In the West Midlands a company has developed a product that will save hundreds of thousands of hours on fastening structures, like panels to frames, for the energy generation and construction industries. Edward Machin meets Alcoa Fastening Systems UK to talk company-wide staff training and global performance systems, and gets to grips with the unique BobTail.
Launched to overcome the inherent weakness of standard lockbolts, the BobTail fastening system (see boxout) is designed without a traditional pin-tail, delivering the elixir that Alcoa’s industry has long sought: zero wastage. Stefan Biela, the company’s manufacturing manager, takes up the story. “Essentially, fasteners designed with a nut and bolt feature require periodic retightening. With…
This content is for subscribers only. Subscribe now for free to read the full article.
Already a subscriber? Login
