R&D emphasises the role of collaboration between departments

These challenges will concern aspects such as:

• extension of the test range for mechanical and bonded anchors to concrete class C90/105 (currently C50/60 is the highest concrete class permitted by the EAD);
• possibility of fixing in fibre-reinforced concrete;
• test programme and design guidelines for fire loads for bonded anchors.

Information exchange as the key to implementing further innovations

The trainees also had the opportunity to learn about the latest directions of development of R&D laboratories.

“The technical possibilities and scope of operations in this area are expanding extremely rapidly and in many different spaces,” says Wojciech Linkowski. “Knowledge related to this is extremely important, actually crucial for us.”

Why is that?

• The Documentation Department actively contributes to the NPD process, defining the framework of research capabilities in the relevant institutes, but also in our laboratories, especially at the prototyping and product optimisation stages.
• In its day-to-day work, Technical Support tackles questions concerning atypical applications of our products; sometimes, site tests are sufficient to provide an answer, but some research need to be carried out in the laboratory, and knowledge concerning the capabilities our labs offer makes it easier to find the right solution for the customer’s specific need.

Site tests, wind calculations on roofs and facades, and market feedback

The meeting in Zagórze Śląskie was also an opportunity to discuss the new site test guidelines for fixings with an ETA based on Technical Report TR053 (design calculations, analysis of the testers available in Rawlplug’s range in relation to the new guidelines and their requirements). Another issue raised by the trainees involved good practice when performing wind calculations on roofs and facades (key aspects in the design of roof and facade insulation and in the case of self-drilling screws for sheet metal and composite panels, but also analysis of key aspects based on market feedback).

More meetings and training sessions similar to the one in Zagórze Śląskie are about to follow. The R&D team has actually grown considerably in recent years (today, it includes the Quality Control and EHS Departments as well as Rawlplug Academy, among other units). Sharing knowledge, experience and information between all its components is priceless from the point of view of effective collaboration and enhancing the expertise of all employees. It is also a part of the process of implementing innovations that will set the directions for the whole of Rawlplug in the coming years. In line with the production development strategy pursued at the company’s headquarters in Wrocław, the design and expansion of the company’s own range of power tools and batteries will play an increasingly important role.

Read more about the innovations and changes in R&D here:

• Procut wood construction screws now supported by EasyFix - Rawlplug

• Together with EHS, we are updating our occupational risk assessments - Rawlplug

• Rawlplug and the University of Science and Technology discuss metrology - Rawlplug

• The new Rawlplug Academy e-learning platform invites to lessons - Rawlplug

• Rawlplug’s 3D Printing Lab. Injection mould designing and conformal cooling - Rawlplug

• Rawlplug’s Microworld. We can even see that which can’t be seen - Rawlplug