Industrial Technology

Fastening

Technology transfer improves indicating rod bolt

James Walker RotaBolt, global leader in bolted joint technology, has developed the next generation of Indicating Rod Bolt through the application of advanced bolting technology. The Company has increased the extension monitoring performance of the existing fastener by dramatically improving correlation. The standard Indicating rod bolt uses direct length measurement to gauge the delivery of load. The new version gives a much more accurate measurement of bolt extension to guarantee the uniform delivery and maintenance of load. RotaBolt has applied technology to produce bolts which are individually load test calibrated and fitted with a special indicator to measure extension. Every bolt even has its own certificate of extension measurement. "These improved bolts are a generational step forward for direct length measurement," commented Rod Corbett, managing director of RotaBolt, "as a centre of bolting excellence, we have been able to apply our expertise to dramatically improve the performance of the existing indicator bolts." The new fasteners were developed as part of a project where "standard" direct length measurement fasteners had been specified and designed-in, but were failing to perform to expectations. RotaBolt was called in and conducted an extensive programme of research and development. Bolted joint specifications were reviewed, including theoretical calculations and tightening procedures, the assurance of the original design of the indicating rod was improved, and technology was then applied to increase performance and improve correlation. RotaBolt also worked closely in on-site training and testing, to successfully deliver the desired reliability for the client.

4th September 2006

Multi-purpose fasteners

The all-new B20 BigHead, available in mild or 316 stainless steel, has been launched in response to specific requests from a number of the company's customers. As with all BigHeads, the range is available with a variety of stud profiles and lengths (M1/B20s) as well as with female hexnuts (F1/B20s) or collars (F2/B20s). Thread profiles range from M3 to M8, with stud lengths from 12mm to 100mm.

4th September 2006

Voyage of discovery

Land-Rover is building on the success of Profil's pierce fastening methods in its Discovery and Defender ranges by specifying a further 145 of the company's clinch nuts and studs in the assembly of its all new Freelander 2 models. A key feature of the Freelander 2 is the extensive use of high strength steel panels at the rear of the vehicle and in safety-critical impact areas around door apertures. In addition to ensuring secure door hinge and seat anchorages in this material, Profil pierce fasteners provide a variety of high strength, vibration resistant mountings in areas such as the gear change console, front bulkhead and cross members.

4th September 2006

You're in secure hands with these spring steels

When a leading manufacturer of security grilles contacted William Hughes about using hardened spring steel bars in the manufacture of window and door grilles, the company's engineers quickly identified a number of possible materials with the right characteristics. The security grilles are manufactured by Professional Barrier Systems, and used to protect the windows and doors in commercial premises. Professional Barrier Systems also manufactures a wide range of security cages to protect critical computer installations and sensitive data for government departments and organisations associated with the critical national infrastructure.

4th September 2006

Need a spring? Lesjofors has it covered

LesjÃ¶fors has updated its industrial spring catalogue, which features many new references, catapulting the total to well over 10,000. The catalogue is designed to guide customers into the offering available from the company, and comprises standard stock references featuring a broad range of styles and dimensions.The 228-page A5-sized catalogue, which presents each spring type in a separate section, include springs such as: compression, die, vibration, extension, coil lengths, torsion, constant force, disc, gas and tool gas springs.

4th September 2006

Spring rings and circlips

Internal and external circlips in both steel and stainless steel are available to purchase from Ondrives of Chesterfield. External circlips are manufactured to DIN471 standard and internal are made to DIN472. Spring rings and washers in steel for use on soft plain ungrooved or grooved shafts complete this range and are self finished and oiled.

4th September 2006

Locking springs achieve high force

Industrial Gas Springs has made a further addition to its extensive range of locking springs. The introduction of a size 14 series for high force applications underlines the company's commitment to meeting an increasing diversity of customer requirements. The new size 14 with a body diameter range of 28-40mm, is capable of achieving a maximum force of 2500N. This larger size locking spring will be built to order in any stroke length between 100-500mm (up to 250mm for a stainless steel rod). Marine quality 316 stainless steel is an option offering superior corrosion resistance in harsher environments.

4th September 2006

No-contact sealing solution for pumps

Precision parts supplied by Bauer Springs are used extensively in the manufacture of vane cell pumps as wide specified within the automotive industry. Pump assemblies comprise rotors, vanes and housings which are manufactured to dimensional tolerances of less than two microns. They are part of common-rail injection pumps used in vehicle power assisted steering, as well as fuel injection equipment where high pressures of up to 1350bar can be experienced.

4th September 2006

Fasteners pass extreme tests

Direct fastener technology is gaining increasing importance, particularly in the automotive industry. Thread-forming screws are particularly advantageous when used to join plastic parts together. Investigations carried out by the IFBW (the Vehicle Construction Institute at Wolfsburg, Germany) have shown that this type of screw has mastered the balancing act between cost and quality.

17th July 2006

Designed to break

James Walker RotaBolt has successfully developed the BreakBolt - a unique safety fastener that is designed to deliberately fail at a predetermined tension level. The new fasteners also incorporate the award winning RotaBolt technology, constantly and accurately measuring the tension across the bolted joint at the same time. The BreakBolts have been supplied to Vetco and are currently being used on specific offshore well head applications where a breakaway potential was required as a primary safety feature in the design of the riser system. The BreakBolt is engineered to fail at a pre-set ultimate tensile load and has a specially machined waist, which reduces the tensile stress area, allowing the bolt to shear once it has reached the required tolerance. The bolts are tested to destruction at an independent test house and are certificated to their desired break load. "Designing a RotaBolt that would perform a controlled break under set conditions seemed a relatively straightforward task to begin with," comments Rod Corbett, managing director of RotaBolt, "but it has been a major learning curve and has taken a great deal of research and development to perfect the procedure. We are delighted that the new BreakBolt not only incorporates all the advantages of our original technology so that it constantly monitors tension, but it also performs exactly as required, breaking away as specified under very challenging conditions." The bolts have been supplied by Vetco as part of wellhead applications in the North Sea and in Nigeria. Vetco's clients had requested that the umbilical riser systems should have a break safety feature built into the design.

17th July 2006