Industrial Machinery And Heavy Equipment Nord-Lock Group

Industrial machinery and heavy equipmentNord-Lock GroupBolting solution specialist uses Simcenter to developcutting edge technologiesProductSimcenterBusiness challengesDevelop safe and reliablejoint solutionsDevelop innovative technologies for securing jointsKeys to successTechnical expertiseComprehensive researchand testingUse of advanced digitalsimulation solutionsResultsGained insight into boltedjoint phenomenaDetermined likely causesof joint failuresSimcenter simulation solutionshelp Nord-Lock Group solvecomplex joint-related problemsWhen security comes firstHumans have been using screwed jointsfor thousands of years. These devices havebeen a part of our daily lives for so longthat we tend to forget how important theyare. In fact, they surround us: in householdappliances, transportation vehicles,machine tools, handling machines,bridges, and so on.In many sectors, the security of jointsrepresents an all-important factor throughout the product’s lifecycle: for vehicles,which are exposed to dynamic structuralloads and constant vibrations, securitydepends largely on the assembly’s highresistance; the loosening of a joint inrailway infrastructures or rolling stock canprove costly and have fatal consequences;skyscrapers, bridges and tunnels allcontain a very large number of joints,some of which are difficult to access, butmust be reliably secured in order to ensurethe overall structure’s security andfunctionality.For more than 30 years, Sweden-basedNord-Lock Group has manufactured safeand reliable joint solutions. The company’smotto is “providing maximum security forbolted joints.” To meet security requirements and resolve the most complexjoint-related problems, Nord-Lock Groupproposes a unique combination of expertise in bolts and innovative technologies toReduced reliance onphysical testingwww.siemens.com/simcenter

Simcenter is mainly usedfor advanced non-linearcalculations to analyzestress states, deformationsand movements in joints.The solution was naturallyselected for the precision,performance and reliabilityof its NX Nastran solver, itsintegrated management ofCAD data, and its openness.secure and facilitate joints. Among theGroup’s flagship products are its wedgelocking washers, Superbolt mechanicaltightening systems and, more recently,innovative Boltight systems for tightening bolts using hydraulic tensioners.Cutting-edge technologiesScrewed joints have evolved considerablysince the days when bolts and screwswere manufactured manually, andwhen customers could only choose verybasic products. Recently, companies likeNord-Lock Group have considerablyimproved the bolted joint technology byinventing, for example, locking systems.In addition, the focus has increasinglyshifted to the actual analysis of joints.“In the past, people used to decide upona certain size of fastener based on theirexperience alone, and, fingers crossed, itwould work,” explains Bill Eccles, themechanical engineer behind Bolt Sciencehaving more than 20 years of specializedexperience in bolted joint technology.“Nowadays, people focus more on analysisand making sure things work before products are built and sent out into the market.”The tightening systems have also evolved agreat deal. The multi-jackbolt tensioners(MJT) of the Superbolt tightening systemencapsulate innovative technology fortightening bolts and stud bolts. Newgeneration hydraulic tensioners facilitateand improve tightening since they do notgenerate any torsional stress, which meansno reaction arm and no adverse lateraleffect. Multiple screws are tightened simultaneously and the assembly remains flat.“For some applications, physically testing ajoint is quite simply not feasible. This is thecase both with giant structures and verysmall structures. Here, we turn to digitaltechnology.”Zouhair ChaibR&D Center ManagerNord-Lock Group

“During the design phase,we use the solution togain insight into certainphenomena and to validateinternal business rules.Parametric studies serve toanalyze various scenariosand thus deduce simplifiedmodels which we makeavailable to other technicalcenters throughout theworld.”New global R&D centerTo consolidate its expertise, Nord-LockGroup opened a research and development (R&D) technical center in 2011.Based near Lyon, France, this global centersets out to support application engineersworking in the field throughout the worldto help customers conduct thousands oftests and checks. The center performsadvanced calculations, characterizationsand trials with partner laboratories suchas the CETIM (Technical Center forMechanical Industries). The lab is equippedwith measuring instruments, in particularthe Junker test, considered the mostrigorous vibration test for threaded joints.“In our laboratory, we carry out vibration,torque and preload tests, explains ZouhairChaib, Nord-Lock Group’s R&D centermanager and a technical expert in securejoints. “We can also test the behavior ofsystems, for example to ensure that theproposed solution will work properly andbe reliable. The Junker test allows us tomeasure the stress states and the deformation of joints subjected to alternatingtransverse movements under the screwhead or under the nut.”The R&D Center uses Cetim Cobra software, a solution for designing andcalculating pre-loaded screwed and boltedjoints, which has been the calculationstandard for many years in variousmechanical sectors.Selecting Simcenter for simulationTo remain at the forefront of expertise andbuild on its technical know-how, the R&Dcenter recently adopted Simcenter software and NX Nastran softwarefrom product lifecycle management (PLM)specialist Siemens PLM Software.Nord-Lock Group turned to SmartMecaSolutions, a Siemens PLM Software solution partner, to support it in its approach.“It was important for us to have a uniquecontact that was fully familiar with simulations and able to answer specializedtechnical questions,” says Chaib. “Weparticularly appreciate the team’s businessexpertise, their extensive knowledge ofthe software and their availability.”Zouhair ChaibR&D Center ManagerNord-Lock Group

