screwscatalog.com

screwscatalog.com

Screws, also known as threaded fasteners, have played an integral role in construction and manufacturing since the original invention of the wooden screw circa 428-350 BC by Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum. These primitive fasteners were used in the construction of oil and wine presses in the Mediterranean. By the 1400's, the original wooden screw design had evolved into screws made of metal which were used widely throughout continental Europe and the near east by the end of that century.

Today screws are made of various types of metal, with steel being the most common. In the evolution of the screw, processes were developed to produce stronger metals with anti-corrosi ... (more)

Screws, also known as threaded fasteners, have played an integral role in construction and manufacturing since the original invention of the wooden screw circa 428-350 BC by Greek mathematician Archytas of Tarentum. These primitive fasteners were used in the construction of oil and wine presses in the Mediterranean. By the 1400's, the original wooden screw design had evolved into screws made of metal which were used widely throughout continental Europe and the near east by the end of that century.

Today screws are made of various types of metal, with steel being the most common. In the evolution of the screw, processes were developed to produce stronger metals with anti-corrosion properties, making screws more durable.

There are many different types of screws, but they all work in the same basic manner. Screw designs have changed over time, but the basic function of screws has not. By using a threaded ridge on a metal shaft, screws are able to penetrate solid materials and compress or bind them together. The threading on the screws allows for strong binding as they lock the metal shaft of the screw in place and are not easily removed without turning the screw in the opposite direction to which it was inserted.

Various screw head designs have also evolved with the threaded fastener concept and account for the various different types of screwdrivers needed for the installation process. Screwdrivers enable the easy insertion of threaded fasteners into solid materials. The most common screwdrivers correspond with the most popular screw head designs, which in North America is the Phillips head. With a simple x pattern, the Phillips screwdriver can be found in the tool box of any carpenter and has proved to be a lasting favorite.

While there are many different types of screw heads and screwdrivers, some have anti-tampering designs that make it virtually impossible to remove screws from objects with out the appropriately shaped screwdriver. Another good example of this anti-tampering type of fastener is called a rivet, which has no grooved surfaces to make contact with a driver, thus locking the metal shaft indefinitely within an object.

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