Fasteners Underpin Mega Projects – China's First Intelligent Production Line for Large-Diameter High-Strength Fasteners
Recently, the 2026 Shanghai International Fastener Industry Expo grandly opened at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, drawing more than 1,300 enterprises covering the entire upstream and downstream industrial chain of fasteners from home and abroad to showcase their strengths.
As a leading exhibitor at this year's exhibition, China Railway High-tech Intelligent Equipment(CRHTIE) showcased its fastening solutions, intelligent factory logistics and assembly systems, as well as full-process quality traceability and dynamic optimization control systems, fully demonstrating its robust strength in intelligent manufacturing.
Dual Coordination of Cold Heading & Hot Forging Lines
Fasteners are core basic components that realize secure fastening and stable splicing for all types of engineering projects and equipment. To address the industry-wide challenges of low standalone production efficiency and inconsistent product quality plaguing traditional large-diameter bolt manufacturing, China Railway High-tech Intelligent Equipment has independently developed China's first intelligent production line for large-diameter high-strength fasteners. Integrating industrial internet, high-precision automated equipment and intelligent logistics technologies, this production line establishes a full-process intelligent manufacturing system that revolutionizes conventional manufacturing modes. Centered on its two core units — cold heading lines and hot forging lines — the line can fully accommodate the production and manufacturing requirements of fasteners in diverse specifications.
Cold heading lines
Equipped with multi-station high-speed cold heading machines, the line can produce 50 to 70 bolts per minute with a material utilization rate exceeding 90%, enabling high-efficiency mass production of small and medium-sized fasteners.
Hot forging lines
It takes the lead in the industry to realize full-process automation for large-diameter high-strength bolts and switch tie bolts ranging from φ24 mm to φ64 mm. With precise coordination of industrial robots, a single operator can manage the entire production line, significantly cutting labor costs.
Dual Improvement in Efficiency & Quality
Under the traditional manufacturing process, six to seven skilled workers were required to operate the production line. Following intelligent upgrading, only one operator is needed to oversee full-process control. This not only drastically cuts labor costs, but also eliminates quality fluctuations caused by human operation errors, further ensuring stable production output.
Efficiency
The production efficiency has increased by approximately 50% compared with traditional processes. Covering an intelligent fastener manufacturing workshop of nearly 9,000 m2, the project boasts an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons, achieving construction, commissioning and profitability within the same year.
Quality
The product qualification rate has jumped from the traditional 93% to 100%. The product strength grades range from Grade 8.8 to Grade 12.9. Supported by full-life cycle traceability management, the production enables traceable records and accountable responsibilities.
Intelligent Control & Management
AGV intelligent logistics systems work in tandem with automated stereoscopic warehouses. Key process parameters and equipment statuses are monitored in real time to deliver closed-loop control across the entire workflow, enabling efficient, stable and controllable production throughout all stages.
Boasting outstanding quality, CRHTIE's fastener products are widely adopted in numerous key projects including Zhangjinggao Yangtze River Bridge, Libu Extra Large Bridge, Shanghai-Wuhan Expressway and Anshun-Panzhou Expressway. The products fully cover core sectors such as bridges, rail transit and steel structure buildings, delivering solid and reliable connection support for major national landmark infrastructure.