The Future of the Fasteners
Blindbolt UK | 14th October 2020
Blind Bolts
Despite all the events of this year, the global engineering and construction industry is only set to grow. With growth comes innovation, and there are already plenty of new products and developments taking the market by storm, improving the quality and ease of projects around the world.
One necessary item that isn’t immune from new trends is the fastener. Industrial fasteners are far more important than anyone gives them credit for. After all, these are the modest items that hold together, reinforce and fix all our construction materials, from buildings to heavy machinery. There have been several innovations in fastening technology, and three main types of fastener look set to be the future of the industry: lock bolts, blind bolts, and wire threaded inserts.
Each of these types performs very different tasks, but they all pack a punch in efficacy and durability.
Lock Bolts
A lock bolt consists of a pin and a collar, and they can be installed instead of nuts, bolts or rivets. One of the benefits of a lockbolt is that it does not require a washer or a cotter pin in order to secure it in place, making it far less fiddly and prone to error. They are also much stronger, and longer-lasting, making them a preferable choice for the construction industry.
Lockbolts are incredibly tough, and they are often used to secure equipment such as factory machinery or agricultural vehicles, particularly as they are resistant to vibration. As pressure is applied, the collar collapses against the pin, forming a seal that it is incredibly difficult to loosen. Lock bolts come in two types; with and without separating pintails, each having its own specific uses and advantages.
Blind Bolts Fasteners
Though lock bolts certainly form a tight and lasting connection, when it comes to versatility and strength, there isn’t much that can beat a blind bolt fixing. They have become popular due to their ease of installation, making them a great choice for projects requiring a high volume of installations. Blind bolts are named because they can be easily installed from one side of a material, making them perfect if you need to apply them in areas where one side may be restricted.
The bolts are inserted in pre-drilled holes, then tightened. As they are tightened, their collar bulges out and forms a joint that is secure, long-lasting, and incredibly strong. This strength means that blind bolts are used in industries such as automobiles and mining, where stable connections are essential.
Wire Threaded Inserts
This type of fastener is perfect for use in softer core materials, or for repairing stripped threaded drill holes. The pressure of the bolt secures the wire against the sides of the bolt hole, creating a high-strength internal fastening that is hugely resistant to any potential damage, including corrosion, temperature, and even incredibly high amounts of vibration.
For this reason, wire threaded inserts are used regularly in the aerospace industry, proving their reliability in high-stress situations and locations. There is nothing better at ensuring a strong connection that will even outlast the strength of the parent material.
Bolted Shut
The engineering industry and construction industry are always looking for new, innovative products that can help their respective industries grow, as well as seeking out products such as blind fixings that can help to revolutionise the industry.
Want to find out more information about our blind bolts? Then get in touch and speak to a member of our team today on +44 (01299) 272 955 or send us an email on enquiries@blindbolt.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Blind Bolt