Tag: #TsamourisFasteners

Paris 2024 Olympics — 2.5 Million Rivets Holding an Icon

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As the 2024 Paris Olympics unfold, besides the athletes, all eyes are on the Eiffel Tower. Held together by an
astounding 2.5 million rivets, this marvel of engineering shines even brighter during the Games, as it
receives a special golden paint job to commemorate the occasion.

The construction of the Eiffel Tower relied on a riveting technique that has become the monument’s
trademark. The process involved a team of four skilled riveters working in perfect harmony. One heated the
rivet, another held it in place, a third formed the head, and the final member of the team locked it in place
with a sledgehammer. This efficient method allowed for the tower to be assembled in a record-breaking time
of just two years, two months, and five days.

Many of the tower’s components were pre-assembled at a workshop in Levallois-Perret before being
transported to the site for final assembly. This approach not only streamlined the construction process but
also ensured the highest level of precision and quality control.

In total, the Eiffel Tower comprises 18,000 metal parts, held securely by 13,000 bolts and the aforementioned
2.5 million rivets. Despite the tower’s original design life of just 20 years, the use of high-quality materials
and the dedication to regular maintenance and replacement of various pieces have allowed it to stand tall for
over a century.

Here are 17 mind-blowing facts and figures about the Eiffel Tower

1⃣ Gustave Eiffel built the tower because he won a competition.

2⃣ Eiffel had to pay for much of the build himself.

3⃣ Eiffel didn’t work alone; a team of engineers, architects, and workers contributed.

4⃣ The Eiffel Tower was once the tallest structure in the world.

5⃣ It changes height due to temperature fluctuations.

6⃣ It gets a regular lick of paint, using a special “Eiffel Tower Brown” color.

7⃣ It has over 1,700 steps.

8⃣ The first guided climbing tours launched in 2017.

9⃣ The elevators travel 2.5 times around the Earth every year.

🔟 You can see beyond Paris from the top on a clear day.

1⃣1⃣ In 1909, the tower was going to be demolished but was saved by Gustave Eiffel.

1⃣2⃣ It has 7 million visitors a year.

1⃣3⃣ It was sold by a con artist in 1925.

1⃣4⃣ It “got married” to a woman named Erica in 2007.

1⃣5⃣ The tower has 20,000 lights and sparkles for five minutes every hour after dark.

1⃣6⃣ It’s eco-friendly, producing its own electricity via hidden wind turbines.

1⃣7⃣ It was almost destroyed in WWII but was saved by a general who disobeyed orders.

Paris 2024 Olympic Medals

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Each one of the Olympic and Paralympic medals will be set with a piece of original iron from the Eiffel Tower,
forging a connection between the Games and the monument that symbolizes France and Paris. This
innovative idea was born from the collaboration between the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Commission and the
renowned LVMH jeweler Chaumet, resulting in a medal that is both a work of art and a piece of history.

The design of the medals draws inspiration from three key elements: the hexagon, radiance, and gemsetting.
The hexagon, the geometrical shape of France, is formed by the original Eiffel Tower iron, stripped of
its paint and returned to its original color. This symbol represents the entire nation’s commitment to
delivering an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Radiating from the central hexagon are fine, embossed lines that bring relief and sparkle to the medal,
embodying the radiance of France on the global stage and the shining performances of the athletes. The
gem-setting technique, inspired by the “Clous de Paris” hobnail shape the and the Eiffel Tower rivets,
secures the iron hexagon to the medal, adding depth and dimension to the design.

In a testament to the unity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, both medals share the same design on
one side, featuring the Eiffel Tower iron. The ribbons, too, are adorned with the Eiffel Tower lattice work, with
the Olympic ribbons in dark blue and the Paralympic ribbons in a deep red, inspired by the first two coats of
paint used on the Eiffel Tower.

The reverse side of the Olympic medal tells the story of the rebirth of the Games in Greece, with the goddess
of victory Athena Nike emerging from the Panathenaic Stadium, joined by the Acropolis of Athens and, for
the first time, the Eiffel Tower. The Paralympic medals feature a graphic representation of the Eiffel Tower
from an upward perspective, surrounded by the words “Paris” and “2024” in universal Braille, symbolizing
accessibility and honoring its French inventor, Louis Braille.

Καλή επιτυχία Ελλάδα, Go, Hellenes, Hellènes, ramenez l’or!

Blade Fell off Wind Turbine Due to Loose Bolts

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An investigation has determined what caused a blade from a One Energy wind turbine to detach and fall to
the ground in Findlay, Ohio, on January 22, 2024.

