[Åshammar, Sweden] BUMAX, a fastener manufacturer based in Sweden, has been chosen by Schunk Sonosystems, a renowned global specialist in ultrasonic metal welding, to supply fasteners for their machines. Specifically, BUMAX will provide its DX 129 screws for use in Schunk Sonosystems' ultrasonic welding flexure sonotrode products, primarily employed in the automotive industry. The decision to utilize BUMAX screws was driven by the need to enhance quality and reliability, as standard steel bolts are unable to withstand the rigorous pulling and bending forces generated by ultrasonic vibration.
According to Stefan Mueller, Head of R&D at Schunk Sonosystems, only BUMAX screws met all their requirements during extensive testing. These screws not only consistently performed without breakage, but also exhibited exceptional longevity, negating the need for rust protection and preventing the creation of abrasion dust on the screw head throughout the sonotrode's lifespan.
Schunk Sonosystems is recognized globally for its expertise in the development and construction of ultrasonic metal welding machines, particularly its industry-leading flexure sonotrode. These machines incorporate a sonotrode or welding tip that transfers vibrational energy to the workpiece, necessitating the use of up to two high-strength bolts to secure the sonotrode. Due to the extremely high frequency employed in ultrasonic welding, the sonotrode experiences intense levels of vibration.
Ultrasonic welding is a solid-state welding process that employs ultrasonic vibrations to fuse metal components together through the heat generated by friction caused by high-frequency ultrasonic vibrational energy.
BUMAX's DX 129 screws, composed of duplex stainless steel, possess impressive tensile strengths of at least 1,200 MPa and exhibit excellent fatigue resistance properties. These screws effectively withstand the extreme forces encountered during ultrasonic welding, such as 20,000 vibrations per second.
The outstanding fatigue strength of BUMAX screws is crucial in their ability to endure a substantial number of cycles without fracturing. All BUMAX bolts are meticulously crafted using top-quality European steel, and their advanced manufacturing processes further enhance the fatigue resistance properties of the material. By employing high-quality raw materials, employing superior metallurgical techniques, and ensuring favorable surface properties, BUMAX guarantees exceptional fatigue strength. Additionally, the use of rolled threads, as opposed to cut threads, contributes to increased fatigue resistance.
