Simplified Purchasing Blog

Friction refers to the resistance that a surface faces when moving across another, often being a condition that can wear components down and prevent them from optimally performing. For the wheels of an automobile, aircraft, or other ground vehicles, smooth rotation with minimal friction is crucial for forward movement and standard operations. Wheel bearings are a primary component of countless wheel assemblies, coming in the form of Ball bearings and roller bearings that facilitate rotation. As a crucial part present in various vehicles, regular maintenance and inspection is required to prevent equipment damage and failures.

Bearings are machine components that are present in countless assemblies, capable of mitigating the friction generated between moving parts while also constraining motion. As bearings often take on a variety of radial and axial loads when implemented within numerous construction types, there are many forms of bearings that have been developed over the years to accommodate different applications. Plain and sleeve bearings are two types that are often found in many assemblies, the latter being a specific form of plain bearing. As common machine elements to countless assemblies, having a general understanding of both types can be beneficial when searching for a bearing solution for a particular need.

A nut is a common type of mechanical fastener, notable for its internally threaded hole. Nuts are almost exclusively used alongside bolts for joining components together, securing assemblies through thread friction, bolt stretching, and compression. For installation, the bolt is first passed through the preformed hole of two components before the nut is screwed onto the opposite side. With the placement of the bolt and nut, the bolt serves to prevent radial movement while the nut prevents axial movement. Depending on the application and its needs, there are numerous nut types that one may use, each presenting varying designs and installation characteristics that can make them more beneficial for certain assemblies.

Ball bearings and roller bearings look and function similarly to one another. Despite this, there are many differences in the way each type of bearing is used. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between ball and roller bearings.

Fasteners are hardware components that may be used to conjoin parts for assemblies and to distribute loads. Threaded fasteners in particular are extremely common to countless applications and industries, and they are often discernible by a spiraling thread that trails down a cylindrical shaft. With this configuration, such fasteners can ensure more secure connections that are established by applying torque to the component. As there are many threaded fastener types available, each with their own characteristics, being aware of the most common types can be useful when searching for an optimal fit.

Bearings are components that are often found in many assemblies and apparatuses that feature moving parts. As components that can both reduce the friction between moving surfaces and facilitate the motion of various parts, bearings are crucial for the operations of countless assemblies and can extend their service lives by mitigating wear. While there are many types of bearings commonly used for various applications, the two primary categories used to classify bearings are whether they utilize round balls or cylindrical sleeves for their construction. As both designs will provide different benefits that may cater to specific applications, understanding their differences is highly beneficial.

A hook and loop fastener, commonly known as velcro due to the Velcro brand name, is a fastener consisting of two linear fabric strips attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened. The first layer of fabric is covered with tiny hooks, and the second is covered with tiny loops. Resins on the hook and loop fastener offer a secure connection, but one that is still easily removable. They are used in a broad range of industries such as aircraft, automotive, and industrial, as well as applications pertaining to clothing materials, supplies, and consumer products. In this blog, we will take an in-depth look at hook and loop fasteners.

Fafnir bearings are a type of bearing first manufactured by The Fafnir Bearing Company in 1911. Since then, the Fafnir brand has been bought and sold by a number of other companies and is now part of The Torrington Company, which is owned by The Timken Company. Despite this, Fafnir bearings are still sold under the Fafnir brand name to a broad range of OEMs and distributors throughout the world. They are used in a wide range of industries, such as aircraft, automotive, agriculture, machine tooling, textiles, food & beverage, paper & steel mills, and more. This blog will cover Fafnir bearings in detail, as well as their types and applications.

A turnlock fastener is a type of fastener used to secure inspection plates, doors, and other removable panels on an aircraft. Also known as quick-opening, quick-action, and stressed panel fasteners, they are noted for their quick and easy removability for inspection and servicing purposes. The most common types of turnlock fasteners are Dzus, Camloc, and Airloc. In this blog, we will discuss all three and their unique characteristics.

Bolts are important fastener types for a number of commercial and industrial assemblies, allowing for robust connections that can handle shear and tension forces. For installation, a standard bolt is passed through holes of components, and it is then paired with a nut to provide a permanent fastening solution through compressive force. While bolts may provide strong assemblies for a number of applications, certain areas may prove difficult for making connections such as when one side of the assembly cannot be accessed. With a blind bolt fastener, affixing components in hard to reach areas becomes much easier, all while ensuring a strong, lasting joint.