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Emerging industries are continually finding new applications for commercial fasteners. The market for commercial solar installations has been booming in recent years, and manufacturers such as Howmet Aerospace have been developing new Huck brand adapters specifically for installing solar arrays. One of the latest innovations is the Huck BOMtail, designed specifically for commercial solar panels and trackers.
While conventional rivets and lockbolts are used for solar installations, they have some shortcomings. Fasteners for solar systems must be resistant to weather, wind, and vibration and possess specific electrical properties. As demand for commercial solar systems grows, fastener manufacturers such as Huck have adapted their products, including rivets, lockbolts, fasteners, and tools, to meet the unique needs of solar systems. The Huck BOMtail and compatible cordless fastener tools are the latest examples.
The Evolution of the BOMtail
Huck created the BOMtail for specialty applications, such as solar arrays, following the success of the Huck BobTail®. Until now, the BobTail has been the standard fastener many commercial solar installers use. The BOMtail represents the next step in the evolution of fasteners for commercial solar installations, providing the same fast installation and vibration resistance as the BobTail, but it can also be installed using cordless tools.
The BOMtail has a design that’s similar to Huck’s other blind, oversized, mechanically locked (BOM) fasteners. The BOM was developed as a replacement for welding, with a push-and-pull installation that swages the fastener to pin, locking the fastener collar in a tight, high-vibration-resistant connection.
The BOMtail’s design and ability to be set using battery-powered tools distinguish it. Until now, installers have had to use hydraulic tools on-site to install commercial solar systems, which require hoses, a pumping system, and a generator for power. Hydraulic tools also need more care, maintenance, and skilled workers. The BOMtail doesn’t require shearing off pins, so less power is needed. You can set them using portable, cordless tools.
The BOMtail is ideal for solar installations since it’s quick to install and inspect, and the no-break pintail leaves no exposed metal that can corrode. The swaged setting is tamperproof, and the BOMtail is forgiving, allowing it to create a lasting joint in oversized holes. Perhaps the most significant benefits of using the BOMtail are that it can be set up using cordless tools and that installation requires no special training.
Moving Away from Hydraulic Tools
Solar installers are increasingly moving away from hydraulic tools whenever possible. Hydraulic hoses pose a tripping hazard on the jobsite, and hydraulic-powered fastener tools can be cumbersome, especially when installing solar panels. Any hydraulic equipment also requires a power source, which means running noisy generators. Hydraulic tools need regular maintenance and should be used by trained operators who understand how to set the torque pressure and use the tools safely and correctly.
Thanks to new battery technology, cordless tools now deliver more power, eliminating the need for hydraulics. Portable fastener tools utilize 40V batteries to provide ample power and are lighter and easier to use. These tools also use standardized, interchangeable batteries, making it easy to swap and recharge them in the field.
Huck’s BV17 and STANLEY Engineered Fastening’s POP PB2500-NA are the most popular cordless tools. The BV17 RangeForce™ battery tool has a 40V battery and delivers 17,000 foot-pounds of pulling force. It can set up to 1,000 ½-inch BOM fasteners on a single charge. It also has an electronically adjustable torque setting for more efficient solar panel installations.
The PB2500-NA is an 18V cordless riveter with a 1,900-foot-pound pull force, designed to install ¼-inch NeoBolt lockbolts. It can install 1,100 open-end fasteners with a single battery charge. The PB2500-NA includes an onboard monitoring system that detects incorrectly installed fasteners. It also has adjustable pull settings to prevent damage to solar panels.
For field applications that still require the power of hydraulic tools, Huck offers the 964B Powerig®, a battery-powered hydraulic system compatible with existing Huck power tools. It delivers 10,000 PSI of pressure with adjustable pressure relief controls for both pull and return valves. It comes with an 18V 9Ah battery and a 100V charger.
Other Huck Fasteners for Solar Applications
Huck has assembled a comprehensive set of specialty fasteners specifically for the solar industry.
The Huck BobTail remains popular due to its pintail-less design and reliability. It delivers five times the fatigue strength of conventional nuts and bolts. It’s also quick to install and highly vibration-resistant.
The Huck Self-Grounding BobTail is designed to cut through the surface of joined metals to form an electrical ground, eliminating the need for complex ground assemblies. A simple visual inspection is all that is needed to verify proper installation.
The Huck Magna-Lok® rivet is designed to fill a hole and provide a moisture-resistant seal. A visual inspection ensures proper installation. The Magna-Lok gap-pulling blind rivet is available in steel, stainless steel, 316 stainless steel, or aluminum in diameters up to ½ inch.
The Huck BOM blind fastener delivers proven performance. It features a unique push-and-pull design for fast and easy installation, making it the ideal substitute for welded joints.
Howmet Aerospace is just one manufacturer offering new fastener solutions for the solar industry. Huck fasteners have a reputation for delivering superior performance, and they are weatherproof and vibration-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor applications such as solar arrays. Fasteners such as the BOMtail make solar installations even easier because they can be installed quickly and efficiently using cordless rivet tools.
If you want to learn more about fasteners for solar installations or any of Huck’s other fasteners and tools, Bay Supply is one of the leading Huck dealers in North America. Visit the Bay Supply Marketplace to find the ideal fasteners to meet your specific needs.
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