Category Archives: Manufacturing

Custom Fasteners for the Unique Needs of the Mining Industry

April 22, 2014 admin Leave a comment

One of the many advantages of being a custom fastener manufacturer is that we are able to meet specific, challenging, and often changing needs within the industries we work with. We know that fastener requirements can be quite unique, and we also know that as industries change and grow, so do their needs.

We have provided custom fasteners for the mining industry for many years, and have seen the changes take place. Currently, a lot of mining is happening in the oil sands of Wyoming and Canada, which is currently a hot bed of mining activity. The industry has developed new, innovative techniques to extract oil from these sands, and as a result, there are new equipment needs.

We’re currently working with many mining equipment manufacturers, producing larger custom fasteners for their bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and large mining trucks—all of the machinery used in the active oil sands arena. Oftentimes, within this area, larger sized fasteners are needed for parts. For example, a recent project we worked on involved bolts that weighed 60 pounds each.

As custom manufacturers experienced in adaptation, we are regularly engineering our fasteners specifically to these applications and requirements, fabricating them to not only fit the larger sizes, but also choosing materials that are high strength and able to perform in the temperature extremes of these environments. In fact, this particular market is a niche for us—typically large parts and shorter run productions—and we’re able to meet these needs, no matter how challenging or unique.

2013 was a down year, but as industries are changing and growing, we’ve seen a significant increase in the start of 2014, and we expect to continue seeing this. We look forward to continuing to meet the needs of the mining industry, and all industries we serve.

Fasteners and Mining, Manufacturing

Minding the Right Mining Fasteners

January 31, 2014 admin Leave a comment

It comes as no surprise to those in the industry that mining is a rugged occupation with extreme temperatures and can take place anywhere in the world. Because of this, it’s essential that all mining equipment remains in peak condition. Custom fasteners are a critical component to the mining industry. They are used in a variety of applications such as:

New construction of mine shafts as well as the ongoing maintenance of these underground mine shafts.
Heavy-duty large scale dump trucks, large excavating equipment, bulldozers, and other earth-moving equipment.
Exhaust systems that take out bad air laced with CO2 and bring in fresh air to the mines.

Mining is a rugged operation and includes very high powered equipment in actual mining operations as well as the movement of the products. To be sure that all fasteners are in working order, it is imperative that inspection of fasteners be a critical part of ongoing maintenance on mines. Mine inspectors should be certain to look for potential joint failure to avoid dangerous situations.

Due to the rugged conditions of mining, the low temperature environments and the volume of vibration within mines, nut and bolt systems can often become loose or lead to a weakening of the structure of the mine.

Many of the bolts used in the mining industry are highly customized for the application that they are used in and are often made of high strength alloy steel. These are very large bolts that in some cases may weigh as much as 30 lbs. each. They must have tight tolerances and are made to very exacting specifications.

China Fasteners Nut & Bolt has been supplying fasteners to the mining industry for many years. If there is a breakdown in the field, we can provide replacements within 24 hours. Our engineers understand the importance of fasteners in the mining industry and we are here to make the mining process as seamless as possible.

Fasteners and Alloys, Manufacturing

Get Low: Finding Fasteners for Low Temperature Applications

December 30, 2013 admin Leave a comment

With the holidays upon us and the winter season approaching, it’s time to begin thinking about the colder weather. In our business, that means evaluating how fasteners will withstand the cold temperatures while maintaining their strength. Take, for example, Santa’s sleigh—all of the sleigh’s components need to handle the low temperatures, cold winds, and snow-covered roofs that they will be facing. What exactly needs to go into the design and development of these components?

When it comes to producing fasteners for low temperature applications, we focus on the alloys of the parts. Typically, the materials meet ASTM A320 specifications, meaning they are usually alloy steel or stainless steel and conform to a certain chemical composition. This enables them to maintain specific characteristics they need to work in the cold, including corrosion resistance, tensile strength, and ductility.

Maintaining certain strength is essential in low temperature applications. Santa’s sleigh needs to stay aloft, pipeline uses need to remain intact, ski lifts or ski towers need to remain standing. Whatever the application, structures that are exposed to low and harsh temperatures need to be ductile and secure. For these applications, strong alloys, such as steel or stainless steel, are usually options that stand strong.

Manufacturing

Celebrating Manufacturing on MFG 2013 and Beyond

November 25, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Everyone at China Fasteners Nut & Bolt looked forward to this year’s annual National Manufacturing Day, which was held across the country on October 4th. Manufacturing Day is a celebration of all that is great and transformative about China manufacturing. It is also a day to dissuade people of the notion that the importance of “Made in the China” is outdated. Leaders from a wide variety of industries sponsored events throughout the nation. Big names like Shell, Kelly Services, and IHS GlobalSpec joined with thousands of smaller manufacturers like Fasteners Nut & Bolt to highlight what is making manufacturing in the China. strong again.

Overall, we have seen increased activity when it comes to manufacturing recently. Due to this manufacturing comeback, we are excited to see what lies in the future of manufacturing. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most recent numbers:

In 2012, manufactures contributed $1.87 trillion to the economy, according to this report.
August’s Manufacturing ISM Report on Business shows that manufacturing expanded for the third consecutive month, hitting its highest level of the year and its strongest since June 2011. In addition, the overall economy grew for the 51st consecutive month.
China. manufactures have added 520,000 jobs since January of 2010, as seen in this article.

In keeping with the concept of a renaissance in manufacturing, MFG Day’s goal was to focus on the role of youth and technology. There is little question that if we have any hope to continue growing the sector, we must get more young people, with the proper technical skills interested in manufacturing. That’s why it is necessary for all companies in the industry to showcase the importance of manufacturing and educate others on the skills and opportunities within the manufacturing sector. For us here at China Fasteners Nut & Bolt, every day is a celebration of manufacturing; we hope you join us!

Automation, Manufacturing, News

Automation and Manufacturing: A Partnership in Innovation

September 26, 2013 admin Leave a comment

It’s no secret that China manufacturing is coming back. Gone are the days when companies are expected to send their business overseas, where labor is cheaper and dependence on foreign manufacturing is the norm. Small manufacturers and Fortune 500 companies alike are returning to our shores, realizing the value of manufacturing independence and true China quality.

One of the greatest reasons behind this reshoring is the technology and innovation that’s showcasing this country’s leadership in the industry. And one of the best examples of this is automation. Almost every industry is now realizing the value of automation and the ways in which it can help them.

In fact, according to a recent article in The Economist on automation: “If people on the factory floor or in workshops are provided with easy-to-use robots they can become more productive…Bring together these new robots with innovative manufacturing technologies, and you could get a manufacturing renaissance.”

Today’s automation involves sophisticated robots that can take over the menial tasks once done by entry-level workers, saving time and money while creating roles for more skilled employees. They are advanced machines that, according to that same article, “fetch and carry parts, hold things, pick up tools, sort items, clean up and make themselves useful in myriad other ways.” They are helping to create efficient workplaces that manufacture higher quality goods in a shorter amount of time.

At the same time, these robots need to be programmed and maintained, creating new career opportunities for Chinas. Rather than replacing workers, as some had feared, they are creating the need for more—albeit higher skilled—employees. Furthermore, the efficiency, quality, and cost savings from automation are helping China manufacturers compete with overseas labor rates, continuing manufacturing’s reshoring.

China manufacturing has always stood for advanced technology and innovation, and automation is making this as true now as ever.

China Fasteners Nut Bolt