On the final day of Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2017, the editorial team of Fastener + Fixing Magazine named VVG – Befestigungstechnik GmbH & Co as the winner of the title ‘Fastener Technology Innovator 2017.’

VVG won for its RivSmart battery riveter.

“The RivSmart battery riveter with integrated process control, from VVG, weighs just 1.3kg and will process the most frequently used rivets up to 5mm with an 8,500N setting power and 20mm stroke,” Fastener + Fixing stated.

VVG says benefits to using the riveter include an optimized grip and a belt clip for greater worker mobility. The LED will lighten up the work area and serves as an optical warning signal in a noisy environment. A quick maintenance can also be assured as no tools and effort are needed to exchange nosepieces and clamping jaws and the unique modular design offers a customised length adjustment.

Supplied with VVG’s engineered BLDC motor, the RivSmart can install up to 1,000 rivets on one battery charge.  In addition, the integrated nano-sensor supports an internal digital process documentation, providing direct feedback on process and product quality without any additional external hardware.

“The RivSmart is the perfect answer if an ergonomic and mobile solution in a process controlled job is needed. All functions are available and monitored via an App or wireless network integration,” stated VVG. Web: vvg.info/en

Second place was awarded to Apolo MEA Befestigungssysteme GmbH, which entered the new ResiTHERM distance mounting system for perforated/hollow bricks. 

Apolo MEA Befestigungssysteme GmbH says its new ResiTHERM is “setting new standards” when it comes to distance installations of heavy loads in hollow bricks.

“By using ResiTHERM, heavy and security relevant objects such as awnings, canopies, French balconies, satellite dishes, etc, can be fixed through thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS) in an easy and secure way,” Apolo MEA stated.

Available in three lengths – 120mm, 160mm and 200mm, ResiTHERM passes through insulation thicknesses of 80mm up to 200mm with little heat loss.

An M12 internal thread with a length of 80mm extends into the massive anchor body, enabling both thermal separation and a large screw-in depth of the A4 stainless steel threaded stud, which is included in the set, along with a nut and washer.

Made out of glass fibre-reinforced polyamide, together with the injection system ResiFIX VY by Apolo MEA, ResiTHERM was tested at the Institute for Facade and Fastening Technology (IFBT GmbH) in Leipzig. Web: euro-mat.com

Tite-Fix won third place for its Ova-Lok screw.

“With a unique oval thread and shank, as opposed to a standard round thread and shank, Tite-Fix says its Ova-Lok screw resists anti-sealing moments,” Fastener + Fixing stated.

Ova-Lok is suitable for fixing a range of materials, including soft and hardwood; block (without a pilot hole), brick (with a pilot hole), plastic, thin plate steel and fiber board.

“The oval thread form has two major and two minor outer diameters to help reduce drive torque while minimizing blistering, especially in fibrous material such as MDF and chipboard,” according to Fastener + Fixing. “A sharply defined spiral point begins at the optimal point between the major and minor outer diameters, which enables the screw to start and drive balanced, similar to a twin thread, as opposed to a single start screw that tends to kick or ‘cork-screw’ and drive in at an angle.”

Tite-Fix says the Ova-Lok has a reduced insertion torque due to the oval thread form enabling the screw to adopt a deep coarse thread, which exhibits high pull-out retention and fast driving speeds. The company also says the screw will drive in approximately 25% faster than a standard round screw, saving time and extending power tool battery life. Web: ovalok.co.uk