ThermoFlex Maintenance

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Using Loctite when servicing Creo machines

Loctite® is used on most Creo assemblies to prevent screws from loosening. When reassembling something in the field, it is important that you use the right type of Loctite for your application. Loose fasteners can lead to extra site visits, so you must have at least Loctite 222 and 242 in your tool kit.

Checking the expiry date

A date code is printed on the label on the back of the Loctite bottle. The shelf life is limited, and some products have a shelf life of only 1 year. The first digit represents the year, the 2^nd letter represents the month (A=Jan, B=Feb,...) of manufacture. For example: 1B456 was made 2001, Feb.

Types of Loctite used at Creo

Type	Application	Creo part #	Notes
222	Screws, M4 and smaller	89-0054	Low strength, removable. Purple in color.
242	Screws, M5 and up. OK for M4 cap head screws.	89-0053	Medium strength, removable. Blue in color. May be permanent if used on M4 buttonhead screws! Permanent for M3 and smaller.
262	Permanent – not for screws in Creo machines! Used to permanently attach pulleys to shafts.	89-0052	High strength, permanent. Red in color. Generally not used on screws in Creo machines since they will be permanently locked.
290	Permanent, wicking. Used on fasteners already assembled.	89-0050	High strength, permanent, penetrating. This will wick into already fastened screws and lock them forever. Use sparingly, and only where the procedure calls for it.
417	Sealer	89-0180	Seals plastic (nylon) fittings.
545	Sealer	89-0046	Seals threads on pneumatics (can also use teflon tape, 89-0012)
609	Permanent – used for mounting pulleys and bearings	89-0044
764	PRIMER – used to clean threads before using loctite	89-0041	Oils and other materials on the screw’s threads can reduce the effectiveness of Loctite. Use a primer in applications where good adhesion is critical (z-axis rails on the 3244 Platesetter autoloader).
770	PRIMER – used for preparing rubber & plastic materials for adhesives (rubber on slip sheet fingers)	82-1029	This is used with Loctite Black Max to attach wiper finger rubbers to the aluminum fingers. Note: Black Max has a short shelf life, 1 year. It may be useful in the field for emergency repairs, but you would be better off carrying spare slip sheet fingers.
380	Black Max – instant, high strength adhesive	82-1020	Used with Loctite 770 primer. Bonds rubber and plastics to metal. Also bonds skin instantly, even without primer. 1 year shelf life, discard when expired. Refer to the notes below.

Black Max has a shelf life of one year regardless of when it was opened and it must be kept refrigerated or the shelf life is even shorter.

To Test Black Max if it is Approaching Expiry:

Shake the bottle well. Place a drop on a piece of paper and slowly pull the bottle up and away from the paper. If a thread of adhesive forms between the drop and the tip of the bottle, the product is not good any more.

Red bottle Loctites have a much longer shelf life (2 years) and need not be refrigerated.