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Technical Information
Advantage Online
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HARDWARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
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Figure 1–Common fasteners are stored in bins.
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January 27, 2003 -Damaged or misplaced fasteners can hinder an efficient, quality repair. Having the correct fastener to replace a damaged one may sometimes require a call to the dealer. Having an inventory of the most commonly used fasteners will help, but if the inventory isn’t updated often, the possibility of needing a fastener and not having one may exist. A hardware inventory management system can reduce the chance of running out of a special fastener that may be required to install a part on a vehicle (see Figure 1).
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Figure 2–A barcode scanner is used to enter the type of fastener.
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Figure 3–Each fastener has a unique barcode.
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Figure 4–A fastener with damaged threads is compared to a new one.
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Figure 5–Plastic fenders require special shouldered bolts to allow for thermal expansion.
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Basic computer equipment is all that is needed to run the system. A barcode scanner and data entry port store the information until it’s downloaded into a computer (see Figure 2). The computer enables reports to be printed out so that the service provider can update the inventory. Order points can be established so that the “empty bin” syndrome will not exist. The service provider must check the inventory status so that items are replenished at the order points. The computer will also track the number and type of fasteners used per job and by technician. The service of the provider and cooperation from technicians is crucial to the success of the system. If a fastener is not scanned, that fastener will not be removed from the inventory (see Figure 3).
Special Needs
Plastic exterior body panels require the use of specialized fasteners that will allow the panel to expand or contract as the temperature changes (see Figure 4). This is called thermal expansion. The same type of fasteners that were removed should be used for installation. These fasteners have a shoulder on the bolt to prevent damaging the mounting area of the plastic panel. Installing a standard bolt may create a condition where the panel will not “move” in the area that it’s supposed to, creating the possibility of the panels rubbing together when the temperature changes. It’s critical that the correct fasteners are used (see Figure 5). Single-use fasteners are also a consideration. Plastic rivets and retainers often must be replaced when they have been removed so an inventory of these items needs to be available.
In addition to fasteners, other items such as masking tape, sandpaper, corrosion protection materials, and other supplies can be entered into the system so that these items can be inventoried and the amount used on each job can be recorded. This allows the exact amount of products that were used to repair the vehicle to be tracked and documented.
Conclusion
Not having the correct fasteners to reassemble a vehicle can be eliminated with the use of a hardware management system. The “empty bin” syndrome will no longer be the cause of a delayed repair.
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