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QUALITY ASSURANCE

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Purchasing CentersFastco (Shanghai, China)

Fastenal’s North American Distribution Centers Akron, OHAtlanta, GADenton, TXEdmonton, ABEdwardsville, KSHigh Point, NCIndianapolis, IN

Jessup, PAKitchener, ONLakewood, WAModesto, CAMonterrey, MexicoSalt Lake City, UTWinona, MN

Quality is deeply rooted in our company DNA. Fastenal was founded by a mechanical engineer in 1967 and was among the first in the industry to implement full product traceability (years before the Fastener Quality Act). Fastenal Company’s Quality Management System has been ISO registered since September 1994. At that time, the six existing distribution centers were registered to ISO 9003:1994. Since then, Fastenal has grown and ISO requirements have changed. Our current Quality Management System is registered to ISO 9001:2015 and includes almost 50 locations. Today our tradition of quality continues with industry-leading systems that encompass the following registrations, certifications and resources:

ISO 9001:2015 Defines quality system requirements for an organization to develop a process based system to demonstrate the ability to consis-tently provide product that meets customer and regulatory requirements.

Fastenal’s Manufacturing SitesNorth AmericaHouston, TXIndianapolis, INLoves Park, ILModesto, CAWallingford, CTWinona, MN

AsiaJohor, Malaysia

EuropeModrice, Czech Republic

Fastenal Branch LocationsNorth & South AmericaDumas, ARGarland, TXHolland, MIOshawa, ONOshkosh, WIKitchener, ONSahagun, MexicoLevis, QCSorocaba, Brazil

AsiaFoshan, ChinaJiangsu, ChinaJohor, MalaysiaQingdao, ChinaShanghai, ChinaShenzhen, ChinaSingapore, SingaporeSuzhou, ChinaTianjin, China

Continental EuropeBerlin, GermanyBrasov, RomaniaCalenzano, ItalyCluj-Napoca, RomaniaDordrecht, NetherlandsHostivice, Czech RepublicKatawice, PolandLaxå, SwedenModrice, Czech RepublicPerugia, ItalyPiacenza, ItalyPirna, GermanyPloiesti, RomaniaRomano, ItalySzekesfehervar, HungaryTeningen, GermanyVierkirchen, Germany

United KingdomBallymena, UKCaerphilly, UKCookstown, UKCoventry, UKGalway, IrelandGlasgow, UKLuton, UKNottingham, UKSaint Helens, UK

ISO 9001:2015CERTIFIED LOCATIONS

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API-20E (BSL-1, 2, & 3) LICENSED LOCATIONAPI Specification Q1 is controlled by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and it dictates the quality management system requirements for manufacturing organizations which supply to the petroleum and natural gas industry. This specification outlines the requirements for a quality system that facilitates the consistent and reliable manufacture of API products.

North America Winona, MN

API-Q1 COMPLIANT LOCATIONAPI Specification Q1 is controlled by the American Petroleum Institute (API) and it dictates the quality management system requirements for manufacturing organizations which supply to the petroleum and natural gas industry. This specification outlines the requirements for a quality system that facilitates the consistent and reliable manufacture of API products.

North America Winona, MN

NQA-1 & 10CFR50 APPENDIX B COMPLIANT LOCATIONNQA-1 (Nuclear Quality Assurance-1) is a regulatory standard created and maintained by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). This standard provides supplemental information and contract requirements on implementing the requirements of 10CFR50 Appendix B which contains the 18 quality assurance criteria that suppliers wishing to sell materials, services or equipment to a nuclear facility must adhere to.

North America Winona, MN

AS9120 CERTIFIED LOCATIONSAS9120 is a company level certification based on a standard published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) titled “Quality Management Systems-Aerospace Requirements for Stockist Distributors”. This standard includes ISO9001 and specific requirements related to the Aerospace Industry adhere to.

North America Arlington, TX

AC-0056B ACCREDITED LOCATIONSAC-0056B This advisory circular (AC) describes a system for accrediting civil aircraft parts distributors based on voluntary industry oversight. The AC also provides information for developing accreditation programs. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), strongly endorses participation in such a program to help certificated persons establish the eligibility of parts and products.

