Fasteners Industry Information I

Fasteners

Fasteners are essential tools used in various industries and commercial and consumer product domains to attach and secure materials together. The term "fasteners" is an umbrella term for a wide range of tools that include screws, nuts, bolts, and other types of fasteners. Fasteners are a crucial part of any project requiring the attachment of two or more materials. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials to suit different applications. For instance, wood screws are specifically designed for use with wood materials, while machine screws are used to fasten metal components. With over 500,000 options currently available on the market, fasteners are versatile and can be used in a broad range of applications, from aerospace engineering to home improvement projects. Whether it's a small DIY project or a commercial construction project, fasteners play a vital role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the finished product.

The history of fasteners

Fasteners have been used for thousands of years. The screw, a recognizable shape in this category, was probably invented by the Egyptians and adopted by the Greeks. Archytas of Tarentum pioneered screw threads in 400 BC, while Archimedes introduced the concept of screwing two hundred years earlier. Ancient screws were also found in olive oil and grape juice presses. The history of nuts and bolts is not as clear as that of screw threads, but their current design and production processes were mainly developed during the past 150 years, with their importance in engineering and construction cemented since the Industrial Revolution. The United States Standard Thread was established in the 1870s, while the SAE standard further developed screw thread designs. In the late 1960s, the pinched-point self-drill was introduced to the metal building field, drastically cutting the installation time and cost of fasteners.

Design of Fasteners

Fasteners are essential components in various industries, from aerospace to automotive to children's toys. They come in different shapes and sizes, serve different purposes, and are designed to withstand varying levels of stress, pressure, and temperature. Engineers and designers work together to create fasteners that meet the specific needs of their application, taking into account factors such as the material, the environment, and the load capacity.

Production Process

The production process of fasteners depends on the material used. For instance, plastic fasteners are commonly manufactured using injection-moulding technology, which involves injecting molten plastic into a mould and allowing it to cool and solidify. On the other hand, metal fasteners typically undergo a process of heating and casting, where the molten metal is poured into a mould and left to cool. Threaded fasteners require an additional process called thread rolling, where a metal die with threading is forced onto the spinning workpiece, thus transferring the thread profile to the fastener through cold working.

Material Design

The choice of material for industrial fasteners is crucial in determining their performance and durability. For instance, titanium is the go-to material for aerospace fasteners due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand high temperatures. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is often used in automotive manufacturing due to its high strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion. Light-duty fasteners, such as those used in children's toys, are commonly made from plastic, brass, or bronze, which offer a balance between cost, strength, and ease of production.

In addition to the materials mentioned above, other factors to consider in material design include the surface finish, the coating, and the plating. Surface finish affects the appearance and texture of the fastener, while coating and plating enhance its corrosion resistance, lubrication, and conductivity. These factors are carefully considered by engineers and designers to ensure that the fastener is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting.

Design Considerations

When choosing between standard and custom designs, fastener manufacturers have a wide range of options. They can produce fasteners in varying shapes and sizes, threaded or unthreaded. The measurement system used also varies based on location; in the US, fasteners typically follow the American system of measurement, while metric fasteners are more common internationally.

When making decisions, professionals must consider how various factors affect fastener performance, including the weight of the connected materials, head type, and environmental factors. It's important to ask questions such as whether the fastener needs to be tamper-proof and if the design includes extrapolative elements. Answering these questions helps ensure that the right fastener is successfully implemented into any product.