Anemo Engineering® is issuing a strong warning to airline and military engine maintenance teams about the continued use of non‑dedicated, high‑risk methods for removing and installing key‑locking threaded inserts. At the Farnborough International Airshow, the Belgian engineering specialist will showcase three purpose‑built Clinserts® tools: the Extrakt Tool, the RESISTEEL® Broaching Tool, and the PRO‑Tool – designed to bring control, repeatability and safety to a process that remains vulnerable to human error.
Aircraft engines can contain hundreds of key‑locking threaded inserts, each reinforcing critical bolted connections throughout the engine. When these inserts require replacement, the workflow typically involves extraction, pre‑broaching and installation – steps that are still too often performed using improvised or generic tools. Such practices can introduce serious risks, including damage to parent material, misalignment, and the creation of metal debris that may fall into the engine.
“What surprised us most was not the number of inserts in an engine, but the lack of control in how they are removed,” says Bart Vandezande, CEO of Anemo Engineering. “At that level, workshop guesswork is simply not acceptable. That’s why we engineered three specialised Clinserts® tools that cover the full insert workflow, from removal to installation.”
Three tools engineered for control, precision and repeatability
1. Extrakt Tool — Controlled insert removal Anemo’s patented Extrakt Tool provides a defined, repeatable method for removing worn or damaged inserts. By eliminating uncontrolled drilling, the tool reduces the risk of damaging the parent material and prevents loose debris from entering the engine.
2. RESISTEEL® Broaching Tool — Accurate hole preparation Once the insert has been removed, the RESISTEEL® Broaching Tool creates a controlled pre‑broached hole in ultra-hard steel. The tool is engineered to perform 50 times better than a normal tool, even in materials harder than 300 Vickers, ensuring consistent preparation for the new insert.
3. PRO‑Tool — OEM‑compliant installation Anemo’s patented PRO‑Tool enables technicians to install inserts and locking keys to the OEM‑required depth of 0.01 to 0.03 inch – a level of precision not consistently achievable with current market tools. The PRO‑Tool guides the locking keys during installation, helping prevent bending of the keys and protecting the parent material.
