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Welcome to the Vibrationmaster articles. Here you will find:

Ralf Mai of DISC-LOCK Europa GmbH talks to Vibrationmaster. From Vibrationmaster October 2011 newsletter.

We were recently delighted to hear from Ralf Mai, General Manager at DISC-LOCK Europa GmbH that he is keen to test his company’s products on the Vibrationmaster J600 Junker Test Bench. In advance of Ralf putting the J600 through its paces, we spoke to him about Vibrationmaster, the new DIN standard and the challenges DISC-LOCK and the industry face.

Could you give us a little background on DISC-LOCK Europa?

DISC-LOCK Europa GmbH is located in Ellwangen, in the south of Germany, and is responsible for the German, Italian and Austrian markets for DISC-LOCK products. DISC-LOCK itself is American. All DISC-LOCK products are self locking fasteners that prevent loosening caused by shock or vibration in high-stress applications. DISC-LOCK Europa GmbH can provide you with the following products: DISC-LOCK washers, locking nuts and safety wheel nuts.

What is your role at DISC-LOCK?

DISC-LOCK Europa GmbH is a relatively new company in Germany, so we’re still quite small. I’m the general manager, so I’m involved with both the sales and marketing and technical side of things.

How important is the German DIN standard to you and your customers?

It depends on the industry our customers are in. I would say that around 70% know nothing about DIN 25201. Dealers and customers with a special department for tightening products will know about it. The railway industry knows all about DIN 25201, because the standard was first created for them. And, of course, Germany only uses the DIN standard, so it is important to meet the regulations.

What do you currently do to meet the standard?

Up until now we have not manufactured any products in Germany, so we have not needed to meet the standard. Most of our products are well established, and the American company that we’re part of will have done tests themselves according to US quality assurance standards. Also, DISC-LOCK washers have been on the market for more than 29 years, the nuts around 18 years. So we know our products work well.

So, why do you think the new DIN standard is important now?

It’s becoming more and more important to set ourselves apart from the competition, and adhering to DIN 25201will help us do this now and in the future.

What’s your perception of Vibrationmaster?

I was delighted to discover a company offering tests and selling machines. Vibrationmaster is in a really good position. I see you as occupying a very valuable niche.

What excites you about Vibrationmaster’s Junker Test Machines?

I haven’t seen a live test yet by an independent company – I’m really looking forward to it, of course. But, to me, having a machine where you’re able to adjust everything automatically during the test means you can make tests in a shorter time than competitors. Also, you find out the advantages and disadvantages of a product immediately, so you can decide to bring it to market or not much more quickly. Therefore, you’re able to seize the competitive advantage fast. Obviously, having your own machine means you save the money it costs to pay for expensive independent tests.

Specifically, what do you think about the opportunity to test from M5 to M30?

It adds up to an unbelievably big opportunity, I’d say – as big as the total fastener and fixing industry. It means you can make tests for the electronic industry, which uses M5, and people like the earthmoving industry with their M30 nuts. And, as far as I know, the earthmoving industry doesn’t pay much attention to the new DIN at the moment.

How do you think working with Vibrationmaster can benefit DISC-LOCK?

Being able to prove to your customers that you’ve had tests carried out independently, instead of in-house, is great for inspiring confidence in customers. And, if people become more aware of the DIN test, adhering to the standard is sure to become essential.

How do you think working with Vibrationmaster can benefit your customers?

For customers who want to test a specific bolt or application – or even test DISC-LOCK products themselves – being able to go to Vibrationmaster for a test or use their own machine is a great advantage. They can see themselves what really happens to their and our products under vibration.

And the fastener industry in general?

For people like us, and laboratories offering tests, being able to purchase an affordable machine, with no fuss, gives much more freedom and saves money and time. It could really open up the market.

Excellent! Thanks for your time, Ralf.

Thank you.

END OF COPY

Fastener testing breakthrough – PRESS RELEASE – Issued 7 November 2011

Vibrationmaster’s innovative J150 portable Junker Test Bench allows two fasteners to be simultaneously tested and compared in real time

Ribe, Denmark – Tuesday 7 November 2011: Fastener manufacturers can now simultaneously demonstrate the self-loosening behaviour of two competing bolted joints, secured with lock-nuts or wedge washers, using Vibrationmaster’s new J150 Junker Test Bench Dual Demonstrator. Fastener product performance can be compared and contrasted to the DIN 65151 vibration test in minutes. And because the J150 unit is portable, it is ideal for sales presentations and trade exhibitions.

“Until now, fastener buyers have been forced to rely on published test results and performance reports when specifying new fasteners for their products,” explains Vibrationmaster CEO Morten Schiff. “Now, for the first time, fastener manufacturers can actually demonstrate the resistance to self-loosening behaviour of their bolted joints using wedge washers, lock nuts and other securing elements. And they can test them against competing anti-loosening solutions, live and in front of their clients.”

The Vibrationmaster J150 Junker Test Bench Dual Demonstrator, which was successfully launched at the National Industrial Fastener Show in Las Vegas in October 2011, can simultaneously test two fasteners in ISO metric and UTS sizes. Its innovative features include transverse vibration displacement set at ±1mm and a frequency default of 12.5Hz. According to Schiff, an added advantage of the J150 dual demonstrator is that the self-loosening behaviour of one fastener will not impact on the other – the motor delivers the same load to each, providing two completely independent test results.

“The test bench operator can run two independent tests side by side, comparing competing products or demonstrating the performance of the same fastener in secured and unsecured conditions,” he says. “The independent performance of a single fastener to DIN 65151 can also be demonstrated.”

The test rig chassis is made from high-strength aluminium with a fibre reinforced plastic cover to maximise rigidity and reduce weight for portability. Optional leather-bound handles and covers can be custom-built, incorporating company logos, and are available in carbon fibre or Kevlar®. Weighing only 56 kg (123.4 lb), the J150 is easily transportable and only requires a single phase voltage standard power supply. The J150 has a handheld tablet with preinstalled software that can be used to demonstrate the test results and loosening curves of both fasteners, simultaneously in real time.

“The overall impact of the J150 dual demonstrator, with its high-end display options and superb performance, is dramatic and crowd drawing,” continues Schiff. “And when connected to a digital projector, the hand-held tablet with its unique ‘VM Test’ software displays the test results live and in real-time.”

Schiff concludes: “Fastener manufacturers using the J150 to demonstrate their product performance in front of live audiences when at trade shows and in client presentations will clearly differentiate themselves from their competitors.”

Available to order now, the first Vibrationmaster J150 Junker Test Bench Dual Demonstrators will be delivered in early 2012.

To find out more about how Vibrationmaster’s unique range of test equipment can meet your testing requirements, contact us now.