Rapid prototyping concept for fastening components

Fastener Express, the company boasts, closes the gap between development and regular production. Nowadays for new cars the elapsed time between the first sketch on the drawing board and the start of regular series production is little more than 30 months. Nearly half of the time previously required has been eliminated, thanks to the systematic optimisation of the entire supply chain for automobile production, which has now reached the small-parts level as screws, bolts, turned parts and precision parts. In the past, development departments had to reckon on development times of up to 30 weeks for special solutions in this area. As early as the development phase, Arnold´s Fastener Express team carries out the Production Ready check to determine whether the subsequent production-ready part will be a turned part or a moulded part. This decision has major ramifications in terms of potential cost savings. Many turned parts can be converted to more economical moulded parts during the transition from the prototype phase to volume production. With the Fastener Express method, a specially formed rapid prototyping team eliminates the lost time that usually arises from administrative processes. The established direct acceptance process systematically eliminates request delay times typical in the industry. Instead of a wait for handling, order receipt automatically triggers a prompt technical evaluation of factors such as using typical fastener materials or testing the mechanical properties of the joint.