Nord-Lock Group About Nord-Lock Technology

Nord-Lock created the original wedge-locking technology that secures bolted joints, even when exposed to severe vibration and dynamic loads. It is impossible for our products to loosen unintentionally due to the wedge created underneath the bolt head and nut.

Nord-Lock wedge-locking technology

Wedge-Locking Technology

Nord-Lock wedge-locking technology secures bolted joints with tension instead of friction. The system is composed of a pair of lock washers with cams on one side and radial teeth on the other.

Nord-Lock wedge-locking products secure the fastener in a joint which cannot be loosened even when subjected to extreme vibration or dynamic loads. The Nord-Lock range includes steel construction washers, wheel nuts, combi bolt washers and custom solutions. 

Tightening

When the bolt and/or nut is tightened, the teeth grip and seat the mating surfaces. Since the cam angle α, is larger than the thread pitch β, a wedge effect is created by the cams, preventing the bolt from rotating loose.​ The Nord-Lock wedge-lock washer is locked in place, allowing movement only across the face of the cams. Any attempt from the bolt/nut to rotate loose is blocked by the wedge effect of the cams.


Untightening

When a bolt is untightened with a wrench, the pair of washers expand more than the corresponding pitch of the thread, allowing the bolt/nut to rise. Nord-Lock wedge-lock washers positively secure the fastener in a joint which is subjected to any kind of vibration or dynamic loads.


Features

  • Standard range available for bolt sizes M3 - M130
  • Washers available in 5 different materials - steel, stainless steel, 254 SMO®, INCONEL® / HASTELLOY® and C-276 INCONEL® 718
  • Washers available with enlarged outer diameter (SP washers)
  • Reliable bolt securing system at high and low clamp loads

Multifunctional wedge-locking

Bolted joints fail for two reasons - spontaneous bolt loosening and slackening. Nord-Lock multifunctional wedge-locking technology tackles both, offering you total security for those situations when there can be no compromise.

How it works

Nord-Lock X-series washers combine Nord-Lock wedge-locking technology with compensation against settlements. The wedge effect prevents bolt loosening caused by vibrations and dynamic loads, while the washer also reduces slackening and compensates against loss of preload.


Features

  • Standard range available for bolt sizes M6 - M20
  • Washers available in steel material
  • Washers available with enlarged outer diameter (SP washers)
  • Prevents bolt loosening caused by vibration and dynamic loads, and reduces slackening and compensates against loss of preload, while also reducing slackening and compensating against loss of preload.

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Nord-Lock product range

Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers prevent bolt loosening Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Washers Wedge-locking security for bolted joints subjected to extreme vibration and dynamic loads. Read more
Nord-Lock X-series washer combines wedge-locking with an exceptional spring effect to secure against multiple bolt loosening factors Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK® X-SERIES WASHERS Maximum security for critical bolted joints exposed to spontaneous bolt loosening and slackening. Read more
Nord-Lock steel construction washers are designed for bolted connections in steel structures Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK STEEL® CONSTRUCTION WASHERS Optimal contact between bolts and washers used in steel construction applications, including HV and HR sets. Read more
Nord-Lock wheel nuts safely secure wheels on on-road and off-road heavy vehicles Nord-Lock NORD-LOCK® WHEEL NUTS High clamping force that eliminates wheel loosening on heavy vehicles operating under extreme conditions. Read more
Combi bolt washers from Nord-Lock are specifically designed to be captivated on a bolt, known as SEMS Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Combi Bolt Washers Additional layer of security for applications through permanent attachment to bolt (SEMS) Read more
Customized washers from Nord-Lock can include special materials, measurements, sizes, coatings or changes in geometry Nord-Lock Nord-Lock Customized Solutions Custom designed bolting solutions for your unique application requirements Read more

