New & Updated Standards Lead to IFI Publishing of Latest Inch Fastener Standards

In 1,146 pages of the 8th edition of Inch Fastener Standards, what might readers be most interested in? Joe Greenslade, director of engineering technology for the Industrial Fasteners Institute, cites the new standards of MIL-DTL-1222J for a commonly used bolt for military applications; ASTM C954, C1002 and C1513, covering screws used in drywall applications and IFI-301, the industry's first standard for calibration of thread gages.

More than half of the 2011 content in the US$345 8th edition has been updated. "During 2009 and 2010 many of the most important standards were updated for the first time in many years," Greenslade explained the timing of the new IFI Standards text.

The 8th edition includes more than standards changes. "In past editions the dimensional standards were grouped in one part of the book and all of the materials and performance standards were grouped in another part of the book," Greenslade told GlobalFastenerNews.com. In the 8th edition standards are grouped by product.  In each product section – bolts, nuts, screws, etc. – the dimensional standards are in the front of the section and related materials in the back of the section.The layout of the thread section now has separate tables for internal and external threads. Greenslade said that reduces the chance of a user pulling the wrong information from the tables.

Sections are: Thread; Bolts, Studs & Threaded Rod; Sockets, Structural Fasteners; Nuts; Screws; Washers; Rivets; Pins; Finishes; Quality; and Reference.
 
The IFI has published Inch Fastener Standards since 1941 when it started with a couple hundred pages. In addition to the 8th edition the IFI offers fastener technology information in a separate book entitled, IFI Fastener Technology Handbook. Also new for the 2011 edition is a digital version.  The fastener industry can "Using the book on one's computer instead of handling the hard cover book is a major shift in thinking," Greenslade said. That is why the IFI isn't anticipating fast adoption of the online version.

Nonetheless Greenslade likes how the digital works. "The use of the 'Find' function makes locating the desired information fast and easy," he pointed out.
Ordering information is available online: indfast.org