Washers are another critical member of the wide world of fasteners. They’re certainly not sexy and can be overlooked at times. However, they play a crucial role in the function and longevity of the majority of products using mechanical fasteners. Like most fasteners, there are many different types and sub-types, with the application ultimately driving the appropriate selection.

According to Engineering360, washers are “… disks of metal or non-metallic material placed beneath a nut, an axle bearing, or a joint, to relieve friction, prevent leakage, isolate, prevent loosening, or distribute pressure.” 

Most people are likely familiar with the typical “Type A plain washer,” otherwise known as a flat washer. These are considered general-purpose washers and are used in myriad applications.  

SAE washers are similar to Type A plain washers but are thinner and approved by the Society of Automotive Engineers for use with fine thread bolts and nuts. Other major categories of washers include Spring or Disc washers (of which there are many styles), Lock washers, Torque washers, and more. We’ll break down the different types of washers and their applications in more detail in future posts. Today’s entry will focus on the common attributes of each washer.  

While very important, the basics of common washer attributes break down quite simply into size, thickness, and material. 

Industrial Pins are an essential type of fastener with many uses. They are designed to resist shear and torsional forces. 

Engineering360 defines industrial pins as “… varieties of fastening hardware meant to couple, align, mount, assemble or penetrate two workpieces. The operation of the pin depends on design and employment…” 

Roll-formed metal is commonly used in the manufacture of industrial pins for purposes of strength, precision, and functionality. The types of metal used run the gamut- hardened and unhardened steel, stainless steel, brass, Monel®, aluminum, and titanium are all fashioned into industrial pins. Plastic, as well as wood, typically used in furniture because they can be sanded, stained, and painted for decorative purposes, are also common materials used in the production of fastening pins. 

If you’re in the construction or woodworking business, you’re using nails every day. Homeowners often find themselves looking for just the right nail for their DIY projects. Even the core customers of Austin Hardware®, which are in the transportation and metal fabrication businesses, industries in which nails are not a predominant fastener, find the occasional need for nails for different projects such as constructing shipping containers for their products. 

Clinch Fasteners

Clinch or self-clinching fasteners are typically used for metal assemblies that may be too thin for tapping or in applications where it’s not feasible to employ stamped or extruded threads.

Self-clinching fasteners are found in household appliances, electronics, medical equipment, telecom equipment, automotive and transportation markets, and many other industrial applications.

Enclosed trailer and horse trailer manufacturers, which are fabricated from aluminum in particular, often have trouble with 3-piece rear door and ramp door hinge alignment.

It takes precise measurement and careful hands to align most standard 3-piece rear and ramp door hinges correctly due to the challenge of laying the hinge flat for welding or bolting. This can add an inordinate amount of time to the assembly process. Additionally, while most assemblers get close, even a slightly misaligned hinge can adversely affect its durability and longevity. These are two critical expectations for buyers of high-end aluminum trailers.

Rivets

Rivets have been around a REALLY long time. The first version of a rivet, which was made of wood, was used in Ancient Egypt around 3000 B.C, where they were used to manufacture different types of tools.

In an Airstream Lifstyle blog post we learn that by the mid-19th century, advances in metal technology signaled the dawn of the modern-riveting era. Riveting became the primary method for constructing metal tools, buildings, and vehicles.

Threaded Fasteners

In the vast world of fasteners, threaded fasteners are the most common and easily recognized, even by the least mechanically inclined among us. At a basic level, they are screws, bolts, and nuts. Threaded rods and studs also fit the category; however, they are not as common in daily use. Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing defines threaded fasteners as “… discrete hardware components that have external or internal threads for assembly of parts. In nearly all cases, they permit disassembly. Threaded fasteners are the most important category of mechanical assembly…”

High-end adhesives are designed to meet specific application criteria. Are you evaluating your application and asking the right questions before choosing a product? 

Sealants and Adhesives.

We often see these terms used interchangeably. While true that there are some sealants and adhesives that can be used in similar applications, and many sealants have adhesive qualities, they are not the same. As explained by Mario van Leeuwen, sealants SEAL spaces between surfaces to make them air and water-tight, while adhesives are used to BOND materials together. That is an important distinction as it relates to this article, which focuses specifically on adhesive applications.  

From household glues to complex technologies required for critical aerospace applications, the uses of adhesives run a wide gamut of significance.  

Reducing the weight of their end product while maintaining or improving structural integrity, as well as reducing production costs, are important to OEM’s in transportation and industrial markets. This is why adhesives are used extensively in truck/trailer, automotive, marine, and many other applications. 

An Introduction to Fastener Categories

For 60 years, Austin Hardware® has supplied industrial and vehicular manufacturers and repair facilities with specialty hardware such as locks, latches, handles, drawer slides, and much more. Over the first 47 years, the company also dabbled in the sale of fasteners.

Then in 2007, the acquisition of JPC Fasteners, a well-known full-line fastener distributor in the Northeast, based in Philadelphia, PA, gave the company the resources and expertise to do more than just dabble. So, for the past 13 years, we’ve been able to supply our traditional hardware customers with all their necessary, complementary fasteners as well.

The two primary linkage options available for your multi-point latches are Rods and Cables. Each offers a different set of advantages and disadvantages. 

If you're debating which is right for your application, here's a breakdown of our findings. 

Rods are more common in multi-point latch applications for several reasons, but primarily because of their durability. They are generally stronger and more durable than cables. Financially, while the cost of the raw materials for rods and cables is very close, rods tend to be more economical than a complete cable system. Cable systems require more components for assembly, thus making them more complex and costly to use. Many companies will form rods on their own, which also can help to keep costs down.