Seal testing for sinusoidal profiles, a first in the market!
Thanks to some innovative thinking from our Applitec technicians, EJOT UK has extended the capabilities of its VACUtest seal testing kit by providing installers with an easy way to maintain the highest quality standards when using self-drilling screws with the ever-popular 13.5-3 sinusoidal panel.
The development of a unique suction cup specifically for this type of panel represents the latest stage in our ongoing programme to support the industry through fastener best practice guidance, supported by a range of practical tools and accessories.
Building on best practice guidance
Following the introduction of a best practice video library, created to highlight the do’s and don’ts of fastener insertion and seal testing techniques, EJOT UKs R&D team turned its focus to ensuring contractors have an equally effective way to seal test sinusoidal panels, which are becoming increasingly popular with architects. Through its continued support for contractors and OEMs, EJOT ultimately seeks to help installers deliver superior performance in the building envelope whatever the panel specification.
The new sinusoidal suction cup is an inexpensive add-on to EJOT UKs VACUtest kit and allows installers to easily perform seal testing on the fastener heads that are securing sinusoidal panels. It is simply placed over the head of the installed screw, precisely fitting the curves of the panel to allow a vacuum to be created when air is withdrawn from it using the VACUtest pump. A gauge on the pump enables the installer to check if the washer compression of the self-drilling screw is sufficiently airtight and take corrective action if needed.
Listening to customer requirements
The new cup was developed initially responding to an OEM’s request to extend the range of cups available to accommodate these sheets. On further investigation, however, the R&D team discovered that this was in fact a breakthrough solution as the team could find no existing market offering, and so set out to be the first to develop a suction cup with a generic fit for this popular profile, rather than give installers an overload of cup options.
Its development was facilitated through rapid prototyping that enabled the team to modify the original design concept and materials with relative ease and achieve the delicate balance of material shore-hardness required for a high-quality vacuum seal.
The most complete rooftop kit
This latest suction cup adds extra functionality to VACUtester, which already provides a testing solution for the fastener seals on flat surface roofing and cladding sheets through its existing suction cup options. These can be used to seal test screws that fit within a 24mm or 34mm internal diameter, and a third larger cup option for special applications offers an internal diameter of 54mm.
Jon Knaggs, Technical Advisor with EJOT UK’s Applitec team said: “As sinusoidal or corrugated sheets are growing in popularity with architects given the creative potential they offer, it’s encouraging to see that finding an easy way to test the fastener seals on these types of panels is becoming a priority for some OEMs and contractors.
“Our UK R&D was able to respond quickly and effectively. Following discussions with our customers, the team worked quickly and efficiently to develop a solution that exceeded expectations, providing a suction cup that saves time and hassle on-site.
“Whilst it’s normal practice to secure through the profile valley in the overwhelming majority of applications, we are aware that on rare occasions a crown fastening is used by some contractors. Thus, the new cup design is to some extent future-proofed as it also fits over the panel’s crown by simply rotating the cup through 90 degrees.”
The development of a unique suction cup specifically for this type of panel represents the latest stage in our ongoing programme to support the industry through fastener best practice guidance, supported by a range of practical tools and accessories.
Building on best practice guidance
Following the introduction of a best practice video library, created to highlight the do’s and don’ts of fastener insertion and seal testing techniques, EJOT UKs R&D team turned its focus to ensuring contractors have an equally effective way to seal test sinusoidal panels, which are becoming increasingly popular with architects. Through its continued support for contractors and OEMs, EJOT ultimately seeks to help installers deliver superior performance in the building envelope whatever the panel specification.
The new sinusoidal suction cup is an inexpensive add-on to EJOT UKs VACUtest kit and allows installers to easily perform seal testing on the fastener heads that are securing sinusoidal panels. It is simply placed over the head of the installed screw, precisely fitting the curves of the panel to allow a vacuum to be created when air is withdrawn from it using the VACUtest pump. A gauge on the pump enables the installer to check if the washer compression of the self-drilling screw is sufficiently airtight and take corrective action if needed.
Listening to customer requirements
The new cup was developed initially responding to an OEM’s request to extend the range of cups available to accommodate these sheets. On further investigation, however, the R&D team discovered that this was in fact a breakthrough solution as the team could find no existing market offering, and so set out to be the first to develop a suction cup with a generic fit for this popular profile, rather than give installers an overload of cup options.
Its development was facilitated through rapid prototyping that enabled the team to modify the original design concept and materials with relative ease and achieve the delicate balance of material shore-hardness required for a high-quality vacuum seal.
The most complete rooftop kit
This latest suction cup adds extra functionality to VACUtester, which already provides a testing solution for the fastener seals on flat surface roofing and cladding sheets through its existing suction cup options. These can be used to seal test screws that fit within a 24mm or 34mm internal diameter, and a third larger cup option for special applications offers an internal diameter of 54mm.
Jon Knaggs, Technical Advisor with EJOT UK’s Applitec team said: “As sinusoidal or corrugated sheets are growing in popularity with architects given the creative potential they offer, it’s encouraging to see that finding an easy way to test the fastener seals on these types of panels is becoming a priority for some OEMs and contractors.
“Our UK R&D was able to respond quickly and effectively. Following discussions with our customers, the team worked quickly and efficiently to develop a solution that exceeded expectations, providing a suction cup that saves time and hassle on-site.
“Whilst it’s normal practice to secure through the profile valley in the overwhelming majority of applications, we are aware that on rare occasions a crown fastening is used by some contractors. Thus, the new cup design is to some extent future-proofed as it also fits over the panel’s crown by simply rotating the cup through 90 degrees.”
