The degree to which a ball screw performs well in the field is the direct result of the process used to make it. Grinding, rolling, and whirling are the most common ways to thread ball screws. Some ...

Tapping screws form mating threads in materials they are driven into. There are two basic types: thread forming and thread cutting. The thread-forming screw displaced material around the pilot hole so ...

Grooving or recessing operations, sometimes also called necking operations, are often done on workpiece shoulders to ensure the correct fit for mating parts. When a thread is required to run the full ...

Translating rotary motion to linear motion is a basic part of mechatronic design. Take a look at the nearest 3D-printer or CNC router — at least the Cartesian variety — and you’ll see some mechanism ...

It’s easy to cut bolts and small machine screws to length. On the other hand, there isn’t any job so small or simple that it can’t be done wrong, and this is a classic example. Get it right, and you ...

Twist drills do not make accurately sized or good finish holes; a reamer of some type is often used to cut the final size and finish. A reamer will not make the original hole; it will only enlarge a ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...

One of the greatest advantages of designing plastic parts is the vast number of assembly options a designer can apply to his or her design. The most common among these options is the use of screws.