EJOT UK is helping the roofing and building facades industry to raise the bar by enabling systems manufacturers, envelope designers and installers to consult with them early in the new product development (NPD) process.
This work is crucial because it enables the building envelope sector to continuously improve building performance standards, safety and longevity, as well as respond to architectural trends.
Technical innovation in roofing and façade systems, membranes and other elements of the building envelope has to be matched by the fastener industry, of course. This is because the benefits of new designs and materials for roofing and cladding sheets, systems, panels, etc. may never be fully realised in the long term if they cannot be effectively fixed into position.
This is why EJOT UK supports the industry with a dedicated technical team, who use state of the art machinery and technology within its Applitec Centre to develop tomorrow’s fastening solutions. This facility is a key part of the company's Yorkshire site, integral to its UK manufacturing operations but also contributing to the success of the EJOT Group globally.
Fastener insights to transform concepts into reality
EJOT is increasingly utilising technology to drive better performance of fasteners and increase the value they offer in the built environment. Technical Advisor, Dylan Roe, plays a key role in the Applitec team by leading on EJOT UK’s product design developments. He is immersed in CAD (computer aided design), which includes using SolidWorks software for designing new products and modifying existing fasteners to achieve new design and performance goals.
This work is initially completed almost entirely in a digital environment, which means physical resources are not required until much later in the NPD process. Once a virtual design is approved, the team progresses it to rapid prototyping. This utilises 3D printing technology to offer significant time and cost savings compared to traditional prototyping processes.
Rigorous analysis of installation processes and techniques
Another dimension to EJOT's product development is installation analysis. Here, the team uses a state of the art machine to evaluate the specified performance versus the actual performance, and the test data it generates also feeds in to quality control.
By replicating processes being used on site, the Applitec team can provide the equivalent values to installers who will be using screw guns on-site. Hence why this is not only key to NPD, but also important in helping customers find a solution in more unusual or complex applications.
Installation analysis is also important in maintaining quality processes, for example to confirm consistency of products arriving at EJOT UK from other manufacturing subsidiaries in the EJOT Group. And the process is also utilised by OEMs who may turn to EJOT in the development of their new products to determine which fasteners would enable optimum installation.
Benefits of early consultation
The complexity of fastening for the building envelope means that the technical team’s work goes way beyond the design and application of the fastener. They have to take time to understand the entire system, which Technical Services Team Leader, Stephen Holl, factors into the Applitec schedule.
He helps OEMs test their products, such as to confirm performance figures, using numerous different types of testing including tensile testing, pullover testing and installation testing.
Stephen and the Applitec team can draw on a huge number of fasteners within the EJOT portfolio to meet the needs of new applications, as well as those which may have changed. And with many of EJOT's OEM customers, the close relationship it has means they consult with the company first when they are considering making changes, particularly systems.
Early consultation with EJOT UK can pay huge dividends in terms of savings achieved overall in the development process for a new system or product. Most importantly, it can enable new products to be launched to the market earlier due to a shorter development timeframe, thus enabling a faster return on investment, as well as achieving an overall reduction in the design, prototyping and testing processes.
Find out more: https://www.ejot.co.uk/Developing_fastening_solutions
