Custom Bolts

Few industrial hardware components are as versatile and essential as bolts. These seemingly simple devices are critical in holding together structures, machinery, and equipment across various industries. While standard bolts serve many purposes, there are instances where off-the-shelf solutions fall short of meeting specific requirements. This is where custom bolts come into play, offering tailored solutions to unique challenges.

Designing and manufacturing custom bolts is a meticulous process that demands precision and expertise. At Chicago Nut & Bolt, we leverage advanced technologies and decades of experience to craft bespoke solutions for our clients. Every step — from initial concept to final production — is carefully executed to ensure the highest quality standards.

Manufacturing Custom Bolts

Chicago Nut & Bolt works closely with clients to gather detailed specifications and assess factors that will ensure these products meet all customer specifications. The manufacturing process begins after the design and material selection are finalized. We leverage state-of-the-art machining and fabrication techniques to transform raw materials into high-quality custom bolts.

Here are some of the methods we specialize in:

Machining

Custom bolts are often produced through machining processes such as turning, milling, and threading. Computer-controlled machine tools shape the raw material into the desired dimensions, ensuring tight tolerances and smooth surface finishes.

Cold Heading

Cold heading is often employed for high-volume production of standard and semi-standard bolts. This process involves forming the bolt’s head and shank from a continuous wire stock through a series of dies, resulting in a uniform product.

Heat Treatment

Depending on the material and application, bespoke bolts may undergo heat treatment to enhance their mechanical properties. Techniques such as quenching and tempering are employed to achieve specific hardness levels and improve resistance to wear and fatigue.

Tailored Solutions for Diverse Industries

Custom bolts are essential in various applications where standard off-the-shelf bolts may not meet specific requirements. Some applications include:

• Mining Equipment: heavy-duty equipment used for mining
• Railroad and Locomotive: railcar body, vehicle bogie, railcar vehicle interior, supply unit, internal engine components
• Agricultural Equipment: heavy-duty equipment used for farming
• Engine Manufacturing: internal engine components, high-temperature, high-stress applications
• Construction: connecting structural elements such as steel beams, columns, and trusses
• Oil and Gas: drilling equipment, pipelines, and offshore platforms
• Marine: ship components, offshore structures, and underwater equipment
• Military and Defense: Military vehicles, weapons systems, and defense installations

Bolt Customization Options

When it comes to customizing bolts, several options are available to meet specific requirements and applications. Some common bolt customization options include:

Material Selection

Bolts can be manufactured from various materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium, and exotic alloys. The choice of material depends on factors such as strength, corrosion resistance, weight, and environmental conditions. This is critical in ensuring the performance and longevity of custom bolts.

Thread Size, Pitch, and Locking

Bespoke bolts can have specific thread sizes, thread classes, custom thread lengths, and pitches to match mating components or meet threading standards or custom thread profiles. In addition, they can feature thread-locking mechanisms like nylon patches, thread-locking adhesives, or mechanical locking devices to prevent loosening due to vibration or thermal cycling.

Length and Diameter

Bolts can have customized lengths and diameters to fit specific applications and requirements. This ensures proper engagement and clamping force without excess protrusion or interference.

Head Style

A bolt can have various head styles, including hexagonal, socket head cap screws, flat and button heads, countersunk, square head, and others. The choice of head style depends on accessibility, aesthetics, and torque requirements.

Drive Type

Bolts can feature different drive types for tightening, such as hex sockets, Phillips, slotted, Torx, square, and security drives. The selection depends on the desired torque transfer, tamper resistance, and tool availability.

Elevate Your Bolt Solutions With Chicago Nut & Bolt’s Custom Offerings

Chicago Nut & Bolt has over three decades of expertise, specializing in producing bolts in both conventional and nonstandard sizes! We use various materials, including standard options like stainless steel and aluminum, as well as high-strength materials such as Inconel, Hastelloy, and Titanium. In addition, we have a variety of protective and anti-corrosion coatings and treatments available, providing reliable solutions tailored to your exact specifications.

Contact us or email us at inquiries@cnb-inc.com to learn more about our custom bolt manufacturing services!