Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings White Paper - Huck® vs Time An Introduction The effective use of time is a critical factor in a number of manufacturing and construction applications, and more often than not a key factor in profitability. From a manufacturing perspective, the amount of time required to complete a product or assembly directly impacts the number of these items that can be produced during a given time period. Similarly, the time required to assemble, install, or fabricate a product or system on-site can be critical to revenue generation and income. In many cases, it is actually the joining of elements, either through welding, adhesives, or the installation of fasteners, that can significantly contribute to the time required to assemble a product or system. Correspondingly, the choice of joining methods can have a critical impact on efficiency and productivity. Time associated with the assembly process can also be a factor with the end user. A fast turnaround of an assembly or installation can result in income being generated faster. In addition, a quality manufactured or installed product or system can cut expensive downtime, and reduce time-consuming maintenance requirements. In this whitepaper, various joining options often used as part of manufacturing or installation processes – welding, adhesives, conventional nuts and bolts, structural blind bolts, and 2-piece lockbolts – will be addressed from a time, efficiency, and productivity perspective.

Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings White Paper - Huck® vs Time Welding For years welding was seen as the only way to ensure the integrity of joints in demanding load-bearing or high-vibration structures. So, companies manufacturing heavy-duty equipment or fabricating/installing large, metal structures continue to employ the universally accepted process of welding joints together. However, welding-up joints is a time-consuming process. In addition to the actual welding, there is often a significant amount of time associated with surface preparation. Time is also required for clean up of a welding...

Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings White Paper - Huck® vs Time Nuts and Bolts There are a wide range of options available for nuts and bolts, depending on the size of the joint and the demands placed on it. In addition to conventional nuts and bolts, there are a number of locknut and lockwasher options available. One of the main drawbacks to using nuts and bolts is the time required to install, tighten, and test them. Many nut and bolt combinations require torque for proper installation, a process which can dramatically add to assembly time. For instance, prevailing torque locknuts can require 30...

Alcoa Fastening Systems & Rings White Paper - Huck® vs Time Huck® Structural Blind Fasteners One-piece Huck structural blind fasteners, another option offered by AFSR, are available in a variety of materials and sizes (up to 3/4”). Similar to HuckBolts, these advanced fasteners are also installed using a direct tension swaging technique. And like the installation of HuckBolts, this process provides for both a fast and secure installation. Similarly, a quick visual inspection is all that is required to confirm their proper installation, adding to the speed of assembly associated with these advanced...