Invisible insert fasteners ideal at hospital

A Bighead Bonding Fasteners product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 30, 2001

Fixing the four-metre bronze-effect sundial that graces the wall of the new Bridport Community Hospital, Dorset, required some intensive care - stainless steel Bighead bonding fasteners.

Fixing the four-metre bronze-effect sundial that graces the wall of the new Bridport Community Hospital, Dorset, required some intensive care.

The structure had to be level on both the horizontal and vertical planes and had to slot perfectly into carefully drilled holes in the brick wall.

The solution was to anchor each sundial ray with a stainless steel Bighead bonding fastener, with additional Bigheads positioning the central load-bearing boss.

The fixing system, designed and installed by Redline Signs of Wells, meant that crucial last-minute adjustments could be made to the hospital's impressive new symbol as it was gingerly hoisted into place.

Originally, the Bridport hospital committee considered using a Dorset ram to decorate the south-facing blank wall of the building, which houses the lift shaft.

They then hit on the sundial idea.

Designer Michael Harvey spent several hours working on the hospital roof, taking measurements to ensure that once in position the dial would work.

"Every sundial has to be accurate for each situation." he explained.

"I had to take several readings at different times of the day to pinpoint the arrangement of each line of the sundial".

Leon Roberts of Redline signs said: "It had to be 100 per cent accurate.

The sundial had to be level in both planes, parallel to the wall as well as horizontal to the ground.

"When we need an invisible fixing, particularly in glass reinforced plastic, we always turn to Bighead," he added.

Bighead Bonding Fasteners has been providing invisible fastenings for a huge range of industries in the UK and overseas for the past 35 years.

Bigheads are used in almost every conceivable structure including Madame Tussaud's wax models, sewerage treatment tanks, high speed locomotives and tailgates for pickup trucks.

The concept behind Bighead fastenings is that the head of each metal fixing is perforated and can be bonded into plastic materials.

Plastics flow through the holes and 'key' them permanently in position.

Bighead fasteners are used mainly in the plastics industry to provide strong, load-distributing anchorages which enable components to be joined together easily.

Using Bigheads avoids the need to drill unsightly fixing holes in otherwise blemish-free surfaces.

The process cuts out the need for expensive 'making good', which is often unavoidable when using conventional point fixings such as bolts and screws.

Bighead makes around 1,800 types and sizes of fasteners and about 200 new designs are added each year, as well as many specials designed to meet customers' specific fastening problems.

Orders are despatched within 24 hours and the company make up samples free of charge.

Designers can contact the company and will be provided with a sample within two or three days.