Atlas Copco’s product line of Geared Front Attachments (GFA) is ready to make operations run smoother than ever before. The GFA product line is made up of standard and custom output gear extensions that connect to the end of a tool. GFA products are best used for applications with tight clearances and strict accuracy requirements.
Atlas Copco provides GFA solutions for all of our electric tools, and they come with some added benefits! Read on to learn about the different GFA solutions offered by Atlas Copco, the applications they best cover, and the values they bring to production.
Application 1: Open-end GFA solution
There are three main applications for Geared Front Attachments. Open-end GFAs are the solution to tube nut applications. In this circumstance, it is impossible to tighten the bolt from above, which is where our open-end GFA solution enters the picture. The open-end GFA is available with a 90˚ angle head and it opens in the front, allowing operators easy access to the bolt and an overall better bolt tightening solution.
Additionally, this GFA solution can accommodate for several specific applications, as it is available with two or three gear stages that increase offset distance, allowing it access to even the hardest-to-reach bolts.
Applications 2 & 3: Closed-end GFA solutions
There are two main applications in which closed-end GFAs are an ideal solution: Accessibility applications and hold and drive (HAD) applications.
In an accessibility application, closed-end GFAs can reach bolts that would be difficult to tighten from above; however, in this case, something is obstructing the tool from reaching the bolt. A closed-end GFA solves this issue by accessing those hard-to-reach locations to tighten the bolt. Closed-end GFAs are ergonomically designed and available in 90˚ and 110˚ angle heads to best suit your operators’ specific needs, improving operator experience. They are also available with up to six gear stages, depending on the model.
Closed-end GFAs are also an ideal solution for Hold and Drive joint applications. Hold and Drive joints, which are common in the aerospace industry, are used when you need to hold the screw while tightening the nut. This makes two-person operations that may be impossible or inconvenient to accomplish easily fulfilled by just one operator.
A turn-key solution that reduces operational costs
Atlas Copco is a one-stop shop for GFA! You can now source the entire solution from one place (Atlas Copco), enabling the modularization of a complete solution that allows for better overall component usage. Along with being able to source the whole solution from Atlas Copco, you will also be provided with a tool that’s completely tested by us and is ready for production.
Further, GFAs reduce the total cost of greasing by up to 60%. With traditional closed-end GFA solutions, it is recommended that they are greased every week. With an Atlas Copco closed-end GFA solution, you can increase the time between greasing intervals to once a month, enabling improved uptime and productivity, which ultimately reduces your total cost of ownership (TCO).
Lastly, Atlas Copco GFAs offer an impressive size-to-performance ratio. When taking into consideration housing dimensions, output torque, and service intervals, you can count on Atlas Copco GFAs to be the best! An example: One of our closed-end GFA solutions is 14 mm thick and 16 mm wide, making it smaller than traditional GFAs, which can be up to 15 mm thick and 23 mm wide. This allows for the attachment to fit into tighter spaces and for the tool to weigh less, increasing accessibility and putting less strain on operators over time.
To sum it up
Atlas Copco GFAs are ready to work for you. With slimmer proportions, increased greasing intervals, and simple integration with Atlas Copco electric tools, these attachments ultimately reduce the overall TCO for operations and increase uptime, productivity, and efficiency.
To find out more about Atlas Copco’s Geared Front Attachments, contact us today!