en.Wedoany.com Reported - SFS Group Fastening Technology has developed a new fastening system called Center Point for installing panels on steel and aluminum subframes. The system addresses the challenge of precisely positioning self-drilling double-threaded fasteners at the center of panel holes, preventing surface damage caused by thermal movement.

The patented system uses pre-installed biodegradable centering sleeves that prevent plastic waste from contaminating the site environment, leaving no residue to restrict clearance around the shaft. The fasteners are supplied through national SFS stockists, offering various clamping lengths to match different panel thicknesses. Compared to standard rivet solutions, this system can double construction progress and eliminate panel damage issues that typically occur months after completion. The new SDA4 and SX4 fasteners with standard centering sleeves, launched in Europe last year, have undergone compatibility assessments by leading OEMs and major UK industry installers, and are currently being certified under the European Technical Assessment (ETA).

SFS Product Manager Francesca Healy stated that Center Point solves multiple problems with a single product: avoiding misalignment risks and eliminating the need for separate, expensive centering devices to pre-drill holes in substructure members. When the installer tightens the fastener, the sleeve pops out of the hole, allowing the hole to absorb expansion and preventing stress on the panel. The shaft features double threads to prevent being pulled to one side, along with a thread-free area to prevent loosening due to vibration.

The side of the fastener head that contacts the panel surface has a subtle taper, ensuring no direct contact at the outer diameter, protecting the panel surface from indentation or damage. The product range is made of stainless steel A4, offering enhanced corrosion resistance and long-term durability. Both the SDA4 series (for steel subframes) and the SX4 series (for aluminum subframes) are available in four different sizes, suitable for panel thicknesses of 6, 8, 10, and 12-13 mm, with corresponding variations in clamping length. Center Point will be available from the beginning of the third quarter, offering a full range of RAL colors with a lead time of just five working days, significantly shorter than the typical 6-8 week cycle required for the panels themselves.