Shoulder Bolts 101: What Are They Used For?

No matter what industry you work in, fasteners such as screws and bolts are essential. These small components are a part of just about every piece of technology, building, household item, and more. In fact, more than 200 billion fasteners are used each year in the U.S. alone. However, not everyone knows about all the different types of fastener options available to them, such as custom shoulder bolts. How can these custom shoulder bolt options be used? What are shoulder bolts used for? The following is a list of just a few potential applications for these unique fasteners.

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• Automotives: Because shoulder bolts are most useful in applications where machinery needs to move smoothly, they’re a perfect fit for using in chars or similar mechanical systems. They allow for various engine parts to move cleanly without damaging the machinery.
• Medical devices: Medical devices, particularly those used in orthopedics, need to be able to move securely and smoothly without any grinding or wear to the joint. Custom shoulder bolts can be designed to the exact right specifications to make this possible.
• Storage fixtures: While shoulder bolts mainly appear in commercial or industrial storage fixtures, they can also be useful in consumer products as well. They’re perfect for doors and hinges that need to move cleanly while still being stable.
• Electronics: Consumer electronics are one of the most common applications for shoulder bolts. Their most frequent use is for attaching printer heads to printers, however, they can be found in a variety of devices that rely on smooth and stable movement.
• Manufacturing: When it comes to industrial applications, one of the more frequent places you’ll be able to find shoulder bolts is in plastic injection molding. These bolts allow the molds for the plastic to be removed cleanly, while also keeping the molds in the correct place for the injection process. In this way, they act more as a guide rather than a fastener.

Custom shoulder bolts and screws make an appearance in many parts of daily life, both industrial and otherwise. Having the right custom shoulder bolt for your application is important; to find the right shoulder bolt or to learn more about fastener options, contact U.S. Micro Screw today.