There has always been a problem with bolted connections: how can you be sure that your assembly has achieved or kept the required bolt load? If you don’t know the right tool setting or bolt load, this can cause serious problems. The most common reason for gasket joints to start leaking is unequal and insufficient bolt load. Other occurring problems might be bolts breaking due to fatigue issues or bolts coming loose. Maintenance costs will rise and result in expensive check-ups and re-tightening procedures, that could have been avoided.
Avoid bolting-related failures
BoltSafe has come up with a solution to these problems. With its compact load sensors, bolt load can be measured and visualised during assembly and monitored over time. The coefficient of friction can be determined with a simple test rather than assumed or guessed. This same test will also determine the exact tool settings to reach the desired bolt load. This knowledge enhances safety, makes joints more dependable and improves control over the construction. It also lowers the costs for maintenance during installation and throughout the joint’s service life.
No physical presence on site required anymore
The company's latest innovation, the IoT-node, is a wireless system with an integrated battery that will last for more than 10 years. Communication via the LoraWAN IoT network allows users to monitor bolt load remotely. Many conventional methods for bolt load verification require physical presence on site. Since bolted connections in many structures are hard to reach, a manual on-site bolt load check is usually a time-consuming and costly operation. The BoltSafe IoT-node is a plug-and-play solution to this problem. To read out the bolt load data remotely, all you need is an internet connection and a device connected to it.
How does the technology work?
Users install the BoltSafe load sensor and connect the IoT-node. Strategically placed magnets on the back of the node keep everything in place without the need for screws. The system is then ready to use. The user can go to the online portal, a web-based application dashboard, to see all sensors that are registered to their company or a specific project. Not only can users check the actual bolt load on bolted connections in kN and lbf, but it is also possible to change the number of measurements per hour, or to see the actual temperature. Users can choose to receive (email) notifications in case of sudden variations in bolt load. The data from the IoT-node can be read out anywhere, anytime and no extra cables or software are needed to acquire the bolt load data.
