Driven to excel

Automotive assembly has to make sure that it can deliver on all the design criteria to produce vehicles that are safe to drive, packed with the latest equipment, and with the style and comfort that customers expect. To achieve all this, assembly workers need the right tools.

For example, it is essential that the correct torque – calculated during the design stage – is applied to safety critical equipment such as wheel nuts, brake calipers, safety belt anchors and steering columns. This not only demands precision, it also requires repeatability. For quality control purposes, assembly tools will also contribute to process control and traceability. After all, fastening cannot always be automated, particularly in confined spaces – it still involves direct human intervention.

Desoutter with SALTUS is one recent example. This range of crowfoot tightening solutions features SALTUS geared front attachments on Desoutter handheld tools which can be customized to achieve high class assembly in challenging applications. The crowfoots can be combined with a 90° or 110° angle head, improving accuracy and accessibility for hard-to-reach fasteners. It is suitable for use on tube nuts as well as standard nuts and bolts – with or without a hold & drive option – which makes it ideal for tasks like brake assembly.

The tool cannot be activated unless both hands are used, protecting operators from injury should fingers come into contact with the rotating head. To ensure you get the tool you need when you need it, Desoutter with SALTUS has a modular design that allows custom solutions to be ordered in the same way as a standard tool. Integration of SALTUS manufacture into the Desoutter family also results in simpler order processes and shorter lead-in times while maintaining tool quality – helping to boost productivity for automotive customers.