Cat C fastenings, TR was able to identify the original equipment source and submit a competitive supply solution. Its product and tooling for this project offered a robust solution and would guarantee efficient production - this secured the initial business. Not only could TR provide the specific
26 APRIL 2020 | DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Fired using bespoke tooling, the head of the Peel rivets explode and become mushroom-shaped as they enter the moulding
fastener solution but it was also able to supply the bespoke tooling needed for the fastener. The tooling required a rivet gun that would not only automatically fire the rivets into the moulding to be joined, but also have capability to apply rivets in a fast production environment. Despite challenging timescales, qualified
parts were supplied along with tooling for development and ongoing production, both being delivered on time. Not only did TR have to supply production intent rivets in a short timescale but also the gun was ordered late due to last-minute design changes, requiring 24 hour delivery. Greg Lynch, automotive business
development manager at TR, said: “Perhaps the biggest challenge came with technical advice and training. TR had to ensure correct and safe operation of the rivet gun. Due to its bespoke nature, Faltec staff responsible for the operation had no experience in the use of this particular tool and engineering.” TR’s quality manager, Dave Fearon, visited
Faltec at the production facility to help lay out the process and demonstrate how to use the Rivet tool in a safe manner. It was acknowledged that, without correct use, the application could have been dangerous to operators. So, TR engineers visited Faltec several times, initially to explain how the Rivet gun would operate, but then to train staff in appropriate use and safety. The company also provided ongoing support throughout the initial trial phase and was asked to assist in technical evaluation ready for onsite production at Faltec. This project is indicative of TR’s service which goes far beyond product supply and applications.
TR Fastenings
www.trfastenings.com
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