Choosing the Right Custom Bolts
Custom bolts are fasteners that, unlike standard bolts, can be tailored by shape, size, finish, and material to meet specific project specifications. These specialized bolts often replace off-the-shelf solutions that do not fit the desired compatibility and performance requirements.
When deciding to utilize custom bolts, find a supplier that is not only trustworthy but also carries quality products that align with your precise requirements. Here is a look at some of the factors to consider when choosing the best supplier. In addition, we will explore the capabilities of custom bolts from Chicago Nut & Bolt, including the benefits, applications, and customization options.
Benefits of Custom-Made Bolts
Custom-made bolts are used in a diverse range of applications across many industries due to the following benefits.
Tailored Mechanical Properties
Custom-made bolts are designed to match the specific mechanical properties of an application. While aerospace bolts can be made from stainless steel, the preferred material choice is titanium, which has a low density and high tensile strength of approximately 900 to 1,140 MPa. Customizing bolts ensures the best reliability and performance under the unique stresses of their application.
Enhanced Durability
Made with the appropriate materials and coatings, custom bolts exhibit 10 times more longevity than standard bolts, particularly in extreme environments. For instance, bolts utilized for marine applications typically consist of duplex stainless steel, which provides enhanced durability and resistance to chloride corrosion and pitting. These bolts can withstand exposure to corrosive seawater environments for many years without experiencing substantial decomposition.
Precision Fit and Assembly
Unlike off-the-shelf standard bolt sizes, custom bolts offer a precision fit and can meet the exact specifications of the assembly or equipment where they’re installed. These bolts allow for precise sliding and linear motion while keeping a reliable grip on various loads. Reliable custom bolts are particularly important for laterally moving synchromesh surfaces in automotive applications where the load can be oriented to a surface in the opposite direction.
This precision eliminates the following issues:
In the automotive industry, custom bolts ensure that performance-critical powertrain fasteners never fail, even amid high speed or stress.
Lower Costs Over the Long Run
Despite having a higher initial cost than standard bolts, custom bolts are a cost-efficient alternative in the long run, offering the following benefits:
Depending on where the bolt is used, bolt failure could lead to the breakdown of an entire system and hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs. Using custom bolts from the start can prevent these breakdowns and costly repairs.
Industrial Applications
Custom bolts are frequently used in the following industrial applications.
Automotive Industry
Custom bolts are essential for the automotive sector, used to assemble engines, chassis, and other vehicle components. Most manufacturers require custom bolts that can withstand thermal cycles and intense vibrations without breaking.
For example, high-temperature proprietary bolts used in engine assemblies can handle extreme temperatures (up to 300 ºC). These bolts are typically passivated with corrosion-resistant coatings to withstand the chemical exposure common in automotive settings.
Aerospace Industry
Lightweight bolts made from Inconel or titanium that can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of flight are essential for the aerospace sector. For critical flight components such as airframes and jet engines, custom bolts are engineered to withstand heavy stress loads (over 1,000 MPa) so that they are safe and robust enough for the intended use.
Architecture and Construction Infrastructure
Standard bolts cannot provide the necessary durability and strength for architecture and construction infrastructure. Custom bolts are mandatory for building skyscrapers, bridges, and other complex structures.
In bridge construction, high-strength, large tension control bolts up to 4 inches in diameter are needed. Custom bolts must also resist tensile loads of several tons to guarantee structural stability under fluctuating environmental conditions.
Consumer Electronics
Custom bolts used in the electronics industry for laptops, smartphones, and other consumer devices are extremely small and exacting. As electrical connections, bolts typically are made from inert metals that can resist thermal expansion and do not outgas. For example, custom bolts used to secure a heat sink to a microprocessor must have the ability to conduct heat while remaining in the desired torque range through repeated heating cycles.
Chicago Nut & Bolt's Capabilities
Manufacturing custom bolts is an exacting process that requires expertise and precision. At Chicago Nut & Bolt, our decades of experience and advanced technologies deliver innovative fastener solutions for even the most complex applications. From the initial design concept to final delivery, we carefully execute every step of the production process to ensure the utmost quality and reliability.
The team at Chicago Nut & Bolt collaborates with our clients to collect detailed application requirements and assesses factors that guarantee the product meets all desired specifications. Manufacturing starts once the material selection and design are finalized. Our team uses state-of-the-art fabrication methods to turn raw materials into quality custom bolts.
Custom Bolts From Chicago Nut & Bolt
At Chicago Nut & Bolt, we are a single source for all your custom fastener needs. With more than three decades of experience, we are an industry-leading supplier of high-quality custom fasteners with quick turnaround times and exceptional service.
We specialize in producing bolts in both nonstandard and conventional sizes, and we work with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, Hastelloy, Inconel, and other materials to meet the demands of your specific application. We also apply various anti-corrosion and protective coatings as needed.
Contact us or request a quote to learn how custom bolts can enhance the efficiency and performance of your next project.