Steel Nail Quality

Ensuring Excellence: A Deep Dive into Our Commitment to Steel Nail Quality

Introduction.

In any product manufacturing sector, quality is essential to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge in the market. Companies need to establish rigorous quality control processes to monitor every production stage, from sourcing raw materials to the final packaging. By implementing thorough inspections, conducting regular audits, and investing in advanced technology, manufacturers can minimize defects, improve efficiency, and deliver products that last. Ultimately, a commitment to quality not only enhances the company’s reputation but also leads to increased customer loyalty and long-term business success.

At Litnaglis, we understand that our customers rely on us to deliver products that meet their expectations and exceed them. That is why we have implemented a rigorous testing process that ensures our steel nails’ durability, strength, and longevity.

01. Comprehensive Raw Material Selection

A careful selection of raw materials is the foundation for creating high-quality products. The quality of the raw materials directly impacts the final product’s durability, appearance, and performance. By choosing the best raw materials available, manufacturers can ensure that their products meet the highest standards and satisfy customer expectations. Additionally, a thoughtful selection process can contribute to sustainability efforts, as companies can prioritize environmentally friendly and responsibly sourced materials.

When we are making a purchase, we always request samples from the wire rod suppliers to make sure that the material composition is right and the workflow is consistent. After the examination and positive results, we make an order for a larger quantity of raw materials.

A wire rod initial inspection is being performed at the port.

As soon as the raw materials reach the port, our director of manufacturing and quality managers conduct an initial inspection of the goods. This involves evaluating the overall structural integrity of wire rods as well as potential transit-related issues such as deformations and corrosive levels.

If no problems are identified, the transportation process from the port to the company’s location begins.

Wire rods are being loaded for transportation.

The next step is the wire-tensile test. Wire rod samples are tensioned under controlled conditions to determine their strength and flexibility. This critical procedure allows us to calculate the maximum load the wire can sustain before breaking, ensuring that only high-quality wire is utilized in our nail production. If the wire is coated with an additional finish, such as zinc, we evaluate the thickness to ensure it fulfills the standard.

A wire tensile test is being performed at the Litnaglis lab.

02. Cold-drawing Wire Rod

During this process, the wire rods are shaped into the desired diameter for the steel nails. It involves pulling the wire rod through a series of dies, gradually reducing its size and increasing its strength. The cold drawing method not only enhances the physical properties of the wire but also improves its surface finish, making it ideal for producing smooth and polished nails. Our machinery and skilled technicians ensure that each wire rod is meticulously processed, resulting in consistent and reliable nail production.

An operator performs a wire diameter check

After the wire rod is treated, quality managers take samples from the drawn steel wire and perform another tensile test. By performing this test, quality managers can determine the softness or hardness of the product and see if it meets the standards for further processing.

03. Steel Nail Manufacturing

This is where the steel wire is processed into steel nails. Firstly, the steel wire is fed into a nail-making machine, and an integrated pneumatic hammer punches the cut steel wire, forming the nail’s head. Then the wire is cut with special knives to a predetermined length, forming a nail point. The shape of the nail point depends on the customer’s needs, but the most common is the standard diamond point.

All this processing takes a fraction of a second and is happening at high speed. To give you an idea of the speeds we’re talking about, 800 pieces of 3×70 mm. nails are produced every minute. That’s 13.33… nails every second.

Going at such high speeds, minor tolerances are allowed. To ensure that those tolerances are maintained, quality control measures are implemented throughout the entire manufacturing process. This includes regular inspections of steel nail length and diameter dimensions. Additionally, machine operators keep a close eye on nails to make sure there are no anomalies or deformations.

Nail length, width, and head dimensions are the main quality checkpoints.

04. Further processing

Now that we’ve got our nails, you would suppose it’s time to pack and ship them off. Not so quickly, comrade! Typically, the trip isn’t over yet. Steel nails usually require additional processing, such as shank modifications, various surface treatments, and different collation types.

Alright, a little bit of info about the above-mentioned processes. Our nails aren’t just plain pieces of metal; oh no, they go through a glamorous makeover we call “shank modifications.” It’s like car tuning, but instead of adding bumpers, spoilers, and a better engine, we add ridges, flutes, and grooves. Why, you ask? Well, it’s all about improving their holding power and ensuring they don’t cause material-splitting drama on the construction site.

