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Application Spotlight: Light-duty ring in an air vent nozzle

Explore how a light-duty Spirolox^® retaining ring is used in an airplane air vent nozzle to regulate airflow. This application spotlight shows how the ring fits into a groove in the plastic housing, securing the nozzle during rotation. Designed for light loads and axial positioning, it offers a simple, economical solution that is easy to install and remove.
View this informative Smalley video.

Fasteners for automotive and agricultural equipment

Norm Fasteners has acquired an automotive fastener manufacturing plant in Plymouth, MI, expanding its North American footprint beyond sales, engineering, and logistics. The local facility produces metric fasteners (M4-M24) and engine bolts. Norm’s portfolio includes wheel bolts, studs, custom fasteners, and licensed MAThread^® and TAPTITE^® products, serving diverse automotive and industrial assembly needs.
Learn more or contact Belgin Tunce for more information.

Test your knowledge: High-temp adhesives

Put your knowledge to the test by trying to answer these key questions on how to choose the right high-temperature-resistant adhesive. The technical experts from Master Bond cover critical information necessary for the selection process, including questions on glass transition temperature and service temperature range. Some of the answers may surprise even the savviest of engineers.
Take the quiz.

Southco access hardware in rail applications

Discover how Southco's rail access hardware solutions help improve safety, reliability, and operational efficiency across modern rail networks. The video showcases a range of rail applications where Southco's access hardware plays a critical role, including driver cabins, lighting systems, tray tables, headrests, armrests, and other passenger and operator touchpoints. Designed to support dependable performance in demanding moving environments, Southco's solutions help operators streamline maintenance processes, minimize downtime, and enable more proactive asset management.
View the video.

Next-gen metal bonding: 3M Scotch-Weld 8500 Series

Replace traditional fasteners and streamline assembly with 3M Scotch-Weld Acrylic Adhesive DP8507NS. Engineered for direct bonding to bare or slightly oily metals with minimal surface prep, this high-performance adhesive withstands paint bake cycles up to 200 C (392 F), resists corrosion, and holds strong down to -40 C. Upgrade durability, aesthetics, and design flexibility. Bonds many plastics too!
View the video.

Clear, high-flexibility silicone meets NASA low-outgassing specs

Master Bond MasterSil 981-LO is a two-component, addition-cured silicone for bonding, sealing, coating, and encapsulating. Meeting NASA low-outgassing specs, its optical clarity suits aerospace, satellite, and optoelectronic applications. This 100% reactive, solvent-free system features a forgiving 1:1 mix ratio, minimal shrinkage, a 3- to 4-hr working life, and cures overnight at room temperature plus heat.
Learn more.

Simplify appliance glass assembly

Henkel's Technomelt PUR 9015 BV/WV is a polyurethane hotmelt adhesive providing high initial strength and long-term durability for glass and large-panel appliance assembly. It enables immediate handling, excellent substrate adhesion, and high thermal resistance, while supporting automated, cost-efficient production. It offers a flexible solution for high-reliability manufacturing.
Learn more.

SDP/SI Shaftloc Fastening System

Shaftloc is a unique, reusable locking device for securely mounting mechanical components like gears and sprockets onto shafts without the need for keyways, set screws, or adhesives. Its simple, two-piece design offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional fasteners, providing high clamping force and vibration resistance. Installed with standard tools, Shaftloc is perfect for designers seeking flexible, hubless mounting solutions. Available in four styles.
Learn more from SDP/SI.

Epoxy engineered for heat-sink bonding

Master Bond EP54TC is a two-component epoxy engineered for heat-sink bonding and thermal management applications. Featuring the highest thermal conductivity in the Master Bond electrically insulating portfolio, it delivers exceptional heat dissipation while remaining electrically non-conductive and compliant with ASTM E595 NASA low outgassing requirements. It supports thin bond lines and efficient void filling to maximize thermal performance.
Learn more.

