Ensure A Tight Fit: 4 Tips To Keep Your Bolts And Fittings Secure

When you're working with industrial equipment, you can't afford loose bolts or fittings. Loose bolts and fittings in an industrial setting can lead to work stoppage, equipment malfunction, and catastrophic injuries. Here are four steps you should take to prevent loose bolts.

1. Ensure A Tight Fit

If you want to avoid problems stemming from loose bolts, the most important thing you can do is ensure a tight fit from the start. Many people leave bolts slightly loose because they're afraid of damaging the threads. However, leaving bolts loose will only exacerbate the problem. That's because you're starting with a bolt that's already has a loose fit. To avoid this type of problem, tighten all the bolts and then go back through to ensure a secure fit.

2. Avoid Excess Vibration

Where industrial equipment is concerned, vibration is a real threat. Excessive vibration can cause all the fittings to work loose, leading to equipment failure and the potential for injuries. To keep your fittings secure, install vibration-reducing brackets on all your industrial equipment. You can also use specially-designed floor mats that isolate the vibration and prevent it from undermining the integrity of your equipment and your fittings.

3. Ensure Material Compatibility

When it comes to your industrial equipment, you've got to ensure that your nuts, bolts and washers are all made from the same materials, especially those that you plan to pair together. Combining nuts, bolts and washers that are made from different materials can lead to overheating, which can cause the loosening of your fittings. This is due to the different rates in which those materials expand and contract during operation. To avoid this type of problems,always combine like materials for your nuts, bolts and washer combinations.

4. Choose the Right Washers

When you want to ensure a tight fit, it's important that you choose the right washers. If you use the wrong washers, you can actually reduce the effectiveness of your fittings. When you need to make sure that your bolts stay tight, you should avoid using a split washer. That's because split washers can actually cause your bolts to loosen, especially where vibration is an issue. Flat washers and locking washers are best for industrial settings where a secure fit is essential.

Don't take chances with your industrial equipment. The tips provided here will help you keep your fittings secure, and prevent issues related with loose bolts.