White Papers

SPIROL has 60 years of technical experience in the area of fastening and joining. Browse through these examples of our free solution engineering white paper downloads.

WHITE PAPERS

Automation: Vibratory Feeder Noise Reduction [+] [--]

The effects of noise can have damaging consequences and efforts should be made to minimize noise exposure. Reduction of noise produced by vibratory feeders is one area that can significantly reduce noise exposure in the workplace.

The SPIROL Series 2000 Vibratory Feeder is quieter than conventional vibratory feeders. Empirical data to support this claim was gathered by conducting comparison testing between a conventional square drive and a SPIROL Series 2000 drive. Measurements and analyses were performed by Noise Control Engineering (NCE) of Billerica, Massachusetts. The same bowl was used for testing on each drive. Noise readings were taken with an empty bowl, plastic bottle caps and metal coiled pins. Consistent feed rates were maintained between the Series 2000 and the square drive for both the caps and the pins.

Four measurements around each vibratory feeder were taken and averaged in order to compare the square drive to the Series 2000.

To read more, click here.
Coiled Spring Pins: How To Improve Product Design and Manufacturability with the Coiled Pin [+] [--]

In any assembled component there are three ways to reduce the overall cost of the assembly: reduce the cost of the individual components, reduce component preparation cost, and reduce the cost to assemble the components.

To read more, click here.; How to Reduce Assembly Costs with Coiled Spring Pins [+] [--]

In any assembled component there are two ways to reduce the overall cost of the assembly: reduce the cost of the individual components or reduce the cost to assemble the components. The Coiled Pin is designed to be a versatile, integral, and cost effective solution to many assembly problems.

To read more, click here.
Fasteners and Automation: Choosing the Proper Fastener when Automating [+] [--]

The fastener is as important when automating as the automation equipment itself. Choosing the right fastener may prevent exorbitant machine and fixture costs, decrease set-up and cycle times, as well as reduce the manufacturing cost of the components.

One of the biggest motivators for companies who choose automatic fastening over manual fastening is increasing productivity and reducing costs. Unfortunately, many don’t realize the impact the fastener has on achieving these goals. Not all fasteners are easy to orient, feed, or install.

To read more, click here.
Inserts for Plastics: Insert Material – Brass versus Stainless Steel [+] [--]

Assemblies made of plastic or other soft materials often rely on threaded metal inserts to secure fasteners and reinforce joints. Though stainless steel may be appropriate for use in some applications it is often unnecessary. Brass inserts can satisfy the majority of performance requirements while offering significant cost benefits.

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Shims: Adjustable Bearing Preload Solutions [+] [--]

Angular roller bearings and ball bearings in an assembly typically require preloading in order to maintain a minimum designed axial force in the assembly. This minimum force is called the bearing preload and is designed to overcome the stack up of tolerances within the assembly and ensure no slop or gaps exist for a smooth and tight rotation.

There are many options available to the designer to compensate for the assembly’s tolerances and achieve the desired preload force.

This technical paper offers a few of the options available followed by the key benefits and drawbacks of each approach.

To read more, click here.; How to Control Shim Tooling Costs [+] [--]

SPIROL has several manufacturing methods that eliminate or greatly reduce your tooling expenditure.

Shim tooling costs are one of the quickest ways to drive a prototype or short-run production project over budget. SPIROL has several manufacturing methods that eliminate or greatly reduce your tooling expenditure. Whether your project is for prototype, short run or long term requirements, SPIROL has a solution to minimize your installed component costs by controlling tooling costs. Below, are some of SPIROL’s production technologies to help you determine which method is best for you.

To read more, click here.; Shims? Make Mine Laminated! [+] [--]

It is often quicker and less expensive to use a shim, a thin piece of metal or composite, to level a machine tool or make components fit together, than grinding and machining to make the same mechanical adjustments. Shims act like those folded pieces of paper people place under table legs to prevent the table from wobbling. They are also used to quell vibrations and silence noisy equipment. But laminated shims are more versatile and economical than slivers of paper or machined wedges.

Laminated shims make life easier for designers and machine operators, as long as they're properly specified.

To read more, click here.
Slotted Spring Pins: Advantages of Using ISO 8751 vs. ISO 13337 in Applications with Soft Host Material [+] [--]

Pictured: Installed ISO 13337 Slotted Pin showing the “Butted” condition making the pin unable to absorb dynamic loads.

In recent years, the tendency throughout the manufacturing industry has been to explore the use of new materials in order to reduce weight and process cost, or provide solutions where more traditional materials such as steel, machined components or castings would not perform as well.

Under those considerations, the use of plastic, aluminum, and soft alloys has seen an exponential increase, and nothing seems to indicate that this trend is going to stop. We can currently find numerous plastic components being used in demanding situations such as high temperature, high strength and chemical resistant applications. However, although the main component receives significant design attention and consideration, the mating components and the fastening method are habitually neglected until the end of the project. Also, it is routinely assumed that parts and design concepts that previously worked in steel will work with the softer alloys and plastics.

This paper compares and contrasts the use of various types of spring pins used in soft host materials, and provides valuable information regarding the optimum solution for plastic assemblies.

To read more, click here.
Solid Pins, Slotted Pins and Coiled Pins: How to Choose Fasteners that Maximize Assembly Life [+] [--]

An assembly can be held together many different ways. The challenge for the Design Engineer is to choose a method that provides the highest quality joint with integrity over time at the lowest manufacturing cost. For many applications, a self-retaining pin is the winning solution. The difficulty is selecting the proper pin with the appropriate strength and flexibility for the application. This Technical White Paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of common types of pins, as well as provides guidelines as to when to use each type in certain applications.

To read more, click here.
Sourcing a Fastener: Lowest Installed Cost [+] [--]

What is the real cost of a component? When sourcing a fastener this is often taken as the one that costs less. However, it is not that simple and it has been a question that SPIROL has answered for over 60 years and the answer is the one with the lowest installed cost.

So how do we evaluate the lowest installed cost?

To read more, click here.
Spring Pins: Slotted Pin Inflexibility Leads to Failure [+] [--]

A “Spring Pin” is appropriately named by its ability to flex into a hole that is smaller than the pin's original (pre-installed) outside diameter. A Spring Pin’s tendency to return to its original shape after installation makes the pin self retaining. Retention is established by friction between the pin and host wall, and not by deformation as with alternative solid press fit pins. However, is important to note that there are two types of Spring Pins - Coiled Spring Pins and Slotted Spring Pins - and the two are very different from each other. One is recommended for dynamic loading, and one is not.

This White Paper details the differences between the two types of Spring Pins used in assemblies subject to dynamic loading. Included is a Case Study that details the use of both types Spring Pins in a piece of heavy equipment. Click here to read more.
Stainless Steel: Passivation: Is it Really Necessary? [+] [--]

It has been traditionally thought that passivation is the standard method of cleaning stainless steel; when in fact passivation is not a cleaning process at all. The passivation process removes any residual carbon from the surface of the part by the use of nitric or citric acid. The acid dissolves the surface imperfections, such as embedded tool steel or other free iron particles. However, the sole purpose of passivation is to remove embedded iron; not to clean the part. Passivation will not remove any oils or other non-ferrous contaminates.

To read more, click here.