Trying to imagine a world where mechanical fixings don’t exist is difficult to say the least. For quite literally thousands of years, a wide variety of mechanical fixings like nails, bolts, screws and brackets have been used to make everything from castles to cars. Even today, they continue to be the primary go-to in the manufacture of millions of essential products on a global basis. They have become such a standard and important part of the world that they are the kind of thing manufacturers tend to instinctively, without even thinking about it.
But could this be something that is possibly set to change going forwards? Is it possible that in years and decades to come, we will enter a time when and where mechanical fixings are rendered obsolete?
Well, with the way things are going these days, it is becoming increasingly apparent that mechanical fixings will cease to be used in a great many production and manufacturing settings. The reason being that the switch to custom adhesives is already happening all over the world. From bespoke medical tape convertors to custom industrial adhesive manufacturers and so on, the advances being made in adhesive technology right now are simply incredible. So much so that nuts, bolts, screws, nails and even welding are being superseded by adhesive products. And not only are adhesives proving to be equally viable, but in many cases vastly superior.
Chances are, there will always be a place for mechanical fixings in a great many instances. But in any instance where custom adhesives can be brought in instead, the advantages of doing so can be both extensive and of incredibly high value.
Time Management
For example, perhaps the single most immediate benefit of switching to custom adhesives over mechanical fixings is the way in which the former of the two can save a great deal of time. While it’s true to say that mechanical fixings are not exactly complicated or difficult to set in place, they cannot be compared to things like custom pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes when it comes to simplicity or promptness. Suffice to say, the overwhelming majority of business owners would agree that if there is a way of speeding up their day to day processes while at the same time maintaining quality standards, it is an opportunity they would not pass up.
Improved Aesthetics
Another factor worth considering is that while it is usually possible to hide mechanical fixings out of the way, quality adhesive products can be entirely invisible. In manufacturing settings, there are plenty of instances when and where removing the site of mechanical fixings altogether would be preferable if possible. Though for obvious reasons, it isn’t always possible to do so. When using custom adhesive products, all essential bonds can be made and kept 100% invisible at all times. Which of course, has the potential to improve the overall appearance of whatever is being manufactured.
Smaller Items
Smaller items in particular can be challenging when it comes to the use of mechanical fixings. The same can also be said for items of an awkward nature, where applying mechanical fixings may be difficult or impossible. In such instances, a high quality custom adhesive product can make the manufacturing process as a whole exponentially easier, while at the same time resulting in a superior product.
Reduced Production Costs
While mechanical fixings in their own right do not tend to be particularly expensive, it is often (if not always) necessary to purchase and use additional equipment to apply them. Which is another reason why custom adhesives can work out considerably more cost effective to use, given the way in which no additional tools or equipment whatsoever are required to work with them. Not only this, but on a join-for-join basis, custom adhesive products are generally cheaper to use and work with at the same time.
Longer Life Span
Given the way in which quality custom adhesive products are comprehensively resistant to degradation, decay and the kind of rust that may damage mechanical fixings over time, they also have the potential to provide more consistently reliable bonds long-term. As such, in any instance where the product being manufactured features bonds that need to be permanent, high quality adhesive products may well be the way to go.
Simple Convenience
Last up, one of the biggest advantages of all when it comes to custom adhesives over and above mechanical fixings is the way in which they are so incredibly easy and convenient to use. Little to no training of the workforce is required, no additional tools or equipment, improved health and safety, faster output and a boost to efficiency in general all add up to one very small change that can make a quite incredible difference.
