Month: February 2016

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Fasteners Overview Blog Post

At Component Supply we are privileged to work with thousands of people in all stages of their careers, from engineers and researchers in all different industries to college students just getting started in their field. As we work with a variety of customers, we’ve noticed that just because certain information is common knowledge in one discipline doesn’t mean it’s common knowledge in other industries. One product that we have found this to be true of is fasteners, so we want to provide helpful information about the head styles, drive styles and sizing of fasteners, specifically SAE fasteners.

HEAD STYLES

Pan Head Flat Head
Pan Head           Flat Head

The most common head styles are flat head and pan head. Flat head fasteners are typically used when a flat surface is a desired result because they will be flush with the surface being fastened. Pan head screws are used when this is not necessarily a concern. Other head styles include binding, socket and fillister head.

DRIVE STYLES

Socket Head Slotted Drive Phillips Drive
Hex                    Slotted                  Phillips

Many drive systems existing today have been developed for automation purposes. The hex drive, the slotted drive and the Phillips drive are the most common. The slotted drive is simply a slot in the head of the screw where a slotted driver can be inserted. The Phillips drive has a cross pattern. Finally there is the hex drive style, which uses a hexagonal key as the driver. Other common drive styles are Torx and Star drive.

SIZING

Sizing for fasteners is broken down into two a pairs of numbers. The first number indicates the diameter of the material before threads are cut. This number can either be a fraction of an inch or a wire size number. The wire size numbers are preceded by a pound or number sign, such as #2-56. The second number indicates the number of threads per inch and typically gets smaller as the diameter gets larger. So, in smaller sizes it is a wire size and in larger sizes it is a fractional size. For example, #2-56 is a #2 wire size, and there are 56 threads per inch. The 1/4-20 is a quarter of an inch in diameter, and there are 20 threads per inch.

One more piece of trivia: the difference between a screw and a bolt is how the fastener is used. In very general terms, if the fastener uses a nut, it is considered a bolt. The same fastener would be considered a screw if threaded into something that had internal threads.

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Why We Changed Our Logo

Recently we decided to change our logo by dropping our tagline “The R&D Hardware Store,” which we have used since we started the company. It was meaningful to us, but if anybody even noticed it, I doubt it held much meaning for them. Honestly, “The R&D Hardware Store” tagline can be confusing for a couple of reasons. First, the researchers we supply to would never consider purchasing their components and material from an actual hardware store. Second, the hardware stores of today just don’t carry the reputation that we would like Component Supply to have.

But even though we are getting rid of it, I wanted to take some time to explain why it was meaningful to us in the first place.

Historically, hardware stores were a place where quality products were in stock and where knowledgeable people knew about the products and how to use them. Like the traditional hardware store, Component Supply provides extensive information about our products’ characteristics as well as where and how they can be used, what sizes and materials are best suited for certain applications and what related products and information will enhance those applications. We stocks sizes and types of products based on the possibilities, not just past usages and best sellers. Sadly, these characteristics don’t always exist in today’s typical hardware store. While those traits continue to be meaningful to us, associating them with a hardware store no longer carries the weight it once did.

We still want to assist researchers and product designers in completing their projects by maintaining a comprehensive stock of quality items in as many size and material options as possible and by providing trustworthy, insightful information for how those items may be used. Being “The R&D Hardware Store” is still our mission. The phrase may not be part of the logo, but characteristics behind it will always be part of Component Supply.