Fastening & Joining

Highlights

KPixMining/Dreamstime
Threaded inserts close-up with mirroring in box
Threaded inserts close-up with mirroring in box
Threaded inserts close-up with mirroring in box
Threaded inserts close-up with mirroring in box
Threaded inserts close-up with mirroring in box

Which are Best: Brass or Steel Threaded Inserts?

Engineers need to understand the costs and performance of the two materials to get the most economical threaded insert.
Stepan Popov/Dreamstime
Plastic parts
Plastic parts
Plastic parts
Plastic parts
Plastic parts

Getting the Right Adhesive to Join Plastic Parts

Engineers need to match the adhesive to the plastic to get strong, durable bonds. They must also design the joint with the plastic in mind.
Cornelius20/Dreamstime
Gears concept
Gears concept
Gears concept
Gears concept
Gears concept

Shaft Keys 101

A simple mechanical part can reduce manufacturing costs and machine downtime.
ipopba/iStock
Engineering concept
Engineering concept
Engineering concept
Engineering concept
Engineering concept

Choosing the Right Automated Joining Solution for Your Assembly Application

Current trends in automated assembly require manufacturers to reconsider outdated processes and expand production capabilities. Here are a few pointers to consider.
IDEA Awards thumbnail
IDEA Awards thumbnail
IDEA Awards thumbnail
IDEA Awards thumbnail
IDEA Awards thumbnail

2023 IDEA Awards: Help us to Spotlight Product Design Excellence

For the third year running, we honor the top innovations in industrial design, engineering and automation—as nominated and voted upon by you, our readers.
Machine Design
Axel Fernandes, additive manufacturing solutions lead with CAD/CAM Consulting Services, demonstrates the relationship between software, a Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer and the part he holds in his hand.
Axel Fernandes, additive manufacturing solutions lead with CAD/CAM Consulting Services, demonstrates the relationship between software, a Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer and the part he holds in his hand.
Axel Fernandes, additive manufacturing solutions lead with CAD/CAM Consulting Services, demonstrates the relationship between software, a Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer and the part he holds in his hand.
Axel Fernandes, additive manufacturing solutions lead with CAD/CAM Consulting Services, demonstrates the relationship between software, a Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer and the part he holds in his hand.
Axel Fernandes, additive manufacturing solutions lead with CAD/CAM Consulting Services, demonstrates the relationship between software, a Desktop Metal Studio 3D printer and the part he holds in his hand.

Finger to the Wind: MD&M West 2023 Exhibitors Call the Trends

Medical device tradeshow exhibitors steer industry toward the path of least resistance.
Andrei Zakharov/Dreamstime
A bunch of large and small bolts with different heads
A bunch of large and small bolts with different heads
A bunch of large and small bolts with different heads
A bunch of large and small bolts with different heads
A bunch of large and small bolts with different heads

Bolts, Bolts, Bolts: A Gallery

Here are a few of the many types of bolts used by consumers and industry.
Laser Plastic Welding Technology thumbnail
Laser Plastic Welding Technology thumbnail
Laser Plastic Welding Technology thumbnail
Laser Plastic Welding Technology thumbnail
Laser Plastic Welding Technology thumbnail

Laser Plastic Welding Technology

At MD&M West, Emerson demoed its Branson laser plastic welding portfolio, including a Galvo welder that uses photons to weld plastics without vibration and contamination.
Koydream/Dreamstime
Hydraulic fittings
Hydraulic fittings
Hydraulic fittings
Hydraulic fittings
Hydraulic fittings

How to Identify Threads on Hydraulic Fitting

A relatively simple four-step process will do the trick.