Screw and Bolt Machining: A Guide

Screws and bolts are used for everything from completing complex assemblies and building machinery for industrial processes to the structural elements of the facilities themselves. At Associated Fastening Products, we manufacture a wide range of screws and bolts to fit the demands of thousands of different applications across industries. Below, learn more about the machining processes behind screw and bolt production and how to select the right specifics for your needs.

What Is Screw and Bolt Machining?

Screws and bolt machining is a manufacturing process for producing screws, bolts, and other fasteners. Modern manufacturing uses automated equipment, such as CNC machining centers, to incorporate multiple cutting and shaping techniques with repeatable accuracy. CNC machining can transform bar stock made from different metals into cylinders with complex shapes before cutting the fastener shafts to the proper length.

How Machined Screws and Bolts Are Used in Industrial Applications

Many different sectors use machined screws and bolts to join assembly components together. Applications can range from small electronics assemblies to heavy-duty equipment. Industrial applications include structural use cases, with screws and bolts being used in construction.

Bolts are heavier-duty and can join larger or heavier components together with the help of fastening components like nuts that help tighten the parts flush against each other.

Production Volume and Part Consistency

Machining is an automated process that reduces the risks of errors, poor shaping, noncompliance with national and international standards, and other manufacturing flaws. Medical cnc screw machining supports high accuracy, making it possible to manufacture medical fasteners at a consistent production rate.

Machining processes can also produce thousands of components quickly, reducing reliance on manual labor and meeting demand cost-effectively.

Common Bolt Machining Processes

Bolts and screws require multiple machining processes to transform from bar stock into individual fasteners. Some of the most common bolt machining processes are:

Automated screw machining equipment can use turret lathes or Swiss lathes (Swiss screw machines) to manage the forming the workpiece. These can shape the shaft so they have precise threads and dimensions. Other manufacturing processes include cold forming to make dies, hot forging, and post-forming treatments like plating to prepare the surface of the fastener for long-lasting performance.

Materials and Application Considerations

The industrial sector relies on thousands of different screw and bolt varieties, selecting different materials based on budgetary factors, performance needs, and the material characteristics of varying metal alloys.

Common Materials Used in Screw and Bolt Machining

Associated Fastening Products works with dozens of metals to produce standard and custom screws and bolts for different industrial applications. Some of the most common materials for screws and bolts are:

• Steel. Manufacturers choose carbon steel for its cost-effectiveness and strength, enhanced alloy steels for heavy-duty machinery, and stainless steel for food production and assemblies or devices that may be exposed to water.
• Aluminum. Aluminum is light, strong, and naturally corrosion-resistant.
• Copper alloys. Metals like brass and bronze are conductive, corrosion-resistant, and visually appealing.

Some fasteners are also made from plastics like nylon and PVC, which are lightweight and can be formulated for resistance to specific chemicals in specialty applications.

Selecting Materials Based on Performance Needs

We work with our industrial clients to recommend the right metal or non-metal materials for screws and bolts, depending on the unique needs of the application. Consider factors such as the following to choose a fastener material for the proper performance:

We can provide suitable fastener materials and types for agricultural, appliance, automotive, custom display, gun manufacturing, and home furnishing projects, among others.

Choose Precision Screw and Bolt Machining From Associated Fastening Products

Associated Fastening Products is a trusted manufacturer of extensive fasteners and fastening hardware for use across a range of industrial needs. We produce standard and custom screws and bolts using our in-house manufacturing and machining capabilities to deliver cost-effective, high-performance fasteners on time and within tight tolerances.

Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities or to request a quote.

Considerations for Wheels on Agricultural Planters

The agricultural industry relies on high-quality seed planter wheels to create grooves in the soil for proper seeding techniques. Crops such as sunflowers and corn demand precise conditions to thrive, highlighting the importance of consistent row spacing, plant spacing, and seed depth.

The most critical elements of planting machinery are the opening and closing wheels, the gauge, and the seed meter. The planter gauge wheels and seed opener work together to dig a furrow at the desired depth, leaving the proper amount of soil in place for the closing wheel to pass back over the seed. The seed planter wheel specifications depend on the type of planter, along with factors such as the tillage system, crop type, and soil moisture.

Here, you’ll learn the primary factors to consider when choosing planter gauge wheels, including the wheel material and size.

Wheel Material

Rubber Tires

Planter gauge wheel tires are typically made of rubber, which has adequate flexibility for shedding mud and debris as the tire moves across a field. However, rubber tires often have difficulty withstanding the extreme wear associated with conservation tillage systems, particularly in no-till situations where corn stalks can cause significant tire damage. Because of the shorter lifespan of rubber tires, polyurethane tires are starting to become a more popular option for gauge wheels.

Polyurethane Wheels

Polyurethane wheels can retain their lips much longer than rubber tires, resulting in a better furrow. However, polyurethane wheels can also be hard and heavy, leading to the following issues:

• Increased soil compaction
• Risk of tires bouncing over uneven surfaces
• Inconsistent depths when plowing
• Inability to easily shed mud, causing plugging

Rubber Semi-Hollow Tires

Rubber semi-hollow tires consist of rubber and are hollow like traditional tires, but their proportions are optimized to provide exceptional performance. The puncture-proof rubber is thick enough to create a semi-rigid, long-wearing lip, and the center void is big enough to provide the tire with the flex it needs in agricultural conditions.

This type of planter gauge wheel tire can conform to various soil types and conditions without sacrificing long-term durability.

Wheel Gauge Size

A planter gauge wheel typically has a width of 4.5″, but 2.5″ and 3″ tire sizes are also available. The tire width correlates with the ability of the wheel to compact the soil and the depth it can achieve. For instance, a narrow wheel can dig deeper than a larger wheel since it is less likely to get obstructed by clumps of soil or trash.

Twin-row seed planter wheels are usually 2.5″ since there is not enough space for a wider tire on the equipment. Ridge or strip till systems typically use 3″ wheels to achieve a desirable balance between soil compaction and depth. However, there is a growing movement towards using 3″ wheels in no-till systems due to their ability to operate smoothly, particularly when maneuvering through trash.

Conventional tillage systems generally use planter gauge wheels with a 4.5″ diameter. In no-till situations, this size wheel is an optimal choice for conditions where plugging is a concern, such as heavy soils. Wheel sizes over 4” maintain consistent depth and help keep the row unit out of the ground.

Trust Associated Fastening for Machined Agricultural Components

For over 35 years, Associated Fastening Products, Inc. has provided customers with a vast range of machined products, including hard-to-find or specialty items. As an industry-leading full line supplier of fasteners, we provide agricultural original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with the quality, service, and assortment of products they need to satisfy the specific demands of their applications, such as agricultural planter gauge wheels. In addition, our multiple distribution points located throughout the country grant us the flexibility to service our customers wherever they are.

Contact us or request a quote today to partner with Associated Fastening Products, Inc. for your next project.