Engineered Huck Fasteners – An alternative to welding

“For more than 60 years, the Huck® range of LockBolts® and blind fasteners have been solving the problem of extreme stress and vibration in joints, providing strength and facilitating lighter, stronger, more durable structures... without loosening.

Today the Huck product range, based on the original HuckBolt® design, has evolved to include small & large diameter LockBolts medium & heavy-duty blind fasteners and the associated installation tooling, each specially engineered to offer superior performance”.

What is a HuckBolt and how do they work?

Structural HuckBolts, also known as Lockbolts are available in a wide range of sizes (up to 1 3/8 inch) and materials, consist of a pin and a collar. These advanced fasteners are installed using a direct tension technique, in which the pin is pulled and the collar is simultaneously swaged into the locking grooves of the pin, deforming the collar into the grooves. Based on their design and unique direct tension installation, HuckBolts deliver consistent clamp for a strong, stable, and vibration-resistant joint. Huck Lockbolts provide direct metal-to-metal contact when installed, which eliminates the transverse vibration often found in conventional nuts and bolts. Engineered for a wide range of applications, Huck Lockbolts deliver superior joining strength, shear, and tensile strength for an unmatched fastening solution.

HuckBolt fastening technology – eliminating the effects of vibration

In addition to providing for faster, safer, and more accurate joining, there are several unique design elements of HuckBolts that ensure their ultimate resistance to the effects of vibration. Conventional nut and bolt installations, can loosen in high-vibration environments and need continual checking and maintenance, by comparison Huck LockBolts provide a consistent jointing solution.

Huck blind structural fasteners

For applications where only one side of the joint material is accessible, performance engineered Huck structural blind fasteners can often meet design requirements. These blind fasteners can deliver the shear and tensile strength to meet the demands of a number of demanding applications. Available in diameters ranging from 3/16 inch to ¾ inch, these fasteners offer a combination of strength and vibration resistance, easy installation, and a high level of safe operation.

Where are Huck Fasteners used?

Huck Fasteners are used in many industrial markets including truck, trailer, automotive, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, bus, coach, portable buildings, agricultural machinery, green energy and rail, but the application possibilities are endless.

Huck Lockbolts, an alternative to welding?

HuckBolts and Huck structural blind fasteners have not been designed to replace all welds, but there are many applications where welding has been traditionally employed where Huck fasteners are a viable alternative. Engineered for easy installation, and long, reliable life, these direct tension HuckBolts and structural blind fasteners can be a faster, more cost efficient, and safer alternative to traditional welding processes. Today, HuckBolt fasteners doing the job in a wide range of applications that once solely belonged to welding, they can be effectively used with virtually any metal, and dissimilar metals with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion present no problems. Varying material thicknesses in a joint are readily accommodated, and surface finishes are not damaged. And most importantly, HuckBolts are proven to hold up over years of service in demanding high-stress, high-vibration environments.

Reasons to specify Huck Fasteners into your next project?

Huck Fasteners offer benefits that other fastening methods cannot, including: -

• Quick and easy installation – minimal training & fast installation.
• Will not loosen even under extreme vibration.
• Maintenance free joints - eliminates checking / replacement, and ultimately cost reductions.
• Superior, permanent and a reliable alternative to welding and nuts & bolts.
• Tamperproof – once installed cannot be removed without specialist tooling.

Each Huck Fastener has its own unique characteristics ensuring that there is a product for every application.

How to install and remove HuckBolt and Structural Blind Fasteners

Star Fasteners offer a wide variety of quality tools that stand up to the rigours of a busy workshop environment, we can demonstrate the latest pneudraulic, battery, hydraulic and hand tools and offer advice on options best suited to both the application and the environment.

Hire fleet

If your workshop needs additional tools, or a specialist tool is needed for a specific contract, Star Fasteners have a hire fleet for both short and long-term hire.

In-house tool service / repairs

We can help with that too! Every production environment, workshop and tool benefits from a regular maintenance program.
Our in-house service and repair workshop ensures: -

• Fasteners are being installed properly.
• Satisfy your health and safety obligations.
• Keep production moving and makes sure that the tools are operating correctly.

Star Fasteners technical support

Star Fasteners have been a Huck fastener distributor for over thirty years and are the UK’s largest stockists - we have a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from working in a wide variety of markets. If required, we can work closely with our customers to understand their applications and can help to introduce new products that might not have initially considered.

For more information on our products and services, potential applications, tips, ideas and product news, follow along on our social media platforms Facebook: @starfastenersuk and @starfasteners LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram.

For more information on Engineered Huck Fasteners – An alternative to welding talk to Star Fasteners (UK) Ltd