Many imperial thread sizes are now either obsolete or trending towards obsolescence prompted by changes in demand patterns from countries such as the USA who are now drifting towards metric products. This increasing globalisation of metric threaded fasteners does not necessarily mean that all variations are commonly available and it remains important that design engineers are careful in their selection. Whether metric or imperial it is always advisable to seek advice and avoid either paying premium prices or creating lifetime availability issues.

The team at Challenge (Europe) Ltd are well used to this situation and carry extensive stocks of standard sizes of industrial screws – plus a wide experience in supply of non-standard sizes, threads, lengths and materials.

Managing Director Kevin Moorcroft explained: "We find that standard sizes of metric products have grown extensively to compensate for this trend. ISO standards now cover a whole range of products complimentary to old imperial sizes, as well as expanding on the original ranges of metric fasteners, e.g. metric socket head cap screws once only available in 12.9 grade are now offered under the ISO standard in 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 grades to suit a wider range of applications with varying requirements of tensile strength."


As you would expect, small diameter screws find applications in areas such as electronic devices, medical equipment and instrumentation, while larger sizes are used in heavy duty applications such as radio masts, large lighting assemblies, machinery etc.

However, head configuration can have an effect on the size of fastener which can be used. For example, one may wish to use a M6 bolt with a hex head but find conventional spanner access limited, consideration could then be given to the use of recessed drives such as a hexagon (socket) or multiple splined variants. A further alternative is to go to a smaller diameter with an upgrade in material specification, although this may require a greater deal of investigation in order to avoid non-preferred diameters such as M7, M9, etc.

A common failing when at the design stage is to assume that smaller diameter threaded products are available in the same lengths as their larger diameter brethren. In general terms, the smaller the diameter then the shorter are the commonly available and stocked lengths. Nothing is impossible and specials can be created but these nearly always come at a premium price. The answer is to consult the experts whenever possible.

www.challenge-europe.co.uk

Image: Industrial Screws – Many Sizes, Many Threads from Challenge (Europe) Ltd