STAUFF Fastening solutions for special cases

|  55 Engineering Fluid Technology  Mechanical Certain custom-developed clamps have been incorporated into the standard range. The use of individual fastening solutions can make sense when there are specific fire protection requirements. Source: Michael Bahr, www.sichtbahr.de Source: Michael Bahr, www.sichtbahr.de Source: Michael Bahr, www.sichtbahr.de their use for mobilemachinery, as well as for stationary loading systems. Their inserts are designed to reduce vibrations and noises. Themanufacturer has also developed a series for use in corrosive environments, such as shipbuilding, some of which include special drainage channels for salt wa- ter. And if lightweight construction is an issue – again possibly in shipbuilding – the company also produces clamps with aluminiummetal components in place of steel. Special clamps speed up the instal- lation of wind turbines Tube and hose clamps are called for in the rail industry, which are manufactured from spe- cial, flame-retardant and certified materials. Clamps to guide electrical lines in the towers of wind turbines are just one example of supply lines being fastened outside of the hydraulic sector. Critical properties there include simple, fast and tool-free installation with an option for sub- sequent adjustment (up to 70% time savings). They also require constant retention forces within a broad temperature range, and provide protection for the ca- bles by having soft clamping jawsmade of flame-resist- ant UL-compliant plastic. This seriesmeets all relevant industry requirements, among other things governing electrical safety. More durable for trucks Stauff has developed fastening components together with a manufacturer of special truck-trailers, which carefully guide and retain hydraulic lines and oil hoses putting minimal stress on the material. These include cylinder supply clamps and saddle / piggyback clamps, which guide multiple lubricating oil lines, sometimes offset by 90 degrees. Also special “snap-in clamps” with a safety ring to fasten corrugated cable protection hoses. These components increase the service life and fail safe- ty of the line system in trailers. Consultation and the development of an individual solution therefore pays dividends, both for the supplier as well as for the vehicle manufacturer. Advice on hydraulic line systems The manufacturer also offers so-called VAVE consulta- tions (Value Analysing, Value Engineering). A team of engineers examines the system or individual function- al areas and recommends a line system with optimum guides and fastenings for the tubes and hoses from the company's in-house range. The team also analyses de- tachable connections in the line systems. Economic efficiency plays as important a role in this as safety, er- gonomics, flow optimisation, accessibility and service life. Users can thus check what is most cost-ef- fective: injection moulded or 3D printed? The question about the economic efficiency of a product is crucial in the production of small series: is it worth manufacturing in an injection moulding process, or is 3D printingmore cost-effective? If should be noted that 3D printing has further benefits, namely straightfor- ward online ordering, fast production and delivery. So howdoes a customer place an order? Users upload a CAD model of the required fastening solu- tion to the online platformand select from certain options, including material, col- our and quantity. There is no need towait for a quotation, thanks to immediate costing, known as RapidQuoting. Once the printing order has been placed, the cooperation partner, one of the market leaders in additivemanufac- turing and industrial 3D printing, starts production and usually deliv- ers the 3D printed, fully functioning, and durable clamps within a matter of days. Customer can thus pro- cure clamps for hydrau- lics, as well as for electrical and pneumatic supply lines in this way. (dm) The WPC systemwas developed for electri- cal lines in wind turbines and enables fast, tool-free instal- lation. Source: Stauff