A sophisticated solution for communicating bolts
Bolted joints are commonly used in mechanical and structural applications to join components together. Bolted joints pose several major problems if not properly designed, installed, and maintained. This is why you should consider Strainlabs Systems.
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Strainlabs Bolts
Connect an unlimited amount of preload sensing IoT bolts using patented LED-sensor technology to measure preload.
Strainlabs Routers
Pre-configured routers to receive and upload data results from Strainlabs Bolts to Strainlabs Analytics.
Strainlabs Analytics
Enables remote monitoring and alerts for Strainlabs Bolts. Aggregates quantifiable and actionable data.
Unique & patented solution
Strainlabs sophisticated solution includes bolts with patented LED sensors that communicate via a router to Strainlabs Analytics.
Monitoring of bolted joints for optimal performance
Strainlabs System has financial and operational values of monitoring bolted joints from an OEM and end-user perspective.
- Short term to ensure correct installation.
- Long term to ensure proper maintenance and avoid failure.
- Collect data to be used for bolted joint design and dimensioning.
Problems with bolts
A bolt can be associated with many problems, which a monitoring system can detect and provide notifications for.
Over tightening
The bolt is over-stressed and may break.
Under tightening
The bolt is too loosely assembled and cannot support its intended load.
Corrosion
Leads to microscopic cracks which ultimately fracture.
Leaking gaskets
If the bolts clamping a gasket are not evenly preloaded, the gasket will leak.
Fatigue
Too high cyclic loads induce fatigue and the bolt breaks.
Vibrations
Cause gradual loosening of the bolt and lead to failure.
Temperature effects
Fluctuating temperature expand and contract materials, which affects ‘the bolts performance.
Misalignment
Unevenly tightened bolts may cause mis- alignment and/or stress concentration of/in components.
Thread damage
Reduces the load carrying capacity of the bolt, which cannot support its intended load
Insufficient preload
The bolt is not able to withstand the working load it is intended for and will fail.
Why Strainlabs?
Business related consequences of bolt failure
If a problem occurs with a bolt and it fails, it does not only affect the bolt, but also the application which components it joins as well as the value chain which the application is a part of. Therefore, it is of high financial and operational value to any OEM and End-User organization to be notified about an upcoming failure and being able to prevent it from ever occurring.
Common business-related consequences of bolt failure
Production and operations disruption
Such as down time, delivery delays and increased costs.
Financial losses
Such as revenue loss due to lost production, repair and replacement costs and machinery or parts thereof, fines for non-compliance with agreements.
Reputation damage
Such as loss of credibility.
Safety risks
Such as danger to employees and equipment users as well as environmental impact.
Legal issues
Such as disruption of contractual obligations and regulatory compliance.
Loss of competitive advantage
Such as competing with subpar products that fail.
Smart bolt use cases
We provide preload sensing bolts where maintenance, safety or analysis is crucial.
Smart re-tightening
An application where retightening i s a recurring activity to avoid operational disturbances or when bolts must be reassembled after service in the field where no accurate tools are available.
Critical integrity
An application risk of lossing functionality (subsequently value) or suffering failure, momentarily or permantently due to incorrect preload in the bolted connections which keep it together.
Regulatory inspection
An applications that due to regulation must have its' bolts inspected to be approved for further operation. Inspections require specialists and cause downtime which is expensive.
Sustainable maintenance
Maintenance require parts, chemicals, transport, downtime, specialist staff, of which the need can be reduced if bolted joints can be remotely monitored and asssessed.
Zero accident assurance
An application where failure or disruption is of high risk and/or consequence and must be avoided to the greatest of extent.
Analysis & insight
An application where the knowledge of preload characteristics create technical or commercial value for itself or the process of which it is a part of.
Value for OEM
Considerations for OEMs looking to sell data
Sustainable revenue generation
Selling data, such as raw data or analytical models, can be a new revenue stream beyond just selling physical products.
Customer engagements
Data can provide insights into how customers are using their applications. OEMs can use this to create additional offerings.
Market insights
Aggregated data from multiple applications can be used to identify trends and market opportunities.
Operational values for an OEM
Product improvements
The analysis of bolt data can identify application issues, predict maintenance needs, and be used to develop better applications.
Competitive advantage
Data can be used to identify future need and sellable features.
Innovation
Improvements of products, processes and quality.
Value for End-User
The operational value of bolt monitoring is high for an End-User because it minimizes disruptions in business operational processes. Operations is the continuously improving process of producing goods or services which delivers value to the customer and revenue to the End-User in a sustainable way.
Efficiency
Can be increased when manual inspection of bolted applications is automated. Time is saved and documentation is automatically processed.
Safety
Failed bolts is one of the most common root causes for breakdown, which often leads to dangerous or environmentally hazardous scenarios.
Sustainability
Every performed task leaves an environmental footprint. Automatic bolt inspection reduces the number of tasks performed and increase positive public perception.
Cost reduction
Automated inspections cut unnecessary expenses for tools, labor, down-time and value for lost production.
Employee
Up-to-date, aware and well-trained employees are motivated, productive and con- tribute to operational success.
Data utilization
Bolt monitoring can enable data-driven decision making, predictive maintenance and process optimization.
When and where is it relevant to implement Strainlabs System?
Due to the wide use of bolted joints across industries, Strainlabs can provide valuable & actionable data to virtually any business, process or asset.
Ready to transform how you integrate bolt preload data in your maintenance strategy?
Contact us today to learn more about our solution and how it could make your industry more safe, cost efficient and reliable.