Effective bolt security
with the Heico-Lock®
range of anti-vibration
products.
T
he security of bolted
joints is critical,
understanding the
causes of bolted
joint failure is the only way to
resolve an issue and for this
you have to go back to the
basic forces at work. Preload is
the most fundamental aspect
in bolted joint design, it is the
force that makes a bolted joint
work and able to withstand
working loads. It is a fact that
80% of all bolted joint failures
are related to incorrect preload,
so maintaining this force is
paramount.
Heico Fasteners innovative range
of anti-vibration washer products
are designed to do just that
and the company’s successful
philosophy of continual product
development has seen the
introduction of 3 systems that
use wedge-locking technology
to provide ultimate bolted joint
security.
The original Heico-Lock® washer
uses the proven principle of
wedge shaped cams on the
inside of the washers and
radial teeth on the outside
which results in increased
clamping force being applied
during periods of vibration or
dynamic load. The external
radial teeth embed into the
mating surfaces when tightened
while the internal cams react to
any movement in the joint by
moving across each other and,
as the height of these cams is
greater than the pitch of the
bolt thread, the increase in the
height of these moving cams
increases the clamping force on
the joint, thus causing the bolt
to self-lock.
The ‘Ring-Lock’ system uses the
same wedge locking technology
but also incorporates a blue
polyamide ring that holds the
Heico Wedge
Lock Nut
2 individual washers together
permanently. This makes the
‘Ring-Lock’ easier to install
and remove and ensures that
when the washers are re-used
that they cannot be assembled
incorrectly, perfect for
applications where bolted joints
are serviced or removed on a
regular basis. The polyamide
ring also works as a visual
indicator that the system is
being used on the joint making it
ideal for inspection purposes.
2015 saw the launch of the
Heico-Lock® Wedge Lock Nut
that uses the same proven
locking ability of the original
Heico-Lock® Washer combined
with the ease of use of a flanged
nut. This one piece design
provides the customer with ease
of use, effective bolt security and
a reduction of assembly time
and effort all in one.
The original
Heico-Lock® washer
The Heico Wedge Lock Nut is
supplied pre-assembled with
the nut and washer combined
in a captive and rotary way and
uses the same preload force,
rather than friction, to positively
lock the bolt in place. The one
piece design eliminates the risk
of misuse as the 2 component
parts are fixed permanently
in the correct position. The
design makes the wedge lock
nut perfect for use in hard
to reach locations and also
offers considerable reduction
in assembly time and effort. As
well as being easy, safe and fast
to use (even for non-specialist
users) the nut is totally re-usable
without any loss of function.
The Heico-Lock® range of
products offer a variety of
innovative solutions to the age
old problem of bolt security
so why not contact the Heico
team today to discuss your
requirements further.
Heico ‘Ring-Lock’
System
Tel: 01268 745421 t E-mail: [email protected] t www.heico-lock.co.uk
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PECM Issue 19