They hold together everything from the most delicate watch to the largest bridge. The world is literally kept from coming apart by screws and bolts, and yet we don’t often give a thought to these ...

The degree to which a ball screw performs well in the field is the direct result of the process used to make it. Grinding, rolling, and whirling are the most common ways to thread ball screws. Some ...

It’s easy to cut bolts and small machine screws to length. On the other hand, there isn’t any job so small or simple that it can’t be done wrong, and this is a classic example. Get it right, and you ...

Nuts, bolts, and machine screws are the most common fasteners used for thin joints, despite the ongoing development of other fastener types. One reason for their popularity is that they are come in a ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...