Spinoff story
Self Locking Fasteners
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Detroit Tool Industries' Spiralock threading tool solves a major industrial problem, fasteners coming loose under vibration. Loosening is caused between the flanks of the bolt and nut threads. This lateral movement releases the locking friction that holds the joint together. Spiralock is a uniquely designed female thread form which used with male fasteners of standard thread form provides a self locking action that prevents the lateral movement, and thus makes the threaded joint highly resistant to the effects of vibration. Additionally, a thread contract runs the entire length of the nut, offering greater stress resistance than earlier fasteners.