Sealing Global - Servicing Local
Lamons SPC4 Load
Indicating Fastener
Technology
TM
a m
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Load Measurement Made Easy
Lamons SPC4 Technology
Common Bolt Issues
TM
SPC4 load indicating fastener technology allows installation
of a bolted assembly with confidence. Users can monitor the
clamp load of any SPC4TM bolted joint whether static or dynamic,
by attaching an indicator datum disc located on the end of the
fastener and reading the value with a user friendly mechanical
indicator.
A fastener is modified by machining a small hole into the head.
Minimal modifications to the bolt assures basic bolt design
integrity. A gage pin is inserted into the hole and secured at
the bottom. A datum disk is fitted on the top of the bolt head
and forms a flat surface with the top of the gauge pin when
the bolt is unloaded. When the bolt is tightened, it elongates
and the gauge pin is drawn into the bolt away from the datum
disk surface. This indicator is calibrated to detect the differential space between the indicating pin and datum head. The
differential space is translated into a gauge reading that precisely indicates the fasteners loading, related to ultimate yield
strength.
TM
There are two variables in any bolted joint design that continually plague the industry. Achieving accurate preload and
maintaining this preload are the most common issues associated with problematic flanges and bolted joints. Some of the
better flange tightening procedures that exist incorporate
torque as the preferred method for attempting to establish
accurate preload. While it can be acknowledged that torque is
a reliable indicator of bolt stress, it should be realized that there
are a number of factors that heavily impact the accuracy of this
tightening method.
Torque wrenches must be calibrated regularly. These tools
are often fragile and sensitive to loss of accuracy if dropped
or handled improperly.
Operators often loosely interpret the click of a torque
wrench and overturn the fastener. The speed at which the
operator turns the wrench will affect accuracy of targeted
bolt load.
Torque wrenches are often long leverage devices which
makes this impractical in compact situations where an
operator cannot turn the tool.
Friction in the entire joint and all mating surfaces will be
the most significant deterrent to accuracy. Friction is not
accounted for in the twisting force of torque and will result
in greater bolt scatter and inaccuracy.
These problems with torque have long been recognized and
there have been several solutions offered by bolting and hardware manufacturers to gauge bolt stress more accurately. The
more successful technologies measure the change in length of
a fastener and compare the length in an unloaded state and to
that of a loaded state. Using Hookes Law of elasticity one can
accurately relate stress in a fastener with the elongation of that
component.
The benefits of this concept allow the fastener to be loaded
many times as long as the stress remains in the elastic range,
meeting the criteria of ASTM F2482. An accurate assessment
of loading can also be obtained after the joint has been put
into service.
Gauge that easily snaps on and off SPC4 TM bolt
end for accurate load readings
Anchored
Indicating Pin
Detail
Reading bolt load on SPC4 TM bolt with gauge
Integrity of a bolted joint is jeopardized when fasteners
lose their tension. This loss of clamping force begins even
during assembly due to elastic interactions and joint relaxation.
Self-loosening continues when the joint is put in service due
to vibrations, temperature changes, shock, etc. The SPC4TM joint
allows the end-user to retighten only the bolts or studs that
have lost their clamp load, resulting in a tremendous saving
of maintenance time, money, and replacement parts.
Lamons SPC4 Load Indicating Fastener
Unloaded Detail
Loaded Detail
Gauge
translates
variable gap
between
pin and
datum head
accurately into
bolt stress
Traditional torque method
Mathematically, Hookes law states:
F = -kx
where
x is the displacement of the end of the spring from its
equilibrium position (in SI units: m);
F is the restoring force exerted by the material (in SI units: N
or kgms-2); and k is the force constant (or spring constant)
(in SI units: N m-1 or kgs-2).
When this holds, the behavior is said to be linear. If shown
on a graph, the line should show a direct variation. There is a
negative sign on the right hand side of the equation because
the restoring force always acts in the opposite direction of the
displacement (for example, when a spring is stretched to the
left, it pulls back to the right).
Relative to Bolting and Fastener materials, Hookes law would
be applicable for these materials throughout its elastic range
(below their yield strength).
This linear relationship described in Hookes law creates a
scenario where a user can very accurately monitor bolt extension and directly relate this to the stress in the fastener.
Historical methods for measuring this change in length
include:
Physical measurement of the change in length with a gauge
Physical measurements require the ends of the fasteners
to be polished and parallel. Any contamination or damage to the end of the measurement surface will cause
faulty readings.
Compact space restrictions will often limit the use of
measurement equipment around piping systems.
Ultrasonics utilizes the measurement of the transit time of an
ultrasonic signal over the length of the fastener.
Ultrasonics require electronic equipment to be taken in
the field and records of specific fastener data have to be
stored in order to relate initial readings with future
readings. Wiring and associating previous records with
the correct fastener can be inconvenient and difficult.
This equipment is sensitive to temperature changes and
must be calibrated often to account for this variable.
A New Dimension to Bolting
Technology is Here
For a minimal investment, the SPC4TM offers maximum joint
integrity with optimum performance. The ability to monitor stud
load after assembly is a key ASTM F2482 feature and something
very unique to this SPC4TM technology.
US L o c ati o n s
Louisiana
Texas
Houston HQ
713-222-0284
California
Baton Rouge
Martinez
409-838-6304
Freeport
979-265-2100
225-292-4250
Luling
985-785-4160
Westlake
337-882-1681
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Boothwyn
610-364-1111
Joliet
815-744-3902
Washington
Michigan
Midland
989-488-4580
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360-733-3831
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925-313-9080
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310-886-1133
Utah
Salt Lake City
801-532-2338
Bellingham
St. Paul
612-354-1908
G l ob al Lo c at i o n s
Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
+55-21-2491-3677
China
Singapore
+65-68625155
Zhang Jia Gang
+0086 512-56720109
Spain
So Paulo
+55-11-3372-8060
Canada
+91-129-416-8120
Faridabad
+34-913-92-41-60
Edmonton
The Netherlands
Sarnia
+31 (0) 10-4290388
Vancouver
Thailand
+34-977-39-25-52
United Kingdom
Grimsby
+44 (0)1472-250033
India
780-461-5557
Rotterdam
519-332-1800
+ 66 (0) 38 681 321 -22
Grimsby, UK
Wolverhampton, UK
Edmonton
St. Paul, MN
SLC, UT Midland, MI
Joliet, IL
Martinez, CA
Denver, CO
Rancho Dominguez, CA
Tarragona
Rayong
604-365-331
Vancouver
Bellingham, WA
Madrid
Sarnia
Boothwyn, PA
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Tarragona, Spain
Beaumont, TX
Westlake, LA
Baton Rouge, LA
Luling, LA
Freeport, TX
Zhangjiagang, China
Faridabad, India
Hangzhou, China
Rayong, Thailand
Singapore
Lamons Manufacturing Facility
Distributor & Licensee
Physical Measurement of Fastener
Ultrasonic Measurement
of a Fastener
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
So Paulo, Brazil
Contact Information
[email protected]
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Technical Information
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