The Industrial Fastener & Forming International 2001 Conference will be held June 5-7 at the Cleveland Convention Center, Cleveland, Ohio, to provide “take-home-value” information and instruction on the everyday operation of a fastener manufacturing plant. Technical, operations, and management sessions will be followed by floor show demos of technology.

Relative strengths and weaknesses of each technology/approach will be communicated in a noncommercial manner. Sessions will present a range of options available for manufacturers seeking the best technology for specific applications.

The conference has been developed for the fastener and formed-parts industry by two of its top associations, Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) and International Fastener Machinery Association (IFMA). The only fastener production exhibition in the Americas, it is attracting machinery, equipment and service supplier-exhibitors from North America, Europe, and the Far East.

On Wednesday, June 6, 8:00-11:00 a.m., ASME Standard Committee B18 and ASTM Committee F16 on Fasteners will present “How Standards Impact the Quality and Technology of Your Business in Today’s Global Environment.” The agenda covers the effect of ASME, SAE, IFI, and ASTM standards, as well as corporate and government standards activities, such as:

• The Importance of Standards to Fastener Users by Bill Tudor;
• Who are the Players? by Dave McCrindle;
• How do These Standards Relate? by Joe Bahadrian;
• How Standards Relate to the Operation and Performance of Your Business by Steve Vass;
• Issues Which Impact Your Operations by Bruce Meade;
• Globalization by Bill Tudor and Charlie Wilson; and
• Other topics.

ASME B18 is responsible for over 83 dimensional standards used for fasteners. ASME B1 standardizes thread forms and dimensions. Both develop acceptance procedures.

ASTM F16 has jurisdiction over 66 standards that establish chemical, mechanical and performance requirements for mechanical fasteners. F16 is responsible for testing procedures for fastener evaluation and laboratory assessment by independent accreditors. Standards for high- and low-temperature material specifications for bolts, screws and nuts are developed by ASTM A01.22 on Steel Forgings and Wrought Fittings for Piping Applications and Bolting Materials for Piping and Special Purpose Applications which falls under A01 on Steel, Stainless Steel, and Related Alloys.

SAE’s Committee on Fasteners focuses on mechanical properties and testing for vehicle applications. The National Aeronautics and Space Committee (NASC) and SAE E-25 share responsibility for standards used by airframe and air engine builders, respectively. Standard procedures for hardness and coating evaluation are also covered by ASTM.

The IFI has issued 50 standards that have served as a basis for the eventual development of consensus standards. These and other standards issues that impact operations will be addressed at this part of the program.

Conference attendees may select from a plant-operations or a management track; registration is by day, or by “world-pass,” permitting attendance at any session, any day. As well as the standards session, the IFFI three-day agenda includes:

Technical and Operations Track:
• Platings and Coatings, June 5, 9:30-11:00 a.m.;
• Advanced Heading–Tough Shapes with Tough Materials, June 6, 8:00-9:30 a.m.;
• Optimum Raw Material Specification, June 6, 9:30-11:00 a.m.;
• Equipping the QA Lab, June 7, 9:30-11:00 a.m.; and
• Threading, June 7, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Management Track:
• ISO 14000, June 5, 9:30-11:00 a.m.;
• How Standards Impact the Quality and Technology of Your Business in Today’s Global Environment, June 6, 8:00-11:00 a.m.; and
• Global Economics and the Fastener Industry, June 7, 8:30-10:00 a.m.

You may register online or send complete contact information addressed to “OPFA” (fax: 847/256-7612).

For technical information, contact Charles J. Wilson, Director of Engineering, Industrial Fasteners Institute; Cleveland, Ohio.

Committee F16 meets May 6-9, Phoenix, Ariz., and Nov. 5-7, Dallas, Texas. For meeting or membership details, contact Staff Manager Bruce Noe, ASTM (phone: 610/832-8719). //

Copyright 2001, ASTM