The aim of BTPin project was to pilot, commercialise and market-replicate our patented pivot pin technology to unite and flex the joints in heavy machinery used in port, mining and construction operations. Prior to Phase 2 project, our product was at TRL7 and has been verified for its technical and practical potential in a Phase 1 Feasibility Study (GA #774553). BTPin will be commercialised in the global market for industrial fasteners, which was worth €77.1bn in 2020 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% to reach €94.2bn by 2025. A Phase 2 will lead to a unique technology for use in heavy machinery, save manufacturers and operators an estimated €504,000/year per production or construction site, and upwards of €15,174 in lifetime costs per pivot pin.
EU INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIETAL PROBLEMS
Pivot pins unite and give flexibility to the joints in all industrial machinery. Standard pivot pins come under immense pressure from constant movement, and inevitable wear leads to joint slackness, vibration, lack of precision, breaks and jams, machine downtime, mechanical damage, extremely hazardous working conditions and eventual mechanical failure. Pivot pin technology has made almost no advances in decades. Manufacturers use basic and highly standardised pivot pins which do not tolerate the heavy physical stress. They frequently break and jam. Pivot pin replacement means mechanical downtime, damage to working machinery, repair and replacement costs and lost business income. Crane downtime in a port in Europe costs €31,500 a day. Mining companies can lose €162,300 in lost production per incident. The construction industry is also severely impacted with equipment downtime – 100 employees unable to work on a building site costs over €16,000 a day at standard salary rates in Western Europe.
OUR SOLUTION
BTPin has a unique expanding construction with a large degree of assembly tolerance. Each end of the pin is tapered and surrounded by a steel cone sleeve that expands when tightened. BTPin adheres tightly to the joint surface and eliminates play and wear. An independent study at the University of Stavanger found Bondura pins to be far superior in durability, maintenance and working lifespan, even in machinery for land excavation. BTPin completely resolves the issues of joint damage, repair and mechanical downtime which are frequent and unavoidable with any other alternative. BTPins are made at diameters of 10mm-500mm and can be customised to greater sizes or asymmetric geometries if the client requires. BTPins last over ten years. End users pay between €100-€4000 for the final pin.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE ACTION
Bondura has successfully completed the BTPin Phase 2 in line with the objectives and aims of the project. All pilot partners that have tested BTPin in real-operating conditions were satisfied with the pin installation, as well as its operation. Partners have reported that BTPin installation time was shorter and simpler than expected and x-measurements after installation were as indicated in the manual. During the BTPin operation there were no critical problems reported. Several pilot partners have expressed interest in changing to BTPin permanently to reduce the overall maintenance and improve the quality and lifespan of their equipment.
