Academic study: αA value 1,1 possible
Internationales Ambiente: Die Vertriebsagenten aus 19 Nationen zusammen, mit Jörg, Hans und Frank Hohmann (v.l. zentral unter dem Banner, vorn).
Meschede. With BOLTING DAYS ITH informs customers about innovations in Bolting Methods, Bolting Process, Bolting Tools and Connection Elements. Customized for specific customers or mixed groups, new information on technology and academic studies are presented by guest speakers and ITH engineers. Furthermore the focal point is always the interchange between the experiences of the customer and the knowledge of ITH sales engineers. This vital dialogue is meant to generate both technical and commercial benefits for the customer (ITH customer focus).
On BOLTING DAY 06, ITH, the specialist in bolting technology invited a large number of it’s world wide sales agents from 19 nations. "Our agents presented new projects from their countries which maybe interesting for our other business partners, too", described ITH manager Frank Hohmann.
Working time saving about 80 %
In South East Asia there is an application on a gas turbine that will be tightened with ITH bolt tensioning cylinders. Instead of the three days it takes to finish the assembly with the current tools, the job will be reduced to 6 hours with the ITH equipment. The customer will save 80 % on their working time.
Applications for gas turbines require a high rate of accuracy because they need to withstand high temperatures. Bolt connections, which are pre-tensioned using the ITH Stretch Method, have a very accurate preload tolerance of ±2.5%. Furthermore the ITH Stretch Method is the simplest and fastest way to loosen a high temperature bolt connection after long periods of time because it works with axial pretensioning force.
Innovation: Direct Elongation Measurement System
With Direct Elongation Measurement System ITH sales agents were introduced to a further innovation of bolting technology.
During the process of tensioning the bolt elongation is gauged digitally and the data is sent to a laptop. This gives a record of the pre-tensioning force during assembly. This detailed information is required to guarantee the long-time-function of the installation.
ITH engineer Detlev König (2nd ri.) introduces the new Direct Elongation Measurement System.
Academic study: αA value 1,1 possible
Next there was the mediation of an academic study by the university of Zwikau and ITH.
The studies carried out by ITH and the university were on the ITH stretching method for different bolt length in comparison with a hexagon nut to the ITH round nut. The tests showed that at a given grip-length ratio, it is possible to use a αA value* of 1.1 with the ITH round nut type RMS/RMZ. The smaller αA value enables a more compact construction of the unit or machine. Hereby the production costs and future service costs will be reduced considerable.
αA value = maximum pre-tensioning force in relation to minimum pre-tensioning force (αA = FMmax / FMmin)
"We aimed to generate synergy between our external agents, the foreign ITH subsidiaries and the ITH head office. The feedback was very positive", stated Frank Hohmann.
