By Howmet Fastening Systems Industrial

The Fraunhofer Institute, based in Germany, has this year awarded the Telford Howmet Fastening Systems site their Fraunhofer IGP award for 2021. The award marks ‘significant progression and success in lockbolt and blind rivet technology development.’

Howmet Fastening Systems has had a close working partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for over 20 years, which has included collaboration on research projects that define the behaviour and strength of Huck blind fasteners and lockbolts.

Together, the Fraunhofer Institute and Howmet Fastening Systems have enabled a range of Huck products to be approved by the German Civil Engineering Institute (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik, or ‘DIBt’). This involved the performance of Huck products being rigorously assessed, including static performance through shear and tensile strength, clamp preload ability, fatigue testing and corrosion testing.

Dr.-Ing. Hans-Albert Städler, who has been instrumental in these achievements, has announced his retirement from Howmet Industrial Systems. During his 22 years’ service with the company, Hans-Albert’s unparalleled technical expertise has allowed Huck to strengthen its’ position as a highly reputable and respected brand.

In addition to his work with the Fraunhofer Society, Hans-Albert has fostered close partnerships with Rostock Fraunhofer IGP, which works in co-operation with Rostock University in Germany. Students of Rostock University are supported during their academic studies, enabling them to get an in depth knowledge of how lockbolts and blind fasteners work.

Hans-Albert’s successor, Dr.-Ing. Christoph Blunk brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the fasteners industry and has well established links with Rostock University, in addition to Fraunhofer.

Hans-Albert (centre) accepting the Fraunhofer IGP award, with Christoph Blunk
(Pictured L-R Prof. Knuth-Michael Henkel, Dr.-Ing. Christoph Blunk, Dr.-Ing. Hans-Albert Staedler, Prof. Flügge, Maik Dörre)