North America Arlington, TX

AD 2000-MERKBLATT WO CERTIFIED LOCATIONThe German AD 2000 standards were established to ensure critical safety requirements are met in the design and fabrication of pressure equipment. These are closely aligned with PED and by holding an AD 2000 W0 certificate, Fastenal is allowed to mechanically process AD 2000 certified materials to create bolting components.

Europe Modrice, Czech Republic

PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE 97/23/EC CERTIFIED LOCATIONThe German AD 2000 standards were established to ensure critical safety requirements are met in the design and fabrication of pressure equipment. These are closely aligned with PED and by holding an AD 2000 W0 certificate, Fastenal is allowed to mechanically process AD 2000 certified materials to create bolting components.

Europe Modrice, Czech Republic

ISO/IEC 17025 ACCREDITED LOCATIONSANS/ISO/IEC 17025: General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. This standard specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and/or calibrations, as well as developing a laboratory management system for quality, administrative, and technical operations.

A2LA Accredited Laboratories Loves Park, IL (Mechanical Testing) Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (Mechanical Testing) Johor, Malaysia (Mechanical Testing) Modrice, Czech Republic (Mechanical Testing) Shanghai, China (Mechanical Testing) Wallingford, CT (Mechanical Testing) Winona, MN (Mechanical Testing & Calibration)

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Fastenal’s Quality Objectives:

Improve Product QualityFastenal aims to continually improve the quality of the products supplied through our distribution and manufacturing businesses. Improve Customer ServiceFastenal aims to continually improve the quality and customer satisfaction of the inventory management services, industrial services, and supply chain solution services we offer.

Interested Parties: Fastenal identifies the interested parties in our quality management system as customers, suppliers, and employees. The table below summarizes how their needs and expectations may impact our QMS and how we engage in monitoring and reviewing their information.

Risk & Opportunities: Fastenal utilizes process failure modes and effects analysis (PFMEA) as the tool for evaluating and addressing risks and opportunities at each level of our organization and across business segments. These PFMEAs are live documents that are reviewed by the necessary stakeholders on an as-needed basis. Results from the PFMEA activities may include a revision in processes, implementation of new programs, updates to work instructions, templates, and other documentation as applicable.

Interested Party Requirements Monitor and Review

Customers Customers define their product-specific requirements and service expectations through prints, contracts and direct communication with Fastenal representatives.

Customer needs and expectations are monitored and reviewed when receiving purchase requisitions, QBRs, reviewing contracts, and through satisfaction surveys.

Suppliers Suppliers are relevant to our QMS in that they must communicate whether they can meet our requirements as an organization in order to fulfill our orders and execute the product realization process. They must meet our vendor approval and monitoring requirements.

Supplier information is monitored and reviewed by our sourcing and purchasing departments through supplier contracts, meetings and scorecards.

Employees Employees are interested partiers in that they need to feel satisfied with the organization.

Employee satisfaction survey and turn-over rates.

FASTENAL’S QUALITY POLICY AND OBJECTIVESFastenal’s Quality Policy Fastenal is dedicated to the growth of our business by providing the highest quality products and world-class service to our valued customers. We will maintain the conviction that quality is every employee’s responsibility by ensuring that every team member within the organization strives to continuously meet our quality objectives, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve the effectiveness of our quality systems and processes. This mutual responsibility will result in our goal of “Growth through Customer Service.” CERTIFICATE

TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc.295 Foster Street, Suite 100, Littleton, MA 01460

Hereby certifies that

An audit was performed and documented in Report No 4406.Proof has been furnished that the requirements according toISO 9001:2015

are fulfilled.Further clarification regarding the scope of this certificate and the applicability ofISO 9001:2015 requirements may be obtained by contacting TRNA.

Certificate Registration No.74 300 4406

Certificate Issue DateCertificate Expiration Date

September 11, 2018 September 10, 2021

Reissue Date: September 11, 2018

Certification of Management Systems

2001 Theurer BoulevardWinona, MN 55987 USAhas established and maintains a quality management system for the

Manufacture of Threaded Fasteners and Machined Products,Distribution of Fasteners and Industrial and ConstructionSupplies, Provider of Industrial Services

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Supplier Selection It is crucial in Fastenal’s commitment to quality that we partner with premier suppliers. All suppliers must go through a rigorous approval process in order to make our Approved Vendor List.

Self-Assessment SurveysAll potential suppliers must complete a Supplier Self-Assessment Survey. This is used to review the supplier’s quality system; questions are based on the ISO 9001 standard, general business practices, supplier capabilities, and environment and social responsibility. Supplier information is evaluated to determine whether their integrity and quality management systems are aligned with Fastenal’s.

On-Site AuditsAn on-site audit may be conducted based on the type of product Fastenal will be purchasing. On-site audits are required and completed for all Asia-Pacific suppliers. These audits are used to collect physical evidence that indicates the supplier is capable of consistently producing conforming products. Everything is reviewed, including employee training processes, production techniques and capabilities, and quality assurance practices that are implemented in the supplier’s facilities.

Approval by Product CategoryWhen it comes to fasteners, our suppliers are subject to approval by product category. This means that a supplier may be on our approved vendor list but not actually approved to sell fasteners to Fastenal. They must be approved through physical product testing for every type of fastener we will buy from them. For example, just because one supplier produces quality-approved sheet metal screws does not mean Fastenal will automatically purchase their grade 8 cap screws. Each category must go through rigorous testing and quality approval.

Pre-Shipment TestingPre-shipment testing is performed by our accredited labs on all new products as well as existing products provided by new suppliers. Products must meet our test requirements in order for the supplier to become an approved vendor for that particular product line. Testing is based on product requirements defined by the Fastenal Product Standard, the customer drawing, and published consensus standards.

Random TestingOnce a supplier passes the initial pre-shipment sample phase, they become subject to our New and Existing Supplier Testing Qualification Policy. This means that their product is randomly tested per a sampling plan based on the supplier’s quality management system, lab accreditation and past performance in our A2LA accredited laboratories.

Supplier Monitoring Supplier quality is monitored through the use of random product inspections, supplier score cards and quarterly meetings. Every supplier is monitored with a different level of scrutiny based on their past performance, how much we spend with them and how critical the parts we’re purchasing are. Each supplier will be reviewed at a minimum of every three years. Based on performance, an on-site audit or desk survey will be performed at that time.

FASTENAL SUPPLIER SELECTION AND APPROVAL

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Fastenal Product Standard: FNL.TOWERB.HH.T1.HDG

Page 1 of 1 September 16, 2009

Tower Bolt, Hex Head, Type 1, Hot Dip Galvanized The information below lists the required dimensional, chemical and physical characteristics of the products in this purchase order. If

the order received does not meet these requirements, it may result in a supplier corrective action request, which could jeopardize your

status as an approved vendor. Unless otherwise specified, all referenced consensus standards must be adhered to in their entirety.

Max. Min. Basic Max. Min. Max. Min. Basic Max. Min.

5/8 .642 .605 15/16 .938 .906 1.083 1.033 27/64 .444 .378

3/4 .768 .729 1 1/8 1.125 1.088 1.299 1.240 1/2 .524 .455

Size

Full-Size

Body

Diameter

Width Across Width Across

Corners

G HE F

Head Height

1 1-1/4 1-1/2 1-3/4 2 and longer in 1/4 increments

5/8 1/16 1/16 1/4 1/2 L minus 1-1/4

3/4 … 1/16 1/8 3/8 L minus 1-3/8

Bolt

Diameter

Length of Full Body for Bolts, L,in.

