Electrical and Electronics Fasteners and Hardware

Electronics Electronic Fasteners and Hardware are small components for spacing or positioning electronic devices on printed circuit boards (PCB). They are used in applications where reliability standards are stringent, including medical, military, aerospace, telecommunications, and the automotive industry.

There are many different types of electronic fasteners and hardware. Examples include, embedded hardware, swage spacers, male/male standoffs, and captive panel screws.

Embedded hardware is machine-to-machine hardware that is already inside a system. Embedded hardware is integrated data modules inside a product casing. The choice of embedded hardware data module depends on the application, form factor, wired versus wireless, and communication protocol. For wireless, the two major protocols are global system for mobile communications (GSM) and code division multiple access (CDMA).
A swage spacer utilizes an operation whereby a reduced diameter of a fastener is deformed to secure it to a panel. A swage spacer generally includes plain and knurled shanks, and front, back, or front and back faced knurls. This type of fastener hardware can be made from aluminum, brass, copper, fiber, linen, nylon, paper, PVC, stainless steel, and Teflon
A male/male standoff is a tubular device, usually threaded, for spacing or stacking components and can be many shapes and sizes and made of many different materials. Insulating male/male standoffs can keep two parts from touching each other, thereby preventing an electronic short.
A captive screw is a threaded screw, which is held captive to a panel. When this electronic fastener is disengaged from its main nut, it remains fixed to the panel. They are available in standard form as well as other variations including slotted, hex heads, washers for oval head styles, and retainer spring and washer sets
Electronics standoffs and electronics ferrules - are small components for spacing or positioning electronic devices on printed circuit boards (PCB). They are used to maintain proper spacing when PCB screws are removed. Most electronics stand-offs and electronics ferrules have a drilled hole at the end-face where the stripped fiber is present. In fiber connectors, two ferrules are aligned and the fiber ends are joined.
- An electronics ferrule is a metal plug used to connect two separate fibers and enables the insertion and removal of wires from terminating devices.
- An electronics stand-off is a spacing device and cylindrically shaped and provides a reliable connection.

Electronics standoffs and electronics ferrules are available in a variety of styles and sizes. Examples include:

Cylindrical ferrule is made of ceramic and metal.
Biconical ferrule is often used as a jumper.
Aluminum ferrule provides a reliable connection between two fibers.
Wire ferrule is used to connect the wires that are inserted into terminal blocks. Wire ferrules also enable crimping on the wire ends. There are two basic types of wire ferrules: single-wire and double-wire.

Electronics standoffs and electronics ferrules often require the use a ferrule crimp tool to crimp the insulated or un-insulated wire ferrules. Most ferrule crimp tools have insulated handles and are manufactured from pressed steel. A built-in stop to prevent over-crimping may be provided. The ferrule crimp tool provides a controlled cycle ratcheting mechanism to enable uniform crimping each time.

Control knobs are used for the control or adjustment of electronic or electrical devices and are referred to as instrument knobs, electronic knobs, or electrical knobs. These knobs are used for fine adjustment of a variety of electronic devices including potentiometers, pushbutton switches, and rotary switches.

Control knobs are available in a variety of materials, colors, and finishes. Some electronic knobs may be customized with printed logos or raised type.

The most important specification to consider when searching for control knobs is the bore diameter. The bore diameter is the bore diameter or outside diameter of the insert, stud, or hole.

Mounting types available for control knobs include bushings, collets, molded threads, push-on or plain hole, stud, threaded hole or insert, and thru hole with counter bore.

A bushing is inserted in the bore to limit the size of the opening, resist abrasion, or serve as a guide.
A collet is a knob that is made up of an outer body and internal hardware; the hardware grips the shaft 360º to insure a secure fit. This type of knob must be installed with a nut driver and requires a separate cap on top.
A molded thread mounting knob has a thread molded into the bore opening.
A push-on or plain hole knob simply has a hole as the bore.
A projecting stud can be used for mounting and is usually threaded.
A threaded hole insert knob has a bore opening that is threaded, or a threaded insert inserted into a plain hole. In a thru hole with counter bore type mounting the mounting hole extends through the height of the knob or handle and is accompanied by a counter bore on top.

Materials of construction include metal, plastic, or rubber.

Common features for control knobs include:

choice of colors and/or finishes, MIL-SPEC, angle mounting, grips, illuminated, indicator or pointer, knurled, latching, locking, numerical scale, fold away handle, revolving handle, and skirted.

Electronics standoffs and electronics ferrules often require the use a ferrule crimp tool to crimp the insulated or uninsulated wire ferrules. Most ferrule crimp tools have an insulated handles and are manufactured from pressed steel. A built-in stop to prevent over-crimping may be provided. The ferrule crimp tool provides a controlled cycle ratcheting mechanism to enable uniform crimping each time. Providers of these accessories for electronics stand-offs and electronics ferrules are located across the United States and around the world.
Electronic fasteners and hardware are mainly used in electronics applications. Electronic fasteners and hardware are used in applications where reliability standards are stringent, including medical, military, aerospace, telecommunications, and the automotive industry.