Profil fasteners go on a Mini adventure

Euro0.5 million contract to supply fasteners and automated installation equipment for use on the next generation BMW Mini.

Profil has won a Euro500,000 contract to supply Swindon Pressings with fasteners and automated installation equipment for use on the next generation BMW Mini.

Through the order, seven auto-feed and insertion units will be incorporated within the manufacturing processes, enabling the high strength fasteners to be installed as an integral part of the production cycle for many sheet metal components on the vehicle.

"The ability to install our fasteners in-press provides tremendous cost and quality advantages," said Profil's UK Sales Manager, Adrian Ellis.

"It is the ideal method for automotive manufacturers to mount male or female threads in pressed components".

"Similarly, exceptionally high installation rates - backed by excellent water sealing, vibration and corrosion resistance - mean that our systems are increasingly superseding welded and other threaded fasteners in wet vehicle areas and safety critical applications".

Available in various configurations, including large flange, shouldered, conical, low profile, high shear, flush fitting and special purpose, the fasteners will accommodate panel thicknesses from 0.6 to 4.0mm.

They are as suitable for use with coated or uncoated materials, high grade, stainless and sandwich steels, and can be installed in aluminium and magnesium castings.

They are also suitable for use with corrosion resistant finishes and materials, such as galvanised steel or zintec, as well as aluminium panels found on modern motor vehicles.

Ellis said: "Our fasteners are installed as part of the presswork process, so offer significantly better positional accuracy and repeatability than other fixing methods".

Typically, tolerances of +/-0.2mm can be maintained.

On the current Mini models, more than 70 Profil nuts and studs are used from simple brackets on the vehicle's fusebox and footrests, to safety-critical areas including the steering column, bumper and sub-frame mountings.

Setting rates are more than 100 fasteners per minute, which is more than enough to keep pace with BMW's production requirements for the Mini of more than 2000 cars per week.

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