Industrial equipment supplier BMG offers a range of solutions from bolted solutions specialist Nord-Lock including Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioning tools. These can be used to tighten bolts simultaneously, ensuring even preload in industrial applications and extreme environments, where bolt load accuracy is critical.

“BMG specialists work closely with customers in numerous industries to meet challenging bolting requirements. The company offers a range of standard and customised bolt tensioning tools to optimise bolt tightening during the construction of new plants and equipment, or for maintenance operations,” says BMG fasteners division and Nord-Lock national product manager Wean Marais.

“Advanced bolting technology in large machines and equipment eliminates the risk of loose or over-tightened bolts and is critical to ensuring optimum performance and safety on industrial sites. As bolts increase in size, so the load critically increases and operators are faced with the challenge of achieving the correct bolt elongation, to ensure bolt load accuracy.

“When tightening a bolt using traditional torque methods, it can be difficult and sometimes impossible, for the operator to achieve the correct bolt elongation, owing to friction. Boltight tools provide continuous performance, without the need for frequent maintenance and repair. Added to this, the fast and efficient turnaround and reliability of these tensioners is vital to saving time on site and for the controlling of running costs.”

Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioners – manufactured to stringent global quality and safety specifications – use high-pressure hydraulics and a predetermined pressure to make on-site bolting jobs safer, faster and more efficient. These tools have been specially developed to axially stretch the bolt. The nut is then rotated down the joint face, accurately locking in the bolt load.

The Boltight operating principle is based on the flow of hydraulic oil into the load cell. The load generated by the load cell is transferred into the puller and the puller then transfers the load directly into the bolt. The nut lifts clear of the flange mating surface, owing to bolt stretch, and the socket is used to turn the nut down, retaining the load.

Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioning equipment is suitable for use in all industries where critical bolting requires accurate and reliable tightening. In power generation, these tools are used for bolts on pipes, pumps, valves and engines.

In the wind sector, the Boltight range provides reliable tensioning solutions for critical joints on offshore and onshore wind turbines, as well as associated structures.

Boltight tools are also used extensively throughout the mining, marine, and oil and gas industries, where reliable and accurate bolt tightening is critical to operational efficiency.

Standard bolt tensioners are used on onshore and offshore pipeline flanges, compact flanges, heat exchangers, cranes, pumps, valves and for other critical bolting applications. Boltight Xtra load bolt tensioners are recommended for higher loads and for restricted space applications.

BMG’s fasteners team – which offers an extensive range of quality branded fasteners and specialist solutions for every application – is committed to eliminating breakdowns, controlling downtime and ensuring optimum safety in diverse industries.