Feature

Solar plant underpins production & saves costs with adhesive thread locking

Threaded assemblies, subjected to load and vibrations, are often locked against self-loosening by either a mechanical locking device or an adhesive thread locker – or a combination of both.

01/04/2021 15:24:52

The merit of this is easy to understand when the assembly is in a motor-driven machine, where obvious vibration can cause an unlocked nut and bolt gradually to unwind. But what about a completely static object, like a solar panel? Surely, that’s a good example of a bolt-down-and-forget application?

The short answer is no, it is not. Panels are exposed to a variety of weather conditions, and wind will cause enough vibration for the panel mounting bolts to loosen over time. Additionally, the panels are subject to thermal cycling; they are directly exposed to sunshine, shade and night-time temperatures, as well as seasonal variations. The metal bolts therefore expand and contract with the changes in temperature, leading to an additional loss of torque.

A Japanese solar power plant decided to take action to prevent this from happening when it assessed the loss of revenue for the time that panels were out of commission, and the increased maintenance costs involved in rectifying bolt failure. The solution was a specific adhesive thread locker that could be applied to already assembled nuts and bolts.

Read the full article in the April issue of DPA

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.