Punch-Pins Speed Metal Door Production
When Kewanee Corp. was looking for a way to produce its metal doors more quickly, the company turned to Amtak Fasteners (East Providence, RI) for results. The installation of a metal fire-rating label to the side of each metal fire door was creating a bottleneck in the production process, and using Amtak Fastener’s punch-pins has been an effective solution.
"Each fire door requires a mechanically affixed metal label stating the fire rating," says Jason Lisewski, engineering manager. "The labels come from Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory, and we also attach hurricane-rating labels from Dade County, FL," he says.
Prior to using the one-step punch-pins, an assembly worker would position a drilling jig onto the edge of the door and drill two small holes. Using another jig, he would then insert two type U-drive pins into the metal label. The third step involved positioning the label over the holes and hitting the drive pins with a hammer. The whole installation process averaged about 3 minutes per door.
Now, a worker simply positions the label on the edge of the door and tacks it in place with a punch-pin, driven by an Amtak air tool. The entire application takes just a few seconds, and the label is permanently secured. "Reducing this operation to one step has saved us at least 2 minutes a door, and it reduces the risk of mislabeling a door," says Lisewski.
Amtak’s punch-pins have a unique set of serrated teeth, which can pierce up to 18-gauge sheet metal. They are installed with the single impact of an Amtak air tool. Each punch-pin forms a mechanical bond capable of with standing up to 250 pounds of withdrawal force.
Lisewski has noticed an added benefit. "At Kewanee, we are always working toward improving the quality of our products," he says. "We like the punch-pins because they provide a more consistent method of attachment. Type U-drive screws rely on the fit of the fastener into a hand-drilled hole in sheet metal. We found that the hole diameter could vary when the drill bit wore, or if the operator was not exactly perpendicular. Punch-pins don’t have this problem because they make their own hole in the sheet metal."
For more information on punch-pins call 800-346-5039 or visit www.amtakfasteners.com.
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