+/- 1/32 in. for sizes 1/2 in. through 3/4 in.

inclusiveTolerance +/- 1/16 in. for size 7/8 in. and 1 inch

Dimensions above are prior to coating

Specification Requirements: • Standard: ASME B18.2.1 Except body length

• Material: Low or medium carbon steel, quenched and tempered per ASTM A394

• Mechanical Properties: ASTM A394, Type 1, Hardness: HRC 25 to 34

Tensile Strength: 120,000 psi

Shear Strength: 74,400 psi

• Thread Requirement: 2A before coating

• Product Marking: T-1, Manufacturer’s ID, nominal length in inches and fractions

• Finish: Hot dip galvanize per F2329

• Material Test Reports: The MTR must have documented lot traceability, including full

chemical and mechanical figures, to the specification(s) above.

Our goal is to provide clear, concise material declarations for the products we sell, in formats designed to meet our customers’ specific needs without compromising our suppliers’ proprietary trade secrets.

FASTENAL PRODUCT STANDARDS & CAD DRAWINGS

MATERIAL DECLARATIONS

MATERIAL CERTIFICATIONS (MTRS)

Fastenal Product Standards are Fastenal’s internally designed specification sheets. These documents feature dimensional, mechanical, performance and material requirements along with any other applicable requirement such as RoHS compliancy, plating or coatings, and UL or CSA listings. Fastenal Product Standards are used by our suppliers so they understand what we require, and also by the customer so they know what we offer. They are also used by our internal laboratories for their inspection process. Fastenal currently has over 4,800 Fastenal product Standards available for 172,000 SKU’s, which can be found on Fastenal.com and are located on each SKU’s individual landing page.

We currently have more than 100,000 CAD drawings created for our fasteners. Our 3D CAD drawings can be downloaded in common file formats to accommodate the various CAD software programs used by our customers. Additionally, each part has a two-dimensional sales drawing that resembles the typical blueprint.

Fastenal requires its vendors to supply material test reports on select product lines. When orders are placed corporately for our distribution centers, vendors are required to supply material test reports for those select product lines. Product lines include: socket headed product, studs, threaded rod, finished hex nuts, hex jam nuts, heavy hex nuts, prevailing torque locknuts, washers and other non-threaded products. Once product has shipped from the vendor, they will send the MTRs electronically to Fastenal’s Material Certifications group who will then upload them to www.fastenal.com/mtr for customers to view when needed.

As the global market becomes more transparent for the composition of materials used in their products, Fastenal is actively supporting our customer needs with progressive reporting of these materials.

Declared, exempted or banned substance regulatory lists are reviewed to ensure that our product is consistent with our product quality goals. As such, Fastenal can provide certified compliance to a number of declaratory regulations such as REACH, RoHS, PoCS (Canada), Conflict Minerals, or even specific material substance list criteria from our customers.

We can provide compliance certifications using our standard format, customer supplied formats, or we can also provide material declarations through web-based material declaration data banks such as IMDS, BOMCheck, or GDX.

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For customers who require a higher level of quality, or a more structured system than our standard branch provides, our Quality Standard Operating Procedures (QSOP) and OEM Lockdown program can be implemented. The QSOP is the best practices for a branch to successfully service their accounts. Additionally, the quality team can work with the branch to determine the customer’s quality requirements and help implement procedures tailored around the customer’s requirements. Some of these requirements would include PPAPs, additional testing/inspection verification, first article inspection, packaging/labeling, and more.

In our efforts to ensure that we are answering all of our customers’ questions regarding Fastenal’s Quality Management System and capabilities; our quality team can assist in completing any quality related survey or questionnaire our customers may require for their supplier approval purposes.

This service guarantees that Fastenal is supplying qualified fasteners that are manufactured by pre-approved suppliers. The process begins when our team of experts blends their knowledge with a customer’s requirements (such as PPAP, country of origin limits, or nonstandard testing protocols) for part approval. A part approval procedure is established that each Fastenal employee servicing the customer will follow. These procedures typically include a first article inspection to be completed at one of our accredited testing facilities. The test results and other associated documents are reviewed by a team of experts to verify that every detail is accounted for and correct.

