What Are the Differences Between Blind Bolts and Lockbolts?
Blindbolt NZ | 21st January 2021
Blind Bolt
The world of construction is one in which leading companies are constantly on the look-out for innovations which enable them to work more efficiently and produce higher quality. The aim is for the best possible results to be achieved in the shortest possible time-frame. The companies which succeed are those which can deliver the quality their customers are looking for whilst still working as quickly as possible.
This aspiration leads companies on a constant search for innovative building materials which have evolved or adapted in order to make better end results possible. When these ground-breaking products are utilised they enable companies to increase the quality of the projects they are delivering and the architecture of individual buildings. The following are a few of the innovative and sustainable building materials currently revolutionising the construction industry:
What Is A Lockbolt?
As is indicated by the name, a lockbolt is a type of bolt which locks into place when it has been installed. This means that the bolt in question won’t loosen due to stress and vibration over an extended period of time.
In a number of different applications, lockbolts can be used in preference to a conventional or rivet block, thanks to the long term durability and high levels of strength which they offer.
How A Lockbolt Is Constructed
Lock bolts come in two different pieces – the pin and the collar. They can be utilised in preference to rivets or nuts and bolts, because they offer greater strength while dispensing with the requirement for other components such as lock washers.
A lockbolt can also be applied from just one side of the join being worked on, with setting taking place on the collar side. During the installation process, the collar is pulled, and this swags it onto the lockbolt. The ease of this process means that torque no longer has to be applied to both sides, as it does with a standard nut and bolt, which makes using a lockbolt quick and simple.
What Is A Blind Bolt?
The Blind Bolt was one of the first generation of blind fixings, and has since gone on to become a form of fastening which is widely utilised across the construction industry. The blind bolt is the perfect example of the way in which evolutionary change throughout the construction industry drives new ways of working, which are then utilised by both designers and architects. It solves the problem of fixing into a girder or box section in a way which reduces costs and provides rock solid results. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of blind bolts is that they’ve already transformed the way designers, builders and architects work, and their full potential hardly begun to be explored.
How A Blind Bolt Is Constructed
The search for new and better materials is never-ending across the construction industry, and Cymat Technologies in Canada are playing a part in that search. They’ve created a product called Alusion, which can take the place of the more traditional brick, sheet metal and concrete when putting ceilings, floors and cladding in place. This highly versatile alternative is produced by injecting air into molten aluminium, a process which disperses ceramic particles in the mix in order to create bubbles.
The Importance of Grip Range
The grip range is a vital metric to bear in mind when working with blind bolts. If the thickness of the materials being joined, including the backup washer, is less than a specified minimum amount then the connection will be too loose. Alternatively, if the thickness is in excess of the maximum specified then the strength of the join will be compromised because the bolt might not set. This demonstrates why it is so important to make sure that the blind bolt being used is suited to the task being performed.
Bolted Shut
If you want to find out whether a blind bolt or lockbolt would be the solution for a project you’re working on then contact us for expert advice on the best fastener solutions for your requirements. The team at BlindBolt are always searching for new ways to improve our blind bolts so that we can offer products which are never less than the highest quality. If you want to learn more about blind bolts and how to use them please take a look at our blog ‘What Is a Blind Bolt & What Is It Used For?’ by clicking here.
Alternatively, contact a member of the BlindBolt team today on 0800 42 52 56 or by emailing us on enquiries@blindbolt.co.nz. You can also get in touch by using the contact form below.
The Blind Bolt