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BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

carbuzz.com

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Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#11

Post by zrobotics »

bovinator23 wrote: post #6

Even if it were fairly specific, I’d be surprised if a similar tool couldn’t be 3D printed with DMLS. It’s possible that due to torsion requirements it would have to be molded, which could be much more expensive. Either way, this is hardly a case where others will be prevented from removing these screws for very long, even if they were to try to enforce that others couldn’t produce a similar tool because of the logo.…

This is an inherently weak fastener design, it requires the driver to have 2 separate 'pins' to fit the 2 quadrants of the logo. Even with a proper forged tool this will be weaker than a torx or hex bit. Basically the only way this would be manufacturable is 2 forged pins shaped like quarter circles that are pressed into a socket.

This isn't that different to how other bit sockets are made, but instead of loading the bit in torsion, it will be subject to bending forces to loosen the bolt. This will make it far weaker than other tools. So good luck loosening these once they have a few years of corrosion on them. Plus, with the head design, they'll be far harder to drill out to get a bolt extractor on. Although 3d printing and scanning don't really help that much here.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#12

Post by mschuster91 »

bovinator23 wrote: post #6

Even if it were fairly specific, I’d be surprised if a similar tool couldn’t be 3D printed with DMLS. It’s possible that due to torsion requirements it would have to be molded, which could be much more expensive. Either way, this is hardly a case where others will be prevented from removing these screws for very long, even if they were to try to enforce that others couldn’t produce a similar tool because of the logo.…

> Even if it were fairly specific, I’d be surprised if a similar tool couldn’t be 3D printed with DMLS. It’s possible that due to torsion requirements it would have to be molded, which could be much more expensive.

A CNC mill should also be capable of creating an usable driver bit, or in a pinch, drill out 1mm center of an ordinary + bit.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#13

Post by mrweasel »

Great, now I need an extra large bit set.

I really don't see the point of this, it won't take a year for that bit to appear on shelves at the local hardware store if people need it. I have bit sets containing ever imaginable "security" bit, security torx are pretty much standard in set now. So are the weird flathead with the middle cut out. You almost can't buy an iFixIt kit without Apples stupid pentalob bit. This is just another bit to add to the collection, BMW will achieve nothing by introducing it.

The design is neat though, using their logo at the head of the screw is sort of cute. Completely unnecessary, but cute.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#15

Post by gessha »

HPsquared wrote: post #9
georgefrowny wrote: post #2

Not the first product to do this. Jura coffee machines also have their own oval-ish fasteners. In fact, it's really quite amazing that car manufacturers, generational artisans of the vendor lock-in have not been doing this at a far greater scale. Think of all those generic screws they could be charging $50 each for. No one buys or doesn't buy cars based on the screw heads. If they did they'd also reject cars that req…

People are indeed slowly checking out of buying new cars.

Problem is if we bury our heads and drive old cars, when they give out and it’s time to buy a new car, all the news cars will have so much of this crap in them they will be unusable and you will be stuck with a lemon.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#16

Post by Youden »

kotaKat wrote: post #8

… So they didn’t want to just pay Bryce Fastener to give them their own “proprietary” screw? They’ve been in this market for decades with “custom” security screws for vendors, among other things. https://www.brycefastener.com/

Isn't it relatively trivial to remove one of these by epoxying something to it or using a drill or dremel to modify it in some way (e.g. dremel a slot that a standard flathead can turn, or drill and use a screw remover)?

Or is the purpose less to prevent people from removing the screw and more tamper evidence?

Even in that case, with a photo or impression of the screw head, an unauthorized key/bit could be produced with with 3D printing (JLC3DP offers it cheap) or EDM.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#18

Post by throwaway173738 »

Youden wrote: post #16
kotaKat wrote: post #8

… So they didn’t want to just pay Bryce Fastener to give them their own “proprietary” screw? They’ve been in this market for decades with “custom” security screws for vendors, among other things. https://www.brycefastener.com/

Isn't it relatively trivial to remove one of these by epoxying something to it or using a drill or dremel to modify it in some way (e.g. dremel a slot that a standard flathead can turn, or drill and use a screw remover)? Or is the purpose less to prevent people from removing the screw and more tamper evidence? Even in that case, with a photo or impression of the screw head, an unauthorized key/bit could be produced w…

If its on the wheel hub you’re going to need more than a dremel to do that, and you’re going to need something that breaks less than a flat head. There’s a reason they don’t make flat heads for impact drivers.

Re: BMW Patents Proprietary Screws That Only Dealerships Can Remove

#20

Post by voidUpdate »

mschuster91 wrote: post #12
bovinator23 wrote: post #6

Even if it were fairly specific, I’d be surprised if a similar tool couldn’t be 3D printed with DMLS. It’s possible that due to torsion requirements it would have to be molded, which could be much more expensive. Either way, this is hardly a case where others will be prevented from removing these screws for very long, even if they were to try to enforce that others couldn’t produce a similar tool because of the logo.…

> Even if it were fairly specific, I’d be surprised if a similar tool couldn’t be 3D printed with DMLS. It’s possible that due to torsion requirements it would have to be molded, which could be much more expensive. A CNC mill should also be capable of creating an usable driver bit, or in a pinch, drill out 1mm center of an ordinary + bit.

Plus, if you you are handy enough to be taking the screws out of your car but don't have a CNC mill, you probably know someone who does, who would love a little weekend project to turn you up a nice BMW screwdriver
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