In response to customer needs, micro fastening technology continues to advance.
When evaluating how best to attach components and assemblies in the world of compact consumer electronic devices—one of the fastest-growing categories of appliances—designers have had their work cut out for them. Restrictive design envelopes and limited footprints for attachment are among the typical issues for assembling end products ranging from wearables (smart watches, cameras, fitness bands, and headphones) to eReaders, tablets, and all innovations in between.
If disassembly for product upgrades or repairs would be anticipated down the road, threaded fasteners normally would have a leg up on competing technologies such as welds, rivets, and adhesives, which inherently make an attachment permanent. But traditional fasteners have been at odds with the goal of smaller, lighter, and thinner appliances by adding parts counts and weight. Even micro screws are an example: While still viable in many applications, their requirements for mating hardware and locking patches run counter to minimizing the amount of hardware and weight.