Archive: Jun 2020

Air Filter Components

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We are excited to announce the addition of air filter clips and specialty air filter fasteners, manufactured by Springfield Spring & Stamping to our product line. Springfield Spring & Stamping is a leading manufacturer of standard and custom air filter holding frame clips in the United States. We recently exhibited at the AHR Expo in Orlando to launch into the air filter industry.  We are also now a member of the NAFA.

The air filter clip product line complements our current HVAC-R that include wire routing components, caps, plugs, clamps, rivet nuts, panel fasteners, specialty nuts, bolts and screws.

We’re still working out some details with stocking, logistics, etc. but look for our official opening day (along with baseball) in April!

A World In Motion

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We are excited about the addition of gas springs (also known as gas struts, gas pistons, pneumatic springs, or gas shocks) and dampers to the EFC product line.  For controlling motion Gas Springs are essential components in the automotive industry and a wide variety of industrial applications.

Lift Gas Springs.  Most commonly found on the hatch back of a car or SUV. A gas spring functions in a compressed position.  By compressing the rod into the tube, the nitrogen gas within the tube is also being compressed. As the space within the tube is reduced, the gas pressure to rises, which leads to the storing of energy. Once actuated, the gas spring then assist with the movement of an object, such as lifting the hatch back door for a car.

Dampers. Dampers are designed to control speed & motion determined by the quantity of hydraulic oil within the tube. Dampening can be set in either extension, compression, or both directions.  A damper is commonly used in applications where a cover opens down ward and controlled motion is required.

Tension/Traction Gas Spring. A Tension gas springs works in an opposite manner as a lift gas spring, it functions in extension.  The operator “pulls” the rod from the tube, as the rod is “pulled” the nitrogen is compressed causing the gas pressure to increase, storing the energy. Once released the energy reacts compressing the rod back into the tube.

Common Applications:

Transportation

  • Bus and Truck
  • Marine
  • Aerospace
  • Emergency Vehicles
  • Recreational Vehicles

Off Highway

  • Farm Equipment
  • Riding Mower
  • Construction Equipment

Electronic

  • Bank Machine
  • Computer
  • Copiers and Commercial Printer

Consumer

  • Tool Box
  • Tanning Bed
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Dumpster

For any installation situation – door, lid, cover, etc., let us work with you to provide just the right control and motion with competitive pricing for gas springs.

Swing Couplings from EFC Provide Increased Safety and Ease of Use While Saving Energy and Money!

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EFC provides safe and high quality swing couplings for hydraulic, pneumatic, vacuum, gas, chemical fluid and water applications. The swing couplingsSwing Couplings are manufactured with the latest technologies to provide production methods that achieve efficiency, increase plant safety, improve productivity and save costs for industrial connections.  Check out some benefits below:

  • Increased safety. Safety features allow for safe connections and disconnection without pressure, kickback, or fear of hose whip typically experienced in standard coupling use.  Pressure is always automatically off during the coupling process. These safety features have made the swing coupling a favorite of assembly workers, manufacturing engineers and plant safety committees.
  • Easy to use. Designed to replace most standard couplings. Quick connection and disconnection are simple without line pressure or air loss in the system. The coupling swings easily into a locked position, letting the user know that the coupling has been completely connected or disconnected.
  • Saves energy and money. Check valves used in standard couplings restrict airflow resulting in pressure drop and increased compressor energy consumption. When using compressed air operated equipment in conjunction with swing couplings, the result will always be a method of operation which is more efficient with low energy and consumption, making it very economical.

Compressed air is the typical manufacturer’s most important utility. Pneumatic tools and controls, air cylinders for machine actuation, product cleansing and blow-offs each use compressed air. Without a consistent supply of quality compressed air, a manufacturing process can stop functioning.

Even small leaks can lead to big losses and can also cause serious accidents. It has been shown that in the case of compressed air, leaking couplings account for an energy loss of 8-15%. If water or oil are leaking, there are obvious signs, however, compressed air is not so obvious unless it’s too loud or blowing the skin off your face. It can leak forever and not directly affect anything but cost!

EFC Implements Outbound Autocapture Portal Prototype

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EFC Implements Outbound Autocapture

Photo from the debut of the Autocapture Portal. Pictured is EFC President Matt Dudenhoeffer shaking hands with EFC Intern, Cameron, who developed the device.

