Application 102

Bolt Fastening

Application Summary

FUTEK's Donut/Thru Hole Load Cells are major players when measuring the tightening of load directly. Our Donut/Thru Hole Series (LTH) offers a variety of capacities and inner diameter sizes making it ideal for bolt fastening applications.

Bolt Fastening

Products in Use

Donut/Thru Hole Load Cell (LTH Series) paired with Instrumentation (USB Solutions, IPM650 Panel Mount Display, IHH500 Handheld, or IAA Series Analog Amplifier).

How it Works

FUTEK’s LTH Series offers several miniature load cells appropriate for this form of measurement testing.
In the above application, FUTEK's LTH series load cell is installed between the bolt head and the nut, where it can measure the load as torque is applied.
Our engineers recommend including a hardened washer between the load cell and the nut to avoid high friction and maintain flatness on the Thru-Hole during tightening and untightening.
As the operator begins to fasten the bolt, the load cell will measure the force applied.
This data can be monitored throughout testing via FUTEK’s IPM650 Panel Mount Display or IHH500 Intelligent Digital Hand Held Display; or it can be streamed to a computer via FUTEK’s USB Solutions.
Operators and engineers can then review this data to verify whether or not they have reached the desired tension on the fastener, stud or bolt via SENSIT™ Test and Measurement Software.
Overall, the benefits of installing Thru Hole type load cells into your assembly process include: avoiding damage to bearing surfaces, decreased problematic tightening of large bolts, ease in untightening, and simultaneous tightening improvements. You can read more in our white paper on bolt preload auditing.