Bay Supply Blog - Rivets, Fasteners, and Tools

When you think of industrial fasteners, you usually think of bolts, screws, lockbolts, rivets, and the like. An underappreciated form of fastener is the helical coil thread insert, also known as a helically wound or helicoil insert, which is used to create a threaded surface inside drilled holes. It is easy to install a helicoil insert with the proper tools, and once installed, a helicoil insert can deliver lasting, reliable service even with soft materials.

Threaded inserts are one of the most versatile types of fasteners and can be used in any material that needs to accept a threaded bolt. As with other types of fasteners, threaded inserts come in various configurations, designs, and materials to accommodate different types of jobs. There is a big difference between the types of threaded inserts used to add threaded fasteners to metal and those needed to add threaded fasteners to plastic because the characteristics of the work materials are so different.

No matter what type of assembly or manufacturing job you have, chances are you use rivets. Rivets continue to prove themselves to be among the most versatile fasteners with designs for a wide range of applications. Of course, rivets only deliver their promised performance if they are installed properly. That’s why understanding which rivet gun to use for the job is vitally important.

Not all fasteners are created equal. A different type of fastener is available for every type of application you can think of, and choosing the right fastener for the job ensures a lasting and trouble-free joint. The question is, which of the myriad fastener types is appropriate for each task?

Here are four of the most common applications that require fasteners and the best types of fasteners for each one.

Threaded inserts are one of the most versatile types of fasteners available, partly because they are available in so many different types and materials. When you need to create a lasting bond in a thin, soft, or brittle material, threaded inserts are your best option.

The third in a series of articles by Tim Bartlett on productivity, returned value and understanding cost.

The first article in this series discussed determining the potential value of a given project and quantifying the impact of relevant issues that would affect the outcome. The second article reviewed how to establish a budget to define capital and resources that would be brought to bear. This now brings us to the implementation stage. As with any change, big or small, you will encounter resistance, even if you did not in earlier stages. The project starts to become real and the changes imminent, and that scares people.

The second in a series of articles by Tim Bartlett on productivity, returned value, and cost.

The first article in this series discussed determining the potential value of a given project and then quantifying the impact of relevant issues that would affect the outcome and returned value of that project. Once these have been properly vetted, it is time to move to the budget approval stage. Because this is the final stage of the evaluation of any project, it must be properly completed and can include returning to previous stages in order to clarify or confirm various issues and their potential value.

Fasteners are designed for all sorts of applications, from heavy-duty construction to mounting a circuit board, and there are almost as many fastener designs as there are applications. The toughest and most secure fasteners have to be used in rugged applications, such as engine mounts, rail cars, factory equipment, cars, or anywhere that constant shaking would loosen most nuts and bolts. Vibration-resistant fasteners are specifically designed to be especially resilient for these applications, but to prevent a joint from failing, you have to know how to choose the right vibration-resistant fastener.

This blog is the first in a series of articles by Tim Bartlett on productivity, returned value, and cost.

Automation should only be considered if it brings real value to the process or business. Value can take the form of improved assembly speed, but, although this is the most common reason for automating, it is not always the most valuable or most effective at improving productivity and returning value.