Customer success stories

Bolting Tips Durable Bolted Joints in Steel Construction Nord-Lock's steel construction experts share vital experience and knowledge to achieve durable bolted joints for steel structures. Read more
Customer Cases How DIY Engineering Founded a Joyous, Century-old Sport The Spiribol game is a result of rudimentary engineering and a profound desire to make a positive social impact for all ages Read more
Customer Cases No more loose screws on giant quay cranes Paceco España has been using Nord-Lock washers in their quay cranes to prevent bolted connections from coming loose by vibrations during operation. Read more
Customer Cases Customized washers keep KTM motorcycles in the race | Nord-Lock Group Pick any of the world’s most exciting motor races and you will find the orange motorcycles by KTM, Europe’s largest manufacturer, among the top contenders. Read more
Customer Cases Cheaper but Better Solution for Tractors With Washers Early in 2017, when Hattat Traktör was testing a new tractor model, they realized that the joints on the air compressor–engine connection bracket were loosening because of vibration. Read more
Customer Cases Washers triple-protect nuclear transports Daher Nuclear Technologies GmbH, located in Hanau close to Frankfurt am Main, Germany, develops containers for transportation of radioactive substances. For obvious reasons, these containers must b... Read more
Customer Cases SpaceX competition winners chose wedge-locking washers In 2015, Elon Musk, the billionaire behind the futuristic transport technology companies Tesla and SpaceX, launched the Hyperloop Pod Competition. Read more
Customer Cases Washers reduce costs in propeller assembly Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH, a world leader in the production of propellers for large container ships chose Nord-Lock as the new standard for all bolted joint applications Read more
Customer Cases Pushing the boundaries of express trains The central Japan railway Company (JR Central) operates the Shinkansen superexpress bullet trains that connect Tokyo and Osaka – Japan’s two biggest cities. Read more
Customer Cases Saving time and money by using the right wheel nuts Holzwerke Ladenburger is one of Europe’s largest suppliers of wood products for the building industry, producing 800,000m3 of timber products every year. They had to retighten their wheel nuts ever... Read more
Customer Cases Getting the best of both worlds On the face of it, building the Kienlesberg bridge was a real-life mission impossible. After all, how can you successfully bring together two completely opposing concepts? Read more
Customer Cases A Simple Solution for an Advanced Machine With the world’s appetite for LCD displays seemingly insatiable, Hyundai Robotics’ LCD handling machines are in high demand from LCD manufacturers. Read more
Customer Cases Securing Giant Satellite Antenna Radomes in Antarctica Antarctica is one of the coldest and windiest places on earth. These conditions put an extreme amount of pressure on bolted connections to be secured properly. Read more
Customer Cases The Safest Truck Fleet in Europe EDEKA Südbayern takes the initiative to ensure truck safety. Using Nord-Lock wheel nuts, they are securing their fleet of over 300 trucks and 475 truck drivers' lives in southern Germany. Read more
Customer Cases A Wind-Win Situation Wind turbine towers are designed to flex and bend, which helps them dissipate the significant forces being exerted upon them. However, this had been causing dangerous failures in the bolts. Read more
Customer Cases Securing Bolts in Outer Space The upper atmosphere can be tough on equipment. Developing a rocket engine for this environment is a huge challenge. If there are complications in the process, the engine and its associated parts might be damaged. Read more
Customer Cases Providing safety in huge steel constructions When durability and safety are absolutely critical in a construction project, small things like washers can have a huge impact. Read more
Customer Cases Increasing the capacity of Benteler Arena Fan safety in football stadiums has come a long way in recent decades, yet collapses and accidents still occur. Read more
Customer Cases Taking a weight off your shoulders Braving the elements and getting close to Nature can be an enlightening experience, especially for children. But proper planning is crucial. Read more
Customer Cases Expander System pivot pins perfect for complex bridge design Custom Expander axles secure critical pivot joints, giving precision and reliability to raise/lower the Hisings Bridge in Sweden for ships to pass underneath. Read more
Customer Cases Secure machinery for the toughest forestry harvesting Find out how this global supplier of forestry grapple harvesters builds robust and flexible machinery that will survive even the toughest of forest harvesting. Read more
Customer Cases Corrosion Resistant Washers Perfect to Secure Marine Fenders Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers provide a secure bolting solution to the South Korean shipping infrastructure, tightening marine fenders braced for impact. Read more
Customer Cases Going with the Flow A heaving metropolis like New York needs a lot of water. It may be the city that never sleeps but it certainly drinks, bathes and cleans. Assisting in the mammoth task of supplying water for over e... Read more
Customer Cases Ensuring Safety in Car Racing The Korean Formula Student Competition (KSAE) allows engineering students to design and race their own cars - putting their engineering skills to the test in a real-life environment. Read more
Customer Cases When the going gets tough Off-road vehicles are built to handle what would break most cars and trucks. Whether driving through mud or racing up a mountainside, these vehicles need state-of-the-art technology to stay in top condition. Read more
Customer Cases Focus on security in windy and vibrating environment Dutch company Akkadia manufactures specialist CCTV systems for demanding situations in various industries. Its cameras can be found everywhere, from offshore, to polar regions and deserts. Read more
Customer Cases Nord-Lock Group keeps the railway industry on track Nord-Lock wedge-locking washers are used in all safety-related areas of the railway industry, such as bogies, coupling devices, brake systems, rail dampers. Read more
Customer Cases Washers keep airplanes in the air Look up into the sky in the coastal city of Miri, in north-eastern Sarawak, Malaysia, and you may see Nord-Lock washers in action: inside a radio-controlled aircraft. These hobby airplanes are sold by Byond Horizon, a business that otherwise uses drones to take aerial photos and videos for companies. Read more
Customer Cases Renovating Nuremberg’s metro – without affecting the timetable Renovating an underground railway system without weeks of construction and chaos caused by delays and diversions was previously unheard of. Read more
News Extended temperature range for usage of Nord-Lock steel washers Nord-Lock steel washers have been approved for temperatures down to -50°C by an independent test institute Swerea Kimab and TÜV. Read more

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