Electronics Protection - May/June 2013 - (Page 10)

Feature Hardware Technology Eliminates Problems Caused by Using Traditional Captive Screws Gregory Breads, Product Manager DIRAK, Inc. Screws, nuts and bolts are a very basic method used for attaching costly electronic equipment to racks. They effectively hold the panel to the rack frame, but often become loose during transportation, or dropped and lost during maintenance. The result? Loose nuts and bolts falling onto and damaging sensitive and costly electronic equipment. Decades ago, a fastening method entered the marketplace giving engineers the ability to fasten, as well as protect, the equipment inside of the enclosure from damage commonly caused by loose screws, nuts and bolts. Traditional captive screws and nuts quickly replaced common screws, nuts and bolts in fastening applications in the telecommunications and computer industries. Mechanical designers were immediately drawn to the benefits of these captive screws because they eliminated the concern of mounting hardware becoming loose and falling onto electronic equipment due to vibration of the unit. In addition, a technician could easily disengage a rack for replacement or maintenance and not worry about losing the hardware or having it fall onto the equipment. Once installed, captive screws remained captive in the panel and the risk of damaging the sensitive equipment housed inside a telecommunications enclosure was significantly reduced. However, the use of traditional captive screws in 19-inch rack applications did pose problems for OEMs resulting in a limited design process and a more complex supply chain. Designers had to specify the captive screw early in the design phase because traditional captive screws had to be installed in the trays before the electronics were mounted. This eliminated the ability of the OEM to offer the end-user a choice in selecting the actuation method, such as hand-operated or tool-operated, to best match the application need. With traditional captive screws the end-user was forced to use the fastening method provided with the unit. Another disadvantage was in the supply chain. The supply chain became significantly more complex with the use of captive screws over traditional screws, nuts and bolts for fastening. OEM’s had to find suppliers that were capable of installing captive screws. These suppliers had to invest in expensive installation equipment needed to install the captive screws and had to establish a proven quality process to guarantee accurate installation. In addition, all parties involved in the supply chain had to provide a global network of support. Many times, the design of these units would occur in the US or Europe, while most of the suppliers installing the captive screws were located at manufacturing facilities in Asia. Until recently, the design decision to specify traditional captive screws and nuts to protect equipment inside the enclosure also meant the acceptance of a complicated supply chain and limited flexibility in product offering for the end-user. Innovative Technology Provides Solution A new technology is now available that provides the benefits of traditional captive screws while eliminating the disadvantages. This line of products results in protection of equipment, a simplified supply chain for the OEM and more choices for the end-user. Featuring D-Snap Technology, Dirak’s Snap-Line captive fasteners includes a housing that holds two wedge shaped, spring loaded wings. These wings retract as they slide through the panel cutout 10 and snap into position behind the panel once the Snap-Line captive fastener is inserted completely through the opening. Captive fasteners protect equipment inside enclosures. They ensure a secure, vibration resistant attachment of electronic equipThe spring-loaded wings of the ment to 19 inch racks to protect D-Snap Technology mechanism the sensitive equipment housed retract to slide through the inside enclosures. These products panel cutout and then engage have the ability to withstand vibra- behind the panel for a secure tion environments and heavy loads vibration resistant connection. while still maintaining a secure, tight fit over time. They have undergone extensive testing to verify that the fasteners provide added performance and a secure attachment to the panel, even under extreme vibration applications. Snap-Line captive fasteners will not loosen or vibrate off the panel damaging the sensitive electronic equipment housed inside an enclosure. View video on vibration resistant attachment of equipment to 19-inch racks. View video on how Snap-Line Captive Fasteners meet application strength requirements. Strength is never compromised with Snap-Line captive fasteners. Unlike traditional captive screws that could fall out of the panel or become misaligned if hit with a direct force, Snap-Line fasteners remain secure in the panel under heavy load. Captive fasteners have been proven to meet and exceed application strength requirements and remain fully operational. Snap-Line captive fasteners eliminate the need for tools, mounting hardware or expensive insertion equipment required by traditional captive screws. Captive fasteners are installed by simply pushing the fastener through the panel cut-out by hand. No other steps are needed. Once installed, they remain captive in the panel. A technician can disengage a rack for replacement or maintenance and not worry about losing the hardware or having it fall onto Snap-Line captive fasteners are sensitive electronic equipment. installed by simply pushing the fastener through the panel cut-out. In addition to equipment protection, vibration resistance, product strength and ease of installation, Snap-Line captive fasteners simplify the supply chain for the OEM. The OEM does not need to specify the captive fastener early in the design process before the unit is even commissioned for production. Instead May/June 2013 www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com http://www.ElectronicsProtectionMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Electronics Protection - May/June 2013

Electronics Protection - May/June 2013
Newer Technology Releases Next-Generation Power2U AC/USB In Wall Charging Solution
Raritan Boosts its DCIM Leadership Position with dcTrack 3.0
Specifiers of Enclosures for Components in Outdoor Applications: Be Aware of Material Selection Issues
Realizing the Many Benefits of Power System Relay Upgrades
How to Protect Electronic Circuits from Power Surges
A Little Diamond Goes a Long Way: Overcoming Thermal Limitations to Enable Next Generation Technology
Hardware Technology Eliminates Problems Caused by Using Traditional Captive Screws
Managing Lithium-Chemistry Batteries: It’s Mostly About Their Temperature
Protecting and Improving Electronic Components Performance
Advancements in Thermal Management Conference Preview
One Stop Systems Introduces nanoCUBE Desktop Expansion
Select-A-Shield RF Shielded Tent Closure System Is Non-Radiating
Thermoelectric Air Conditioner Delivers Maximum Cooling Regardless of Power Supply
On-line, Double-Conversion UPS from Emerson Network Power Earns Energy Star Qualification
Dirak Introduces a New Swinghandle
Dual-Cure Conformal Coating Eliminates Need for Additional Processing
Industry News
Calendar of Events

Electronics Protection - May/June 2013