STUDY
CASE
Fasteners secure safe comminution equipment setup
Technofast EziTite Hydraulic Nuts are used “This gives an extremely accurate even to secure vibrating mechanisms and drive load onto the flange/joint, enhancing ongoing motors to sieves, screens and comminution safety and reliability of the machinery in equipment so as to avoid downtime service,” Bucknell said. and maintenance. They are actuated A quarry and mining application in simultaneously to give accurate, even and Western Australia reduced the installation simultaneous torqueing across sets of bolts time of the motor bolts from a six-hour used in crusher screen applications such operation needing two or three personnel, to as mineral processing, quarries, roadmix a two-hour operation involving two people. refining, food and beverage processing and Bucknell notes that the machine operator sorting of industrial materials. Technofast involved reported that using the poly EziTite Hydraulic Nuts are a faster and washer as a shock-resistant component and safer way to secure vibrating screen and tensioning them simultaneously with precise crusher motor bolts and have been shown accuracy was a game changer. in service to save time previously taken “Not only did the application benefit from for the installation and maintenance of easy installation and safer handling, but also the drives of this industrial comminution the simultaneous and precise tensioning of equipment. the EziTite nuts produced highly accurate Technofast Founder and CEO John One of several EziTite fasteners that bolt loadings without the ‘cross talk’ coming Bucknell stated that one of the issues have enhanced safety and cut downtime from individual torque tightening. This in widespread applications. Image credit: facing operators of this type of equipment resulted in a safer, more secure and longerTechnofast Industries is the propensity for bolts to loosen under lasting joint,” Bucknell said. the constant vibration and cyclic loading. Technofast has doubled the size of This issue is alleviated by incorporating a flexible poly washer to its Brisbane premises in recent years as a result of expanded augment the performance of the EziTite fasteners in service. The global demand for its products, which are typically used where special EziTite fasteners for vibrating and crusher applications rapid, simplified, and safe maintenance is important and secure, incorporate a Poly Washer for extended service, eliminating long-lasting joints are integral to safety. Applications range problems such as hex nuts vibrating loose, lack of control of from servicing nuclear reactors and conventional turbines, to the bolt load, and physically demanding and hazardous use of partnerships with industry leaders such as Framatome and Siemens flogging spanners. in areas such as mineral processing, motors, crushers, dragline EziTite Hydraulic Nuts can be used when accurate and reliable drums, cranes, mantle nuts and gearbox couplers. EziTite Hydraulic loading is required on bolting, or when vibrational or torsional Nuts and Bolts can be applied by being placed installed on bolt stresses are a problem. The hydraulic nuts are also suitable where studs then hydraulically actuated, stretching the bolt to the precise regular maintenance requires repeated adjustment or removal tension required and then locking it in place mechanically with a of nuts, or if there are confined or difficult nut locations. Such locking device. Rapid disassembly can be carried out by reversing safety benefits are true of many applications; the EziTite hydraulic the procedure, when it is eventually required for maintenance. nuts are suitable for tensioning all of the studs on a flange, joint Technofast Industries Pty Ltd or cover simultaneously, loading 100% of the fasteners at once. www.technofast.com
34 SAFETY SOLUTIONS - FEBRUARY 2022
www.safetysolutions.net.au
