HCL Fasteners - Offshore Strapping (Banding) Solutions

HCL Fasteners specialises in providing complete strapping solutions to the offshore market. Its focus is on alternatives to the heavy duty metallic strapping that is often found in this environment. HCL has two unique products - the Smart Band® and the Smart Tie™. Both are made from plastic and are completely corrosion resistant. Both products come in different sizes, the largest of which would be considered heavy duty with system breaking strengths of over 1,000kg (25mm Hybrid buckle system).

Smart Band® BAND AND BUCKLE SYSTEM

The Smart Band® is a patented band and buckle system which comes in many sizes ranging from 4mm to 25mm (other sizes 7mm and 10mm). The 25mm (1in) is the largest Smart Band® and is used in heavy duty applications such as impact protection. All systems come with full installation tooling support including hand and air tools. The 25mm Smart Band® is suitable for diameters of over 200mm and has a system breaking strength of over 1,000kg (25mm Hybrid buckle system). It is made from a choice of polymers including Nylon 11, which has a +20 year life history in the offshore environment (full technical details are available on request). The band is also reinforced using eight glass fibre cords. This reduces creep and adds to the systems strength considerably.

Smart Tie™ PLASTIC STRAP

Currently the Smart Tie™ is available in its 20mm version (32mm to be launched later this year). The Smart Tie™ is an incredibly strong plastic strap designed for application where the Smart Band® is not suitable. Specifically the Smart Tie™ is ideal for applications where diameters range from 75mm to 200mm. The Smart Tie™ comes with a unique patent pending snap-fit tooth design. This feature gives the 20mm tie its incredible strength with a system breaking strength of over 650kg. The Smart Tie™ and the Smart Band® share the same key features that we believe are an important advantage in the offshore market.

Smart Band® and Smart Tie™ key features:

• Completely corrosion resistant
• High strength to rival metallic alternatives
• Choice of polymers to suit customers requirements
• Buckle can be prefitted (Smart Band®) and Band can be pre-cut (saving installation time)
• Full range of installation tools available (manual and pneumatic)
• Lightweight and easy to fit
• Safe to fit - no sharp edges
• Competitively priced

FOR VARIOUS STRAPPING APPLICATIONS

Smart Band® and Smart Tie™ have been specifically designed for the offshore market and are currently being used in a huge variety of applications. These include the following:

• Strapping impact protection half shells to cables
• Strapping VIV strakes to umbilicals or risers
• General offshore maintenance
• Strapping sensors to oil rig legs
• Strapping protective jackets to oil rig legs or jetty piles
• Strapping underwater markers
• Strapping floats to cables
• Piggyback clamping