“Our engineers are all highly enthusiasticabout mechanics and simulation, and weseek to contribute our expertise in finiteelement calculation tools and our technological proficiency to the industrial projectsof our customers, whether they are smallto medium enterprises or major corporations,” says Sébastien Duchesne, managerof SmartMeca Solutions. “SmartMecaSolutions has supported Nord-Lock Groupat every step of its project: evaluation ofthe software, selection of the overallsoftware and hardware solution, installation, training and technical support.”Today, Simcenter is used primarily foradvanced non-linear calculations toanalyze stress states, deformations andmovements in joints. The solution wasnaturally selected for the precision,performance and reliability of its NXNastran solver, its integrated managementof CAD data, and its openness.serve to analyze various scenarios and thusdeduce simplified models which we makeavailable to other technical centersthroughout the world. This furthers oursupport mission since sales engineers haveneither the time nor the resources to carryout complex calculations. It also helps tocapitalize on the company’s technicalexpertise.”Understanding, capitalizing, validating“During the design phase, we use thesolution to gain insight into certainphenomena and to validate internal business rules,” says Chaib. “Parametric studiesSimcenter also helps investigate failuresituations. “We are sometimes confrontedwith complex breakage cases, in particularfor multi-fastener joints,” Chaib explains.“To propose effective repair solutions, theprocess that led to the failure must be understood. For this purpose, we need to imaginethe most likely scenario possible. This meansdefining different possible cases, thensimulating them virtually to determine themost viable scenario.”Zouhair ChaibR&D Center ManagerNord-Lock Group

Solutions/ServicesNX Nastranwww.siemens.com/plm/nxnastranSimcenter 3Dwww.siemens.com/simcenter3DCustomer’s primary businessFor more than 30 years,Nord-Lock Group has providedsafe and reliable bolting solutions. Nord-Lock Group offersreal value from the design tothe operation and maintenance phases of its es in screwed joints generallyhave two main sources: spontaneousloosening caused by vibrations anddynamic loading effects, and slackeningcaused by preload loss as a result ofsettling and relaxation. To propose effective repair solutions, the process that ledto the failure must be understood. For thispurpose, we need to imagine the mostlikely scenario possible. This meansdefining different possible cases, thensimulating them virtually to determinethe most viable scenario.”quite simply not feasible,” Chaib says. Thisis the case both with giant structures andvery small structures. Here, we turn todigital technology.”Nord-Lock Group’s plans for the futureinclude custom application developmentusing the NX application programminginterface. “In the future, we plan to use NXOpen to develop business tools that integrate Nord-Lock Group’s design rules, andthen to make them available to salesengineers on tablets,” says Chaib.Nord-Lock Group uses Simcenter 3D as analternative to physical testing. “For someapplications, physically testing a joint isCustomer locationLyonFrancePartnerSmartMeca Solutionswww.smartmeca.comSiemens PLM SoftwareAmericasEuropeAsia-Pacific 1 314 264 8499 44 (0) 1276 413200 852 2230 3308www.siemens.com/plm 2017 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks ofSiemens AG. Femap, HEEDS, LMS, LMS Imagine.Lab, LMS Imagine.Lab Amesim, LMS Samtech, LMS Samtech Caesam, LMSSamtech Samcef, LMS SCADAS, LMS SCADAS XS, LMS Smart, LMS Soundbrush, LMS Sound Camera, LMS Test.Lab, LMSTest.Xpress, LMS Virtual.Lab, Simcenter, Simcenter 3D, STAR-CCM and Teamcenter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in othercountries. NASTRAN is a registered trademark of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. All other trademarks,registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.55054-A25 6/17 A

Nord-Lock Group New global R&D center To consolidate its expertise, Nord-Lock Group opened a research and develop-ment (R&D) technical center in 2011. Based near Lyon, France, this global center sets out to support application engineers working in the field throughout the world