Self sealing stem bolts are installed vertically, not horizontally.

The device has a body and two bolts sticking out from either end.

You have a starship with it's frame where the initial layer of plating is installed over those ribs, permanently bonded together and all linked together for the structural integrity system. But you'll want a second layer, the actual plating we see from the outside.

So, instead of welding or bonding each outer plate which takes a lot longer, the first layer of hull plates have pre-drilled holes in them.

In goes the inner facing bolt into the hole on the inner plate. The outer plates have small divots on the bottom part that let the outer facing bolt fit into that.

Once solid contact is made on the inner and outer facing bolt, and a signal is received by all the bolts in a series, the body itself dissolves, the bolts can be pressed back into the body, and it turns into a puddle of space glue at various points and into the two holes, spreading out and in between both plates like smooshing adhesive between a sub floor and hardwood flooring.

Also useful for mounting things on the outer plates; no need to weld, just drill, drop, and disappear!

You're welcome for my service.