With the great number of accessories and pieces of equipment technicians use, engineering fasteners and fixings should not be overlooked. They are an effective and elegant solution and have an important role in ensuring equipment accessibility. When properly handled, they provide a secure and stress-free fastening. However, in order to make the best use out of their different types, you first need to understand their features.
Fasteners
- Toggle latches are the most popular type and they’re oftentimes mistaken for door locking mechanisms. They work in a way that two pieces lock together and are positioned in a way that they can be separated at any given time. Most engineering fasteners and fixings are not that complex regarding style, but toggle latches come in a wide range of choices – from one piece to multipoint cammed ones.
- Spring-loaded latches make sure that everything is in place by applying pressure with the spring that sits on the latch arm. This type of latches operate way smoother than most engineering fasteners and fixings and there are also lockable spring latches. The simplicity of their installation process depends on their style.
- Bolt latches are a very conventional type of fasteners that use the traditional deadbolt design which makes them very easy to install. They’re installed in a way that the metal rod is placed in the securing bolt. They are the most cost-effective type and can work with an added padlock.
Fixings
- The most popular type of fixing is called a “general purpose” fixing. Although its name suggests that, it is not actually supposed to be used for supporting heavy loads. To make the most out of general purpose fixings, make sure to use them with lighter loads.
- The hammer fixing is mostly used on walls stuck with plasterboard because it allows for the fastener to be fixed to the wall rather than on the plasterboard.
- Cavity fixing is a type of wall plug that is only used on parts of plasterboard or hollow wooden doors avoiding any contact with the retaining wall.
- Ribbed barrel fixings are available in a variety of screw sizes and provide a very tight fit, which is why you need to drill a little bit deeper than their length.
- Plastic fixings (plugs) come in different diameters and sizes with the corresponding colour to help differentiate them because of their uniform look. In case one is longer than the hole it needs to fit in, just cut it at your desired length, where the screw ends.
- Fibre plugs are an old-fashioned type of fixings that are still used today and they can be used repeatedly without falling off. They’re capable of withstanding higher temperatures than plastic fixings and can also be cut down to fit any hole and screw length.
