A fastening technology proven globally in some of the most demanding primary industry crushing, milling and materials processing applications has once again demonstrated its ability to slash maintenance downtime while increasing safety and productivity.
The Technofast EziTite hydraulic nuts – which are also applicable to mining and quarrying applications – are being used by Northern NSW sugar mills in Australia to speedily secure and release roller clamping, mill stand and cap bolts in less than a third of the time taken previously.
The same range of time-saving and safety-oriented products are applicable for such applications globally, says Technofast Founder and CEO, John Bucknell. Technofast products are distributed throughout North America, with permanent and long-established representation in the region.
The simultaneously actuated hydraulic nuts, used in place of the previous flogging spanners, precisely tension multiple hex nuts up to 5-inch (127mm) diameter by stretching the bolt with hydraulic tensioning during installation then locking it in place in a clean and fast operation.
The ruggedly reliable nuts (which have decades of service in different applications) can be simultaneously and easily de-tensioned as required for roller and other machinery maintenance. This cuts downtime of vital machinery operating continuously during harvesting, while at the same time curtailing OH&S concerns about working at heights within confined spaces using physically demanding heavy tools with no control of bolt loads to ensure ongoing reliability and safety.
Results of the installations include:
- Roller clamping hex nuts – actuated simultaneously by a Technofast hydraulic pump configured with 4-way manifold – are installed in 30-60 minutes by two personnel, compared with 4.5 hours previously, with 2-3 or more personnel. Time savings achieved at the busy mill total 3-4 hours per operation, with maintenance personnel reporting that the EziTite nuts are much faster to use and require less effort to install. They remove hard manual labour and OH&S risks.
- The mill stand and cap bolts application is similarly far swifter. It now takes an hour using two personnel, compared with four hours and 30 minutes for the old method, which used 2-3 personnel. Again, on-site maintenance personnel report the EziTite nuts are much faster and require less effort to install.
“These are big savings in downtime and major increases in safety in a seasonal industry,” said Bucknell.
“Primary industries such as sugar can be extremely busy during harvesting time with many people operating under arduous conditions. Technologies that can save time and cost, while increasing safety, are wonderful for staff and wonderful for the bottom line.”
Technofast fastening solutions are used globally in time and safety-conscious industries with the highest operational standards, ranging from nuclear, fossil and green power plants through to hard rock mining and quarries where reliability and safety is essential.
For more information, visit www.technofast.com