Many Threads on industrial screws and fasteners stocked at Challenge Europe

Metric thread forms are common across a significant range of fastener products, so that for example an M5 thread is the same irrespective of the head type or screw style. There are of course fine thread, extra fine thread and constant pitch series, but if possible these are to be avoided as their stocked range is not as comprehensive as it is for your more general coarse pitch threads.

Challenge (Europe) Ltd M.D. Kevin Moorcroft explained that “the coarse pitch series of threads will meet most general engineering requirements so these are the standard production and ex-stock items. The more specialist threads such as an M10 fine pitch socket head cap screw, may be stocked by specialists such as ourselves here at Challenge Europe but of course the finer pitch thread forms can come at a premium price simply by reason of economies of supply”.

“Similarly for ‘old’ imperial threads such as the B.A. range, once commonly used within electrical equipment, which has seen its availability diminish during the last recession leading to enforced redundancy in many applications. Although demand still exists for the range, only those sizes/types with viable volumes tend to be stocked and available at reasonable pricing. Sizes not commonly stocked can be small batch produced but again at the risk of premium pricing.”

Other thread forms are slightly different – for example self-tapping screws which have a coarser pitch – and were conventionally used in sheet metal work with variants later developed specifically for use in plastics, the latter becoming more commonly known as thread forming screws. Thread forming screws also exist for use in metals and create a finer machine screw type thread by material deformation during insertion, the theory being that a thread forming screw could be removed if required and replaced with a machine screw. Thread cutting screws also exist having a lead in design feature that specifically aids the cutting/removal of material in a similar way to a thread tap.

Thread forming and cutting screws tend to be smaller sizes typically M2 up to M8 – possibly M10 depending on the drive – since security of the drive determines the amount of torque that can be transferred to the screw.

Specials, e.g. self-drilling screws, are another variant available in a several drill point and thread configurations suitable for use in a diverse range of applications and industries.

Further information on Challenge Europe products can be found on their website – www.challenge-europe.co.uk.

Challenge (Europe) Ltd is an ISO9001 stockist and distributor of threaded fasteners, with an emphasis on supplying manufacturing companies located within the UK with specialist standard or custom components.

This includes extensive stock and application specific supply capability for screws and bolts of all types including machine screws, self-drilling screws, hammer drive screws, wood screws, self-tapping, thread-forming screws and sems. Bolts include Hex head, construction floor anchors, coach bolts and studding. They have an extensive stock of socket head screws as well as nuts, cage nuts, rivet nuts, Tee nuts, weld nuts, u nuts, wing nuts, barb nuts and combi nuts. Washers are stocked in depth from flat and shake proof to mudguard, copper grip and terminal cup types, to crinkle washers, sealing and Belville washers, spring and cup washers, as well as O rings. Rivets include blind and tubular, alongside split cotter pins, dowel/groove pins, weld studs, tension pins, self-clinching and brass threaded inserts.

Challenge also carry useful ancillary products such as grommets, plugs and screw caps, carrying handles, valve knobs, cable ties and the range of Action Can lubricants, sprays and aerosols.

Challenge operates Project Manufacturing Partnerships for sub-contract manufacture, sub-assembly and logistic supply. These have developed over many years from simple kitting processes to cover supply chain management including co-operative product development, tooling control and global sourcing through to stock monitoring.

Challenge (Europe) Ltd
Shuttleworth Road
Bedford
MK41 0EP
Tel: 01234 346242
email: sales@challenge-europe.co.uk
www.challenge-europe.co.uk
Press contact: Kevin Moorcroft

This release was published on openPR.