Attaching metal pieces to one another with a screw is relatively straightforward. But using threaded fasteners on plastics, which are lightweight, low-density materials compared to metals, can be ...

You’ve experienced this. You glance into your refrigerator and say to yourself, “hmmm, low on ketchup, I better pick some up.” That’s how I am with shop supplies. I constantly scan my stash of glue, ...

Split heads and head bursts on threaded metal fasteners are classified as “surface discontinuities.” As such, they fall under the jurisdiction of quality standards such as ASTM F788/788M and SAE J1061 ...

They hold together everything from the most delicate watch to the largest bridge. The world is literally kept from coming apart by screws and bolts, and yet we don’t often give a thought to these ...

Translating rotary motion to linear motion is a basic part of mechatronic design. Take a look at the nearest 3D-printer or CNC router — at least the Cartesian variety — and you’ll see some mechanism ...

One of the greatest advantages of designing plastic parts is the vast number of assembly options a designer can apply to his or her design. The most common among these options is the use of screws.

It’s easy to cut bolts and small machine screws to length. On the other hand, there isn’t any job so small or simple that it can’t be done wrong, and this is a classic example. Get it right, and you ...