Innovative bolting solutions provide faster, safer operations

Bolting tools are crucial products to the reliable productivity of many pieces of heavy-duty equipment used offshore, yet advances to these tools have been slow in keeping up with today’s industrial requirements. The two most widely-used tools are hydraulic torque wrenches and hydraulic tensioners, and their basic technology dates back to the 1950s. At that time, joint-reliability was not as critical, as most equipment was over-designed and under lower pressure.

Hytorc’s new technology is based on hydraulic torque tools. They are lighter with better fit and a smaller radius, if made job-adjustable around the nut. This assures tight nuts after bolting, which is not obtainable with tensioners.

The company has a range of hydraulic torque wrenches, which it says eliminate internal torsion with a reaction arm-free, coaxial action and reaction drive.

Gains may be seen in cost efficiency and safety, says the company, by using their wrenches in combination with their line of hexagonal compression washers.

The LoaDISC washer contains a thread segment in its inside, engineered to move only axially with the bolt elongation. It creates a predetermined counter-nut effect with the nut thread, which remains active throughout the assembled state of the fastener.

The washer is held stationary by the tool, which tightens or loosens the nut to eliminate reaction arms and fixtures as well as the usual side load. Holding the washer and turning the nut is accomplished with a click-on twin socket set. It permits 360° tool adjustability and remote, hands-free tool operation, even on inverted applications.