FastenersASIA May 2021

Industry news

Tanner selected as distributor for maximum security screw

Tanner Bolt & Nut Inc of Brooklyn, New York, USA, has reached an agreement with Parker Fasteners to become the exclusive master distributor in the United States for its Lock-Out® maximum security screw. The new Lock-Out security fastener features a patented drive that is engineered to perform in high-torque applications. The distinctive oval centre pin and multiple drive/key combinations

give customers the option to select higher levels of security in a tamper-proof fastener. Installation bits are not available commercially, and will only be sold through Tanner. Lock-Out is available in various head styles, threads, diameters, lengths, materials and finishes. Diameters range from ¼" to 5 / 8 ", M1.4 to M16, and #0 to #10, with lengths up to 12" for certain diameters. Materials available include carbon steel; stainless

steel 302HQ, 304, 316 and A286; and brass alloy steel 4037 and 8740. For maximum protection of property or products, Lock-Out can be manufactured with a unique drive pattern that is exclusive to the customer. Made-to-order products typically ship in eight to ten weeks.

Tanner Bolt & Nut Inc www.tannerbolt.com

Support for Danish offshore wind foundation project

Bumax, a Swedish manufacturer of stain- less steel fasteners, and its sister company Bufab Denmark have partnered with the Danish CeJacket project to develop more efficient methods to manufacture jacket structures for offshore wind turbines. The concept is to manufacture jackets in modules as opposed to whole structures, to streamline manufacture and assembly. Bumax, along with Danish industry and academic partners, was invited to inves- tigate fixed-foundation solutions for con- structing large offshore wind turbines in deep water. Tests during the project con- cluded that the company’s fasteners would be suitable for the design and construction of modular and durable foundations. Bumax provided fasteners for the project partners to test. Stud bolts, washers and nuts in the stainless steel Bumax 88 grade for marine applications were provided, as they offer corrosion resistance to the harsh saltwater environments, as well as high strength to ensure a maintenance- free solution throughout a wind turbine’s design life. The 2019 CeJacket Splash Zone Report by Force Technology, which documented three tests with Bumax 88, concluded that “the stainless steel Bumax 88 mechanical fasteners and stainless bolt extenders did not display any signs of pitting or crevice corrosion, nor did they display any signs of cracks in the stud and nut base metal after testing.” Bufab Denmark managing director Robert Svendsen said, “The use of high-strength,

❍ Fasteners in stainless steel Bumax 88 grade were used in the project

corrosion-resistant Bumax products can be a good choice for demanding marine applications as they can reduce lifecycle costs and safeguard large capital investments, such as wind turbines – as the CeJacket project has highlighted.” Lars Holm, CEO of Bumax, commented, “There is a need for innovative founda- tions since the global market for offshore wind power continues to grow, with wind turbines getting larger and being con- structed in deeper water. This requires different foundations and structures com- pared with conventional fixed-foundation wind turbines in relatively shallow waters.” Some of these large deep-water turbines will require jacket structures – steel substructures that are traditionally used in the oil and gas industry to support offshore rigs at water depths greater than 100m. The challenges for such structures include how to cost-effectively construct them while ensuring the use of high- strength and corrosion-resistant materials.

A potential modular jacket structure solution with bolted connections would require stainless steel fasteners that can withstand the corrosion conditions throughout the different parts of the structure. This includes both above and below the waterline, and within the crucial ‘splash zone’, where corrosion conditions can be more severe due to repeated wet and dry cycles and build-up of salt deposits. The bolted connections must also have a high strength and provide a long-life, maintenance-free fastener solution in all these areas. CeJacket is a common project between Siemens Wind Power, Force Technology, Dong Energy, Bladt Industries, Institute for Mechanics & Production at Aalborg University, and Lindoe Component & Structure. Bumax AB www.bumax-fasteners.com

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May 2021