Assembly Considerations
Screws are mechanical fasteners that give detachable but reliable joints. Properly used, screws can give pullout force levels comparable to threaded metal inserts. They are easy to use and their widespread use ensures quick availability. They can be used to join thermosets, dissimilar plastics and plastics to other materials. They are ideal for applications requiring reopening for servicing or component replacement. Disadvantages include concentration of stress in the components where the screws are located, loosening of joints due to vibrations or stress relaxation in plastic components and unpleasant appearance caused by screw heads, nuts, etc. Refer to our Joining Techniques Design Guide for more information. |