One Energy, whose CEO Jereme Kent had emphasized the rarity of such an occurrence in his nearly 20-year
career in the wind industry, had immediately shut down its entire fleet of wind turbines pending a thorough
investigation.

The probe revealed that an abnormality in the bolted flange assembly, which connects the blade to the hub,
led to higher than intended load transfer to the blade bolts. This caused the bolts to fatigue much faster than
designed, eventually leading to a cascading failure of multiple bolts and the detachment of the blade.

In response to the findings, One Energy inspected every major bolted flange in each turbine and rechecked
the torque of each “field-installed” bolt before restarting the turbines. The company has also developed new
monitoring and testing programs, in collaboration with independent engineers and research institutions.

At Tsamouris, we believe that by working together as an industry to improve safety and maintenance
practices in fasteners, we can ensure the continued growth and success of renewable energy projects while
prioritizing the well-being of communities.

Tourist Finds Loose Screws on Cliff Trail Hundreds of Meters above Ground

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A tourist’s heart-stopping discovery of loose screws on a cable fixture while climbing a cliff trail in May 2024,
in Zhejiang province, eastern China, sparked concerns about the safety of adventure tourism. The incident,
captured on video, shows the tourist navigating a nerve-wracking path hundreds of meters above the ground
when he noticed the unsettling find.

The trail, which is equipped with steel cable fixtures every three meters, is designed to ensure the safety of
climbers. However, the presence of loose screws raises questions about the maintenance and inspection
procedures in place.

According to the trail manager, the steel cable undergoes regular maintenance and inspections. They also
assured that even if ten screws were missing, the cable would remain secure.

The trail, which is particularly crowded during China’s Golden Week holiday, has seen tourists stranded on
the cliff for more than an hour due to the high volume of visitors. In case of emergencies, a pickup service is
available at a cost of CNY 300 (USD 41 or EUR 38).

At Tsamouris, our commitment to providing reliable and durable bolts, nuts, screws, and other fasteners is
driven by the knowledge that even a single loose screw can pose a significant threat to human life.

Surgical Light Crashed Down in Hong Kong Operating Room Due to Broken Screws

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In February 2023, a surgical light came crashing down in an operating room at United Christian Hospital in
Hong Kong, narrowly missing patient but injuring an anesthetic assistant. The incident, which the health
minister in office at the time called “absolutely unacceptable,” prompted an investigation by the Hospital
Authority of Hong Kong and an inspection of surgical lights in public hospitals.

The investigation revealed that the six screws securing the light to the ceiling fixture had broken due to
metal fatigue caused by prolonged vibration. At least four of the screws showed signs of “beach marks,” a
typical indication of metal fatigue.

Inspections of 471 surgical lights across Hong Kong’s public hospitals found that 23 lights, all supplied by
the same contractor, had “potential risks.” Eleven lights were repaired, four were replaced, and eight were
scheduled for repair, with affected operating theaters remaining closed until the work was completed.

One of the screws was found to be rusted, indicating a lack of proper maintenance in the humidity-controlled
operating theatre. In addition, stripped screws were shown to be the result of forceful tightening when not
positioned correctly, suggesting a lack of diligence and qualified technicians during maintenance.

The contractor was ordered to replace the screws in all the lights it supplied to public hospitals, with
inspections to be carried out every one to two weeks until the process was finished.

At Tsamouris, we value the critical importance of proper maintenance and the use of reliable and durable
fasteners in medical equipment, ensuring the safety of patients and medical staff alike.

1,000 Screws — How China Built Its Space Station

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In the summer of 2021, China’s ambitious Tiangong space station project was well underway, with the core
module, Tianhe, already in orbit and astronauts busy configuring the station for future crews. The project,
which had been in planning since the late 1990s, is a testament to China’s growing space capabilities and its
commitment to long-term human presence in Earth’s orbit.

The construction of the Tiangong space station was a complex undertaking, requiring precision — the
astronauts had over 1,000 screws to remove in the core module alone, highlighting the complexity of the
assembly process.

Tianhe, which weighs 22.5 tons, was launched on a Long March-5B rocket and served as the foundation for
the station. It contained all the necessary life support systems, living quarters, and docking ports for future
modules and spacecraft.

The Tiangong space station is just one of many notable achievements by the Chinese space program in
recent years, including successful lunar sample-return and Mars rover missions. With the operation of the
Mengtian and Wentian laboratory modules, the station serves as a crucial platform for scientific research
and a stepping stone for China’s future lunar and Martian exploration efforts.

At Tsamouris, we understand the critical role that precision fasteners play in pushing the boundaries of
human exploration and scientific discovery.

