The most common cause of leaking flanges is rarely an issue with the gasket. Gasket manufacturers have found significant cases where bolted flanges leak, the cause is improper assembly or installation rather than the gasket itself. This is why choosing the correct bolting tools becomes very important, since the incorrect tools will result in a leak, rework and downtime.
If you are operating a refinery, wind turbine generator or fabrication facility, the cost of having a failed connection is much greater than the cost of a high-quality industrial bolting tool. So what should you look for when deciding on an industrial bolting tools manufacturer? Here are five key considerations.
1. Match the Tool to the Application
Each of these tools – the pipeline flange, the wind turbine tower, and the subsea manifold – poses a certain challenge to the tool in use. A quality producer provides an array of tightening options that enables you not to rely on only one solution for all tasks.
- Hydraulic torque wrenches: work well with high torque and low clearance;
- Bolt tensioners: apply loading to the bolt along its axis;
- Pneumatic/electric wrenches: are good for regular maintenance jobs;
- Torque multipliers: produce high torque with minimum effort on the operator’s part.
2. Look at Accuracy and Repeatability
Torque is merely an indicator of what the joint actually requires, that is, bolt loading. Friction losses will be high, resulting in inconsistent outcomes. Find out how the tool ensures the consistency of its performance.
A constant drive will produce more consistent results compared to hammer-driven tools. Tensioners do one better by not applying any torque to the fastener. This is why tensioners are often preferred in mission-critical applications.
3. Check Build Quality and Certification
Bolting tools are subjected to considerable pressure, hence material selection is important. Inquire about the materials used to make the housing of the tool and the number of moving parts the tool has. More moving parts mean more maintenance needs.
Ensure that there is a CE mark when required, and study the terms of the warranty before buying one. The warranty clearly indicates the confidence of the manufacturer in the product.
4. Think About Safety on Site
The presence of sparks in refineries and chemical processing facilities is completely unacceptable. The hydraulic flange spreader ensures that flanges can be separated without hitting or drilling. The hydraulic nut splitter ensures that seized nuts can be removed without sparks or flame. Torque multipliers ensure that long levers are not necessary. Just talk to any manufacturer regarding applications of their product line.
5. Confirm Range, Support and Delivery
A tool is only useful once it is on site. Check whether the supplier stocks power packs, hoses, sockets and other accessories. Make sure catalogs and technical details are easy to get. Also ask about shipping to your region. Slow delivery during a shutdown costs far more than the tool itself.
6. Ask About Real-World Experience
Ask for technical information and job references. An industrial bolting tools manufacturer that understands wind energy, oil and gas or power generation can suggest the correct equipment sooner and save you unnecessary guesswork and expense.
Conclusion
Fit, accuracy, durability, safety & support are the factors involved when choosing a partner for the bolting job. Balance each one according to your requirements, and you will most likely be able to pick the right name.
Bolting Systems is a company that provides a variety of tools such as hydraulic torque wrenches, bolt tensioners, torque multipliers, nut splitters, and flange spreaders, with shipping to more than 140 countries. Visit their website and download their catalog today.
Get the right tool before the next shutdown.