How do you make a high-strength joint into honeycomb... with no pre-hole?
Joining metal components to lightweight honeycomb material has traditionally been achieved through the deployment of potted inserts, also known as ‘wall panel inserts’ or
‘floating inserts’. These can be used anywhere a fastener is desired, particularly where blind holes that do not pass all the way through the panel are needed or where inserts must be "flush" with the panel skin.
EJOT has now developed an exciting new system and product range that not only creates an incredibly strong joint but also eliminates the need for any pre-hole, thus creating a much faster assembly process. Even better news for prospective customers is that the system is production-ready and fit for purpose!
Developed at EJOT’s global laboratories in Bad Berleburg, Germany, TSSD (Thermischer Stoff-Schluss-Dom / thermal adhesive bonding boss) uses technology derived from the company’s fixing process for EPP foams, where a thermoplastic boss is installed into a plastic component at a defined rotation speed and axial loading. In essence, the frictional heat generated is precisely calculated to create fusion between the joining parts. TSSD has been developed to enable highly efficient fixing of a vast range of honeycomb materials and panel thicknesses.
Typical assembly applications include cockpits and consoles, lighting and instrument panels, assistance controls, entertainment systems and auto HVAC. Yet the potential goes way beyond the roof panels, fascias, doors and gloveboxes of commercial vehicles and is equally viable for the specialised assembly components of insulated vehicles, emergency vehicles, caravans and mobile homes.
Steve Wynn, Sales Manager for Industrial Fastenings in the UK said:
“The beauty of TSSD is that it is not necessarily pitched at high-volume production. Working alongside our German colleagues, we have developed desktop installation equipment that will deliver the same low-cost benefits to manufacturing suppliers involved in low-volume production”.
EJOT will be demonstrating TSSD alongside other production-ready lightweight assembly innovations at the Automechanika Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC from June 6th to the 8th. Visit the team on Stand E60 in the Supply Chain Zone.
