Steel & Aluminum Mills
Permanent Thread Repair Solutions for the Steel & Aluminum Mill Industry
Unlike all other thread repair products, C-Serts are guaranteed for the life of the equipment they repair. C-Serts install quickly and easily, between 5 and 45 seconds. They are greatly superior to the OEM threaded holes of brand-new equipment because they don’t back out or wear out. They reduce downtime, increase output, and ensure operator safety.
What Steel & Aluminum Mill Equipment Can Benefit from C-Serts?
Any mill equipment where you’re installing and removing bolts frequently or where vibration or high torque loads cause thread damage can benefit from C-Serts. Ideal C-Sert applications include:
- Chocks
- Mill Stands
- Casters
- Hot Strip
- Galv. Lines
- Ladles
How Do C-Serts Reduce Production Downtime?
C-Serts can reduce production downtime for the steel and aluminum mill industry in two ways:
- You make the repair once, and never have to make it again. That’s our lifetime warranty.
- Because C-Serts can be installed quickly and efficiently in a matter of minutes, you can make the repair without waiting for an annual outage.
You can complete the C-Sert installation during a single shift, or even a partial shift. That lets you save the big mill shutdowns for the biggest maintenance projects. And, it means that you can do the C-Sert repair in-house, without bringing in an outside contractor, further delaying production.
Which C-Sert Product Is Best for the Steel & Aluminum Mill Industry?
For 80% of your problems, where an OEM threaded hole is simply worn out, our standard C-Serts solve the problem. The remaining 20% are a different problem, with a different C-Sert solution. In those cases, we’ve heard from our customers that the problem is that they’ve already tried to fix the hole with some other brand like a Heli Coil, a Keen Sert, or an E-Z Lok and the repair has failed. Maybe it’s even failed multiple times, and now the hole is too enlarged or worn out for a standard C-Sert. Our “Heavy Wall” C-Serts handle this situation thanks to their larger O.D. Like all C-Serts, they allow you to maintain your original fastener size, and of course, come with C-Sert’s Lifetime Warranty.
How Do You Install a C-Sert?
Every installation breaks down into 2 stages:
- Eliminating the damaged threads. This also creates a pilot hole for the C-Sert. When you use the system we recommend, this takes 12 minutes or less.
- Driving in the C-Sert. This utilizes an impact wrench. It takes from 5 to 45 seconds, depending on the C-Sert’s size.
What Pilot Hole System Is Recommended?
Unless you’re making the repair in a machine shop, a magnetic drill is essential. You may already have one, but we offer our own proprietary C-Sert Installation System. It too utilizes a mag drill, but a lightweight one so that one person can quickly and safely make the repair. Our mag drills are made by BDS Maschinen in Germany. Our system’s other components include a 60-degree center to position the drill squarely on the damaged hole, annular cutters to enlarge the pilot hole, and paste lubricant, which works in both vertical and horizontal positions, replacing standard liquid coolant.
The entire system is designed to streamline installation to reduce production downtime. The annular cutters (“slugger bits”) are key because they produce much less tool pressure than a drill bit and thus allow the mag drill to be far lighter and more maneuverable. The result is a perfectly concentric pilot hole in under 12 minutes.
What Tool Is Recommended To Drive In the C-Sert?
Smaller C-Serts (up to 3/4″ and 18mm) can be installed with a large manual ratchet, but we strongly recommend an impact wrench for all sizes, or if possible, a cordless electric wrench rather than a pneumatic one. Our C-Sert Installation System offers three different Milwaukee cordless modes: a 3/8”-drive for small C-Serts, a 1/2”-drive for medium C-Serts, and a 1”-drive for large C-Serts, allowing C-Sert install times to be reduced to seconds.
Whether you make billets or slabs, coil, rebar, or long products, C-Serts will provide a permanent thread repair solution. Our expert team will work with you to answer your questions and suggest the best C-Sert product to meet your needs. Bad threaded holes are your and our common enemy, so we’d be delighted to help you put an end to them in your mill, once and for all.