Baker and Finnemore: Manufacturers of Starlock Push-On Fasteners
The Starlock push-on fastener in itself is a precision pressing and Baker & Finnemore Limited were able to develop this product due to their long history of producing light pressings from varied materials. The company was established in 1850 as a producer of top quality Dip type Pen Nibs and progressed to supply many industries with components that could either be pressed or strip-formed.
Baker & Finnemore are situated in Birmingham, ideally positioned at the hub of the national motorway network. The company has more than 150 years of experience in the design and manufacture of precision pressings in ferrous and non-ferrous materials with particular emphasis on the spring quality type. We have achieved a world-wide reputation for being able to supply quality products for inclusion in many applications for a wide range of industries.
Today Bak-Fin continue to supply the likes of the lock industry with strip formed lock springs, the electronics industry with heat-sinks and heat-sink clips, stainless steel grab rings for easy fix plumbing fittings, retaining clips for infinite applications, bearing retainers for the automotive industry and many more. We also manufacture non-standard disc / Belleville springs, waved / curved washers, knob clips, corner clips, cable clips.
Design of tools
Our design and tooling development engineers with the use of CAD CAM ensure cost-effective tooling whether the tooling is for multi-stage progression power presses or multi-slide forming machines.
The Tooling Design is determined by the component shape & Specification together with the quantity requirement in order to ensure the most economical production methods commensurate with tooling costs.
It should be noted that the majority of precision pressings that we manufacture are generally made to strict specifications or via liaison with the customer.
'We offer technical advice on component design and we invite you to submit your enquiries for a prompt quotation for your requirement for quality precision pressings, spring clips and wireforms.'
Tooling manufacture
Tooling is manufactured in our own well equipped toolroom, staffed by specialist toolmakers with 'state of the art' equipment, ensuring that first class tools are completed on time to exacting standards to ensure the quality of the product and the durability of the tooling.
Experienced in manufacturing tooling that is capable of producing pressings from various materials. For example; spring steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminium, beryllium copper phosphor bronze etc.
Production facilities
The well-equipped Power Press Shop includes high-speed power presses with the capability of manufacturing components using presses up to 60 tonnes. In addition we have fully automatic multi-slide strip forming Bihler and Finzer machines for manufacturing components requiring complex shapes. A wide range of materials can be used to manufacture precision components and the high production speeds provide low cost products and first class quality. In-house heat treatment plant provides essential control over heat treated spring quality items to ensure that customers' requirements are completely satisfied.
Production capability
Our in-house facilities and expertise enable us to be very flexible in meeting customer requirements. In addition to our renowned range of Starlock fasteners, we are able to design, manufacture and supply a wide range of custom pressings, bespoke pressings, clips and wireforms to specific orders.
- High speed power presses
- High speed strip-forming machines
- Special purpose assembly machines
- Hydraulic presses
- In house heat treatment
'Some 75% of our total production is heat-treated through our modern in-house austempering plant.'
Quality
We have a total commitment to quality and have implemented a quality assurance system approved to BS EN ISO 9001: 2000. Each stage of manufacture, from receipt of the raw material through the manufacturing processes, to the despatch of the finished component is subjected to careful scrutiny by our team of experienced Quality Control Staff working to comprehensive Quality Control procedures.
'The quality policy of Baker & Finnemore Limited is to provide products and services, which give, total customer satisfaction. We recognise that the continual future success of the company depends on the quality priced and delivery of our products. The quality of our products must be of the highest possible standard if we are to meet the ever-increasing levels set by our competitors and demanded by our customers. Our intention is to provide goods, which meet our customers', design criteria and requirements.
'In addition to strict adherence to these procedures, we will continually develop and maintain the right attitude towards high quality achievement throughout the company. Only this way will we maintain our company policy of complete customer satisfaction.'
Bak-Fin provides the customer with components that are of the best quality, engineered to the exact specifications of the customer. This can only be achieved by adopting a total commitment to quality through the strict control of the manufacturing process from raw material receipt through to final audit and despatch.
