In the continuous operation scenario of crushers, the reliability of fasteners directly determines the safety of equipment operation and production efficiency. Severe vibration, load impact and continuous friction can easily cause traditional threaded connections to loosen, leading to wear of accessories, equipment shutdown and even safety accidents. When it comes to anti-loosening, lock nuts often come to mind first. However, in the face of complex working conditions, multi-dimensional anti-loosening technologies are taking an important position with their unique advantages. Understanding the core principles and applicable scenarios of these technologies is the key to enhancing the stability of equipment.
Mechanical anti-loosening technology achieves physical anti-disengagement through structural locking and is the most widely used basic solution in industrial scenarios. The combination of a cotter pin and a slotted nut is a classic. During assembly, the cotter pin is passed through the nut slot and the bolt hole, and the end is pried open for fixation. The rotation of the nut is prevented by mechanical limit. This technology is particularly common in the drive shaft part of the crusher. Its advantages lie in the ease of disassembly and assembly, the ability to maintain stable locking in a high-frequency vibration environment, and controllable costs. It only requires regular inspection of the integrity of the split pin. Another commonly used anti-loosening type of stop washer is achieved by bending the stop ears of the washer respectively to fit the nut and the side of the connected part. The relative rotation is restricted by the binding force generated by the metal deformation, which is particularly suitable for the movable jaw assembly of the crusher with sufficient space for the bolt head.
Friction anti-loosening technology breaks the loosening cycle by enhancing the frictional force between the thread pairs without the need for additional locking structures. Double-nut anti-loosening utilizes the axial force generated by the tightening of two nuts to form a continuous preload, creating sufficient friction between the threaded contact surfaces to resist vibration. It is widely used in the connection parts of the crusher frame. The improved version of the elastic washer is more efficient in preventing loosening. The elastic deformation of the washer can compensate for the loss of preload caused by vibration. Meanwhile, the sawtooth structure can prevent the relative sliding between the washer and the nut. No special tools are required during installation and it is compatible with various specifications of bolt connections. It is worth noting that when using spring washers, it is necessary to ensure that the washer’s specification matches that of the bolt to avoid anti-loosening failure due to insufficient elasticity.
Chemical anti-loosening technology achieves long-lasting locking by means of adhesive force and is suitable for scenarios where sealing performance is required. Thread locking adhesive forms a rigid connection by filling the thread gap and curing it. It not only resists vibration and loosening but also plays a sealing and anti-corrosion role. It performs outstandingly in the hydraulic system connection parts of crushers. According to the working conditions, products of different strengths can be selected. The low-strength model is convenient for subsequent disassembly and maintenance, while the high-strength model is suitable for long-term fixed parts. When in use, ensure that the threaded surface is clean and dry, and that the adhesive is fully soaked. The curing time should comply with the product instructions to avoid bearing loads before complete curing.
Structural anti-loosening technology achieves permanent anti-loosening by altering the thread structure and is suitable for critical parts with extremely high reliability requirements. Pressing point anti-loosening is achieved by applying local pressing points at the meshing points of the threads between the bolt and the nut, causing plastic deformation of the threads to form an interference fit. Once assembled, this method is difficult to disassemble and is often used for core rotating components such as flywheels in crushers. Welding anti-loosening involves welding the nut and bolt into one piece to completely eliminate the possibility of loosening. However, it is only applicable to fixed connections that do not require disassembly, and the welding process must avoid the impact of high temperatures on the strength of the thread. In addition, the wedge-shaped anti-loosening nuts that have emerged in recent years convert vibration into preload through a special wedge-shaped structure. They are both detachable and highly reliable, and are gradually being promoted and applied in heavy equipment.
Different anti-loosening technologies have their own focuses. In practical applications, a comprehensive selection should be made based on the working conditions, load, vibration frequency and maintenance requirements of the crusher. A single anti-loosening method may not be able to cope with complex environments. The combined use of solutions such as “elastic washers + threaded locking adhesives” can achieve an anti-loosening effect greater than the sum of its parts. Although fasteners are small, they are the cornerstone for ensuring the stable operation of equipment. Only by rationally applying multiple anti-loosening technologies can downtime losses be effectively reduced and production continuity be enhanced. This is also an important link that cannot be ignored in the operation and maintenance of industrial equipment.
Post time: Dec-01-2025