Stainless Steel World Americas Journal August 2022 Sample | Page 11

A Moment With … bolting technicians in the industry do not know this . For this reason , and several others , Hamilton and the other members of PCC-1 have put a special focus on training and education . This training not only includes education on the availability and identification of design specifications , but also other common mistakes like improper joint lubrication . “ Proper lubrication is the number one thing that an assembler can do to help the math and the engineering of the joint ,” he said . “ The engineers give you a torque value based on what is called the K factor . If you do not lubricate the joint , your K factor is different , and so their math is no longer valid ,” he explained .

“ There is just a lack of knowledge in bolted flange joints , engineering and assembly-wise . Most assemblers that we have interviewed do not know that spiral wound gaskets -- which are the most used metallic gaskets in the industry , by far -- have got a color-coding system based off the standard for making those gaskets ,” he said . “ If I am in the field , I am training , and we are taking guys through either engineering or similar training for eight hours a day . We will go to a plant for a week , and we will train engineers , inspectors , operators , and turn-around guys , on bolts and flange joints . What I do in the field is take academic and practical education and marry them together .”
Continuing to Spread the Word
This year , Hamilton accepted the position as Chairman for Heat Exchanger World Americas Conference & Expo 2022 . In this role , Hamilton is excited to be able to spread the word about bolting practices , new innovations , and proper procedures .

There are three main groups of people in a plant that bolting applies to : maintenance , turnarounds , and reliability - but until we get everyone on the same page about best practices and we find a way to bring the two groups together , there are going to continue to be problems .

Stainless Steel Alloy Steel Specialty Alloys

Custom Bar Processing

Bar Drawing ● Bar Grinding Bar Peeling ● Bar Cutting Bar Straightening

We Service All Quantities

713-849-0055 GoBarStock . com
Stainless Steel World Americas - August 2022 | www . ssw-americas . com 11