Next, surface treatment. We don’t want our nails to catch a case of corrosion. Yuck! So we give them a protective shield, kind of like superhero capes but for nails. Galvanization is our go-to move, where we coat them in a layer of zinc. But wait, there are more options to choose from, such as vinyl, phosphate, and even paint for those nails who want a bit of color in their lives.

Finally, collation types. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about efficiency. We organize our nails so they load into nail guns like a well-choreographed dance routine, ensuring a seamless performance on the construction site.

There are three main collation types for nails: plastic, paper, and wire

05. Quality tests and control

Before our nails are ready to be packed and shipped to the clients, they go through a boot camp of quality checks and tests. These checks ensure that our nails meet the highest standards of durability, strength, and appearance.

In our testing lab, we perform:

  • Nail bending test: This test is performed by dropping a weight on a fixed nail and measuring the bending degree of the nail. The bending must fit within the parameters and tolerances set in the standards.
  • Corrosion test: To simulate real-world conditions, we subject our nails to caustic agents, hot and cold temperatures, and store them in wet environments. These demanding tests make sure that our products can survive the most hostile conditions and continue to be reliable and durable for our clients.
  • Coating thickness test: We use a digital thickness gauge to ensure the accuracy and precision of our measurements. This test is crucial as it helps us determine if the steel nails meet the required coating thickness specifications. By conducting this test, we can guarantee the durability and longevity of our steel nails, providing our customers with high-quality products that will withstand corrosion and wear.
  • Collation flexibility test: This test basically shows how well our products are held together. We subject them to various stress tests to evaluate their performance under different conditions. These thorough tests guarantee that our nails are built to last.
  • Paper tape water resistance test: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if the paper strip nails can withstand water exposure without losing their structural integrity. The extended duration of immersion allows for a thorough assessment of their waterproofing capabilities, as it replicates real-life scenarios where these nails may be exposed to water for extended periods. By subjecting the paper strip nails to this rigorous test, we can ensure their reliability and durability in various wet environments.

06. Certifications and Compliance

The Litnaglis company owns these certifications:

  • EPAL nail production certificate
  • ICC ES Evaluation report;
  • SZU certificate;
  • CE marking;

These certifications demonstrate that the company has met the requirements and undergone rigorous testing to ensure the quality and safety of its products. The EPAL nail certificate ensures that the company’s nails meet the standards set by the European Pallet Association for pallet manufacturing, while the ICC ES evaluation report assures that the products meet building code requirements in the United States. The SZU certificate signifies that the company’s manufacturing processes adhere to industry standards and have been assessed by an accredited certification body. Additionally, the CE certificate verifies that the company’s products comply with European Union regulations. Overall, these certifications highlight the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards and meeting regulatory requirements. All certificates can be found on our website in the “Certificates” section.

07. Continuous Improvement Initiatives

At Litnaglis, we’re not the type to rest on our laurels; we believe in the mantra of “good, better, best.” We maintain an open dialogue with our customers. We listen to their feedback and suggestions. But it’s not just about hearing; it’s about understanding the evolving needs of the construction world. We take these insights and transform them into action items, tweaking, refining, and sometimes giving our steel nails a metaphorical facelift—because why not?

In the realm of technology, we keep a keen eye on the latest advancements. We have successfully implemented a nail quality checking machine that can determine the quality of the nail in almost an instant. The machine utilizes advanced sensor technology to analyze the structural integrity of nails. It assesses the overall quality of the nail by measuring parameters such as surface smoothness, length, width, nail head placement, straightness, and so on.

A nail quality checking machine can detect even the slightest nail dimension and shape deviations

By implementing the nail quality machine, we noticed that we significantly improved the quality control process. The machine’s quick and accurate assessments ensure that only nails of the highest quality are produced and sold to customers. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces the risk of nail failures and accidents. Additionally, the elimination of manual inspections saves time and resources, allowing for increased productivity and cost savings in the production process.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve made it this far. You must be really into reading, huh?
Alright, back to the conclusion. From the raw materials that go into our nails to the meticulous craftsmanship that shapes them, every step of our manufacturing process is infused with passion and expertise. Our team of skilled technicians and engineers works tirelessly to ensure that each nail meets the highest standards of durability and reliability. We believe that a nail is not just a small piece of metal but a symbol of trust and confidence that our customers place in us. As we move forward, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in nail manufacturing, constantly seeking new ways to enhance the performance and longevity of our products.