The first linear fastener?

. Made of mild steel or 316S11 stainless steel, 'Bigstrip' from Bournemouth-based fastener maker Bighead Bonding Fasteners, comes in one metre, perforated lengths that can be cropped to shorter lengths or end-welded to form easy-to-handle longer ones. Bigstrip is made to measure and customers can choose whatever device they want from a large range of steel or stainless steel studs, threaded or unthreaded collars and nuts, or other items such as hooks and loops. These are then accurately jig welded – in virtually any combination – in the exact locations which will enable mating components to be lined up accurately with them. Typical items include angle brackets, light switches and suspended decorating ceiling panels for night clubs. Easily incorporated into all types of structures and moulded products, Bighead provides strong, concealed anchorages. The company's new 'BigRings' and 'BigStrips' are ideal for use with pre-finished materials, as they require no expensive drilling or filling to make them look good. They are either bonded into or stuck on a component during manufacture and are undetectable when assembled. Bighead's range of fastening systems play an integral part in engineering structures and can be used to join plastic, metal and other materials. Recent applications include Madame Tussaud’s wax models, sewerage treatment tanks, high-speed locomotives, truck tailgates and cars. DP Pointers * Bigstrip is ideal as a linear fixing system for accelerated adhesives or for materials that have a short pot life, such as gypsum * The strips come in one-metre, perforated lengths that can be cropped to shorter lengths or end-welded to form easy-to-handle longer ones * The strips are jig welded, in virtually any combination, in the exact locations which will enable mating parts to be lined up accurately with them