EDITOR ’ S CHOICE HUCK FASTENERS
STAR FASTENERS
Joint Slip , Side Slide and Vibration – Huck ® Fasteners , combating the effects of vibration
Why do threaded Fasteners experience self-loosening ? There are quite a few reasons why they fail , but generally it ’ s that there isn ’ t sufficient clamp force present on the joint interface ( where two or more parts interact ) to movement between the bolt head or nut and the joint . Transversely applied alternating forces , also known as vibration , generates the most severe conditions for self-loosening . Firstly , the joining materials slip , the threaded fasteners friction is then reduced on the surface of the material it ’ s joining , then torque acting on the fastener coupled with the vibration ( Jost Effect ) results in self-loosening occurring .
How can Huck ® fasteners help ? “ Huck LockBolt ® and structural blind fasteners are designed to provide permanent , vibrationresistant , superior-quality joining solutions for use in industrial applications . Huck fasteners offer relatively high tensile , shear and clamp properties they are suited to applications where the joints are integral to the structure . Offering a clean and safe alternative to welding and a more efficient fastening method than standard nuts and bolts , Huck fasteners offer benefits which other fastening methods cannot , including quick and easy installation , elimination of re-checking / replacement , and ultimately cost reductions .”
Eliminating the effects of vibration . HuckBolts ® are a two-piece fastening system made up of a Pin and Collar . Huck Lockbolt technology works on a different principle to regular bolting , where instead of a threaded nut , a cylindrical ‘ collar ’ with a smooth internal bore is used . The collar is placed over a pin with locking grooves that either follow the form of annular grooves or a special form helical thread . During installation this collar is ‘ swaged ’ permanently .
Huck Structural Blind fastener range has excellent gap pull-out and high retained clamp . The tensile strength of structural blind fasteners differs to that of Lockbolt ’ s , as they form a blind side positive lock either
Huck ® LockBolt Fastener Range
by bulbing or expanding of the sleeve . The sleeve , assisted by the permanently secured pin , therefore resists failure .
Alternatives to welding and threaded fasteners . This joining process offers a number of significant advantages over regular bolting . The joint is maintenance free as once the collar is ‘ swaged ’, it will not loosen under vibration . This provides major savings in labour costs by eliminating the need to re-torque bolts periodically in order to ensure joint integrity . The major safety benefit is that the joint is guaranteed to maintain clamp and not become compromised over time . HuckBolts can be effectively used with virtually any metal , and dissimilar metals with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion present no problems . Varying material thicknesses in a joint are readily accommodated , and surface finishes are not damaged .
Most importantly , HuckBolts are proven to hold up over years of service in demanding high-stress , high-vibration environments . Industries using HuckBolts include heavy-duty trucks , commercial vehicles , their chassis and trailers , rail track , crossings , railcar and locomotives , agricultural equipment and implements , aerospace , mining shaker screens and shaft construction , defence vehicles
Huck ® Blind Fastener Range
and oilfield equipment – some really challenging fastening applications !
Over the years the Huck Lockbolt fastener range has evolved . The traditional C6L ® and C50L ® Lockbolt has advanced to an innovative pintail-less design of the Huck BobTail ®. It offers up to 10 times the fatigue strength of conventional nuts and bolts , and delivers ultimate strength , installation speed and vibration resistance . In addition , the pintail-less design of the BobTail means that there is a reduction in noise during installation , there is no waste through breaking of the pin and there is an improvement in corrosion resistance by eliminating the exposed surface resulting from the pintail break .
Specialists in the supply of Huck Fasteners , Star Fasteners are proud to be the UK ’ s largest Huck fastener distributor . Working with a diverse range of end users and distributors from across a number of industries .
Star Fasteners are also an accredited Huck tool service and repair centre ; expert technical knowledge and a large tool hire fleet complements the service .
For more information about Star Fasteners unique value-added services visit starfasteners . co . uk .
Tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 115 9324939 | email : sales @ starfasteners . co . uk | starfasteners . co . uk
32 PECM Issue 54