Industrial Fasteners
A basic fastener is a device used to close something. For most of us, this means a button, hook or zipper. In the industrial world, there are literally more than 15,000 different devices that are used to hold something together or close something. Fasteners come in all different shapes sizes and strengths and they can fall into one of many different categories. Several different fastener categories include but are not limited to: threaded fasteners, nails and pins, fasteners used for riveting, fasteners used for joining, fasteners for latching and locking and specialty fasteners.Threaded fasteners include screws, nuts, bolts and anchors with threads. Threaded fasteners are compatible with most materials, they are easy to use and they don't require any special equipment. Nuts, bolts and screws are typically used with pre-drilled holes, but screws do not require nuts and bolts. Self-drilling screws are also available. Industrial nails and pins are used for nailing and pinning. Industrial nails and pins include: rods, studs, nails, cotter and clevis and fasteners that are used for riveting include: push-in fasteners, grommets and rivets.
Joining fasteners are used to join various materials and objects together. Joining fasteners range from clips, connectors and clamps to springs, washers and couplings. For industrial applications requiring latching and locking, eyes, hooks, buttons, buckles and latches and locks are commonly used. In some cases industrial applications will require specialty fasteners specifically designed to work with objects with special characteristics, made of special or unique materials or special applications. Most fasteners can be custom made from a variety of different materials.
Most industrial fasteners require the use of certain types of machinery, tools or systems.
Nailers, drivers, tensioners, extractors, riveters, automatic fastening systems and gages are common types of machinery, tools and systems that are used to work with industrial fasteners.
Industrial fasteners are sold individually, by the box or in bulk. Fasteners are identified by type, material, diameter and length. Machine thread fasteners are also identified by thread pitch or count. The type of fastener is divided into category, drive type and head style (nuts, bolts and screws) and material refers to the type of material the fastener is made of such as zinc plated steel, silicon bronze, stainless steel, etc.
Before purchasing industrial fasteners determine your needs or specifications to ensure that the purchasing process will run smooth. There are thousands of industrial fasteners manufacturers and retails through out the U.S. and overseas, so there are plenty to choose from. A few trusted industrial fastener names include: Arnold and Flexco and for fastening systems, Textron. Grainger (www.grainger.com) is one of the world's largest suppliers of industrial fasteners.