
Free-running helical coils are flexible inserts designed to allow each coil in the helical insert to adjust independently to the fastener threads. This maximises surface contact, creating a stronger and more reliable seal. Screw-locking helical inserts, on the other hand, provide added strength and resilience by including one or more straight segments that flex outward when the bolt is inserted, placing added pressure on the bolt thread and the walls of the drill hole.
What You'll Learn
- Free-running helical coils are flexible and independently adjust to fastener threads
- Free-running coils reduce stress and fatigue while increasing thread strength and reliability
- Screw-locking helical inserts have straight segments that flex outward, placing pressure on the bolt thread
- Locking coils are stronger and more long-lasting than free-running coils
- Screw-locking inserts are used in critical applications like transportation and aerospace manufacturing
Free-running helical coils are flexible and independently adjust to fastener threads
Free-running helical coils, also known as free-running wire thread inserts, are highly flexible. Each coil in the helical insert can independently adjust to the fastener threads, maximising surface contact between the coil and the parent material. This creates a stronger and more reliable seal as the load is evenly distributed.
Free-running helical coils are typically made from austenitic stainless steel wire, which is cold-drawn to form a diamond-shaped wire. This wire is then helically coiled to produce the wire thread insert. The coils are larger in diameter than the tapped hole, and they are compressed during installation to ensure maximum surface contact between the flanks of the wire insert and the tapped threads.
The flexibility of free-running helical coils enhances load-bearing capacity by deflecting residual forces into a helical direction, which is then dispersed into the wall of the tapped hole. This flexibility also compensates for pitch and flank angle errors inherent in normal tapped holes.
Free-running helical coils are extremely versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including manufacturing, electrical engineering, aerospace, medical devices, and telecommunications. They are ideal for creating high-strength threads in soft alloys like aluminium, and they are commonly used in CNC machined or CNC turned parts.
Overall, free-running helical coils offer a flexible and reliable solution for creating strong and secure connections in a variety of industries.
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Free-running coils reduce stress and fatigue while increasing thread strength and reliability
Free-running helical coils, also known as free-running wire thread inserts, are an effective way to increase thread strength and reliability while reducing stress and fatigue. They are designed to be flexible, allowing each coil in the helical insert to adjust independently to the fastener threads. This flexibility maximises surface contact between the coil and the parent material, creating a stronger and more reliable seal as the load is distributed evenly.
Free-running helical coils are typically made from austenitic stainless steel wire, which is cold-drawn to form a diamond-shaped wire. This wire is then helically coiled to produce the wire thread insert. They are larger in diameter than the tapped hole, and during installation, they are compressed to ensure maximum surface contact between the flanks of the wire insert and the tapped threads. This compression also helps to hold the coils securely in place.
The flexibility of free-running coils enhances load-bearing capacity by deflecting residual forces into a helical direction, which is then dispersed into the wall of the tapped hole. This flexibility also compensates for pitch and flank angle errors that may be present in normal tapped holes.
Free-running helical coils are ideal for applications where there is a need for repeated assembly and disassembly. They are also suitable for use in a wide range of industries, including electrical engineering, aerospace, and automotive, where they can help to repair stripped threads and reinforce bolted connections.
By choosing free-running helical coils, users can benefit from increased thread strength, improved reliability, and reduced stress and fatigue in their applications.
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Screw-locking helical inserts have straight segments that flex outward, placing pressure on the bolt thread
Screw-locking helicoil inserts, also known as tanged screw-locking inserts, provide self-locking torque on the male member by a series of "chords" on one or more of the insert coils. They have straight segments that flex outward, placing pressure on the bolt thread and the walls of the drill hole. This additional pressure creates a stronger, longer-lasting connection.
The locking torque is achieved by the action of a polygonal grip coil in the insert that exerts radial pressure on the male thread. Each grip coil consists of several tangential locking chords that protrude inside the minor diameter of the normal free-running coils. When the male thread passes through these grip coils, the locking flats are displaced, exerting radial pressure and creating a locking torque on the male thread.
This type of insert is ideal for applications where there is a lot of vibration or impact. The locking mechanism effectively prevents the screw from loosening under these conditions. Screw-locking helicoil inserts are commonly used in critical applications such as transportation and aerospace manufacturing, where they can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -320° to +800° Fahrenheit.
Screw-locking helicoil inserts offer several advantages over other locking mechanisms. They save space, weight, and money by eliminating the need for lock wiring, lock nuts, lock washers, chemical compounds, and other locking devices. They also provide a permanent, worry-free solution for stripped threads in soft or light materials, boosting the integrity and lifespan of the application.
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Locking coils are stronger and more long-lasting than free-running coils
Free-running helical coils are flexible and designed so that each coil can adjust to the fastener threads independently. This enables more surface contact between the coil and the parent material, creating a stronger and more reliable seal as the load is evenly distributed. Free-running coils reduce stress and fatigue while maximising thread strength and increasing reliability.
However, screw-locking helical coils provide added strength and longevity. They are ideal for applications that are subject to cyclic vibration or impact. In a screw-locking coil, the coil includes one or more straight segments that flex outward when the bolt is inserted, placing added pressure on the bolt thread and the walls of the drill hole. This creates a stronger, more long-lasting connection.
Screw-locking coils also have the same characteristics and benefits of free-running coils, including the ability to frequently remove and reassemble bolts without losing torque. They also provide a permanent bond that is stronger than the original bolt fastening. Screw-locking coils are made from stainless steel, which makes the coil thread corrosion-resistant and extends the life of the fastener assembly. They can also withstand extreme temperatures, from -320° to +800° Fahrenheit.
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Screw-locking inserts are used in critical applications like transportation and aerospace manufacturing
In the aerospace industry, screw-locking inserts are essential for securing critical components and ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft and spacecraft. They are used in aircraft engines, wings, landing gears, and other vital parts. The locking mechanism in these inserts prevents vibration and torsion from causing loosening or failure, which is crucial in high-stakes applications.
Similarly, in transportation, screw-locking inserts are used in engine cylinder head repairs, exhaust systems, gear housings, and other components. The inserts' ability to create a tight seal and withstand continuous vibration makes them ideal for these applications.
Screw-locking inserts also offer added strength due to their design. The coil includes straight segments that flex outward when the bolt is inserted, placing added pressure on the bolt thread and the drill hole, resulting in stronger and longer-lasting connections. This feature is particularly valuable in critical applications where failure is not an option.
Furthermore, screw-locking inserts are easy to install and remove, making them convenient for maintenance and repairs. They are also available in both tanged and tang-free designs, providing flexibility during installation. The tang-free design eliminates the need for tang removal, saving time and money while reducing the risk of loose metal contaminating the machinery.
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Frequently asked questions
Free-running helicoil inserts have a smooth thread, whereas screw-locking helicoil inserts have a series of "chords" on one or more of the insert coils, which provide self-locking torque.
Free-running helicoil inserts are flexible, allowing for more surface contact between the coil and the parent material, which creates a stronger and more reliable seal. They also reduce stress and fatigue while maximising thread strength and increasing reliability.
Screw-locking helicoil inserts provide added strength and are ideal for applications that are subject to cyclic vibration or impact. They also allow for frequent removal and reassembly of screws without a loss of torque.
Helicoil inserts are typically made from stainless steel, which is corrosion-resistant and extends the life of the fastener assembly. They can also be made from nickel-chromium-cobalt alloy, copper-tin alloy, and other materials.