The thread locking pins - whether with or without thrust bearing - work in a very similar way to the ball lock pins from Erwin Halder. According to the company, the main difference lies at the lower end of the bolt: There - instead of the balls - are self-locking thread segments that are adapted to the respective thread sizes. To unlock the segments, the user only has to press the orange aluminum push button at the head end of the bolt. The bolt is then simply inserted into the existing threaded hole. When the push button is released, the threaded segments lock into the thread of the component.

"Another small difference: for a secure and tight fit in the hole, the thread locking bolt needs half a turn at the end. To release it, simply unscrew it again a little and press the push button," adds Kilian Schneck, Development Department at Halder.

Lower surface friction, higher clamping force

According to the supplier, this functional principle makes the thread-locking studs ideal for screw connections that need to be frequently loosened and joined, such as when assembling components or replacing wearing parts. "When clamping two components, however, higher clamping forces are often required than our standard variants can provide. That's why we developed the thread locking pins with axial bearing," says Kilian Schneck. The higher clamping force is made possible by the lower surface friction.

This is because with the new variant, there are only point loads and friction between the bearing balls and the adjacent bearing shells. This significantly reduces surface friction. Without the thrust bearing, friction occurs over the entire bearing surface, which also rotates when the bearing is tightened. Kilian Schneck: "And the thread locking pins have another advantage: They protect the component thanks to the fixed contact surface."

As with the standard version, there is a groove on the ergonomic handle of the threaded locking pin. The user can attach a lanyard or a clip for a lanyard there so that the connecting element is not lost after loosening, but is always in the right place.

The thread locking pins with axial bearing are available in heat-treated steel (HSX 130) and stainless steel (1.4542). Both offer high protection against corrosion and temperature resistance up to 80 °C. In addition, the stainless steel thread locking pins are weather-resistant and suitable for outdoor use. Erwin Halder supplies the fasteners from stock in thread sizes M10 and M12 with different lengths in three gradations. The thread sizes M8 and M16 are to follow shortly.