Fasteners are very important in different machines as they are critical items which connect two or more parts. Considering the varying nature of different parts that need to be connected to each other, it is understandable that there are different types of fasteners in the market. Depending upon specific types, you can have fastener service corporations which design and manufacture different types of fasteners. Broadly you can classify different fastener types in two different categories. These are threaded and non-threaded fasteners which have their own specific advantages.
Threaded Fasteners and Their Advantages
Almost everyone has seen screws! They have helical threads on the stem which can be tightened in softer items like wood. On the other hand when harder metals are to be held together, a nut can be tightened on a bolt, where the nut has complimentary threads on the inside. Since these grooves get very tight fits with the material they get embedded in or if tightened with a nut, they form very strong and reliable connection but they can be easily disassembled when needed by using the right tool. These types of fasteners have a number of advantages. First you get very secure fastening because the threads provide a mechanical interlock between mating components, resulting in a secure and robust fastening. Second they can be easily adjusted to various requirements.
You can have fine adjustments during assembly, enabling precise control over the tightness of the joint. Third advantage is that they can provide ca high tensile strength, making them suitable for applications requiring load-bearing capabilities. Fastener service corporations recommend these because threaded fasteners can be easily dismantled and reassembled, facilitating maintenance, repairs, or modifications. The threaded fasteners also have the special advantages that they can easily withstand a lot of vibrations.
When properly tightened, they become resistant to self-loosening caused by vibrations, making them suitable for dynamic environments like in automotive, industrial or aviation applications. Similarly the helical design of threads provides torsional stability, making threaded fasteners resistant to twisting forces. Finally they are very versatile. You can get them in various types, sizes, and materials, thus they are useful in wide range of applications.
Non Threaded Fasteners and Their Advantages
As understandable from the name itself, non-threaded fasteners are smooth and do not have any kind of grooves or threads etched into them. They rely on various different methods to achieve the grip. Generally they can be bent or structurally changed to achieve the required grip. Depending upon specific purposes, different types of fasteners in this category can include pins, dowels or rivets. Depending upon specific applications, they also have their own set of advantages. Many kitting services swear by their simplicity of installation. They have very simple designs and thus can be mass produced at scale very easily. In many applications, the fastener can cause damage to surrounding surfaces if screwed.
With non-threaded fasteners, the absence of threads provides a smooth and uniform surface, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding components or materials. Another key advantage of these is the lower weight. In many applications, the weight of the finished product is a big concern and every ounce can make a difference. Non threaded fasteners can be made of lightweight materials like aluminum and since there is no nut involved, the weight gets reduced significantly. These fasteners also have an alignment advantage.
They can be used for alignment purposes, helping to ensure precise positioning of components during assembly. Next are the two very big advantages of high shear strength and creation of a permanent fixture. Some unthreaded fasteners, such as dowel pins or rivets, can provide high shear strength, making them suitable for applications with lateral loads, plus since there are not nuts etc. that can be undone, they also provide a pro permanent fastening solution, resisting disassembly and tampering.