This team of experts has sole access to associate parts with their approved supply chain in our POS (Point of Sales) system. The POS System is used by each Fastenal branch to track their customer orders and will ensure that when a part is sold to the customer it can only be provided by the approved supplier. In addition to locking the part down, the system will not allow Fastenal to invoice any part that has not been through this approval program. The customer will be able to have multiple suppliers linked to a part, but the suppliers will all be required to go through the approval process.

Based on this option Fastenal can offer a Level 4 PPAP to our customers that provides evidence that we understand their requirements and can meet them. The Level 4 includes:

• PSW (Part Submission Warrant)• Balloon Print (customer or FPS)• Dimensional Inspection (performed by Fastenal Lab)• Material Test Reports (as available)• Secondary Operation Certification (as applicable)• Numbered or tagged samples for our customer

In addition, Fastenal also has an option for a Level 3 PPAP based on our Distribution process, which is available on COTS parts with a Corporate (HUB) control number. The Level 3 includes:

• PSW (Part Submission Warrant)• Balloon Print (customer or FPS)• Dimensional Inspection (performed by Fastenal Lab)• Material Test Reports (as available)• Flow Chart• Control Plan• FMEA (Failure Modes Effects Analysis)• Numbered or tagged samples for our customer

PPAP or Production Part Approval Process, which was created by the automotive industry, has now spread too many more of our customers. When it comes to a “Custom” part, the branch will need to contact the manufacturer directly. Fastenal does have an option when it comes to COTS (commercial off the shelf) parts produced to established industry specifications (i.e. ASTM, ASME, etc.) and sold to the general public.

Incorporation of a Quality Management System may include the following:

Quality Standard Operating Procedures based on ISO 9001 and customer specific requirements- A quality program is written in conjunction with the customer’s

supplier quality manual or individual product requirements.- Procedures are created, controlled and managed by the

corporate Quality Assurance team.

Corrective and preventive action procedures- Procedures are in place as required per the ISO 9001 standard.- Corrective actions are managed by the corporate Quality

Assurance group to ensure the root cause of the problem is identified and recurrence is prevented.

- All corrective and preventive actions are implemented annually (or sooner) depending the severity of the issue.

Enhanced product sourcing, inspections and traceability- Using approved Fastenal suppliers who have been proven to

meet Fastenal’s requirements as well as industry standards.- Additional product testing and inspections for first article or

PPAP requirements can be established through our A2LA labs.- Full product traceability from the manufacturer to customer

(MTRs, COCs, etc) is required.

Specialized non-conforming product procedures- Procedures conform with the requirements specified in ISO 9001

standard.- Investigation of quality-related failures includes product testing

using our A2LA lab as well as application support from our team of engineers.

- Custom procedures specifying how to service the customer in the event of a product failure/issue.

CUSTOMER QUALITY SURVEYS

OEM LOCKDOWN

PPAP

BRANCH QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

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The Fastenal testing facilities are accredited to ISO 17025 and equipped to perform dimensional, mechanical, chemical and non-destructive testing on most fasteners, as well as calibrations on measuring devices. Currently Fastenal has six labs that are spread out across the world to best service our customers and supply chain.

1. Winona, MN (Mechanical Testing and Calibration) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 1998. • Primary functions are to support Fastenal’s Manufacturing Centers, engineers, and customer specific testing. • Calibration for the company worldwide.

2. Wallingford, CT (Mechanical Testing) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2012. • Primary functions are to support Holo-Krome manufacturing.

3. Kaohsiung City, Taiwan (Mechanical Testing) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2006. • Primary function is supplier product testing.

4. Shanghai, China (Mechanical Testing) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2007. • Primary function is supplier product testing

5. Johor, Malaysia (Mechanical Testing). • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2009. • Primary functions are to support Fastenal

Manufacturing Malaysia and customer specific testing.

6. Modrice, Czech Republic (Mechanical Testing) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2014. • Primary Functions are to support Fastenal Manufacturing Europe and customer specific testing.

