Custom Fasteners
Quality metal parts won’t do any good unless you have something that holds them all together. Such is the job of custom fasteners. These parts are essential for keeping everything in place. Sometimes, fasteners are relatively straightforward.
Other times, custom fasteners, also known as specialty fasteners are required to keep specially-made parts in place. At TFG USA, we handle both, helping clients discover the fasteners they need to hold their next big project together.
Custom Fastener Material
To begin with, you’ll want to make sure that you are choosing the right materials. One of the best things about high-quality custom fasteners is that they can be made from any number of different metal materials.
Among the most common types of metals and alloys to be used for custom fasteners include brass, nickel, aluminum, bronze, copper, stainless steel, alloy steels, titanium, carbon steel, and exotic materials. Choosing the right materials is critical to making sure that the fastener can withstand the heat and work holding ability of the job for which it is intended.
The Federal Group USA has experience working with a broad range of materials in order to manufacture your next custom fasteners or components.
Custom Fastener Drives
The drives at the top portion (head) of the fastener are just as important as the material. If you don’t have the right type of drive in place, you risk accidentally stripping the fastener when you go to screw it on. Additionally, you need to make sure that the fastener is actually of the right size, lest it fails to fasten into place and do the job it is intended to do.
Some of the most common types of drives include:
- Slotted: These have one slot line running completely across the head.
- Phillips: Drives that are slotted by straight lines into crosses.
- Sockets: These have hexagonal sockets in their heads.
- Squares: Spread out into four even lines.
- Star: A star-shaped recess in the fastener.
- Tri-Wing: A triangular drive with three wings, often used for tamper-resistant applications.
- One-Way: Designed for installation only, it resists removal, making it useful for security purposes.
- Spanner: Features two round holes for a specialized spanner tool, enhancing security against tampering.
- Torq-set: Resembles a cross between Phillips and Torx drives, with improved torque transmission.
- Clutch: Consists of a circular array of pins, often used for applications requiring high torque transfer.
- Combination: Combines two different drive types, like a Phillips and slotted hybrid.
In addition to these basic drive types, it is also possible to create your own custom drives. This can be helpful for jobs that require specialized parts.
Custom Fastener Heads
In addition to the drives, you’ll want to consider the heads. These can either sit shallowly atop the part to which it has been fastened or further down and more deeply. Among the most common types of fastener heads are the hexagon socket hex head, cap, button, dome, flat, oval, and pan. Custom engineered fasteners will have endless possibilities when it comes to the head type.
Custom Fastener Threads
The thread of a fastener is also important for helping it fit into place. One important factor to consider is whether you need your fastener threading to be coarser or more fine.
Coarse Threads
Coarse threads result in fasteners that have fewer threads down the length of the fastener,. This means they will be less likely to strip when you screw them in.
Fine Threads
On the other hand, fine threads have more threads down the length of the fastener. This means that they are typically stronger and harder to shake loose from the item to which they have been fastened.
Custom Fastener Sizes
One important factor when making your determination is size. You always want to make sure your fastener is fixed firmly in place, and that means making sure it is the right size for your joint, hole, or other fastening points.
Custom fasteners can, thus, be made to any size necessary like the big bolt above. One great way to determine whether you’re using the best fastener is with the aid of the Machinery’s Handbook.
Male and Female Fasteners
Another thing to keep in mind when ordering custom fasteners is whether they are male or female parts, with the former having external parts that help them fit into place with the latter. Male fastener types include bolts, nails, pins, rivets, rods, and screws, while female fasteners include nuts, washers.
At TFG USA, your premier custom fastener manufacturer, we offer a full range of high-quality custom bolts, high strength bolts, washers, and other male and female fasteners.
Custom Bolts and Screws
The most common method of forming these is through the Cold heading process. The threads on these can be formed either by cutting the threads on a lathe, cutting threads using a screw machine, or roll forming which is the process of squeezing the shaft, rolling it through a die with pressure to from the threads, this is the most consistent and accurate process of manufacturing threads. The Federal Group USA has experience manufacturing various types of bolts including carriage bolts, lag bolts, plow bolts, and more.
Custom Rivets
These are also formed using the cold heading process. Rivets can be made from Steel, Aluminum and even Brass. Care must be taken in the grade of the metal chosen for the application.
Too hard of a grade and the rivet will not be able to be flattened in the tool to properly attach the two parts. Too soft and the rivet may stress fracture or even pull through the hole when from the movement of the two parts.
Custom Fastener Finishing
Finally, you need to think about the finishing applied to your fastening. The finishing you choose can have a profound impact on the degree to which the fastener is protected against corrosion and other types of issues.
Some of the most popular types of finishes include:
- Aluminum hot-dip galvanizing: Ideal for outdoor applications.
- Anodizing: Best for protection and has a variety of color options.
- Black oxide: Offers protection and a sleek appearance.
- Chrome plating: Mostly for decorative purposes.
- Powder coating: Allows for endless colored finishes.
- Zinc plating: Provides corrosion resistance.
In addition to coating, some custom fasteners might require secondary operations like CNC Machining.
Interested in Custom Fasteners for Your Next Project?
We at TFG USA are proud to stand as one of the premier custom fastener manufacturers in the country. When you place a call to us regarding custom fasteners, we will take you through every step of the process, bringing you up-to-date on the latest advances in custom fastener production and making recommendations as to which options we think are best suited to your particular project.
Whether you are looking for a custom bolt with tight tolerances or specialty screws with unique specifications, The Federal Group USA has experience with a range of custom fasteners.
The best fasteners bring everything together, and that’s what we do in our work with clients every day. If you’re interested in getting a quote for custom fasteners contact us today.
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