Quick access
put
screws
The main advantages of a quickaccess fastener over a traditional screw are the reduced time and effort required to operate it.
The main advantages of a quick-access fastener over a traditional screw are the reduced time and effort required to operate it.
Quick access fasteners
put the screws to tradition
Quick-access
fasteners typically require only a quarter-turn or other single motion to release, allowing for quick and easy access to the component being secured. This can be particularly beneficial in applications where frequent access is required, such as in maintenance or repair scenarios.
Another important advantage of quick access fasteners over screws is vibration resistance. This ensures panels remain secure, while traditional screws and lock washers may loosen over time due to vibration.
Quick access fasteners also provide a secure and reliable clamping force with minimal risk of over-tightening or undertightening. This can be a common issue when manually tightening a traditional screw.
An exploded view of a quick access fastener versus a traditional screw.
Southco
fasteners
In addition, quick access fasteners are available in a wide range of materials and sizes to meet various environmental and strength requirements. Flush-mounted and other low-profile designs provide a sleek and unobtrusive appearance while still maintaining a secure connection.
Life expectancy, or cycle life, is another crucial benefit. Is the part going to stand the test of time? Applications requiring quick and frequent access need a part that can perform consistently over a long period of time. With the easy-quarter turn motion, quick access fasteners can outperform a traditional screw’s cycle life.
The enhanced performance and benefits of quick access fasteners do have a price premium and may be a bit much for applications where only very occasional access is required. However, for applications requiring frequent access, quick access fasteners facilitate fast and easy operation while remaining secured to the panel, preventing fastener loss.
Ultimately, the choice between a quick access fastener and a traditional screw will depend on the specific requirements and constraints of the application. Factors to consider include the frequency of access required, vibration, the level of security needed, the space available for installation, and the budget for the project. In some cases, a combination of both quick access fasteners and traditional screws may be the best option to balance the benefits of each type of fastener.
Southco www.southco.com
Checking in with the
fastener industry
This article is not another article about Torque, Tension, Hydrogen Embrittlement, Flexural Modulus, and numerous other common subjects covered about fasteners and fastening applications. It is simply about what is going on in the fastener industry today that will influence your work.
The number one problem today for the domestic fastener manufacturer is they have a shortage of skilled workers to run the machinery to produce the fasteners. The United States government is aware of this problem, but aid is moving slower than a snail.
More than 200 billion screws are used every year in the United States. There are more standard sizes of fasteners than all the other component industries combined and then you add in all the “Special” fasteners.
85-90% of the standard commercial industrial mechanical fasteners are imported from China and Taiwan. The problems multiply here, no one in the U.S. has any plans if a typhoon, or worse, a tsunami hits Taiwan or the Eastern shore of China. Production would be shut down in a matter of a few weeks or a month because of a shortage of fasteners. Second thought, it is not if China takes over Taiwan, but when and how our government reacts, China could stop shipments of fasteners to the States and again in a matter of a few weeks production of all types of products would shut down.
Ever wonder how a mechanical engineer, civil engineer, or a design
engineer knew how to put together a product with the effects of vibration, wind load, temperature changes, moisture, corrosion, and improper installation among other potential problems? There is not one engineering school in the United States that has any coursework in fasteners or fastening application engineering. Ask your engineering friends how many hours of fastener education they received in college. The answer you will get is “None.” Most fastener engineers learn from the College of Hard Knocks. Fasteners are only about 2% of the total cost of the components in a product but cost 4-5 times as much to install. This Total Cost of Ownership in Fastening is the 15% – 85% Rule. The 85% is made up of Sourcing, Application Design, Ordering, Logistics & Handling, Quality Inspection, Stocking, PreAssembly and Final Assembly. Fastener engineers can cut down on these expenses by evaluating their application design early in the process to ensure the best performance.
The Industrial Fastener Market is estimated at $86 billion and projected to be $121 billion by 2030. The Automobile industry is the largest consumer of fasteners, followed by Aerospace and Construction in third place. However, the EV automobile market uses fewer fasteners and nylon fasteners are replacing the typical steel fasteners in many applications. Your car in 2030 may be “Snaped Together” instead of screwed together. Adhesives
are also playing a significant role in replacing metal fasteners.
Fastener innovation is led by the United States. Every week there seems to be one or more applications for a patent or tradename with the USPTO. The website www.usfastenersources. com annually recognizes new innovative fasteners that will be available “off the shelf” for fastener distributors and endusers.
Fasteners are classified as a Type “C” Component because they are a low-cost, high-volume component. I think the “C” should stand for a “Critical Component.” 80% of automotive recalls are fastener related. 43% of the weight of the weight of the airframe on commercial airplanes is fasteners. On a Boeing 747-400 there are three million fasteners, which includes 850,000 rivets. Fasteners and Fastener Application Engineers do not get the respect they earn, but they are especially important to the design and production of successful products. Re-read the subtitle noted above. Keep up the excellent work, read all the articles, catalogs, and brochures about fasteners and fastening applications you can get firsthand. Have the suppliers of your fasteners join in and give you help, when and where it is needed. Your suppliers will be very willing to help. Finally, test and evaluate all the design stages to always improve the application and performance of the fasteners. Africa Studio | Adobe Stock
Mike McGuire • Zygologist
Selecting the Optimal Washer
Flat: Generally used for load disbursement
Tab/Lock: Designed to effectively lock an assembly into place
Finishing: Often found on consumer products
Wave: For obtaining loads when the load is static or the working range is small
Belleville: Delivers the highest load capacity of all the spring washers
Fender: Distributes a load evenly across a large surface area
Shim Stacks: Ideal for simple AND complex applications
Boker’s Inc.
3104 Snelling Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55406-1937
Phone: 612-729-9365
TOLL-FREE: 800-927-4377 (in the US & Canada) bokers.com
NBK Acquired Solid Spot’s Plastic Fastener Business and Expanded Lineup
NBK is a manufacturer of Specialty Screws including Plastic Fasteners. In this April, NBK acquired Solid Spot LLC’s plastic fastener business and then, more various product lineup are available such as PEEK, RENY, PC, PVDF, PTFE, POM, etc.
NBK manufactures not only plastic screws but also low profile (low head), miniature size(less than M3), vacuum application, anti-galling, chemical resistance, non-magnetic, and more.
Flexible customization is available.
NBK America LLC
307 East Church Road, Suite 7
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Phone: 484-685-7500 https://www.nbk1560.com/en-US/