CLAMP FORCE IS MEASURED
SmartBolts measure tension by converting the elongation of a fastener as it is tightened into a repeatable and accurate color change. Fasteners stretch when tightened, like a spring or rubber band, and this creates tension within the bolt. Measuring tension is the best way to keep a bolted joint secure because tension creates clamp force. Clamp force holds a bolted joint together and keeps it from loosening
AN INTERNAL PIN MOVES AS THE BOLT STRETCHES
SmartBolts are ordinary bolts retrofitted with a gage pin affixed in the bolt shank. As the bolt stretches, the gage pin moves with the stretch, and this minute movement causes our visual indicator to predictably change color. This provides the user with an accurate measure of bolt tension.
A SIMPLE VISUAL INDICATION OF TENSILE LOAD IS SHOWN
The embedded visual indicator in every SmartBolt is a color-calibrated real-time display of tensile load. The indicator is bright red when the fastener is loose and gradually changes to black when the fastener is tightened to its desired tensile load. When the load is released, the indicator changes back to the bright red color. A fastener with our visual indicator provides constant verification that critical bolted joints are safe and secure, without any extra tools, batteries, or monitoring devices.
