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Basic information regarding screw assembly technology

In the domain of technology, screw joints are the most frequently used method for joining components and, in many cases, to separate them again.
Screws can be tightened and loosened again without damaging the connected components in most applications. In today"s environmentally aware times, people have come to understand the value of the materials contained in defunct consumer goods. The edict is "prudent reuse of resources". If we consider recycling demands alone, it can be argued that screwed connections have their undeniable place in modern assembly processes. One can only effectively disassemble an item for targeted re-use if it was screwed together.

The screw assembly process gives the impression of being a very simple task, but in the assembly process it is encumbered with many potential pitfalls. From the moment the screw is seated, the assembled components behave like a single part. It is the task of the screw to clamp the components together with sufficient force so that normal use will not influence the integrity of the assembled joint. Achievement of this force - called pre-tension force – is defined by the designer, but can only be measured with great difficulty and effort during factory assembly. This poses a huge problem for the goal of zero-defects . Since “Pretension” cannot be measured using practical methods during assembly, the “Torque” value is used. The Torque value can be derived from the required pre-tension force and has therefore become the process-control measurement in screw assembly.

Every manufacturer strives to aviod quality issues as a result of faulty screw joints. They can result in product recall campaigns or the return of an entire batch of product from the end user, The economic and market image damage can be significant. Besides training of staff and the use of high quality materials, selection of the correct screwdriver for the application plays the main role in