Slotted Key Locking Thread Inserts
4.1 Product Introduction
Key Locking Thread Inserts are high-performance threaded fasteners designed for anti-loosening and thread reinforcement, superior to ordinary thread inserts in vibration resistance. This type of key locking thread inserts is equipped with precision locking keys and matched slots on the outer wall, which will be embedded into the substrate after installation to form a mechanical locking structure, completely avoiding thread loosening caused by long-term vibration, impact and temperature changes.
Our key locking thread inserts adopt one-piece precision machining process, with smooth internal and external threads and uniform slot size. The locking key is made of high-hardness alloy material, which has strong impact resistance and will not fall off or deform during use. It is divided into standard wall and thin wall specifications, suitable for different substrate thickness and strength requirements, and can be customized according to customer's drawing parameters.
Features
- Mechanical anti-loosening: The locking key is embedded into the substrate to form a permanent locking effect, which is far more reliable than the traditional adhesive and spring anti-loosening methods.
- High strength connection: The integral metal structure can withstand high static and dynamic loads, and the connection strength is 2-3 times that of the original thread of soft substrates such as aluminum alloy.
- Efficient thread repair: It can quickly repair worn, stripped or damaged internal threads, restore the mechanical performance of the workpiece without replacing the whole part, and save maintenance costs.
- Wide compatibility: Support metric, UNC, UNF thread specifications, suitable for steel, aluminum alloy, copper, plastic and other various substrates.
- Easy installation: It can be installed with special standard tools, no need for complex equipment, and the installation process is simple and efficient.
4.2 Product Parameters
Key Locking Thread Insert Parameter
|
Product name |
Slotted Key Locking Thread Inserts (Standard/Thin Wall) |
|
Material |
Carbon steel (zinc-plated)/SUS304 stainless steel/SUS316 stainless steel/Customized |
|
Surface treatment |
Yellow zinc plating/blue zinc plating/color zinc plating/passivation/natural color (stainless steel) |
|
Thread type |
Metric (M2-M30), Inch (UNC/UNF 4-40 to 1-1/2) |
|
Model specification |
Standard wall type/Thin wall type/Custom non-standard type |
|
Core function |
Thread connection fastening, anti-vibration anti-loosening, damaged thread repair/reinforcement |
|
Locking structure |
2/3 symmetric locking keys + matched outer wall slots |
|
Reliability test |
Mechanical dimension detection, hardness test, 72h salt spray resistance test, vibration anti-loosening test, tensile load test |
Table of main dimensions for Metric Standard Wall Key Locking Thread Inserts
|
Internal thread (A) |
External thread diameter (E) |
Pitch (P) |
Standard length (B) |
Recommended pre-drilling diameter (L) |
Minimum blind hole depth (T) |
|
M3 |
4.5 |
0.5 |
6/8/10 |
4.2-4.3 |
8/10/12 |
|
M4 |
6 |
0.75 |
8/10/12 |
5.7-5.8 |
10/12/14 |
|
M5 |
7.5 |
1.0 |
10/12/15 |
7.1-7.2 |
13/15/18 |
|
M6 |
9 |
1.0/1.5 |
12/15/20 |
8.5-8.6/9.2-9.4 |
15/18/23 |
|
M8 |
11 |
1.25/1.5 |
15/20/25 |
10.5-10.6/11.2-11.4 |
18/23/28 |
|
M10 |
14 |
1.5/2.0 |
18/25/30 |
13.2-13.4/13.8-14.0 |
22/28/33 |
|
M12 |
16 |
1.5/2.0 |
22/30/35 |
15.2-15.4/15.8-16.0 |
26/33/38 |
Table of main dimensions for Metric Thin Wall Key Locking Thread Inserts
|
Internal thread (A) |
External thread diameter (E) |
Pitch (P) |
Standard length (B) |
Recommended pre-drilling diameter (L) |
Minimum blind hole depth (T) |
|
M3 |
4 |
0.5 |
6/8 |
3.7-3.8 |
8/10 |
|
M4 |
5.5 |
0.75 |
8/10 |
5.2-5.3 |
10/12 |
|
M5 |
7 |
1.0 |
10/12 |
6.6-6.7 |
13/15 |
|
M6 |
8 |
1.0/1.5 |
12/15 |
7.5-7.6/8.2-8.3 |
15/18 |
|
M8 |
10 |
1.25/1.5 |
15/20 |
9.2-9.4/9.8-10.0 |
18/23 |
4.3 Product Installation
Product Installation Steps
- Preparatory work
According to the internal thread specification of the key locking thread insert and the substrate material, select the corresponding drill bit to complete pre-drilling, and ensure the verticality and smoothness of the hole wall without burrs.
- Tapping processing
Use the special tap matching the key locking thread insert to tap the pre-drilled hole, and clean the thread chips in the hole after tapping to avoid affecting the installation effect.
- Insert installation
Install the key locking thread insert on the special installation tool, align the insert with the tapped hole vertically, and rotate the tool clockwise to screw the insert into the substrate until the top of the insert is flush with the substrate surface (or 0.5-1mm below the surface as required).
- Locking key fixing
Continue to rotate the installation tool to apply a certain pressure, and the locking keys on the insert will be automatically embedded into the substrate under pressure to complete the mechanical locking. After installation, check the locking state to ensure no key loosening or falling off.
Attention during installation
- The pre-drilling diameter and tapping specification must be strictly matched with the insert model; incorrect size will lead to installation failure or insufficient connection strength.
- Keep the installation tool and the workpiece vertical during the whole installation process; tilting installation will cause the insert to be stuck or the locking key to be damaged.
- For high-hardness substrates (such as high-carbon steel), appropriate lubricating oil can be applied to the tap and installation tool during processing and installation to reduce resistance and tool wear.
- Do not reverse the installation tool during the installation process, especially after the locking key starts to be embedded; reverse rotation will cause the locking key to break and the insert to be scrapped.
- After installation, it is forbidden to knock the insert violently; avoid damaging the locking structure and affecting the anti-loosening effect.
4.4 Product Application Introduction
Application of Slotted Key Locking Thread Inserts
The core advantage of slotted key locking thread inserts is its permanent mechanical anti-loosening performance, which solves the industry pain point of thread loosening of mechanical equipment under long-term vibration and impact working conditions. It can not only repair damaged threads of workpieces, but also be pre-installed in new products to enhance the connection reliability of key parts, effectively reducing the failure rate of equipment and the cost of after-sales maintenance.
Slotted key locking thread inserts are widely used in various high-precision and high-demand industries where vibration resistance is required. In the aerospace field, they are used for thread reinforcement of aircraft engine parts, fuselage structural connections and aerospace equipment components, ensuring stable operation under extreme flight conditions; in the automotive manufacturing field, they are applied to engine cylinder blocks, gearboxes, chassis suspension and other key parts, avoiding thread loosening caused by vehicle running vibration; in the precision machinery field, they are used for CNC machine tools, printing machinery and measuring instruments to maintain the precision and stability of equipment; in addition, they are also widely used in the fields of construction machinery, marine equipment, electronic communication and new energy equipment.
No matter it is the thread repair of old equipment or the thread reinforcement of new products, slotted key locking thread inserts can provide a safe, reliable and long-term effective threaded connection solution, and are the first choice of fasteners for high-end manufacturing industries with anti-loosening requirements.