Bugatti Recalled EUR 3 Million Chiron Due to Loose Screws

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In a striking reminder that even the most exclusive vehicles are not immune to fastener issues, Bugatti
recalled a single 2018 Chiron — with a jaw-dropping price tag of USD 3 million (EUR 2.7 million) — in April
2022 due to loose screws on the front frame.

Bugatti informed the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the loose screws could
compromise the Chiron’s structural integrity and increase the risk of injury in a crash.

While recalls are a common occurrence in the automotive industry, with the NHTSA seeing an average of
about 650 recalls involving 25 million cars annually, it is quite rare for a recall to involve a single vehicle —
Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Lamborghini have all issued similar recalls for single vehicles due to
missing or improperly tightened fasteners.

At Tsamouris, we are committed to supplying you with high quality fasteners, ensuring the integrity of your
infrastructure and machinery.

Smart Screws Detect When They’re Loose

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Researchers from the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Internet Technologies CCIT have
developed a groundbreaking smart screw system that significantly improves the safety and efficiency of
critical infrastructure monitoring. By combining advanced sensor technology and Internet of Things (IoT)
capabilities, these self-powered screws can detect when they become loose and automatically send alerts,
reducing the need for costly and time-consuming manual inspections.

The smart screw system is designed to address the common problem of screws loosening over time due to
various factors such as wear and tear, temperature fluctuations, and vibrations. This issue is particularly
critical in structures like bridges, wind turbines, cranes, scaffolding, and roller coasters, where loose screws
can have devastating consequences.

The innovative technology utilizes a screw fitted with a washer equipped with a pressure-sensitive thin film.
When the screw is tightened, the sensors register the preload force at three points. Any change in the
preload force alters the electrical resistance in the thin film, which is then reported to a radio module located
on the screw head. The radio module transmits the data to a base station, which collects information from all
relevant screws in the object.

Data transmission is handled by a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) protocol capable of sending small
packets of data over long distances with minimal energy consumption. This allows the system to monitor
more than 100,000 sensors via a single base station located several hundred feet or even miles away. The
data is then displayed in a graphical overview, providing real-time information on the status of each screw
connection.

One of the key advantages of this remote monitoring system is its adaptability to a wide range of
applications. The smart screw technology can be configured for various scenarios, from flange connections
in industry to load-bearing parts of bridges and wind turbines.

The researchers have also addressed the issue of energy demand by incorporating energy harvesting
principles. The system can generate electricity from minute temperature differences between the screw
head and the environment or through solar cells, making it self-powered and resource-efficient.
Security is another crucial aspect of the smart screw system. Each screw is given an individual ID,
requirement profile, and encryption key during installation, ensuring that the system is protected against
hacking attempts and sabotage.

The technology is designed for commercially available DIN screws, with the system ready for use with M18
screws and versions for M20 and M36 screws in development.
At Tsamouris, as a leading supplier of high-quality fasteners, we are excited to see how this technology will
shape the future of infrastructure management and contribute to a safer, more efficient world.

Coney Island Boardwalk’s Loose Screws Sparked Lawsuits

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In March 2023, residents and elected officials expressed disappointment over the lack of new funding for
repairs to Coney Island’s iconic wooden boardwalk, in New York Mayor Eric Adams’ USD 100 billion (EUR 92
billion) budget. The historic landmark, which stretches nearly 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) from Coney Island to
Brighton Beach, has been plagued by loose screws, gaping holes, and uneven planks, posing a danger to
pedestrians and attracting lawsuits.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio had allocated USD 115 million (EUR 106 million) for boardwalk reconstruction
starting in 2025, but this sum would only cover a portion of the necessary repairs.

Since 2012, dozens of lawsuits have been filed against the city due to alleged injuries on the boardwalk,
costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements. Residents have reported constant
vigilance while walking on the boardwalk, with some expressing concerns about tripping, rolled ankles, and
exposed nails.

At Tsamouris, we understand the important role that quality fasteners play in ensuring the safety and
structural integrity of public spaces.

Screws Coming Loose on Jet Wing Mid-Air

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In March 2023, a video surfaced on social media showing three screws visibly shaking on the left wing of a
TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-700 aircraft during flight.

The video, which quickly went viral, raised serious questions about the maintenance and safety standards of
the state-owned airline, which serves as the flag carrier of Angola. TAAG Angola Airlines, headquartered in
Luanda, operates domestic flights within Angola, as well as medium-haul services in Africa and long-haul
routes to Brazil, Cuba, and Portugal.

The incident highlighted the critical importance of proper maintenance and regular inspections of aircraft,
particularly in areas that are subject to high stress and vibration, such as the wings. Loose or missing
fasteners can potentially lead to structural issues, compromising the safety of passengers and crew.