The recently implemented “Autocapture Portal” operating in the St. Louis warehouse is a great example of EFC Redefining The World Of Distribution. The project was imagined by members of the IT and warehouse departments due to difficulties moving pictures into SAP for documenting export shipments. College intern and son of an EFC employee, Cameron, performed the majority of developing the program through fabrication of the device, programming, coding, circuitry, assembly, installation, testing, and validation. The Autocapture project will lead to improvements in warehouse automation.

This project and the portal itself will lead to improvement in warehouse automation. It solves issues by providing efficiency and improved flow of information flow to several departments. How? As a pallet is passed through the Autocapture Portal, the pallet tag is detected, and triggers the device to take photos of the pallet from 7 different angles and even a photo of the loaded truck! Each set of photos is uploaded in SAP and attached to the respective delivery.

Solutions Realized:

  • Consistent, reliable image capture of completed order condition of outbound pallets
  • Proof of heat treated stamp for customs clearance on export deliveries
  • Photo matching the carrier and pick up time with the pallet/delivery capture information
  • Confirming the status of each delivery in SAP, including automatically posting goods
  • Time savings for warehouse staff
  • Quick reference access to shipment documentation for sales, logistics, quality, etc.

EFC: Redefining The World Of Distribution!

EFC’s Autocapture circuit board proudly features the company logo.

EFC International Cage Nuts – The Smarter Alternative To Tapped Holes

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efc cage nut

A process as simple as assembling panels can rapidly become a source of  additional costs if not handled smartly. A Raymond’s (Tinnerman) speed grip cage nuts have been making the method smarter for several decades and are available from EFC International.

Cage nuts provide the assembly ease of a spring steel fastener with the robust joint of a cold-headed nut. These self-retaining threaded nuts can be assembled without tools in blind locations and don’t require any special operations.

The easier the better  – This is true from both a logistical point of view and a financial one. By simplifying assembly as well as by cutting tools out of the equation, they have a direct impact on Total Cost of Ownership: significant savings are made on assembly time, logistics or even tool purchasing.

Contact us for samples and quotes.

It’s Show Time!

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Many people ask when budgeting and planning, “Is it worth it?”  Are tradeshows still relevant in this digital age?  Tradeshows are a key event, opportunities to network, assess competition, meet existing and potential suppliers and view the latest market trends.  They offer a great arena to showcase new products, raise brand awareness and create buzz.  It’s unlikely you’ll meet anyone at the show that you wouldn’t meet from the office and you don’t miss work, however you do miss the conversations at the show and they could be the deal maker (or the deal breaker, but let’s not go there)!

Most products can be displayed adequately on-line but being able to test and see the products in person seems to be ideal scenario.

Event organizers have made a focused effort to incorporate social media and it creates buzz before, during and after the show. Ideally social media brings people to our booth and grows our own social media.  This most likely wouldn’t have happened without the trade show and it lets me reach out personally for an email address assuring them I’m not a robot.

EFC recently exhibited at NASCC – Steel Conference in St. Louis.  EFC’s booth highlighted the Sherex Large Rivet Nuts. The Sherex rivet nuts were developed for applications where critical joint performance and high tensile loads are required.  Check them out on our website here, which brings me to another compelling reason to exhibit.  We gained valuable referrals from the numerous people we met.  There is a community and often attendees will network with you even if they have no need for your product/service.

Next up on the show circuit for EFC is Fastener Fair USA in Detroit May 22-23.  We will be giving away a Traxxas Ford Mustang!  Stop by Booth #514 and see the latest innovative fasteners while you register for the car.  We look forward to seeing our customers, friends, and suppliers at the show!

Fastener Tech follows the fair the first week of June at Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont.  This event is hosted by Fastener Technology International and Midwest Fastener Association.  EFC is a proud sponsor of the event.  It represents another great opportunity for us to meet and share knowledge with customers, colleagues and suppliers.   We won’t have a car to give away, but come see us anyway!

Embossed vs. Slotted Worm-Drive Hose Clamps – Perfect for the Marine Industry!

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Embossed vs. Slotted Worm-Drive Hose Clamps  Embossed vs. Slotted Worm-Drive Hose Clamps  Embossed vs. Slotted Worm-Drive Hose Clamps

EFC offers in stock Swedish Style Worm Drive Clamps. These clamps have an embossed band versus the slotted band of the traditionally manufactured hose clamps.

