Views
8 years ago

WINTER 2016

  • Text
  • Fastener
  • Fasteners
  • Industrial
  • Products
  • Baking
  • Distributors
  • Stainless
  • Expo
  • Association
  • Astm
Distributor's Link Magazine Winter Issue 2016 / Vol 39 No1

58 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

58 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK ASTM INTERNATIONAL 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428 TEL 610-832-9500 FAX 610-832-9666 WEB www.astm.org ALIGNED AND COMBINED - THE NEW LOOK OF ASTM STRUCTURAL BOLT SPECIFICATIONS by Chad Larson Structural fasteners originated as a practical, high strength replacement for the practice of riveting. Now, these fasteners are used extensively to hold together all types of steel structures. Hundreds of millions of structural fasteners are produced to ASTM International standards each year. These critical building and infrastructure components are installed by contractors, steel fabricators and steel erectors to various industry requirements. Until recently, structural fasteners were covered by six different ASTM International standards: A325 and A325M, A490 and A490M, F1852 and F2280. These standards covered steel and alloy steel heavy hex bolts as well as twist-off type structural bolt/nut/washer assemblies. The six standards were maintained by Subcommittee F16.02 on Steel Bolts, Nuts, Rivets and Washers, part of ASTM Committee F16 on Fasteners. However, it became difficult for F16.02 to effectively maintain continuity across the standards. The subcommittee was spending more time on maintenance than it was on thoughtful and progressive improvement of the standards. In order to simplify matters, F16.02 initiated a task group to consolidate the standards. The task group would take a top down approach to the consolidation, recrafting a single new standard from the six. The new standard would need to address the requirements covered in the six older specifications, while also adding new information. After the original combined draft was created, it was proposed as a solution to the F16 executive committee, who gave it a great deal of support. The proposal was also discussed with the leadership of American Institute of Steel Construction and the Research Council on Structural TECHNICAL ARTICLE Connections, which were very helpful in clarifying industry needs and providing relevant feedback. There would need to be compromise by the F16 committee to adopt such a significant change, but also compromise within the standard itself to have a chance of passing a committee vote. Our task group of wellrespected producer, general interest and user members was instrumental in shaping not only a better standard, but also one that had enough committee support to pass a ballot. The result of the effort of the task group, the committee, and ASTM staff was the approval of F3125, Specification for High Strength Structural Bolts, Steel and Alloy Steel, Heat Treated, 120 ksi (830 MPa) and 150 ksi (1040 MPa) Minimum Tensile Strength, Inch and Metric Dimensions, a new structural bolt standard that will replace the six current structural fastener standards. The resulting document is an example of what can happen when fresh perspective, cooperation and effort combine in the consensus standard process. F3125 maintains virtually all of the previous technical requirements, while adding needed changes and improvements. All of this was accomplished very efficiently. Users of the new standard will include fastener manufacturers, structural engineers and numerous related steel construction agencies. While there may be some short-term issues with a change of this magnitude to such far-reaching standards, the benefits of a simplified document will be recognized for years to come. From a committee perspective, the ongoing maintenance will be much easier, allowing valuable committee time to be spent identifying and addressing other areas of improvement within Subcommittee F16.02. ASTM INTERNATIONAL

DDI System, a leading ERP software provider for wholesale distributors, has released the latest version of their Inform ERP Software, Version 14. According to Jon Schreibfeder, president of Effective Inventory Management, Inc., "DDI System has successfully implemented much of our inventory management research and up-to-date 'best practices' ideas in their software." Every Inform ERP user receives this free upgrade, which now includes a purchasing system that rivals sophisticated and costly third-party procurement solutions. Inform ERP’s new Advanced Demand Management focuses on identifying and managing exceptions to deliver precisely forecasted purchase orders. Distributors gain more inventory turns and profit-making opportunities, finer control over sporadic and slower-moving items, less overstock & carefully managed branch inventory. Realize greater cash flow & year-over-year profit gains. Demand Analysis - Inform ERP looks deep into every branches product demand, identifying Unusual, Sporadic, and Recurring demand patterns. More accurate, reliable forecasts are calculated with automated forecast method assignment. The recommended forecast approach is identified for every product, in every one of your branches. Inform enables fast purchase order calculations with a continuous reorder quantity update. With every transaction that impacts stock levels, a real-time reorder quantity is recalculated, creating instantaneous vendor replenishment projections. The new 'Projected Purchase Order' is a powerful, single screen purchasing view, incorporating every detail that goes into crafting the ‘Perfect Purchase Order’. Multi-location replenishment quantity, 'branch overstock to transfer' guidance, and hover help reveal every element of an items reorder quantity calculation. DDI System's Inform ERP can replace sophisticated, standalone forecasting and purchasing systems and is more powerful than any standard ERP purchasing module. With DDI’s Version 14, Inform can easily master your inventory and purchasing challenges. This feature is changing the way Inform ERP users are stocking their inventories, decreasing overhead costs of inventory investment and achieving higher profitability. Distributors can see the benefits of Inform at www.ddisys.com or by calling DDI for a product demonstration or more information at 1-877-599-4334. THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 59

SHARE A PAGE FROM THIS MAGAZINE

OPTION 1: Click on the share tab above, or OPTION 2: Click on the icon (far right of toolbar) and then click on the icon (top right of the page).

Copyright © Distributor's Link, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy