Elemental Motor Company Ltd is a new automotive OEM established to design and manufacture a range of cutting edge premium British sports cars.
One does not need to be a petrol head to garner the idea that a car weighing about 620Kg (way less than half the weight of a Mini) with an engine power output of 280BHP (the same as the BMW 635d) means that the Rp1 is never going to be slow.
Track testing in late April 2015, with Elemental’s own “tame racing driver”, delivered some very impressive performance figures: 0-60mph in a breath taking 3.1s; 60-100mph in just 4.4s; and deceleration under braking from 100-0 in an amazing 4.5s
For any car, that is pretty quick.
Incorporating a carbon fibre tub design, motorsport aerodynamics and dramatic styling, the body panels that are super slick with a clear need for high quality, high reliability fastenings. To satisfy that need, Elemental’s engineers turned to Böllhoff, whose reputation is exemplary in the automotive sector from body in white through to assemblies and final trim.
The design of the Rp1 has the need for a substantial number of blind attachments and assembly situations where one-handed installation is a major advantage.
The Böllhoff RIVNUT® range of threaded inserts and tooling provided the perfect all round solution as well as having the essential added value of Böllhoff’s technical support.
Böllhoff assisted Elemental’s engineering team with its technical requirements and the two companies’ teams formed a working partnership during the prototype phase collaborating with samples, CAD downloads and installation for trials.
Each vehicle has 340 RIVNUT® parts, which is made up of 18 different types ranging from M3 to M8 in aluminum and steel, complete with Böllhoff’s standard 400h salt spray sacrificial zinc coating; a major consideration and advantage over all other fastening manufacturers.
Engineering applications that require screwed fixings into thin walled components pose a problem that international fastenings specialist Böllhoff solved with the development of its range of RIVNUT® blind rivet nuts and RIVSTUD® blind rivet studs. These clever devices enable strong thread fixings where traditional threading techniques are impossible. Moreover, because the fasteners are mounted without counter pressure (fixed blind) they can also be used in hollow sections.
RIVNUT® blind rivet nuts and RIVSTUD® blind rivet studs are available in many variations and sizes and therefore offer numerous fastening solutions with additional functions.
The nature of the components makes them suitable for a broad range of adaptations and flexible usages. The fasteners used at Elemental include closed end, knurled and with an under head seal. A flat head round body is fully cold-formed. It also has a knurled body for increased spin-out resistance. The flat head and tapered shank makes automation and insertion easy.Internal rolled threads give increased thread strength.
The need for reliable installation tooling was essential also which Böllhoff was able to provide from its range of pressure setting tools. The tooling reduces production time by allowing for the same RIVNUT® to set in varying thickness materials with no tooling adjustment. Böllhoff UK also provides maintenance to ensure consistent productivity and eliminate down time.
Böllhoff has helped to facilitate the design process for Elemental and has provided comprehensive solutions for the car maker’s fastening needs. This has saved valuable time and money during the crucial production implementation phase.
