Chapter 1: Introduction to Basic Tools and Hardware
Lesson 4: Using Spacers and Washers
Using spacers and washers, we can achieve various mechanical objectives. Spacers and washers are very similar in shape, although their use varies. Spacers are used to create a space between two objects, often to properly position them. This means they are most likely used on driveshafts to properly allow space between your build, which is the metal end, and a wheel that would be on the opposite end. This can be done by simply putting any various length spacer that you may have on the driveshaft, which will allow that space. You have your nylon spacers, which vary greatly in size, as well as your metric plastic spacers, such as the 4.6 or eight millimeters spacer.
One of my favorite and less commonly known types are the new click-on spacers. These function very similarly to our previous spacers, although these can, as the name implies, click onto a driveshaft. These are very helpful if you have a driveshaft that is constrained on either end and you need to include spacers. You can just click them right on without having to disassemble your build.
Next, we have our washers. We have the steel washers, and both washers are usually thin discs with a hole used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener. To visualize this, let's look at a simple demonstration. We want to connect these two pieces of metal with a very big space in the center. What I can do is take a long screw. As the name implies, I am going to distribute the load of this threaded fastener into this metal piece. Then, with my washers that we have learned about previously, or my spacers, I can add them to create that space between these two beams. Now I know that my threaded fastener is applying this load evenly through that washer, and my spacers are making sure that I am able to tighten this assembly together without having to worry about deformation between the metal and the screw.
So these are just some simple examples that our spacers, as well as our steel washers, can use for us in building. Lastly, we have our Teflon washers. These are again very thin discs with a hole in the center, but these are used whenever you want to separate your build from a wheel. The Teflon material property has very low friction, so you can actually add a wheel, and it will be able to spin very freely with limited amounts of friction due to that material property.
These are the different types of spacers and washers you will see, as well as their very different functions that they can perform in our build, along with all of their fun sizes.
One of my favorite and less commonly known types are the new click-on spacers. These function very similarly to our previous spacers, although these can, as the name implies, click onto a driveshaft. These are very helpful if you have a driveshaft that is constrained on either end and you need to include spacers. You can just click them right on without having to disassemble your build.
Next, we have our washers. We have the steel washers, and both washers are usually thin discs with a hole used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener. To visualize this, let's look at a simple demonstration. We want to connect these two pieces of metal with a very big space in the center. What I can do is take a long screw. As the name implies, I am going to distribute the load of this threaded fastener into this metal piece. Then, with my washers that we have learned about previously, or my spacers, I can add them to create that space between these two beams. Now I know that my threaded fastener is applying this load evenly through that washer, and my spacers are making sure that I am able to tighten this assembly together without having to worry about deformation between the metal and the screw.
So these are just some simple examples that our spacers, as well as our steel washers, can use for us in building. Lastly, we have our Teflon washers. These are again very thin discs with a hole in the center, but these are used whenever you want to separate your build from a wheel. The Teflon material property has very low friction, so you can actually add a wheel, and it will be able to spin very freely with limited amounts of friction due to that material property.
These are the different types of spacers and washers you will see, as well as their very different functions that they can perform in our build, along with all of their fun sizes.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives Section
- Identify that Spacers are used to create space between components, often to position pieces of the build correctly.
- Differentiate between Nylon, Metric Plastic, and Click-on Spacers, and the ways they can be used in a build.
- Identify that Steel Washers are used to distribute the load of a threaded fastener.
- Identify that Teflon Washers have low-friction properties and can be used with wheels, as they allow a wheel to spin freely.
Summary
Summary Section
In this Lesson, you will learn about the difference between Spacers and washers. You will see how Spacers create space between build components, and how Steel Washers distribute the load of a fastener, so that you can learn how washers and Spacers can be used together in a build.
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