Choosing the right products can make or break a project. When it comes to custom screws, there are an endless amount of options available to you to make your work stand out among the pack. From custom set screws to tiny screws, knowing which ones to choose will go a long way in securing the highest possible standard for your work as a whole. If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of materials or insertion methods, take a look below to learn more and get started on the right track.
Industry Figures
There are many industries that regularly require customs crews and related equipment, including but not limited to consumer electronics, appliance rentals and repair. Revenue for all of the above has reached nearly $6 billion over the past year and isn’t expected to go down as demand for high-quality micro screws continues to grow.
General Screw Attributes
While screws come in different shapes, sizes and materials, there are certain attributes they all share. The majority of screws use high-strength alloys, such as the 4140 with Rockwell C hardnesses 32 to 43, as well as minimum tensile strengths of at least 144 ksi. In its cold-drawn condition 303 stainless steel is the most frequently used material in precision-grade shoulder screws for its reliability and easy maintenance.
Thread Types
Now we have thread types. Screws with fine threads are slightly stronger than their thicker counterparts — this is primarily due to smaller and finer threads taking up less of the overall surface area. For example, a 1/4 UNF thread is nearly 15% stronger than its UNC counterpart. The second type of thread screw type used for home computers is the aforementioned UNC (short for United National Coarse) 6-32 Standard. These use a thread with a #6 wire and are designed to accept a #2 Phillips screwdriver.
Tightening
A common way of figuring out if a screw is properly fastened is by feel. However, this method has proven to be rather inaccurate and can potentially compromise your project. According to the Machinery’s handbook, tightening by feel alone is only accurate 35% of the time — using a torque wrench can improve this accuracy by nearly 25%. Whether you do at-home projects or are looking into a career field that involves regular interaction with custom screws, it’s important to keep this tidbit in mind.
Choosing The Right Screws
Now for a little refresher concerning custom screws. Shoulder screws are specified by shoulder diameter and by length, characterized by their specific measurements and attributes both. Commercial-grade shoulder screws come in a variety of standard sizes, all specified by ASME for both inches and metric sizes — these are available from the majority of fastener and bearing distributors. Remember that allow screws are heat treated with oil, all the better to transform them beyond a regular temperature to reach heights of 650 Fahrenheit or higher. Become familiar with your screw manufacturer and you’ll never have to worry about choosing the wrong equipment.
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