Product description
The fastest and most efficient way is to send a standard number and/or a technical drawing with dimensions and tolerances. You may not think so, but it helps a lot if you tell us in broad terms what the screw is for; but even if not that, we definitely need to know the material grade, the strength and the surface treatment in which you need the given screw. If there is no technical drawing, often a freehand sketch will do, provided it shows all your requirements. Remember, we can only make what we agree on with you in advance. If a basic dimension is missing, we will ask, but if a tolerance or a chamfer is left off, we will not be able to guess it. When you first tell us that you need some kind of custom fastener, we usually go through these questions verbally, so you will have time to look up every important parameter.
If there is no technical drawing, the requirement must be put together element by element. First of all, what should the head be like, should there be a head at all? Once we have selected it in terms of form, e.g. hex head, dome head, etc., its exact dimensions must be determined, such as head height, diameter, or width across flats, width across corners; if grooved, then the type and dimensions of the groove (depth, width, width across flats or another parameter). If it is a standard head, the simplest thing is to invoke the appropriate standard, because everything is revealed from that! This does not mean, however, that only a standard head can be considered! You can also request, for example, a hex-head, hex-socket, or otherwise mixed-form head. With such screws, the strength values and the stamping of the manufacturer’s mark are also sometimes requested. If these are needed, the requirement should already appear in the request for quotation, because every operation has a cost implication!
Once the head is settled, the shank comes next! What diameter, what length, fully threaded or partially threaded? What thread should it have? If partially threaded, how much should be the threaded length and how much the unthreaded shank length? You can also select the manufacturing process: should it be rolled, machined, or another process? Then come the details: chamfers, radii, flanges, etc. — the more precise the better; on the other hand, if a detail does not matter to you, we can also skip over it. Heat treatment may also be needed. If it is specified, provide it, but if not, then we have to determine it, taking into account the material and the required strength values.
We love the stainless-steel grades, because we specialise in them! Nevertheless, surface treatment may also be needed. If you are prepared on this too before you contact us, then you will tell us precisely what surface treatment you request, and we will provide it. If we do not approach it this way but we know the application, then we too can give a tip, and a quote for it, but of course you have to decide on that basis.
After these, let the other criteria follow, such as the quantity, the delivery lead time and/or schedule, the required packaging, and the delivery methods and locations. Will an inspection certificate or a certificate of origin be needed? Please remember to state this in time, because afterwards it may be too late! If you say so in advance, you will get what you ask for! You can also order a nut, washer, or possibly another fastener from us this way, for which of course different data will be needed, but we have given the reference points here.
Isn’t all this a bit much? We would like to help you so that nothing important is left out!
Just run through this table and fill in everything you know and would like to specify, or download the form so that you can fill it in later!