Cost Efficiency : Modular construction can contribute to cost efficiency by minimising waste , optimising production processes , and allowing for economies of scale , particularly if standardised components are used .
Environmental Sustainability : The controlled manufacturing environment of modular construction can contribute to sustainability by reducing material waste . Additionally , modular designs may facilitate the use of efficient manufacturing processes .
Rapid Prototyping and Development : The modular approach is conducive to rapid prototyping and development . This is advantageous for industries that require quick iterations and testing of new chassis designs .
In summary , applying modular construction principles to chassis design can offer several benefits , including customisation , standardisation , assembly efficiency , and adaptability to different applications . This approach is particularly valuable in industries where flexibility , efficiency , and customisation are crucial considerations .
HOW TO FASTEN CHASSIS COMPONENTS AND SUB- ASSEMBLIES
Introducing the Huck ® BobTail ®
Huck BobTail ® LockBolts ® are used worldwide in a wide variety of industries by manufacturers looking to reduce the maintenance of bolted joints , avoid the hazards and the risks associated with welding , and just to clean up , as well as speed up their assembly processes .
BobTail ® Huck ® fasteners are DiBt approved . This approval means BobTail ® Lockbolts ® can be used in areas regulated by the building authorities as a replacement for non-preloaded structural bolting assemblies ( acc . to EN 15048 ) or high-strength structural bolting assemblies for preloading ( acc . to EN 14399 ). The values published can also be used in many other applications , including rail , commercial vehicles , lattice towers or wind turbines .
LockBolts ® compare with nuts and bolts
Lockbolts ® have a significantly higher fatigue strength than threaded fasteners , they can be used in areas where access to the joint from both sides is guaranteed . Due to their high static loadbearing capacity under shear and tensile loads and their outstanding fatigue strength , they represent an excellent alternative to bolted or welded connections , especially when high demands are placed on safety over the entire products service life .
Huck ® fasteners are precision engineered to deliver unmatched installation speed , fatigue life and vibration resistance , they have been tested and proven on commercial , agricultural and defence vehicles around the world for many years . Known for their industry-leading shear and tensile strength , once installed , BobTail ® fasteners deliver consistent clamp . Each BobTail ® performs identically in terms of strength and clamping force . Other mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts must be installed using torque , or rotational force which varies with friction . BobTail ® also consist of two parts – a pin and a collar , but uses an entirely different installation method to nuts and bolts .
BobTail ® fasteners installation process
As with nuts and bolts , BobTail ® fasteners can be pre-assembled by hand ( at this stage no tools are required ); they have a pre-fit-up function in the form of helical grooves enabling the structure to be ‘ lightly ’ assembled , in chassis production this often helps with the ‘ line-up ’ of the cross bearers . Once the engineer is satisfied with the alignment then the tool is applied and the fasteners can be permanently installed .
The locking groove on the BobTail ® pin is an essential feature and differs from conventional bolts / set screws as it has a flatter groove geometry . This results in a larger stress cross-section with the same nominal diameter and a lower notch sharpness . As a result , LockBolts ® have a significantly higher fatigue strength than threaded fasteners .
Often the most vulnerable point on a design is where there is an interface or join between components . BobTail ® fasteners can be effectively used with virtually any plated metals without damaging the plated / finished surface , also dissimilar metals with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion present no problems . Varying material thicknesses are readily accommodated .
Comparison of threaded fasteners and LockBolt with lock grooves
Issue 66 PECM 19