France-based, JPB Système has announced the proof-of-concept release of Smart Washer, a sealing technology designed to improve efficiencies within maintenance, repair and operations by enabling touchless and wireless measurement of bolt axial load.
The company says it also anticipates that the solution will improve safety by providing more accurate measurements while reducing wear caused by the need to manually check each fastener is tightened sufficiently – further improving cost efficiencies.
Importantly, Smart Washer is expected to significantly increase the efficiency of assembly and maintenance operations by reducing the need to manually check the torque level of every single traditional bolt. Instead, in just a few seconds engineers can be quickly alerted to those specific fasteners that are either too tight or too loose and attend to them accordingly.
Further accelerating the adoption of smart technologies in manufacturing environments and beyond, the accompanying mobile app will ensure overall management by enabling the real-time monitoring and full traceability of each Smart Washer unit.
Jonathan Beaumel, mechanical design engineer at JPB Système, commented: “Smart Washer is a perfect example of the way in which JPB Système works closely with its customers to understand their exacting manufacturing issues and deliver efficiency-enhancing solutions that directly meet these challenges.
“We consider Smart Washer as a game-changing sealing solution that fulfils the needs of aerospace suppliers – as well as other manufacturing industries – particularly those harsh environments where ensuring the correct tightening of bolts is critical. Indeed, it offers huge potential across operations ranging from aircraft and helicopter manufacturing, to key energy sectors like nuclear, as well as the gas and oil industries.”
Smart Washer is expected to be commercially available in Q3/2020.
