HYTORC Earns Prestigious Offshore Technology Conference Spotlight on New Technology™ Small Business Award

HYTORC, the oldest and most recognized manufacturer of industrial bolting systems in the world, will receive a Spotlight on New Technology™ Small Business Award during the 2021 Offshore Technology Conference today in Houston, Texas.

The company won the award for its HYTORC J-Washer. The J-Washer takes the HYTORC Reaction Washer to an entirely new level by adding a locking feature that minimizes loosening to keep bolts tight under dynamic loads. With the strategic placement of a knurled ridge band on the flat, nut-side surface, the new reaction washer prevents loosening of pre-loaded fasteners, even in high-vibration applications.

“HYTORC’s innovative bolting solutions provide our clients with greater safety, convenience, efficiency and productivity. The J-Washer is a shining example of how we deliver for our customers,” HYTORC President Eric P. Junkers said. “HYTORC is honored to be recognized by the Offshore Technology Conference with the Spotlight on New Technology™ Small Business Award and we are proud to stand alongside such prestigious international companies.”

The J-Washer is ideal for use in applications with dynamic loads and high vibrations where bolt loosening is a concern. These applications include joints with cyclic transverse loads that can overcome the frictional forces of the preloaded joint. The J-Washer brings benefits to the bolted joints of steel structures such as, bridges, signage and railways, mobile equipment including cranes, transportation vehicles, earth-moving equipment, and industrial applications, including rotating machinery, wind turbine, power plant, petrochemical and aerospace applications. The J-Washer provides unmatched technology for anti-loosening, safety and efficiency:

• Anti-Loosening - Standard pre-loaded fasteners can loosen as a result of relative motion between surfaces due to vibration. The J-Washer’s knurled surface locks the nut when torque is applied so that no loosening occurs. The locking design has been verified by the industry standard Junker Test, which simulates the transverse forces that loosen the assembly.
• Safety - The J-Washer provides outer reaction lobes that safely engage with a socket driver or reaction plate to brace the reaction forces during torque operations. Consistent with the standard HYTORC Reaction Washer, the new J-Washer eliminates the need for a separate reaction arm, eliminating pinch points and significantly reducing the risk of hand injury.
• Efficiency - When used in combination with a HYTORC Torque Tool and HYTORC Backup Washer, the J-Washer provides unmatched efficiency and convenience in bolting operations and reduced job time. The Backup Washer’s unique design locks the opposing fastener in place during tightening, eliminating the need for a backup wrench and reducing manpower for assembly.

“Our customers have praised the innovative J-Washer and how it has set a new standard in fastening and maintaining tightness, but we are excited to see such recognition from the offshore energy industry,” Junkers said.

Results of testing for the J-Washer performed at an Independent Test Lab in 2020 of three-bolt sizes (1/2-inch, 1-1/2- inch and 1-7/8 inch) met all requirements of the DIN 25201 Vibration Test, also known as the Junker Test. The results show that all samples of the fasteners tested with the J-Washer remained tight during the tests and successfully satisfied all Junker Test criteria. The retention load plots for all the tested J-Washers can retain the clamping force above the 80 percent threshold necessary to pass the DIN25201 standard.

This year’s other notable Spotlight on New Technology™ award winners included Schlumberger Limited, the world’s leading provider of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the oil and gas industry; and Siemens Energy, one of the world’s leading energy technology companies supporting the transition to a more sustainable world and covering almost the entire energy value chain - from power generation and transmission to storage.

In 2019, HYTORC won the Spotlight on New Technology™ award for its LITHIUM SERIES® II Tool, a ground-breaking innovation with TorcSense™ Technology, a state-of-the-art method of direct torque measurement and closed loop control to provide more repeatable bolting performance.

The J-Washer is also a recipient of Worldwide Fastener Resources’ 2021 Fastener Innovation Award. The award recognizes individuals and companies for fastener and fastening application innovations that are leading the way to specific performance with new fastener development and design. The award includes a framed Certificate of Celebration of Fastener Innovation and a unique Crystal Marquise world globe.

ABOUT HYTORC: HYTORC is the world’s largest and oldest manufacturer of industrial bolting systems. The international company is family-owned and operated, and has been in business since 1968. With a focus on world-class customer service, the company has more than 50 locations in the United States and a comprehensive network of dedicated distributors and service centers worldwide. For more information, visit hytorc.com.