How to Select a Washer Assembly for Every Application

Washers were first created as a way to spread the load from a nut or screw over a wider surface area. They prevented dimpling and cracks in the surfaces of the materials they were being used on and became popular with engineers, designers, and mechanics. The more they were used, the more designers and mechanics also noticed other benefits to their continued development.

The invention of the lock washer and spring washer created an increase in the recognized necessity of using washers as part of a washer assembly. They would speed up production while offering an improved fastening product. Matching these components to the proper sized screw or bolt was necessary to ensure they worked correctly.

The washer assembly started appearing during the Industrial Revolution when the speed of production became an important factor in determining the profitability of products on an assembly line. The washer assembly was a combined unit of a matching nut, bolt and washer that did away with the need to match the sizes of individual parts every time they were required. Having them pre-assembled cut down on mismatched parts and kept the assembly process running smoothly.

Age of Specialization

Bolts and screws were undergoing their own specialization during this period, and many engineers and designers started to adapt the washer to the individual application. Selecting the right washer assembly was considered crucial, and this specialization multiplied the number of washer assemblies available.

Washer assemblies featuring Phillips head, flat-head and socket head screws and bolts could be matched with specialized flat washers, lock washers, spring washers and sealing washers. A single washer assembly was often designed to meet a critical need in a single machine. They were then utilized in other machines with matching needs and parameters.

Industry Requirements

The different requirements of the industries dictated the different types of fasteners needed to meet the tolerances required in these new and innovative machines. Before a fastener could be decided on, the parameters of the application had to be finalized. The load distribution, vibration dampening, and sealing requirements of the application had to be known. The type of forces, pressure, and the total weight of the loads were also a factor.

There was also a need to determine the environmental conditions of temperature and humidity the washer assemblies, and the machine would have to withstand. Deciding how to select the proper washer assembly from the variety of bolts, nuts, washers, and the different materials they could be made from often came down to knowing all these variables of the application.

Main Types of Washers

Designers and engineers realized over time that many applications could be adequately filled with a smaller combination of different screws and bolts with different washers. They found that four types of washers could cover all but the most specialized use. This cut down on production costs as many designers saw the practicality and cost-effectiveness of designing their machines to match the fasteners already on the market instead of creating an entirely new and expensive fastener.

These four types of washers are still the most used washers today. They are:

• Flat Washers are general-purpose washers used to distribute loads and prevent damage to surfaces.
• Lock washers were created to prevent nuts and bolts from loosening due to movement or vibrations.
• Spring washers are used to provide a spring-like action to maintain tension or eliminate play in washer assemblies.
• Sealing washers were designed to prevent leakage around the shaft of the fastener. They were often recommended for plumbing or fluid-handling applications.

Industrial Washer Assembly Use

Over the years, some washer assemblies have become almost synonymous with the industry they are most often used in. Stainless steel hex bolts and spring washers became integral components of the automotive and marine industries. Socket screws and lock washer combinations could be found in hundreds of electrical and mechanical appliance applications.

The lock washer became highly valued by the automotive, aerospace, electrical, railroad, mining and heavy machinery industries. It was often chosen as the main component over the type of fastener for its holding power in applications that had to withstand vibration.

Buy Washer Assemblies Online in Thailand

Today, having a variety of washer assemblies is crucial for creating a new and innovative range of products in Thailand's automotive, electrical, marine, and agricultural machinery industries. Nejireo offers a range of these assemblies in a variety of materials you can order for immediate shipment to anywhere in the country with no minimum order. Always have the fasteners you need by ordering from Nejireo.