Rivets

Rivets have been around a REALLY long time. The first version of a rivet, which was made of wood, was used in Ancient Egypt around 3000 B.C, where they were used to manufacture different types of tools.

In an Airstream Lifstyle blog post we learn that by the mid-19th century, advances in metal technology signaled the dawn of the modern-riveting era. Riveting became the primary method for constructing metal tools, buildings, and vehicles.

Threaded Fasteners

In the vast world of fasteners, threaded fasteners are the most common and easily recognized, even by the least mechanically inclined among us. At a basic level, they are screws, bolts, and nuts. Threaded rods and studs also fit the category; however, they are not as common in daily use. Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing defines threaded fasteners as “… discrete hardware components that have external or internal threads for assembly of parts. In nearly all cases, they permit disassembly. Threaded fasteners are the most important category of mechanical assembly…”

When it comes to doing business, there is a lot of lingo used for describing different aspects of the business. Having insight into the most common terms used in your industry helps you educate your team, business partners, and customers on various aspects of your industry. Here is a list of some of the top industry terms you might hear on a typical day.

Consignment Inventory - Consigned Inventory is inventory that is still owned by the supplier, but the customer has it on hand. When the customer uses or sells the inventory, the supplier then gets paid. This creates a form of financial security and freedom for the customer. 

Non-Consigned inventory – Non-consigned inventory is a traditional form of inventory where the customer pays for the inventory as it is needed to be replenished. When you need new parts or products, you order and pay for those goods.  

Inventory management - To keep things simple, inventory management is the management of inventory and stock. Inventory management ensures that correct levels of stock are always on hand. This has a lot of benefits for your business. However, having the right inventory at ALL times is a crucial component for your business. Read more about inventory management here: https://blog.austinhardware.com/what-is-inventory-management 

High-end adhesives are designed to meet specific application criteria. Are you evaluating your application and asking the right questions before choosing a product? 

Sealants and Adhesives.

We often see these terms used interchangeably. While true that there are some sealants and adhesives that can be used in similar applications, and many sealants have adhesive qualities, they are not the same. As explained by Mario van Leeuwen, sealants SEAL spaces between surfaces to make them air and water-tight, while adhesives are used to BOND materials together. That is an important distinction as it relates to this article, which focuses specifically on adhesive applications.  

From household glues to complex technologies required for critical aerospace applications, the uses of adhesives run a wide gamut of significance.  

Reducing the weight of their end product while maintaining or improving structural integrity, as well as reducing production costs, are important to OEM’s in transportation and industrial markets. This is why adhesives are used extensively in truck/trailer, automotive, marine, and many other applications. 

An Introduction to Fastener Categories

For 60 years, Austin Hardware® has supplied industrial and vehicular manufacturers and repair facilities with specialty hardware such as locks, latches, handles, drawer slides, and much more. Over the first 47 years, the company also dabbled in the sale of fasteners.

Then in 2007, the acquisition of JPC Fasteners, a well-known full-line fastener distributor in the Northeast, based in Philadelphia, PA, gave the company the resources and expertise to do more than just dabble. So, for the past 13 years, we’ve been able to supply our traditional hardware customers with all their necessary, complementary fasteners as well.

Austin Hardware® is a leading supplier for critical industries, including life-saving devices for ambulances, EMTs, and other emergency vehicles. We are proud to offer the B Lift hydraulic bariatric power lift as part of our complete line of solutions for life-saving industries. We truly believe that this is a beneficial and innovative product that will save lives and make the jobs of our important first responders easier and more efficient.

Not only does our product provide safety solutions, but it is also durable, strength tested, and made in the U.S. with quality parts and craftsmanship. The average EMS response time is 14-16 minutes, meaning that each minute is crucial, we aim to maximize the time that emergency medical technicians can focus on response time while providing a safe way to accomplish that. Providing quicker response times for emergency medical care, as well as enhancing patient care is important to providing the best solutions for safety. 

The two primary linkage options available for your multi-point latches are Rods and Cables. Each offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages. 

If you're debating which is right for your application, here's a breakdown of our findings. 

Rods are more common in multi-point latch applications for several reasons, but primarily because of their durability. They are generally stronger and more durable than cables. Financially, while the cost of the raw materials for rods and cables is very close, rods tend to be more economical than a complete cable system. Cable systems require more components for assembly, thus making them more complex and costly to use. Many companies will form rods on their own, which also can help to keep costs down. 

It’s no secret that Austin Hardware® is in the business of offering solutions for your business, by creating custom-engineered products that are designed to be innovative, intuitive and perfect for a variety of industries. Through our quest to create innovative products, we were able to create the Flexi-Vent, Flexible Mounting Cowl Vent as a strong competitor in today’s market. We listened to our customers' needs about creating an innovative design that was practical as it was original. With the flexible cowl vent, we solved three major problems seen on the market and was able to provide a solution for a variety of applications and industries. Ready to learn more? Keep Reading below.

What is a Door or Lid Assist? 

One type of hardware commonly overlooked in daily lives is door or lid assists. Every time you open a heavy door or lid, more than likely, you are using a lid assist. They are not only practical; they provide a layer of safety as well. Assists also offer strength, but also allow doors to open and close smoothly. So what is a lid or door assist, and how are they most commonly used? 

There are many different types of truck bodies. To name a few, there are: