Incredibly advanced. Surprisingly simple. Universal fit.
Airfield Lighting Systems Ltd (ALS) have launched SmartBolts – a Visual Indication System that turns the top head of a bolt from red to black as you tighten it.
Lighting fixtures in runways, taxiways, and other in-pavement locations are critical to the safe operation of planes and machinery at airports.
If these fixtures become loose they can create dangerous safety conditions while planes are in-flight, landing, or taxiing on the runway.
However, maintenance of these fixtures is difficult due to their location in high-traffic areas. SmartBolt DTI provides visual feedback that these light fixtures are properly secured and immediately detects if the joint assembly has been compromised – leading to more efficient maintenance and a safer environment.
They do not need to be replaced with every inspection, saving you money and time. You won’t have to use the torque wrench on every fitting to loosen it and re-tighten it to 25nm, you can just look at the bolts instead, safe in the knowledge that if the colour is black the bolt is tight and no action is required at all.
The unique visual Indication System provides a fast and easy indication of how tense the bolt is by changing colour as it gets tighter. Starting at Red (= 25%), to 50% then 75% and finally Black when the bolt is at 100%.
The M10 30mm is in stock code SB-M10-1.5-30MM
Other sizes are available:
M10 to M24 Diameter – Min length 30mm (due to internal space required for SmartBolt Technology).
Grade 5 / 8 / 8.8 10.9
Length 1.25” to 300mm
Weight 28gms each
4 colours steps from 25% to 100%
The Visual Indication System is a method of measuring bolt tension that is embedded in every SmartBolt. This technology uses colour to indicate tension. Changes in colour are proportional to bolt stretch, ensuring accurate and reliable measurements.
Benefits
- Greatly reduces the risk of FOD.
- Save time on runway inspections, no need to get out of the van to torque the fittings a visual inspection is all that is required.
- No need to throw away nuts and washers each time, SmartBolts can be re-used over and over.
- Tough and strong.
- Long lifetime guarantee.
- Use with Heico Combi-Lock washers for extra protection.
Unprecedented Value
Remove the doubt associated with traditional nuts and reduce the maintenance frequency. Simple installations and faster inspections reduce operational costs. Furthermore, SmartBolts provide an early warning of reductions in bolt tension, leading to increased productivity and safer Airfield operations.
How it works
The bolts work very similar to springs. When you stretch a spring, it pulls back – trying to return to its original size. The stretching force is called tension. The force that pulls back is called compression. The tension creates clamp force holding parts together. The coloured indicators represent a certain torque:
SmartBolts directly correlate tension with colour. Accuracy and reliably is ensured because the colour change of the Visual Indication System is proportional to bolt stretch — the only true measure of how tight your joint is (torque readings alone can be misleading since torque only measures how difficult it is to turn the bolt head).
The SmartBolts built-in visual tension indicator turns from red to black when proper tension has been reached — and is completely reversible for the life of the bolt.
Technical
They are manufactured in the US to rigorous standards and will fit any existing AGL fitting with their universal design.
They are made from an austenitic, acid proof stainless steel grade (usually 316 material – 316 or 316L) which has been cold worked to provide a minimum tensile strength of 700N/mm2 (MPa).
Taking airfield safety to the next level.
Use SmartBolts in conjunction with
Heico-Lock Fasteners for ultimate protection.
Conventional fasteners often rely on the physics of friction instead of tension to maintain clamp load e.g. nyloc nuts, metal lock nuts, safety-wire, thread adhesives etc. but this offers limited performance.
With HEICO-LOCK® the unique tension based design of the washer system provides superior resistance to constant vibration, high dynamic loads and thermal cycling.
The HEICO-LOCK® system consists of a pre-assembled pair of washers with inclined cams on the inside and radial teeth on the outside. Tightening of the nut/bolt creates a ‘gripping’ action of the teeth thus seating the mating surfaces.
The angle of the cams (α) between the HEICO-LOCK® washers is greater than the thread pitch (β) of the bolt. This angle means the expansion in thickness of the HEICO-LOCK® washers is greater than the possible longitudinal movement of the bolt along the thread
