Helicoil Screw Lock Cad: The Ultimate Guide To Thread Inserts

HeliCoil Screw Lock Inserts are helically wound, precision-formed coils of stainless steel wire. They are inserted into a HeliCoil tapped hole to provide permanent conventional screw threads. The HeliCoil Screw Lock Insert has all the characteristics of a free-running insert but with an additional locking feature. This is achieved through a polygon-shaped coil in the middle of the screw lock insert, which grips the threads of the installed screw and prevents it from loosening under vibration or impact. The HeliCoil Screw Lock Insert is available in a variety of materials and platings, including stainless steel, and can be used with screws of higher property classes. CAD files for the HeliCoil Screw Lock Insert are available for download from select websites.

HeliCoil Screw Lock Inserts prevent loosening under vibration or impact

HeliCoil Screw Lock Inserts are helically wound, precision-formed coils made of extremely hard stainless steel (18-8) diamond-shaped wire. They are designed to prevent screws from loosening under vibration or impact. This is achieved through a series of "chords" on one or more of the insert coils, which provide a self-locking torque that grips the bolt securely.

HeliCoil Screw Lock Inserts offer a range of benefits over other locking mechanisms. They require no staking, locking, swaging, keying, or interference fit. They can also adjust automatically to any expansion or contraction of the parent material. Additionally, they permanently anchor in place against the tapped hole, providing positive self-locking torque that complies with NSAM8846.

The inserts are available in inch and metric series and have been successfully applied in aviation, electronics, industrial, automotive, and military fields. They are suitable for use with low-strength materials and higher-strength screws (8.8 and higher).

HeliCoil Screw Lock Inserts are easy to install and offer a cost-saving solution. They provide high thread strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and temperature resistance. They also ensure a tight fit, resulting in increased quality and value.

HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert features a screw-locking area

The HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert is an innovative fastening solution that builds upon the classic coil thread insert. This advanced insert is specifically designed to address the challenges of locking a screw in place. One of its key features is the dedicated screw-locking area, which provides a secure locking mechanism for the screw.

The screw-locking area of the HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert employs resilient frictional locking to achieve prevailing torques similar to ISO 2320 and NASM8846. This locking mechanism ensures that the screw remains firmly in place, meeting the technical delivery conditions outlined in international standards. The insert can be used with screws of higher property classes, specifically 8.8 and above.

The installation process for the HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert is straightforward. After installation, the tang is intentionally broken off at a predetermined breaking point, ensuring a clean and secure fit. This insert is particularly well-suited for low-strength materials, and its red colouring makes it easily identifiable even after installation.

The HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert offers a range of advantages. Firstly, it provides high thread strength, ensuring a robust and durable connection. Secondly, it delivers on its promise of a secure screwlock, preventing unintentional loosening. Additionally, the insert exhibits excellent wear, corrosion, and temperature resistance, ensuring long-term performance even in challenging environments.

Overall, the HELICOIL® Plus Screwlock thread insert is a versatile and reliable solution for screw locking applications. Its combination of high thread strength, secure locking mechanism, and resistance to various environmental factors make it a valuable tool for professionals seeking a high-quality and cost-effective fastening option.

HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock has a clamping area that serves as a captive screw lock

HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock is a thread insert with a captive screw lock and no tang. It is primarily used in the aviation industry.

The HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock has a clamping area that acts as a captive screw lock. The screw lock is achieved by one or more polygonal turns that have a clamping effect on the flanks of the installed screw. The elastically resilient frictional locking results in clamping torques comparable to the specifications of ISO 2320 and NASM8846. These defined clamping torques meet the requirements of the technical delivery conditions according to international standards.

The HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock is a thread insert without a tang. This means that no driver tang is required for installation, and there is no need to break off and remove tangs. The HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock can be set and inserted like a screw. Free-running turn by turn, the HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock thread insert is a true-to-gauge, internal thread that can be used on both sides for secure, high-strength screw joints.

The HELICOIL® Tangfree Screwlock is part of the HELICOIL® brand, which has been providing reliable thread inserts for over 65 years. HELICOIL® thread inserts are available in Free Running and Screwlock versions and are known for their load-bearing joints and uniform distribution of load and tension. The brand is also associated with lightweight construction, combining minimum spatial requirements with high load capacity.

HELICOIL® Classic Screwlock has a clamping area for screw-locking

HELICOIL® Classic Screwlock is a thread insert with a captive screw lock. It is the first generation of HELICOIL® thread technology.

The insert has a clamping area for screw-locking. This is achieved through one or more polygonal turns that have a clamping effect on the flanks of the installed screw. The screw lock prevents the screw from loosening under vibration or impact. The clamping torques meet the requirements of international standards, such as ISO 2320 and NASM8846.

The HELICOIL® Classic Screwlock is designed for use with screws of higher strength classes, from 8.8 and above. It offers high thread strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and temperature resistance. The insert is also distinguished by its red colouring, making it easily identifiable even after installation.

The Classic Screwlock provides a secure and reliable solution for screw locking, ensuring that the screw remains locked in place even in challenging environments. It is a versatile and adaptable product, suitable for a wide range of applications.

Heli-Coil Tanged Screw Thread Inserts: Free-Running vs Screw-Locking

Heli-Coil Tanged Screw Thread Inserts are available in two styles: "Free-Running" and "Screw-Locking". Both types of inserts are greater in diameter than the tapped hole into which they are installed.

The standard or "Free-Running" tanged insert provides a smooth free-running thread. During assembly, the torque applied to the tang reduces the diameter of the leading coil, allowing it to enter the tapped thread. When the torque or rotation is stopped, the coils expand and anchor the insert permanently in place against the tapped hole. Free-running inserts are extremely flexible, allowing each coil in the helical insert to adjust independently to the fastener threads. This flexibility enables more surface contact between the coil and the parent material, creating a stronger and more reliable seal.

On the other hand, the "Screw-Locking" tanged insert provides self-locking torque on the male member through a series of "chords" on one or more of the insert coils. This type of insert provides an exclusive, resilient internal locking thread that grips the bolt and prevents it from loosening, even under vibration or impact. Screw-locking inserts include 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. These locking coils result in stronger and longer-lasting connections.

Both Free-Running and Screw-Locking inserts are available in tanged and tangless designs. Tanged helical inserts have a "tang" at the bottom that extends the end of the coil wire, providing a grip point for the helical insert tool. Tangless helical inserts, on the other hand, have a drive notch instead of a tang, which serves as the grip point for the installation tool.

Frequently asked questions