Manufacturer Profile: Accurate Screw Machine (ASM)
About Accurate Screw Machine
Accurate Screw Machine (ASM) is a leading manufacturer of electronic hardware components including spacers, standoffs, thumb screws, and captive panel screws. Since its start in 1967, ASM has been recognized by leading OEMs, NASA and the US Military for superior performance. Today, ASM operates as a division of MW Industries and continues its tradition of excellence as an ISO9001 certified manufacturer. ASM’s products are used in a wide variety of industries including electronics, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications.
Accurate Screw Machine Manufacturing Capabilities
ASM utilizes Swiss style CNC machining to provide the fastest turnaround times in the industry with print to part jobs averaging two weeks or less. ASM’s quick and precise manufacturing processes are buttressed by its state of the art quality equipment.
Accurate Screw Machine Products
- Bushings
- Captive Screws & Assemblies
- Handles & Ferrules
- Locking Fasteners
- Nuts
- Panel Screw Retainers
- Screws – Standard, Set, Stud
- Spacers
- Springs
- Standoffs & Adapters
- Thumb Screws
- Washers
To configure ASM part numbers download the Accurate Screw Machine catalog.
bisco industries – Local Distributor for Accurate Screw Machine
bisco industries is your local Accurate Screw Machine (ASM) distributor. We stock hundreds of ASM products in our 7 distribution centers across North America. To find stock and pricing by part number visit biscoind.com and search the ASM part number.
What is a Standoff?
Standoff Fastener Description
Standoffs are fasteners used to create space between printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies and are the standard fastener for mounting PCBs to prevent electrical shorts. Standoffs are similar to spacers but differ in that they are threaded.
Standoff Fastener Styles
Standoffs may be cylindrical, square or hexagonal in shape and come in male, female, male-male, or male-female styles. Standoffs are fabricated from various materials such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel and nylon. In addition, standoffs are often plated to meet application specific requirements.
Standoff Fastener Application Example
One application example for standoffs is the fastening of a motherboard (PCB) to a metal enclosure. In a typical scenario, male-female standoffs are fastened into pre-drilled metal ringed screw holes in the motherboard while the opposite end of the standoff is fastened to the enclosure wall. Mounting the motherboard in this manner prevents it from short circuiting.
Standoff Fastener Manufacturers
- Accurate Screw Machine (ASM)
- Amatom
- Bivar
- Concord Electronics
- ITW Fastex
- Keystone Electronics
- Lyn-Tron
- RAF Electronic Hardware
Configuring Standoff Fasteners
Since standoffs come in so many styles, sizes, and materials configuring the correct standoff for your application can be challenging. To aid you in configuring standoffs and other electronic hardware bisco has recently updated it’s RAF product catalog. Users can now browse and filter standoffs by style, material, diameter, length, thread size, and finish. Visit bisco’s online RAF product selector to learn more.
What is a Thumb Screw?
Thumb Screw Description
Thumb screws are threaded fasteners with textured heads that allow them to be fastened and unfastened by hand. Thumb screws are typically used on low stress applications that require easy access. For example, thumb screws are often used to secure the side panel of desktop computer enclosures. Thumb screws are manufactured in many different lengths, diameters, thread sizes, and materials. Thumb screw materials include aluminum, brass, nylon, steel, and stainless steel.
Leading Thumb Screw Manufacturers:
- RAF Electronic Hardware
- Accurate Screw Machine (ASM)
- Essentra
- Unicorp
- Lyn-Tron
- Keystone Electronics
Learn More About Thumb Screws
Helpful resources for configuring thumb screws include RAF’s thumb screw catalog and Lyn-Tron’s online thumb screw configurator. For personal assistance finding thumb screws contact bisco industries’ product support team.
Reduce Costs by Using Captive Screws
What is a Captive Screw?
Captive screws are designed to lock into a hole while allowing the fastened components to be detached without the complete removal of the screw. Thus a captive screw can be locked in place on a parent component without being fastened to a child component. Captive fasteners are typically locked in place using thread locking, press-fitting, or broaching.
Advantages of Using Captive Fasteners
Captive screws help control costs by minimizing damage to machinery from loose screws and by reducing the need for replacement fasteners. Captive screws also help make repairs easier by allowing easy access to components.
Captive Screw Configurations
Captive fasteners are available in a variety of configurations and designs.
| Style | Locking Style | Drive Style | Materials |
| Flush Captive Screws | Flare-In | Philips | Steel |
| Spring-Loaded Captive Screws | Broaching / Spline | Slotted | Stainless Steel |
| Low Profile Captive Screws | Thread Locking | Socket | Brass |
| Knob Captive Screws | Soldering | Torx | Aluminum |
| And More… | And More… | And More… | And More… |
Captive Screw Manufacturers
bisco industries offers captive screws from industry leading manufacturers including:
To find the right captive fastener for your application search biscoind.com or contact our customer service team today!