The slotted band will extrude the hose through the slots when tightened on the hose.  This cheese grater effect not only damages the hose material, it also hinders the clamp from smoothly riding over the hose when tightened.  The interlocking of the hose with the band slots creates a reactive torque moment that needs to be overcome with a higher installation torque. In addition, the small contact surface between the screw thread and the band slots generates high friction, therefore even LESS torque is converted into band tension.  The trapezoidal shape of the embossed band allows for more contact with the screw threads, therefore MORE torque is converted into band tension.

efc-clamp-embossed-vs-slotted

Embossed band worm-drive hose clamps have roll-formed band edges that minimize damage of the hose material as well as the risk of injury to the installer.

The housing of this worm gear clamp is manufactured from a tube in one piece that secures high breaking torques and reliability. The solid band with a smooth inside as well as the rounded edges, protect the hose against damages and ensure a perfect sealing. Band width 9.7 and 11.7 mm.

Get a clamp that is far superior to slotted clamps at a competitive price!  Call us about our REALLY BIG SALE on these clamps!  Your business will gain financially and gain peace of mind avoiding warranty claims due to hose system failures.

In stock sizes on sale range from clamping range of 8-14mm (5/16” – 9/16”) up to 150-180mm (5 1/2:”  7”).

Show your customers a commitment to quality and purchase the best clamp on the market. 

EFC International Will Help You Choose the Right Clamp!

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EFC International Will Help You

Worm Gear: Inexpensive and lightly constructed clamp for general purpose automotive and industrial applications. Generally used in applications such as air and fuel lines.  They work fine while you are ironing out details of your system.  Hi-Torque is the strongest worm-gear clamp and features all stainless steel construction; an inner liner is also available. https://www.efc-intl.com/products/efc-clamps/worm-gear-clamps.htm

T-Bolt: Performance-engineered for long-term durability and a wide variety of applications.  The standard hose clamp used on intake hoses throughout the industry.  Very high holding power.  A wider band provides for superior system stability.  Thicker metal in the band means higher strength and longer life.  The only disadvantage is a narrow range – you must have the correct size in order for it to work properly. Fully lined. Medium cost. https://www.efc-intl.com/products/efc-clamps/t-bolt-clamps.htm

Constant Torque:  A breakthrough in clamping technology.  A Belleville spring mechanism automatically increases or decreases the clamp diameter due to changes in operational or environmental temperatures to eliminate “cold flow” leaks.  Widely used in air-to-air after cooler systems.  Wide range and fully lined.  Automotive, Heavy Duty and Industrial applications.  Complex construction means higher cost. https://www.efc-intl.com/products/efc-clamps/constant-tension-clamps.htm

Spring-Loaded:  A constant tension clamp with a spring designed for a variety of automotive, industrial, and marine applications.  Maintains uniform and constant tension for fluctuation on hoses.  Largely super-ceded by newer constant torque technologies but still widely used.  There is a narrower range compared to constant-torque and less capability to handle rapid pressure spikes and slowly losing tension in the spring over time.  Fix tension easily by adjusting the clamp periodically. Their ability to compensate for the expansion and contraction of hoses and fittings due to temperature is about the same as constant-torque.  Most are floating-bridge type using a trunnion-style bridge, which keeps the clamp aligned during tightening and tightens more evenly around the entire diameter of the hose.  Available with standard and heavy duty springs.  Medium-high cost. https://www.efc-intl.com/products/efc-clamps/t-bolt-clamps.htm

V-Band: Provide fast, secure high-strength coupling to connect flanged joints.  V-Band clamps enable industries to meet exact requirements in Aero-space, industrial, automotive, heavy duty and marine.  Typical V-Band applications are turbocharger connections, Diaphragm pumps, ducting, air, and exhaust, pool/spa filters and pumps, food processing/dairy equipment.

Marine Grade:  EFC has stock on clamps perfectly suited for the marine and irrigation industries with high-grade materials in 316 stainless to combat corrosion from saltwater.  Features:  1-piece tubular housing (nonwelded) for maximum strength, smooth I.D. reduces hose damage and maximizes conversion of torque to clamping force, rolled edges protect hose from abrasion, and available in 10 mm and 12 mm bandwidths.    https://www.efc-intl.com/products/efc-clamps/worm-gear-clamps/clamps-worm-gear-marine-embossed-german-multi-range-9-12mm-wide-all-316ss.htm

Still not sure which clamp to use, EFC’s clamp experts will help you get the right clamp for the job with a simple phone call!