Not all machines consist of a single part. Many machines have dozens or even hundreds of parts. To prevent leaks around the surfaces where these parts meet, gaskets are used. Gaskets create a sealed mating surface between two or more … Read More

Machines are often held together with fasteners, one of the most common types being machine screws. From engines and appliances to industrial lathes and milling machines, countless machines contain machine screws. These otherwise simple fasteners join two or more parts. … Read More

Bearings are used to help machines and objects rotate. They typically consist of housing unit with a hole that supports a machine’s or object’s shaft. The shaft is placed in the bearing’s hole where it’s able to easily rotate. In … Read More

Plungers are commonly used to position workpieces. Also known as a Spring-Loaded Device (SLD), they consist of a spring within a threaded body. While all plungers share this design, there are several different types, one of which is a ball … Read More

Named after the Titans in Greek mythology, titanium is a lustrous metal with the atomic number 22. It’s used in the manufacturing industry to make everything from motorcycle and space shuttle components to fasteners, jewelry and internal prosthetics. Titanium may … Read More

What Are Casters? Most of us use casters every day without being aware of it. They allow your chair to move across the floor in any direction. They are the wheels on the front of the grocery cart that go … Read More

Nails are fasteners consisting of a smooth cylindrical-shaped piece of metal. They have a sharp point on one end and a flat head on the opposite end. This otherwise basic design allows them to be easily driven into wooden structures … Read More