by Subhadeep Datta Subhadeep Datta

Huck® Bobtail

The Next Step In Lockbolt Evolution

Designed to overcome inherent weaknesses with standard lockbolts, the BobTail has no pin-tail and as a result of this zero pin-break, no waste material to collect and dispose of or potential corrosion issues post-installation. The lightweight, low-noise, low-maintenance Huck tool, which can be used for both installing and removing fasteners, provides a smooth, shock-free, speedy installation sequence i.e. two seconds for a 16mm diameter fastener – twice as fast as any other large diameter lockbolt. As a result, no torque or impact is transferred to the operator.

Benefits of Using Bobtail®

  • Unmatched installation speed
  • High fatigue strength thread form
  • maintenance-free
  • consistent clamp
  • installation indicator on collar for visual inspection
  • low installation noise & no waste
  • easy to learn, shock-free installation
  • unique helical lock groove

Huck Bobtail® Next Step In Lockbolt Evolution

The Huck BobTail system includes Lock Bolts and installation tooling that will deliver you benefits beyond anything that Howmet Fastening Systems has produced before.

Cycle Installation Speed of fastener has to be seen to be believed with the 1/4 diameter BobTail fastener installing in less than 1 second. The 16mm diameter BobTail fastener installs in 2 seconds, up to twice as fast as any large diameter LockBolt on the market.

Combined with all the benefits of using a Huck LockBolt Permanent, mechanically locked fastener: Installation process automatically provides fastener values No torque or re-torque required Unlike conventional nuts and bolts, they will never loosen, even during extreme vibration Easy visual inspection ensures correct installation

How Bobtail Works

Clamp Force or Pre–Load:

In the initial stages of the installation process, the tool engages and pulls on the tail of the fastener. The joint is pulled together before the anvil portion of the nose assembly is forced down the collar. This progressively locks (swages) it into the grooves of the harder pin. The pin and swaged collar combine to form the installed fastener. The squeezing action reduces the diameter of the collar, increasing its length. This in turn stretches the pin, generating a clamping force over the joint. The shear strength of BobTail fasteners varies according to the material strength and minimum diameter of the fastener. By increasing the diameter or the grade of material, the shear strength of the fastener can be increased. The tensile strength of BobTail Huck bolt fasteners is dependent on the shear resistance of the collar material and the number of grooves it fills.

Installation sequence

  • Pin placed into the prepared hole
  • Collar placed over the pin
  • The tool is placed onto the annular pull grooves and activated
  • A puller in the nose assembly draws the pin into the tool
  • Pin head pulled against material
  • Anvil pushes collar against joint
  • Initial clamp generated
  • Tool swages collar, increasing clamp
  • Swaging of the collar into the pin lock grooves is complete, tool ejects the fastener and releases the puller, installation complete

Huck®, Camloc®, Marson®, Recoil® is a brand owned by Howmet Fastening Systems (erstwhile Arconic Fastening Systems) , a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, proprietary fasteners and fastener installation systems.

Macros Fastening Systems is proud to be the only authorized distributor of Huck® Fasteners – Huckbolts®, Blind rivets, Huck® tooling, Recoil® inserts & installation tooling, Camloc® latches and SNEP nuts in India