Engineered fasteners can be described as the modern alternative to the traditional fasteners, including screws and hex nuts, aimed at mechanically joining or fixing two or more objects together.
They’re especially a convenient, fast, and versatile solution for creating joints in the manufacturing and construction industry. Engineered fasteners range from normal panel clips to a bit more complex self-retaining threaded nuts; they’re easy to install and don’t require any tools, which ultimately reduces manufacturing labor, time, and material expenses.
Since engineered fasteners play a crucial role in modern construction, it’s important to understand the different types of fasteners and the applications for which they’re most suited.
Most Common Engineered Fastening Solutions
There are three most common engineered fastening solutions: riveting, stud welding, and bolting with threaded fasteners. All have distinct advantages, and in many cases, many fasteners can be demonstrated to be adequate for a job. To provide a clear picture of each fastener’s qualities, we’ve highlighted the top-level benefits of each fastening method below.
Riveting
Riveting is a practical, permanent, and cost-effective fastening solution. Rivets offer a smooth and secure fastening solution as it stands up to vibrations incredibly well and cannot be removed easily.
The great thing about blind rivets is that they can be installed from one side of the application. Another benefit is that riveting doesn’t cause damage to application panels and can be used to assemble finished applications. In addition, they don’t require heat or mechanical screwing, meaning they can be installed onto panels that are fully painted and sealed without damaging the finish.
Rivets are quickly and easily installed using semi or full automation or by the use of lightweight tools, which makes them a cost-effective and swift fastening solution. They’re particularly useful in applications where multiple fasteners are required on a single panel, or the work has to be carried out in the field.
Stud Welding
Stud welding is strong and extremely fast, and a great plus is that no hole is required, which can help to maintain the structural integrity of the materials, boosting their shear resistance. Since it’s rapid, stud welding minimizes the amount of time needed to make a joint and reduces any production costs. In addition, since stud welding creates a uniform fusion of metal to the fastener’s base, the ultimate connection is stronger than the parent metal alone.
Compared to other forms of welding, stud welds can be made by welders who aren’t certified, which means smaller labor costs and the prospect to cross-train fabricators so they can deploy several types of engineered fasteners.
Stud welding is a reliable fastening solution for a range of project types, and its consistency and controllability make it possible for non-certified welders to perform reliable connections.
Threaded Fasteners
Threaded fasteners are flexible and easy to install and uninstall and help to quickly dissemble and reassemble configured elements for moving, shipping, and re-configuring. This is especially useful in modular systems that are designed to be expanded and changed over time.
Their wide variety of configurations makes them suitable for use in different applications, especially in cases where the thickness of materials makes other fasteners impractical. You can find them in various materials and strength levels; they are extremely versatile and can be used to join a wide range of materials, including metal, concrete, and wood, which is highly needed in the construction industry. They offer incredible corrosion resistance, and different types of bolts come with finishes suited to specific environmental conditions.
When using threaded fasteners, you can get secure mechanical connections that can be used for different types of materials and thicknesses. Since installing and uninstalling threaded fasteners is simple and easy, it makes bolting an appealing option in moveable or modular applications or in applications where parts will be replaced over time.
Which Engineered Fastener Type Should I Choose?
The type of fastener you’ll choose depends on the nature of the project. Depending on the specific circumstances, a project might require bolts, anchors, and washers used in different ways, which reflect those circumstances and also the finish which is intended.
You should consider certain factors when deciding on the type of fastener. Some factors include the specific materials which are to be joined together, the weight of materials, the environment in which the finished construction project will be located, whether the fasteners will have to be reused, and considering how easy or hard it will be to access the object which needs to be joined.
Conclusion
Engineered fasteners are used in multiple industries, such as electronic and electrical engineering, vehicle production, HVAC, aerospace engineering, and above all, in construction projects. Before choosing the right engineered fastener for your construction project, make sure to first understand the most common types, their uses, and how they work.
