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.

A Primary Flight Display, also known as a PFD, is the pilot’s primary reference for flight information in aircraft equipped with electronic flight instrument systems. A PFC combines the information traditionally displayed on several electromechanical instruments and displays them on a single electronic screen. This not only reduces pilot workload but also enhances situational awareness.

Fasteners can be found, used, and applied in a variety of fields, ranging from industrial to manufacturing to the military and in business. Fasteners literally make up and contribute to the foundation that holds many of the buildings and mechanisms that we use every day. And while fasteners are very common, there are many distinct variations, the differences of which are important to understand (particularly for those working in aviation manufacturing and in the supply chain sectors). To put it simple, a fastener refers to a type of mechanical component used to fasten or tighten two or multiple pieces so as to form one cohesive piece. Fasteners can be applied on many different items including machinery, equipment, vehicles, ships, railways, bridges, etc. The different types of fasteners are categorized by performance, specifications, serialization, etc. In this guide, we will explore a few basic types of fasteners.

A Bearing is a machine element used to guide motion and minimize friction between moving parts. They typically provide either free linear movement for a moving part or free rotation around a stationary axis. Bearings are classified in three ways: the directions of the forces applied to the bearing, the type of friction it experiences, or the type of rolling contact. This blog will explain the main classifications of bearings and what makes each of them unique.

The Timken Company is a global industrial leader with a growing portfolio of high-quality engineered bearings and power transmission product brands. With over a century of knowledge and innovation behind them, Timken remains committed to improving the reliability and efficiency of global industries that help move technology forward. Timken does this in a variety of ways. They help with NASA in their mission to Mars, collaborate with renewable-energy companies to power the world’s largest wind turbines, and partner with engineers to include global transportation, including drilling the longest rail tunnel in the world. With over 25 brands under the Timken name, the company continues to grow and meet the dynamic needs of the global market.