56 Fastening technology Precision meets efficiency The SPREDLOC expansion bolt in combination with RIVKLE Automation E By Annette Löwen, Team lead Marketing Germany PFM, Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH With SPREDLOC and RIVKLE Automation E, Böllhoff presents two perfectly matched solutions for modern lightweight construction and production requirements. While SPREDLOC allows to realise wear-free and stable threads in high-quality lightweight structures, RIVKLE Automation E ensures high productivity, process reliability and economic efficiency when processing SPREDLOC expansion bolts. From the very beginning, the development had been customer-oriented. As part of an agile development process involving design thinking, at the outset, numerous customers were interviewed about their requirements and challenges. The focus was on issues such as fast and easy installation and the safe use in various polymers without causing cracking. Based on the findings, cross-functional teams worked out various possible approaches. SPREDLOC was the ultimate result from one of those ideas. With SPREDLOC, Böllhoff is expanding its portfolio to include a threaded bolt specifically developed to be used in high-quality lightweight structures. This expansion bolt creates wear-free and stable threads and is suitable for a wide range of lightweight materials – including various polymers, aluminium and magnesium. This makes the new joining solution particularly suited for structural components in different industrial sectors, such as the automotive and commercial vehicle industries. As a key advantage, the SPREDLOC can be retrofit. Due to the elements’ design, the receiving part needs to be accessible from one side only. This “blind” setting method allows an easy integration, even in challenging installation situations. The only condition is a material thickness or dome height from 6 mm; no additional holding thread is required. Furthermore, its versatility is striking. While many threaded bolts for lightweight materials are designed for specific material groups only — such as aluminium and metal alloys or plastics — SPREDLOC can be used for both types of material. Moreover, a new path has been trod in terms of design: Unlike earlier one-piece fasteners, this fastener consists of two pre-assembled components — a bolt and an expandable sleeve. This allows for a deliberately more robust bolt design, thereby significantly increasing the performance of the fastener as a whole. For the installation, the SPREDLOC is inserted into a prepared mounting hole, which can be pre-formed or created using common drills. During setting, the sleeve expands radially by a predetermined degree and is positively anchored in the wall of the hole. Combined with design features to lock the screw and limit setting travel, this results in a joint that is locked against screwing and pull-out. Installation principle example of a through hole Images: © Böllhoff
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