CHOOSING BETWEEN METRIC AND IMPERIAL FASTENERS: WHAT ARE THE THINGS TO CONSIDER
If you need to join or affix two or more objects together, then you may have to use a fastener. Fasteners are used to make joints that can be removed or dismantled without damaging the connecting components. To date, there are two options for fasteners according to their unit of measurement: metric and imperial fasteners.
The choice between metric and imperial fasteners only falls as a matter of preference. They still function and perform similarly. These two fasteners even look and feel the same. The only key difference, however, is their units of measurement. Metric fasteners are measured using the metric units, whereas the imperial fasteners use imperial units of measurement.
The Significance of the Right Measuring Unit
While the physical appearance and functionality of metric and imperial fasteners share the same characteristics, the measuring units of these two can create a huge impact during their application. Determining the right measuring unit for your fastener can help you save a significant amount of time and money. It even influences the way you operate a specific assembly, equipment, or device.
Choosing the right measuring unit for your fastener can significantly minimise or even remove any blunders during and after the assembly project. After all, your preferred measuring unit can guide you in all measurements that you will be doing right from the start of your project. You don’t have to pay for a fastener that doesn’t match the required dimensions of your assembly just because of inaccurate and inconsistent measurements.
Choosing between Metric and Imperial Fasteners
When you are choosing between metric and imperial fasteners, you must consider the location of your intended assembly. If your country follows the imperial measurement, then expect more accurate results when you also use an imperial fastener. After all, your country will just rely on measurements that are accustomed to them.
On the other hand, if you will be collaborating with international companies, then it is a must that you know about their measurement system. Collaborating with entities outside your country can go smoothly as long as you have done your research. A lot of countries are now using the metric system, so you might want to familiarise yourself with that type of fastener.
Using the imperial system for your assembly won’t affect it entirely, especially if you got the correct dimensions of your fastener. The only problem with this system is it varies in every country that uses it. The imperial system in the United States can be a little bit different from the imperial system in Australia and other countries. You might even get surprised when you found out that your fastener might appear slightly larger in New Zealand compared to other countries. The metric system does not share this kind of problem as every country that uses this system is enjoying universal measurements.
The subdividing units of measurements between the two fasteners are also way too different. The subdividing measurements in a metric fastener will only differ with each other by units of ten. For example, ten millimetre takes a centimetre. Imperial fasteners don’t follow this type of subdivision. Instead, people can get confused when ordering fasteners in half or others. In the imperial system, half of a 16/32 fastener would equate to 16/64, which can be puzzling for some people.
By knowing these things, it will be easier for you to choose which between them can give you more accurate, consistent, and sustainable results in the long run. If you want to know more about fasteners, just give us a call at eBolts Online Store.
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