Application Note: Disc springs in mechanical braking system

Braking systems for off-highway equipment are commonly designed to be hydraulically actuated, but without an additional fail-safe system, this design alone has limited reliability. If a hydraulic seal is compromised, or the hydraulic cylinder loses pressure for any reason, the brakes fail. One solid mechanical back-up design uses SPIROL disc springs.
Read the full article.

SPIROL receives 2025 Supplier Excellence Recognition Award from Caterpillar

Kudos to SPIROL! The engineered fasteners manufacturer has received the 2025 Supplier Excellence Recognition Award from Caterpillar Inc. This prestigious award recognizes suppliers who demonstrate world-class performance and a sustained commitment to quality, delivery, and operational excellence.
Read the full article.

Eliminate cotters, bolts, nuts with SLIC Pin^®

The SLIC Pin (Self-Locking Implanted Cotter Pin) from Pivot Point is a pin and cotter all in one. This one-piece locking clevis pin is cost saving, fast, and secure. It functions as a quick locking pin wherever you need a fast-lock function. It features a spring-loaded plunger that functions as an easy insertion ramp. This revolutionary fastening pin is very popular and used successfully in a wide range of applications.
Learn more.

3M Friction Shims -- Why have more than 300 million been sold?

3M Friction Shims are small, thin steel shims with a big impact. They can increase maximum load and peak torque in bolted connections without additional fasteners or redesigns. What else makes them so popular -- and so useful?
Learn more from 3M.

Holding firm: Standard parts with increased clamping force

JW Winco has upgraded its proven hand knob nuts, star knob screws, and adjustable hand levers with increased clamping force. Their clamping surface with ball bearing doubles the clamping force while protecting the surface from damage. With typical screws and nuts, roughly half the tightening torque is lost to under-head friction. Get high axial clamping force purely by hand and without tools with these new JW Winco standard parts.
See all your new clamping options.

High-performance fastening for aerospace interiors

The ONSERT fastening element from Böllhoff and DELO PHOTOBOND FB4151 adhesive enable lightweight, flame-retardant, drill-free fastening for aircraft interiors. The UV-curing acrylate cures in seconds, delivers high strength and flexibility, and supports automated, scalable production for cable routing and other lightweight cabin structures. This tech has already demonstrated its potential in the fastening of cable routing in business class seats from Recaro.
Learn more and read about the Recaro seat application.

Avery Dennison launches industry-first electronic parking brake pressure-sensitive adhesive

A new brake shim adhesive that withstands the high heat and pressure challenges associated with electronic parking brakes (EPB) while providing excellent damping characteristics has been introduced by Avery Dennison Performance Tapes. The adhesive is the automotive industry's first brake shim pressure-sensitive adhesive solution engineered specifically to meet electronic parking brake performance challenges. The tape offers best-in-class damping at 100°C/212°F, and resists adhesive bleed at temperatures >150°C/302°F and pressures at >200 bars.

According to Gulsah Metinoz, global product manager, Avery Dennison Performance Tapes, the new EPB adhesive is engineered to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness.

"The new Avery Dennison EPB adhesive is the only product that can solve the problem of bonding an EPB shim onto the pad for long-term service and at the same time offer a noise reduction benefit," says Metinoz. "Others can't do that. Prior to this product introduction, design engineers had to settle for short service life or else compromise on the quality of the sound level.

"Brake shim adhesives bond the shim to the brake pad. With the automotive industry's new generation of electronic parking brakes, which is rapidly gaining market share worldwide, the pressure on the brake pad and shim is much higher than with conventional parking brakes. Plus, they produce much higher temperatures. As a result, existing brake shim adhesive products do not work satisfactorily. The pressures are so much higher that they squeeze the adhesive out from between the shim and pad. With electronic parking brake applications, you need an adhesive that can both withstand the pressure and remain in place."

Metinoz says that design engineers throughout the supply chain will find the new adhesive of interest. "One auto manufacturer claims that in seven years all models will be equipped with EPB," she says. "Obtaining a brake shim adhesive solution to meet that demand is the concern of all engineers through the supply chain."

Want more information? Click below or email PSA.Tape@averydennsion.com.
Avery Dennison

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