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.
Manufacturer Profile: Unicorp
Unicorp is a leading U.S. based manufacturer of electronic hardware. For over 45 years, Unicorp has been dedicated to customer satisfaction offering small minimums, customizable products, and quick manufacturing turnaround. Unicorp’s products comply with REACH, RoHS, and DFAR regulations. Unicorp hardware and fasteners are used in a wide variety of applications including medical equipment, robotics, computers, and aircraft.
Standoffs
Shoulder Screws
Handles
Unicorp Product Offering:
- Spacers
- Standoffs
- Captive Panel Screws & Retainers
- Insulating Washers (Non-Metallic)
- Thumb Screws
- Thumb Nuts
- Handles
- Shoulder Screws
- Self-Clinching Fasteners
- Dowel Pins
bisco – Authorized Unicorp Distributor
bisco industries is an authorized Unicorp distributor, carrying the full line of Unicorp electronic hardware including spacers, standoffs, and handles. To find pricing, availability, and place orders for Unicorp products visit biscoind.com.
bisco to Exhibit at Medical Design & Manufacturing West
bisco industries is excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at the 2016 Medical Design & Manufacturing West (MD&M West) expo in Anaheim, CA. MD&M West will be held from February 9-11, 2016 at the Anaheim Convention Center. MD&M West is held in conjunction with the ATX West, Electronics West, Pacific Design & Manufacturing, Plastec West, and WestPack expos. The annual trade show attracts over 2000 exhibitors from around the world including leading manufacturers such as 3M, ABB, Carlisle Medical Technologies, and Flex (Flextronics). In addition to offering a chance to network with suppliers and clients, MD&M West provides educational seminars and training for professionals in the medical, automation, and packaging industries.
bisco’s 1st Year at MD&M West
bisco industries has partnered with two of our top authorized lines, Essentra and Unicorp, for MD&M West 2016 and will exhibiting at booth # 749. MD&M West 2016 marks the first time bisco has exhibited and is part of a strategic plan to expand bisco’s presence in the medical, automation, and packaging industries. We look forward to meeting with current and potential clients at MD&M West 2016. Be sure to visit bisco at booth # 749!
bisco industries – Supplying the Building Blocks of Innovation
What is a Spacer?
Spacers are unthreaded cylindrical fasteners fabricated from a variety of materials including brass, stainless steel, and nylon. Similar to standoffs, spacers differ in that they are unthreaded. Spacers fall under the broader categories of electronic hardware and printed circuit board (PCB) hardware as spacers are primarily used to separate (space) PCBs. Spacers protect PCBs from heat damage by creating space for cooling air flow while also allowing PCBs to be stacked.
How Are Spacers Manufactured?
Spacers are typically fabricated using computer numerical control (CNC) machining or automatic lathe machining. CNC machining utilizes computer programs to control the machining process while automatic lathe machining automates the machining process through mechanical means. In either method the raw material is inserted into the machine and then rotated at varying speeds while cutting tools remove excess material until the final product is produced.
Leading Spacer Manufacturers
Only Have a Product Description?
RAF and Lyn-Tron both offer convenient product configurators to help you find a manufacturer item number. Once you’ve located the item number or if you already have it, be sure to visit biscoind.com to get pricing and availability information.
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!
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