7. Loves Park, IL (Mechanical Testing) • Obtained A2LA accreditation in 2018. • Primary Functions are to support Fastenal Manufacturing Loves Park

ACCREDITED TESTING LABS

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20,000 lb., 30,000 lb., 200,000 lb., 400,000 lb., & 600,000 lb. Tensile Testers - Testing of externally threaded fasteners for tensile, proof load and yield strengths; testing of internally threaded fasteners for proof loads.

Rockwell Hardness Testers - Testing Rockwell hardness in the B and C scales, as well as surface hardness on the 30N scale.

Micro-Hardness Tester - Hardness testing using the Vickers scale.

Torque-Tension Tester - Measures the clamp force created by an externally threaded fastener when tightened.

Spectrometer - Chemical analysis for iron, nickel, aluminum, copper and titanium based materials.

Portable XRF - Rapid alloy identification, PMI (positive material identification).

Metallographic Microscope - Analysis of grain structures, boundaries on raw material and finished product.

Mag-Particle (AC/DC) - Non-destructive inspection for cracks above and below the surface.

Liquid Penetrant – Non-destructive testing of non-magnetic materials.

Drive Test Plates, Torsional Collets, and Ductility Blocks - Performance testing for thread cutting and thread rolling screws.

Drill Drive Tester - Drill-drive performance testing for self-drilling and tapping screws.

Corrosion Test Chambers- Salt spray (fog) testing per ASTM B117.

Charpy Impact Machine - Impact testing up to 264 ft.-lbs. with a temperature range of +410°F to -202°F.

CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) - Precise measurements of angles, concentricity, roundness, diameter of holes and distance of points.

Optical Comparator - Dimensional inspection of linear measurements, angles, thread profiles and radii.

Laser Lab - 3-D laser inspection system accurately measures diameters, lengths, tapers, straightness, concentricity and threads to print with exact measurements every time.

Dimensional Inspection - Utilizing ring and plug, variable thread, length and protrusion gages, calipers, micrometers and pitch micrometers.

Additional Equipment - Profilometer, Mic-Trac-elongation gage, torque wrenches and gage blocks.

Fatigue Testing - Applying cyclic loading to your test specimen to understand how it will perform under similar conditions in actual use. The load application can either be a repeated application of a fixed load or simulation of in-service loads. The load application may be repeated millions of times and up to several hundred times per second.

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) - A nondestructive method of characterizing the thickness or internal structure of a test piece through the use of high-frequency sound waves.

These facilities are very well equipped to perform inspections and application testing on fasteners. We own more than 21,000 measuring devices and are constantly expanding our capabilities.

Fastenal’s A2LA-accredited lab offers the highest quality calibration and repair services for most precision measuring devices, including:

Precision Measuring: • Calipers • Height Gages • Micrometers • Outside Micrometers • Micrometer Standards • Interchangeable Anvil Micrometers • Depth Micrometer • Pitch • Inside Micrometer • Indicators • Bore Gages • Tape Measure • Radius Gage • Feeler Gage • Pitch Profile Gage • Steel Rules

TESTING LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

CALIBRATION LABORATORY

This lab manages more than 25,000 measuring devices for our manufacturing centers, testing labs and numerous branch locations. With more than 50 years of combined calibration, maintenance and management experience, we have the expertise to meet your precision calibration needs.

Torque Tools: • Screwdriver • Single Torque pre-set • Wrenches

Hard Gages: • Adjustable threaded Ring • Threaded Working Plug • Threaded Set Plug • Hex Plug • Cylindrical Plug • 1-2-3 Block • Pin Gage • Slot Gage • Tapered Rings • Tapered Plugs

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FASTENAL ENGINEERING

Fastenal’s team of degreed engineers can help you make the best possible fastener selection and develop the optimum installation procedure in all your fastening applications. They have unmatched product knowledge on fasteners and can help you answer tough fastener specific technical questions dealing with the following subjects and more:

• Torque and strength requirements based on your application • Materials, corrosion, coatings and plating • Joint analysis • Specifications such as - ASTM, SAE, ASME, ANSI, ISO, RCSC, API, and DIN • Technical trainings • Fastener cost savings opportunities

Fastenal’s Engineering department has representation on more than 70 technical committees that work on the development of fastener industry standards and specifications. They are heavily involved in creating and improving consensus standards that all fastener manufacturers and distributors commonly use. Examples of standard organizations they participate in are ASTM, ASME, SAE and ISO.

