News & Insights
Controlling Loading Dynamics in Chassis Bolted Connections Through Friction Increase
Article
March 10, 2023
Three Ways Increasing the L/D Ratio Improves Reliability of Dynamically Loaded Bolt Joints
Article
September 7, 2021
<p>During design reviews, experienced engineers may point out that a larger ratio of clamped length to bolt diameter (L/D) improves the reliability of dynamically loaded bolted joints, but they may not give a satisfactory explanation for this advice. This article explains three benefits of designing dynamically loaded bolted joints with a sufficiently large L/D ratio.</p>
Simple Test Technique to Determine Type of Fastener Loosening
Article
January 25, 2021
<p>Bolted joints are extremely reliable through the life of the product, as long as the bolt remains tight. Unfortunately, bolts often loosen when placed in service, and they can become a source of reliability problems. Understanding whether a bolt loosened due to self-loosening, relaxation or a combination of both is critical for making the right design changes or choosing the best thread locking method. Fortunately, a simple torque stripe can used to detect if a bolt loosened and if so, the type of loosening that occurred.</p>
A Tale of Two Solar Racking System Fasteners: Threaded vs. Lockbolt
Case Study
April 10, 2020
The Use of Two Nuts to Prevent Self-Loosening Intro
Article
November 11, 2019
What Should Be Tightened—the Nut or the Bolt Head?
Article
June 12, 2019
<p>The question is often asked as to whether the nut or the bolt head should be tightened. Although at first
blush a seemingly unimportant distinction, the choice you make in tightening the nut or bolt matters and
can affect the final preload. In this article, Dr. Bill Eccles explains the parameters which affect
preload variation and the importance of providing detailed instructions to the assemblers.</p>
Self-Loosening of Threaded Fasteners
Article
April 15, 2019
Failure of an M24 Engine Mounting Bolt
Case Study
February 1, 2019
Preload Relaxation in Aluminum PV Racking System Fasteners
Article
September 25, 2018