Different Types of Screw Points | What Is a Screw Point

2023.7.24

A screw consists of several distinct parts, one of which may make the screw differ from others. This article will focus on the screw point and break down various types of screw points.

What Is a Screw Point?

A screw point refers to the tapered or pointed end of a screw that is designed to penetrate and engage with the material being fastened. The shape and design of the screw point determine its functionality and suitability for different applications. A screw point can be sharp, drill-like, threaded, or specialized for specific materials. The screw point is typically the first part of the screw to come into contact with the material being fastened. Its purpose is to create or cut threads, create a pilot hole, or simply penetrate the material, providing stability and secure attachment. The type of screw point used depends on the desired application, the material being fastened, and the specific characteristics required for successful installation.

 
What Are the Parts of a Screw?
1. Head: The head is the uppermost part of the screw and is typically larger in size for easy handling and turning. It provides a surface for applying torque with a screwdriver, wrench, or other tools.
2. Drive: The drive is the indentation or shape on the head where a tool, such as a screwdriver or hex key, is inserted to turn the screw.
3. Shank: The shank is the long, cylindrical body of the screw that runs from the underside of the head to the tip. It contains the threads that allow the screw to be inserted or removed from a material.
4. Threads: The threads are the ridges that spiral along the shank of the screw from the tip to the head. They provide the gripping action when the screw is rotated, allowing it to be driven into or out of the material.
5. Major Diameter: The major diameter refers to the outermost diameter of the screw’s threads.
6. Minor Diameter: The minor diameter refers to the innermost diameter of the screw’s threads.
7. Length: The length of a screw is measured from the underside of the head to the tip and determines how far the screw can penetrate into the material.
8. Point: The point is the very tip of the screw, and its design can vary depending on the intended application. Types of points include sharp points, drill-like points, thread-cutting points, or specialized points for specific materials.
9. Grooves/Slots: Some screws have grooves or slots on the head or shank. These grooves can accommodate specific tools or provide features for specialized applications, such as anti-tamper or torque-limiting functionality.

Types of Screw Points

1. Tapping Screws:

   – Type A: Features a thread-cutting point for use in metals. Used in metal applications where threads need to be cut into the material.

   – Type AB: Combines elements of Type A and Type B, suitable for metal and non-metal applications. 

   – Type B: Designed for use in thinner metal materials, such as sheet metal.

2. Thread Cutting Screws:

   – Type 1: Has a single flute and a sharp point for cutting threads in metal. Ideal for cutting threads in metal, often used in applications where a secure metal-to-metal connection is required.

   – Type 17: Features a coarse tapping screw thread and a blunt point. Typically used in wood applications, such as furniture assembly, framing, and carpentry projects.

   – Type 23: Similar to Type 17 but with finer threads for hardwood or denser materials. 

   – Type 25: Designed for use in plastic materials. It has coarse threads and a sharp point.

   – Type F: Combines the features of Type 1 and Type 23, suitable for a wide range of applications in metal, wood, and plastic.

3. Thread-Forming Screws:

   – Type C: Known as cold-forming screws, they create threads in ductile materials. Commonly used in plastic applications, as well as in light metals, where they create their own threads without the need for tapping.

   – Type CA: Similar to Type C but with additional clearance in the hole, reducing stress on the material during installation.

   – Tri-Round: Triangular-shaped threads for use in plastic materials, providing high resistance to pull-out.

   – Lo-Driv: Designed for use in soft or brittle materials like thermoplastics, allowing for low installation torque.

4. Self-Drilling and Self-Piercing Screws:

– Self-Piercing Point: This screw point has a sharp tip with a flute designed specifically to create its own hole in thin metal. It eliminates the need for pre-drilling a hole before fastening.

– Self-Drilling Point: Also known as a Tek point or drill point, it features a drill-like tip with cutting edges and flutes. This point can drill its own hole and create threads as it is driven into different materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood.

5. Machine Screws:

– Flat Point: This point has a flat end, without any threads, commonly used in conjunction with a nut to secure two or more components together.

– Cone Point: It has a sharp cone-shaped tip that is used to create a mating point inside a hole, providing excellent alignment and holding power in applications where precise positioning is crucial.

FacebookLinkedInPin

Related Articles：

Default ThumbnailDifferent Types of Screws and Their Uses – Understanding Wood Screws, Machine Screws and More | CNCLATHING Default ThumbnailGuide to Self Tapping Screw – Self Tapping Screws vs Self Drilling Screws Default ThumbnailWhat Are The Hidden Values of 3D Printing Industry To Be Developed? Default ThumbnailWhat is the Best Cutting Distance for the Waterjet Head? Default ThumbnailWaterjet Cutting Materials: What Materials Can Be Cut With A Waterjet? Default ThumbnailWhat Is Waterjet Cutting – Applications, Uses, Types, How Does Waterjet Cutting Work