In the world of high-volume manufacturing, there is a common trap - focusing exclusively on the purchase price of a fastener. It’s an easy metric to track, but it’s also the least impactful. Instead, manufacturers need to consider the entire "system" of the joint assembly through a concept REMINC calls the Big 85™.
The reality of your bottom line is that the physical fastener typically accounts for only about 15% of the total assembly cost. The remaining 85% of costs (aka The Big 85™) is swallowed by non-fastener expenses: the costs of labor, overhead, hole preparation, tapping, cleaning, and the application of secondary locking devices.
To achieve true cost optimization, you shouldn't look for a cheaper screw. Instead, you should look for a fastening system that dismantles the other 85%. Here’s a breakdown of the real costs that must be considered in assembly.
Eliminating the "Hidden" Tapping Department
The most immediate way to attack the Big 85™ is by eliminating the tapping process entirely. When you use a machine screw, you aren't just paying for the screw; you are paying for the direct and indirect labor of a tapping station, the cost of the taps themselves, lubricants, gauges, equipment setup and cleanup processes.
By switching to TAPTITE® PRO™ fasteners, you eliminate those avoidable costs along with the downstream headaches they create, such as:
- Cleaning and Inspection: You no longer need to clear away oil and chips or inspect for a proper class of fit in pre-tapped holes.
- Malfunction Downtime: You remove the risk of broken taps or station malfunctions that bring an automated line to a halt.
- Secondary Parts: TAPTITE® PRO™ screws can often thread directly into untapped, less expensive tubular rivets or weld nuts, and allow for the use of punched or cored holes that eliminate drilling.
Streamlining the Assembly Floor
The Big 85™ also includes the physical energy and time required to drive a fastener. High-performance fasteners improve assembly efficiency in ways a standard screw cannot:
- Operator Ergonomics: TAPTITE PRO® screws initiate thread forming with minimal end load required, lowering driving torque and reducing operator fatigue. TAPTITE PRO® fasteners provide torque tension levels comparable to a standard screw.
- Global Availability: TAPTITE PRO® screws are available globally, and are manufactured to exacting standards. Their uniformity is assured, making them suitable for global product designs.
Protecting the Finished Product
Finally, the most expensive costs in the 85% bracket are those associated with failure: scrap, repair, and warranty service.
- Zero Cross-Threading: Because TAPTITE® fasteners form their own threads into , the costly problem of cross-threading a machine screw into a pre-tapped hole is completely removed.
- Built-in Security: The TRILOBULAR™ shape of TAPTITE® fasteners creates an interface with the nut member that is inherently vibration resistant, eliminating the need for lock washers, nylon inserts, and locking adhesives, which are often inconsistent and add significant material and labor costs.
- Standardization: TAPTITE® screws are versatile. One TAPTITE® PRO™ screw can often replace several different types of standard screws, dramatically reducing your inventory management and purchasing overhead.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are building white goods, lawn equipment, or the latest electric vehicle, the goal is Maximum In-Place Cost Savings. By shifting your focus from the 15% purchase price to the Big 85™ of assembly, you aren't just buying a better fastener; you’re engineering a more profitable and reliable production line.