subject: Industrial Fastener Alternatives for Specialty Vehicles [print this page] Industrial Fastener Alternatives for Specialty Vehicles
With the array of industrial fastener available, how do you choose which is right for your specialty vehicle project? The answer may surprise you. You are no longer limited to the permanent fastening power of rivets, or even screws and bolts. What if you need a fastener that is reclosable? Screws and bolts may be reclosable, but they require tools to remove, and the space to use those tools effectively. In most vehicles, space is a luxury that is just not available. They also require drilling holes in the vehicle. Not to mention they can rust together, rendering them no longer removable or reclosable.
One alternative is an industrial strength reclosable fastener. These industrial fasteners (http://www.3mfasteners.com) come in different strengths and the strongest ones can replace screws, bolts and even rivets. 3M Dual Lock is a popular option for these automotive fasteners. Unlike hook and loop fasteners that can deform and sag under weight causing disengagement, Dual Lock's mushroom stems stand firm and can hold a heavy weight when the proper amount is used. The interlocking mushroom shaped stems are five times stronger than typical hook and loop fasteners, but just as lightweight.
These fasteners are favored by industry professionals for their strength and versatility. Now the inventory manager can order a 50' roll of industrial fasteners to replace screws, bolts, and rivets. No more hunting for the right screw or bolt size, no drilling holes for the screws and rivets, just peel and stick. And they're repositionable, so if needs change, you are not left with holes to fill in resulting in added body work costs. They are widely used in many types of specialty vehicles such as buses, light rail cars, horse trailers, motor homes, ambulances, aerospace vehicles, even military tanks and vehicles!
Specialty vehicles will often need to remove headliner or side panels for accessibility or remodeling. Self-adhesive industrial fasteners allow secure installation of equipment up and out of the way, yet still accessible and portable. If you need to take the equipment with you, simply remove it from the floor or wall. The fasteners will keep items in place even during rough-road conditions, yet are easily removed by human hands.
According to the Dual Lock Facebook page, "Snap-Squad Fan Page", (http://www.facebook.com/dual.lock) ambulance crews like that the Dual Lock fasteners secure seats and equipment in the emergency vehicles, yet allow the seats and equipment to be easily removed for sterilized cleaning.
Whichever brand you choose, the new generation of industrial-strength reclosable fasteners makes the job much easier.