By being involved in our industry’s technical committees, our engineers have been able to push changes that have positively influenced fastener manufacturers, distributors and users alike. Fastenal’s Engineering group has sponsored initiatives that have created technical standards for threaded rod, improved and modernized the quality requirements for fasteners, brought material requirements in line with what the market demands for stainless steel fasteners, and much, much more.

TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Have you ever found yourself needing more technical information on fasteners? The Fastenal Engineering department has been offering this information since 1996. They have articles on corrosion, embrittlement, galling, magnetism in stainless steel, and much more. These articles are available on Fastenal.com or by contacting the engineering team at engineer@fastenal.com.

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FAILURE ANALYSIS

APPLICATION-SPECIFIC TESTING

COST SAVINGS ANALYSIS

Fastenal sells over 5 billion fasteners every year and regardless of the quality measures Fastenal employs there will be some fasteners that will inevitably fail. It’s estimated that 95% of all joint failures occur not as a fault of the fastener but due to improper joint design or improper installation. Failure can be caused by many things; below is a list of the most common failure mechanisms Fastenal reviews:

- Fatigue/Vibration Loosening- Embrittlement- Galling- Corrosion- Mechanical Overload

Through detailed investigation, the root cause of failure can be determined and recommendations can be provided to correct or eliminate the problem.

Fastenal Engineering may be able to assist with application testing to validate or gain information on a fastening design. Torque-tension testing, customer-designed testing, and other fastener-related tests can be performed to ensure your application will function as desired.

Fastenal Engineering can analyze your current use of fasteners and observe the assembly process to uncover cost savings opportunities and optimize fastener usage. Our team has helped save significant dollars in assembly and assembly components of lawn mowers, beverage dispensers, road paving equipment, and more. Through a combination of evaluating prints, observing the assembly process and disassembling the product, the Engineering team can offer recommendations and new ideas that may save money and time as well as improve safety. Focus is typically put on parts that may be difficult or expensive to source, have long lead times, or require extensive handling or complex assembly, with the overall goal of reducing the number of fasteners in the product and simplifying its production without compromising quality. Our engineers can also address areas of a product that have quality problems in the field and any other goals for improvement you may have.

TRAINING

As insignificant as they may appear, fasteners are critical to the success of any assembled product. Joint failures can result in costly repairs, safety concerns and warranty issues. In most cases of joint failure, the root cause is not a poor quality fastener but rather a poor design selection or improper installation techniques. A proper joint design includes an assessment of performance, cost and manufacturability, yet threaded fasteners are often overlooked until final phases of design. Even more troublesome, fastener selection is often based on designer preference, with little regard to functionality. Unfortunately, most engineers and designers lack any formal training to make these critical fastening choices.

Fastenal Engineering has developed training courses for both OEM and MRO customers. They have the expertise to cover a number of fastener topics including fastener strengths, head markings, material, threads, torque, clamp load, principles of bolted joints and other aspects of fasteners and their applications. These trainings are all customized to meet the needs of the customer and targeted specifically for the intended audience. Training sessions can be limited to two hours, but some of the more in-depth training can last up to two days. From small shops to some of the largest, most recognizable corporations in the world, our customers have taken advantage of this opportunity to increase their knowledge of fasteners and improve their business.

Customer results include: - Improved assembly practices

- Reduction in assembly and field failures

- Reduction in plant down time

- Reduction in maintenance time

- Better understanding of torque/tension

- Improved understanding of fastener failures

- Improved fastener life in corrosive environments

The training curriculum can be customized to target your specific needs. Typical participants range from design engineers to maintenance, purchasing or assembly staff. We will do our best to emphasize the areas of training that are most important to you.

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9704451_Quality Booklet • 11.18/KM • Printed in the USA