Mechanical fasteners
The automotive manufacturing industry created a major demand for innovative fastening solutions that are strong, yet lightweight and easy to assemble. For high-cycle applications, durable fasteners that can be opened and reclosed are essential.
Today’s consumers expect that automotive interior fasteners and other components are hidden to convey a modern, sleek interior. Fasteners can also help to reduce rattling and vibration for a smoother, quieter ride — another necessity in today’s market.
Because of these industry demands, high-performance alternative fasteners are increasingly used in the attachment of a growing number of automotive components. Specialty die-cut and custom-designed products provide proven, effective and economical attachment solutions for a wide variety of applications. Alternative fasteners also provide several competitive and economic advantages over traditional mechanical fasteners.
Argent patented mechanical fastening solutions
Wirestrap™
Argent’s patented Wirestrap™ was developed as a cost-effective alternative to mechanical wire harness fasteners.
Flexible, durable and self-adhesive, Wirestrap™ can be installed almost anywhere on a vehicle without the need for troublesome holes used by traditional mechanical fasteners like pop-in clips and cable ties. Wirestrap™ is designed to perform in automotive interior environments and can be supplied with a variety of adhesive systems.
Applications and benefits of Wirestrap™
- Reroute a wire-harness path at any time in the design/manufacturing process
- Apply with conventional fasteners to stop rattles, pick-up slack and more
- Utilize on specialty vehicles or optional equipment components
- Prevent damage: can’t be over-tightened, has wider footprint
- Save on low-cost design changes and applications
- Solve most attachment challenges
Bridge-it™
Constructed of various plastics, Bridge-it™ provides a strong consistent platform to bridge gaps between mating surfaces of interior components, enabling the use of a variety of fastening products like 3M’s™ Reclosable Fasteners, acrylic foam tape, and hot melt adhesives. Bridge-it’s™ height is infinitely adjustable and is available in a variety of lengths and widths.
Applications and benefits of Bridge-It™
- Employ Bridge-it™ in hot melt, blind fastening or repositionable applications
- Apply with conventional fasteners to stop rattles or increase strength
- Utilize on specialty vehicles or optional equipment components
- Save on low-cost design changes and applications
- Solve challenging, specialty points of attachment
The Bridge-it™ spacer system provides many modular fastening solutions. Bridge-it™ was developed to simplify automotive interior attachment by bridging gaps between mating components. Areas like headliners and door panels can present engineers with a variety of fastening and fitment challenges throughout the design process. Bridge-it™ addresses these challenges through a versatile array of fast, simple and inexpensive fastening solutions.
Mechanical fastener applications
Common applications for mechanical fasteners include:
- Door panels
- Interior trim
- Sunroof rings
- Headliner attachment
- Specialty vehicle components
- Hot melt, blind fastening or repositionable applications
The Argent Mechanical Fastener Value
- Industry-leading technology
- Some fasteners do not require special tools or processing equipment
- Design changes are made low cost with alternative fasteners
- Prototyping available with short lead times