Which thread-locking mechanism is ideal for your micro fasteners? Is copper or steel a perfect option for your custom screw options? These are some of the questions that most product assembly technicians ask when looking for fastener options. The global market of micro fasteners is massive, but how can you get the best of what you’re seeking?
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This post highlights some of the essential factors that you’ll need to consider when buying micro fasteners for your assembly project. Understanding the primary features of the micro screws that you seek will better and quicken your sourcing process. Here are the top four things that you should look at when choosing micro fasteners.
Corrosion quickens the wear of micro fasteners and makes the fastened components loose. But with a proper coating, your micro screws experience less wear and tear. Some linings also make your screws more appealing, and this is ideal for decorative miniature screws.
You may choose to buy chrome-plated or zinc plated screws. Chrome-plated screws have a corrosion-resistant and decorative polished finish. These screws are ideal for components that need high-quality polished finishes. The zinc-plated micro fasteners have improved resistance to corrosion under most environments.
The material that makes up micro screws determines the micro fasteners’ cost, brittleness, strength, and corrosion resistance. Approximately 90% of the micro screws in the market are manufactured from stainless steel. Steel is a preferred material for micro screws because it has a high degree of formability, durability, and strength.
Bronze and brass alloys have considerable corrosion resistance, which makes them ideal for marine engineering. But bronze is expensive, and that is why it’s used in marine works. Aluminum is also a common material used in making corrosion-resistant micro screws. Aluminum is also light-weight and ideal for parts that shouldn’t get heavy.
There are many kinds of industrial micro fasteners in the market with diverse applications. For instance, different types of screws may have different heads, sizes, threading, and thread-locking mechanisms. Each type of head and thread-locking method determines the kind of purpose your screw will serve.
As such, you have to choose your micro screws based on their different physical features. You may also opt to customize your micro fasteners to suit your unique needs. Custom screws are ideal when off-the-shelf options can’t fulfill your needs.
Miniature screws differ in size, which is a conventional screw differentiating factor for these micro fasteners. Manufacturers of screws make capabilities in specific screw size ranges such as the M5 and smaller or M6 and larger screw sizes.
The ‘M’ in the screw sizing shows the nominal diameter, which is the outermost projecting end of the miniature screws. Other measurements can also be used, and these include the screw’s thread sizing, pitch, and length.
You can source your tiny screws from a screw manufacturer or a screw distributor. The latter is often the preferred option when looking for diversified types of screws and large volume orders. But when looking for a wider variety of fasteners in the low volume range, then it is advisable to buy from a distributor.
Unlike manufacturers who may fail to give quotes on small volumes of micro screws, your distributor can provide quotes for any quantity of screws. Sourcing from a distributor is also beneficial when you’re looking for screws from different manufacturers.
In the past, all screws were forged by hand, and no screw was like another. But in the early 1920s, a standard for screw threads was created by the National Screw Thread Commission. The rules improved screw interchangeability.
These standards have made it easy to access and buy different kinds of screws. Without these screws, our mobile phones, cars, chairs, toys, and many other devices would fall apart. For you to get the best deal in micro fasteners, consider the factors cited above, and you’ll get the best screws for your project.