Choosing fasteners appropriately for parts keeps a production line running smoothly and efficiently to avoid downtimes. This article discusses how to choose fasteners with consideration of material and size to fulfill most of your needs.
Understanding Fasteners
Fasteners are very important in a production line in joining two or more parts together. They are in the shape of screws, bolts, nuts, and rivets. The selection of fasteners can make a great deal of value difference to the product. While choosing fasteners, it is important to define the needs of your application, its load, exposure to outside elements, and what materials are used with it.
Material Selection
One of the issue of all these fasteners is materials. A fastener can be made out of metals, plastics or a composite and each has it share of benefits. For example, fasteners made from stainless steel are used in the open because of being fasteners, and plastic materials because of being light and resistant to chemicals, is use in harsh areas. Knowing these materials and how each perform and its weakness will better help in designing durable products.
Size and Threading
Both the size and spacing of the fastener’s threads are critical aspects to pay attention to. Fasteners are offered in different diameters and lengths. Choosing the wrong size fastener can result in disastrous structural failures. While selecting a fastener, one must keep in mind the total thickness of the parts to be mated and their combined load bearing capacity. Moreover, the type of threading, either fine or coarse, also impacts the fastening’s strength and gripping capability. Fine threads are preferred in high strength applications while coarse threads are preferred in softer materials.
Application Specific Considerations
Different applications may require particular fasteners for them to work flawlessly. For example, in high vibration environments, locking fasteners or fasteners with special coatings designed to keep them secure may be required. On the other hand, applications that are exposed to extreme cold or heat require special fasteners that can withstand harsh temperatures. Understanding the specific requirements of the fastener will help the designer in selecting the fasteners that will not meet but exceed.
Quality Assurance and Testing
While ordering for fasteners, it's equally important to ensure that quality assurance methods have been employed. these can include testing for strength and corrosion for more assurance. It is also important to have trusted venders who operate within industrial standards to ensure safeness and reliability for fasteners that is to be used in products
Industry Trends and Innovations
Each day, new materials and technologies are emerging that are meeting the needs of manufacturing companies. because of such, every manufacturer makes it a point to remain updated since the fasteners have greatly advanced in the past years. 3D printing and advanced coating fasteners are some of the innovations that have been employed. these fasteners have completely revolutionized fastener production.
