BUMAX bolts with Strainlabs sensors give peace of mind by verifying in real time that each individual bolt is securely fastened. Being able to monitor bolts remotely also reduces the need to make manual inspections, which saves time – particularly when bolts are installed in inaccessible applications.
“Strainlabs and BUMAX have known each other for many years and have a great relationship. The two companies’ high level of expertise match each other perfectly,” Csaba Madru, CEO of Strainlabs.
A complete IoT system
Thousands of BUMAX® bolts equipped with Strainlabs patented preload-sensing LED technology can be connected in a single system. Pre-configured routers receive and upload data from the bolts to Strainlabs Analytics, which enables remote monitoring and automatic alerts.
By combining BUMAX® bolts with Strainlabs’ sensor technology, the bolt becomes a sensor that gives asset owners increased control over the condition of their asset by conducting an automated pre-load calculation every ten minutes. Remote preload sensing and monitoring also ensures increased safety and productivity for maintenance teams as it reduces the need for physical inspections.
A robust monitoring solution on the Øresund Bridge
BUMAX® 88 high-strength bolts with Strainlabs’ pre-load monitoring solution are being piloted on the Øresund Bridge railway track between Sweden and Denmark. The pilot involves monitoring the fasteners used to secure so-called particle magnets that help prevent issues caused by iron dust when trains brake and roll over track insulators. The magnets effectively collect iron dust and prevent the accumulation of dust that could cause short circuits – and ultimately rail disruption.
“Considering the tough conditions on the Øresundsbron Bridge, the high quality and superior strength of BUMAX bolts made them an obvious choice to be the bolt supplier for this pilot project,” says Madru.
With 175 years of the 200-year design life remaining for the bridge, owner Øresundsbron is drawing on the very latest engineering solutions.
Smart bolts significantly reduce the need for physical inspections
Physical inspections of the particle magnets are currently required to make sure they remain securely fastened, which is resource intensive on the long stretches of continuously trafficked railway. This pilot project is part of a larger ambition to transition to safer and more data-driven work methods, aiming to reduce the need for physical presence on site – particularly for critical and hard-to-reach bolted joints.
The BUMAX® 88 bolts provide a reliable solution by combining exceptional tensile strength with outstanding resistance to harsh environmental conditions. This ensures that they maintain optimal preload over time, even in challenging conditions such as on the Øresund Bridge railway track where vibrations and extreme weather are constant factors.
The huge potential for smart BUMAX bolts on infrastructure around the world
The Strainlabs pilot on the Øresund Bridge highlights the massive potential for broader applications of BUMAX bolts with built-in sensors in society. With thousands of bolted stainless steel joints across structures like bridges and other critical infrastructure around the world, the reliability and performance of BUMAX bolts with built-in monitoring capabilities in real time stand out as essential factors in ensuring infrastructure longevity while minimizing maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs for asset owners.
BUMAX bolts with Strainlabs sensors are available in BUMAX® 88 and BUMAX® 109 from dimensions M10 to M27.
Main photo credit: Håkan Dahlström
