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In international trade for machining and metal parts, the most familiar question used to be:“Where is this product made?” But in recent years, more and more customers and customs/brokers have started asking a deeper sourcing question: “Where was the raw material melted?” In other words, the focus is shifting from Made in to Melted in.This change reflects a broader trend: attention is moving from “where the product was processed or assembled” to “where the raw material origina

In machining and industrial hardware supply, after customers finish confirming RoHS, REACH, and PFAS Free, the next question that often comes up is: “Do you have an EN 10204 3.1 material certificate?” For many suppliers, this document looks like just an English report—but in reality, it often becomes a key factor in whether the customer will move forward with cooperation. --- 1. What Is EN 10204—What Does It Actually Control? EN 10204 is a document standard established by the

Many machining suppliers have experienced this: A customer emails for a quote, and the first question isn’t price or lead time. Instead, they ask:“Is it RoHS compliant? Do you have REACH? Is it PFAS Free?” A common reaction is confusion—or even a bit of panic:“We only do machining. Why are they asking us this?”“Isn’t this only for electronics?”“Do we have to send everything to a third-party lab?” In reality, customers aren’t trying to make things difficult. They’re doing some

Helical Insert When repairing machines, installing equipment, or servicing parts, many people have run into this problem:No matter how you tighten the screw, it won’t hold—the threaded hole is stripped. If you simply switch to a larger screw, it often affects the structure.If you re-tap the hole, it may not hold and can fail again quickly. That’s when a Helical Insert becomes a practical and widely used solution. --- 1. What Is a Helical Insert? In Simple Terms: It Rebuilds a

When designing equipment, repairing machines, or preparing to purchase fasteners and hardware parts, many people don’t start by asking for a quote—they start by searching on international hardware platforms. These platforms are widely used not because you must buy from them, but because they offer clear specifications, well-structured categories, and reliable engineering information. In real purchasing scenarios, however, a common issue appears: You can confirm the specs clea

Hollow Dowel In mechanical structures, automation equipment, and all kinds of assemblies, there’s a simple-looking but crucial part that’s often overlooked: the hollow dowel. It’s not as eye-catching as a screw, and you probably don’t hear it mentioned as often as nuts or bolts. But when it comes to locating, supporting, and keeping structures stable, hollow dowels often play an irreplaceable role. --- 1. What Is a Hollow Dowel, and Why Do We Need It in a Structure? A hollow

The Essential Beginner’s Guide to Global Fastener Standards The reason hardware parts can be used, replaced, and serviced across machines worldwide comes down to one thing: standards. There are many standards in the world, but in fasteners and mechanical parts, you’ll most often run into these four: ISO, JIS, DIN, and ASME. This article will walk you through the origin, differences, and use cases of these four major standards in a clear and practical way, so that choosing, pu

When searching for screws, nuts, washers, retaining rings, or dowel pins, you may encounter a long list of standards: DIN, ISO, JIS, ANSI, ASTM, CNS, GB, BS, AS…Why are there so many? What’s the difference? How do you choose the correct one? This article breaks down the origins, differences, and real-world uses of global fastener standards in a clear and easy-to-understand way. --- 1. Why Do We Need Fastener Standards? Fasteners are mating parts —screws match nuts, washers ma

Screw You use screws every single day — you just don’t notice them. They’re inside your phone, furniture, motorcycles, cars, computers, door locks, home appliances, factory machines, medical instruments…Small as they are, without screws, the world simply cannot be assembled, cannot operate, and cannot be repaired. This article will help you understand screws quickly — their functions, materials, and where they are used. --- 1. What is a screw and why is it important? A screw

In hardware parts, machining, and equipment maintenance, it’s common to encounter a confusing situation: you only want to find a screw or a pin, yet the specifications appear in two completely different formats — one written as M4, M6, M8 (metric), and another as 1/4"-20 or #8-32 (imperial). Many people wonder:“Why aren’t these specifications unified?”“Since they look similar, can they substitute for each other?” The answer is: No.Metric and imperial systems differ in units,

In metal, plastic, or aluminum parts, threaded holes can wear out and strip over time. That’s when a helical insert becomes the hero. A helical insert is a thread-reinforcement liner used to repair stripped threads or strengthen threads in softer base materials. Put simply, it’s like cutting a fresh, durable thread inside the hole, so screws hold tighter and last longer. --- 1) Functions & Benefits of Helical Inserts In assembly and maintenance, a stripped thread is one of th

On engineering drawings, we often see numbers like “±0.1” or “±0.05” written beside dimensions.These represent tolerance — the allowable deviation in size.But when a drawing contains hundreds or even thousands of dimensions, specifying every single tolerance individually becomes time-consuming and prone to error or omission. To help designers, manufacturers, and inspectors interpret allowable deviations consistently, the ISO 2768 international tolerance standard was created.

1. What’s the Difference Between a Dowel Pin and an Internally Threaded Dowel Pin? Internally Threaded Dowel Pin A common question first: what makes an Internally Threaded Dowel Pin different from a regular dowel pin? A standard dowel pin is mainly used for positioning and alignment, commonly found in molds, mechanical components, and assembly jigs.The internally threaded dowel pin, however, adds one key feature — a threaded hole inside the center. This thread isn’t for decor

1. Why Do Plastic Parts Often Contain Metal Nuts? Brass Insert Nut Ever had this happen?You’ve tightened a screw into a plastic housing many times — eventually, the screw hole gets loose, won’t grip, and can’t hold anymore. That’s exactly when the Brass Insert Nut comes to the rescue. The concept is simple:Embed a brass nut inside the plastic hole so the plastic part can have a metal-strength threaded anchor. These nuts are installed using heat, ultrasonic vibration, or press

1. What Is a Retaining Ring? A retaining ring (circlip) is a small fastening component used to prevent parts from sliding axially along a shaft.It ’s commonly seen in motors, gears, and bearings — essential for keeping machines running smoothly. However, depending on the region or industry, retaining rings follow different design and dimension standards.Globally, the three most recognized systems are JIS (Japan), DIN (Germany), and ANSI (United States). Let’s explore the key

Although it may look insignificant, the flat key plays a crucial role in preventing slippage and ensuring stable torque transmission...

Self-Locking Retaining Ring When people hear Self-Locking Nut (SPN / Press-Fit Nut, Self-Locking Retaining Ring), they often assume it...

In machines and structures, washers are the most common yet most overlooked small parts. Placed between the screw/nut and the mating...

Clevis Pin In various machines and structures, the Clevis Pin is a simple yet versatile fastener. It typically consists of a pin with a...

When installing C-type retaining rings (circlips / retaining rings), relying on bare hands or non-specialized tools can lead to slipping,...