Compact internal space of miniature precision electronic products requires precision micro screws for component fastening. Many designers confuse machine screws and self-tapping screws in the design phase. Wrong substrate matching leads to mass defects such as screw fracture during assembly, thread slipping and housing cracking. The two thread structures differ greatly in force bearing mode, pre-drilled hole requirement and allowable disassembly cycles. Selection must combine housing material, service life and maintenance demand.
| Comparison Item | Micro Machine Screw | Micro Self-tapping Screw |
| Fastening Principle | Engage with pre-tapped nuts or internal threaded holes | Cut or extrude thread directly on substrate during screwing |
| Suitable Substrate | Metal nuts, embedded brass nuts, hard housings with internal thread | Various plastic housings, thin aluminum alloy sheets |
| Allowable Reassembly Cycles | Many times, multiple maintenance disassembly under controlled torque | Few cycles, repeated disassembly easily damages substrate thread hole |
| Assembly Debris Generation | Nearly zero debris | Cutting type tapping generates plastic or metal powder |
| Typical Application | Optical lens modules, sensor assemblies, equipment requiring frequent maintenance | Consumer digital housings, small disposable assembled electronic products |
1. ABS & TPU soft plastic housing: Extrusion self-tapping screws preferred, low assembly torque to avoid housing cracking; 2. PC+GF hard plastic housing: Adopt cutting-type self-tapping screws to prevent housing crack caused by extrusion stress on hard substrate; 3. Structure with embedded brass nuts: Micro machine screws are unified to support repeated maintenance disassembly; 4. Ultra-thin aluminum & stainless precision sheet metal: Combine small-size machine screws with clinch nuts to improve connection reliability.
1. Torque matching: Micro screws have narrow torque range. Pneumatic torque screwdrivers must be equipped with buffer clutch to prevent instantaneous peak torque breaking screws; 2. Pre-drilled hole control: Hole size directly determines clamping force of self-tapping screws. Conduct multi-group hole comparison test during sampling to confirm optimal dimension; 3. Full visual inspection suggestion: 100% CCD inspection recommended for micro screws used in high-end precision equipment to filter defective parts with deformed head, thread burr and root crack; 4. Anti-rust storage: Pack stainless micro screws with sealed vapor-phase anti-rust packaging to avoid surface flash rust in humid environment.