Standard threaded fasteners – technical support from Challenge Europe

The team at Challenge Europe believe that while there are many suppliers/distributors of threaded fasteners, what most manufacturers appreciate is the willingness to follow through with tech’ support throughout the supply process. Their new brochure provides an insight into the specialist range of products and the depth of support available, from troubleshooting an existing application to defining and developing a new product. Challenge Europe can provide the technical expertise that often small to medium sized manufacturers do not have available in-house. Indeed, many large scale production facilities are increasingly finding this type of supplier relationship saves them time, money and rework. This is exemplified by the ranges of nut products described in their brochure and website, including full nuts in all metric sizes to fit screws and bolts. Commonly available as cold forged parts but larger sizes are often bar turned from hexagonal bar. Also half nuts – otherwise referred to as lock nuts or jam nuts. These are available in steel, stainless steel or brass. They are also useful in situations where space is restricted but ultimate strength is not required. Self-locking nuts - also known as stiff nuts and sometimes prevailing torque nuts. These are available in a range of styles but they all operate in a similar way having an interference fit mechanism that provide anti-loosening characteristics. Standard reference types include nylon insert nuts, Philidas® nuts, Binx® nuts, Aerotight® nuts and Stover nuts. Combi nuts - sometimes known as carp nuts, these combine a plain or domed washer assembled into a hexagonal nut so saving time, operations and loss of washers. The washer offers a load spreading function and if serrated also adds to the anti-vibrational security of the assembly. Cage nuts or captive nuts are used as a “spring-in-fit” nut in square or slotted holes in sheet steel or other rigid materials. They provide a measure of compliance for the mounting of components, e.g. M6 sizes used in 19″ racks for panel mounting. Square nuts are frequently known as pressed nuts as they are pressed out of sheet metal – usually zinc plated steel or stainless steel. They are useful to fit in a channel, e.g. in aluminium extrusions or a steel “C” section. Also valuable where space is limited and for light assembly applications. Tee nuts are for use with soft and semi-soft materials where the teeth can pierce and lock into the sheet, e.g. wood or plastic. They may be inserted by tapping or pressing into position where the prongs ensure a secure fit. Weld nuts are produced with weld lugs or protrusions to enable their use with standard projection welding equipment. Formats of round, hexagonal or square geometries are available in steel or stainless steel. Flange nuts extend the bearing surface of the nut for better load carrying – plain flange nuts and serrated flange formats are available. The serrated type has an improved anti-loosening capability. Further information on Challenge Europe products can be found on their website – www.challenge-europe.co.uk.

For more information on Standard threaded fasteners – technical support from Challenge Europe talk to Challenge (Europe) Ltd