When looking for the right fastener to incorporate into your design, there are many different factors to keep in mind. Having a brief understanding of fastener technology is just the beginning of choosing the correct one for your project. All fasteners are not created equal, as they shouldn’t be, because they have many different uses. From children’s toys to airplanes, fasteners are used everywhere. But what fastener types are right for your design and product?
Fasteners may seem to be a small piece of the puzzle when you look at the overall design process. However, even though they may be a small component, they are very significant.
If fasteners are left for last when designing, this can often lead to the need for “special” fasteners which are not common and/or readily available. Using these fasteners could result in a shorter lifetime for your product or future malfunctions and performance issues.
It is important to keep certain things in mind when deciding which fastener will work best for a particular design during each step of the design process. To start, choose a fastener based on its primary function, size and material.
Moving forward in the design process, fastener information should expand to include information on industrial standards such as fastener types, fastener strength and material and corrosion management.
Most catalogs provide this information within the product description. For example, the Bossard Catalog labels fasteners with detailed technical information. Highlighted in the technical section are additional resources including related Industry standards, expectations and applications. No matter what design platform you are using, fastener drawings can be downloaded and added to designs.
Consider the assembly process, too, when selecting the fastener that will work best. Keep in mind the production situation when making decisions; for example, the tools available, the capacity limitations and calibration process.
Fasteners are ultimately designed to hold two parts together. Knowing this, avoid adding “higher responsibilities” to simple fasteners. Here are some basic rules to consider:
- Fasteners must always be equal to, or better than, the assembled parts.
- Bolted joints may never be points of weakness.
- Assembled fasteners should always be controllable and by consequence be exchangeable.
Ultimately, if fasteners are a top priority in the design process, it will pay off in the long run. The result come production time could be low benefit with high cost if fastener decisions are pushed to the side. Don’t leave fastener decisions for last.
For help with choosing the right fastener for you or if you have other questions about fastener technology, contact us at ProvenProductivity@bossard.com.
Importance of Choosing the Right Fastener by Bossard
