The Basics of Machine Screws
Machine Screws are commonly referred to as machine bolts and are generally smaller than a regular screw – although they can be found in large sizes. These screws are used in machinery, appliances and other electronic devices. Below are the basics of machine screws:
- They have uniform threads
Machine screws have a uniform thread, this means that the length of the screw that is threaded has the same width throughout. Most other screws are tapered towards the end which means they end in a point in order to cut through the material, whereas machine threads cannot cut through material, they are rather used as a type of bolt – although they cannot be termed a bolt.
- There are various head types
Machine Screws have many head types, the most common being the slotted head and Phillips head. Other head types include the hex-socket head, Torx six-pointed star, the square-drive socket head and security heads, to name a few.
- They are versatile fasteners
Machine screws can be used to fasten more than one component together. They are beneficial because they can be used as a nut by moving through one, or more, elements and threading into the final one to fasten all the components together. Machine screws can be used together, paired with other couplings in order to keep the spacing between two elements equal.
