While easy to overlook, rest buttons play an important role in the manufacturing industry. These simple, hardened supports are used to hold parts steady and in the right place. By providing a reliable point of contact, they help keep workpieces aligned during machining or inspection. The Bas

If you regularly work with a computer monitor, you may want to invest in a monitor arm. Also known as a monitor mount or bracket, it can help you create a more ergonomic and productive workspace. Monitor arms act as a mechanical extension. They are commonly used in hospitals, control rooms,

A short welding cable can prove highly restrictive. You’ll have to keep the electrode close to the welding machine at all times. If the cable is too short, you may not be able to reach certain areas of the workpiece. Rather than replacing the welding machine, however, you can attach a welding

Publish Date: October 2, 2023 | Category: Wheels | tags: wheels Industrial wheels play an important role in many material handling applications. They are commonly used on hand trucks, carts and mobile shelving units. With industrial wheels, you can push objects such as these to ea

Publish Date: October 2, 2024 | Category: Welding | tags: welding Stick welding offers an easy and effective way to join two or more metal objects. A form of arc welding, it involves the use of heat and a stick-based filler material. Contact between the electrode and the workpiece

When installing rivets in soft materials, you may want to use rivet washers. Rivets play an important role in aerospace manufacturing. Consisting of a head and shaft, they are used to permanently secure two or more parts together. Rivet washers, however, can reinforce these joints while prote

Vehicles often require ventilation. Most vehicles, for instance, generate heat. Rather than allowing the heat to accumulate within the vehicle’s engine bay, it must be dissipated. Vents offer a simple and effective ventilation solution for vehicles. You can install a vent on the hood, thus cr

If you’re looking for a workholding solution, you may want to choose a vertical toggle clamp. This clamp will secure your workpiece into place so that you can perform tasks like drilling, cutting or sanding. All toggle clamps are workholding solutions that, as the name suggests, are designed

Threaded rods are commonly used to join and anchor objects. Also known as simply as studs, they consist of a cylindrical piece of metal that’s fully threaded. They don’t have a pointed tip, nor do they have a head. Rather, threaded rods are long rods with external threading. Below are six thi

Membrane switches offer a sleek and stylish switching solution for electronic devices. Like all switches, they are used to control a circuit. Membrane switches, however, consist of many thin layers that are integrated together. #1) Commonly Found on Appliances Even if you aren’t familiar with

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has released its 2018 Third Quarter Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. Available here, the survey provides insight into the current state of the American manufacturing industry. While the NAM regularly releases these surveys on the American manufacturi

Stainless steel is prized for its unique combination of strength and durability. It’s roughly 2.5 times heavier than aluminum and boasts a higher tensile strength and shear strength. At the same time, stainless steel features a layer of chromium oxide that protects it from rust and corrosion.

Bearing disc springs are commonly used in ball bearing assemblies. Also known as conical spring washers, they are characterized by a cone-like shape. Unlike traditional extension and compression springs, bearing disc springs aren’t made of wire coil. Instead, they are typically made of high-

When researching solar panels, you may come across efficiency ratings. Some solar panels have an efficiency rating of just 10%, whereas others boast an efficiency rating of over 20%. You can expect to pay more for highly efficient solar panels, but it’s typically a smart investment that will

It’s a common assumption that bolts are screws refer to the same fastening hardware. But while they look similar — and have similar characteristics — they are two unique fasteners with their own unique applications. So, what’s the difference between bolts and screws? The Machinery’s Handbook exp

When shopping for rigging equipment, you may come across web sling shackles. They are commonly used in conjunction with web slings. Web sling shackles offer a point of connection for web slings. What are web sling shackles exactly, and how do they work? Overview of Web Sling Shackles Web slin

Not all mechanical seals are made of a single piece of material. Filled PTFE seals, for instance, feature an inner core and an outer jacket. The outer jacket is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but the inner jacket is made of a different material. PTFE is a strong yet flexible material

Extruded rubber plays an important role in many industries. This versatile material is made by forcing raw rubber through a die with the desired shape. The die is smaller than the raw rubber, which allows the rubber to take its shape. The extruded rubber is then cut and sold for use in variou

Publish Date: February 27, 2023 | Category: Rod Ends | tags: rod ends From steering links and tie rods to control ends and more, rod ends are used in a variety of applications. Also known as Heim Joints, they are mechanical joints consisting of a shank and bearing. Like with other

Publish Date: April 3, 2026 | Category: Rivets | tags: rivet caps When fastening objects with rivets, you may want to use rivet caps. Rivet caps are decorative cap-like covers designed for use with rivets. Rather than leaving the head of a rivet exposed, you can cover it with a ri