Different industries use a variety of screws to ensure machines operate to their full capacity. Screws are not often interchangeable with each other. For instance, you cannot replace an eye bolt with a drive screw, and vice versa. In certain instances, you may come across the need for a shoulder screw. You must be able to identify when a shoulder screw is necessary and which applications commonly use them to ensure you are making the right choice.
What Is a Shoulder Screw?
First, you need to understand that a shoulder screw is a type of machine screw that offers versatility. The unique features of the screw make it possible for machines with rotary functions to operate properly. The shoulder screw features a smaller thread and a larger shoulder diameter. Commonly, the screw can serve as a shaft for rotating parts such as bushings or bearings. They can also be used as pivot points or axles.
Common Industries
You will often find shoulder screws used in industries such as the following:
- Automotive – used to attach gears or wheels to machines inside automotive engines, or used as a fastener for pulleys
- Electronics – often used to attach printer heads to a printer
- Medical – frequently used in the medical industry when it comes to various machines used during surgery, orthopedics, or even X-ray equipment
You can also find shoulder screws in several other industries, such as plastic injection molding or punch-and-die machinery.
Identifying Shoulder Screw Needs
If you determine that you need shoulder screws, you should then identify what size and diameter you need. Shoulder screws have varying diameters and lengths. You need to choose the proper diameter and length for the machine you service. You should also know precision-grade screws are quickly becoming more popular than commercial-grade screws. If necessary, you can order custom-made shoulder screws.
Keep in mind that a shoulder screw often has a smooth, round head to ensure proper rotary action within a machine. Make sure you pay attention to smoothness and shape as well as length and diameter when choosing the shoulder screws you need.
If you are unsure which shoulder screws to choose, you can always contact a professional for assistance. A supplier can assist you in figuring out which screw works best with your machinery. Keep in mind that you may need to supply the machine's name and model number for proper assistance. With the name and model number, an expert can track down which shoulder screw best fits your machine.
When you think about it, there are a lot of ways that manufacturing has improved over the years. For starters, it didn't used to be as safe as it is today, and people used to really struggle with various aspects of manufacturing, such as making products that are safe and useful. Additionally, making things used to take a lot longer, which raised prices. I started talking with different people about the benefits of modern manufacturing, and it was interesting to explore how much those simple improvements mattered in the long run. On this little blog, find out how to make manufacturing better than ever before, so you can create products people need.