A Snappy solution, looking for a problem….
‘For the want of a nail, the shoe was lost…’
Or in this case;
‘For the want of a screw the arm was lost.’
If you wear eye glasses, or know someone who does, you’ve probably come across the problem of a detached arm. That tiny little screw which holds it all together drops out, and all of a sudden your eye glasses are next to useless. And even if you could find the screw, you are then faced with the near impossible task of trying to reinsert and tighten it.
It was exactly this problem that led to the invention of the ‘Snapit© screw’. A simple to use solution that allows a quick and permanent repair, without the need for specialist tools or a skilled technician.
Snapit© is already well established and is supplying a number of optical chains with product including: Specsavers, Vision Express and Magrabi with several more to follow.
They have also created a consumer kit version using the same patented screw (for people to fix their own glasses) which is currently supplied to Walmart, Ace Hardware, Wilkinsons, QVC UK and will soon go into Maplins and B&Q.
So what is ‘Snapit© screw’?
Snapit© screw is a stainless steel (or other material) fixing with a patented ‘feeder tab’ which is snapped off once the screw is secured in place.
- Component Alignment.
In order to reattach the arm you need to align the holes in the frame with the hole in the arm. Now that is difficult enough with standard hinges but becomes near impossible for an unskilled person where spring hinges are fitted. More usually spring hinges require specialist repair, necessitating frames being sent to a repair centre. However with ‘Snapit© screw’ the repair is a simple process. - Ease of handling.
The feeder tab makes the screw significantly easier to handle and manoeuvre. You use the feeder tab to align the parts and then simply push it through and tighten the screw. - Thread alignment.
The feeder tab ensures that the thread is perfectly aligned avoiding the possibility of cross threading while tightening.
Many Potential Applications
It occurred to the designer of the Snapit© screw that there must be many other applications that this product could be applied to. The ‘Snapit© feeder tab principle could be applied to almost any type of threaded fixing, manufactured from a wide range of materials, from stainless steel to plastics.
Advantages in time saving and deskilling
The features detailed above provide immense potential for other applications of this simple technology, allowing savings in two of the key cost component areas encountered in many manufacturing, fabricating and repair processes, i.e. time and skill.
- Time saving.
The time spent in aligning multiple components, particularly on a limited length fixing and especially where compression may be required can be frustratingly high. The feeder tab allows alignment to be achieved and maintained with ease while the components are compressed and the fixing is secured. In many cases avoiding the need for specialist tools. - Deskilling.
Handling of small precision components and fixings can require the skill and expertise of a craftsman or experienced technician, often using specialised tools. With the leader tab a precision fixing can be made manageable and be aligned and positioned accurately by an unskilled operative, using very basic tools.Multiple component fixing.Trying to gather and compress multiple components on to a fixing, particularly where compression parts such as spring washers are employed can difficult.With Snapit© the components can be aligned and held in alignment while the fixing is tightened into place.The feeder tab also ensures that the threaded fixings are perfectly aligned.Perfect Thread alignment
Alignment of threads can be a challenge; particularly where thin wall parts or short thread depths are employed, where the slightest off angle can result in cross threading. By employing a positioning jig for parts and fixings, a perfect thread alignment can be achieved every time.So what else can Snapit© Screw do?These are just a couple of examples of the kind of problems that ‘Snapit© Screw’ can address. It is so often the case that the problem defines the solution, but sometimes solutions just leap out of the page at you. Do you have a problem?
‘Snapit© screw is looking to partner up with industry leaders in the fastener industry to try and come up with innovative uses for their ‘Snapit©‘Screw.
Sample screws are available from micro screws all the way up to M12.
Currently screws are manufactured in 303 Stainless steel, but other options can be made available to fit your needs.
For further information please contact Stephen Linnecar
Email:stephen@snapitscrew.com
Tel:+44 (0) 1277 365118.
