Protection against any form of harm is a basic right of every individual. This is
precisely why every household uses its own set of safety and security measures
in a variety of situations, items, and practices. Similarly, a growing number of
organizations are consistently focusing on manufacturing goods and systems with
detailed and carefully developed safety features. This effort by responsible
organizations essentially enhances their product quality which reflects well on
their reputation among the target audience. As a matter of fact, organizations that manufacture safe and secure goods contribute to community protection as well as industrial growth.

Basically, ensuring high safety levels enables manufacturing companies to produce products and systems that are safe for use. However, the significance of methods
that induce product safety is even more necessary for product categories that
have safety risks associated with them. In order to deliver the end users with
products and systems that are designed to overcome the challenges from usage or
external destruction, companies use a variety of materials and fixtures in their
final product. In this regard, security / tamper resistant fasteners  (eg screws
and nuts) are an outstanding example.

Brief Overview

As the name suggests, security/tamper resistant fasteners are screws and nuts that tamper proof products, devices and systems, making them resistant to theft,
accidental damage or vandalism. The primary and distinguished design feature of
security fasteners is their specialized drive systems that prohibit their removal using conventional tools.  In fact, security fasteners can only be installed and removed with specifically designed and designated tools. In some cases both security/tamper resistant screws and nuts are designed to be attached and not removed at all (one
way drives).

From electrical appliances to security systems, from locks and vaults to toys and
child safety restraint systems; tamper resistant screws and nuts are used in a wide
array of devices. With their ability to tamper proof the products, security screws
and nuts greatly reduce possible hazards for the users as well as unauthorized
invasion by outsiders or vandals. To put it another way, tamper resistant
fasteners offer the key benefits of low risks of injury, theft, and equipment
damage.

Product Innovation

Similar to the advancement in many industries and individual companies, leading
and enterprising firms that produce tamper resistant fasteners continuously
improve their product offerings by subtle and/or dramatic changes to the drive
systems that improve tool engagement while sufficiently changing the geometry of
the drive so that new and unique tools are required for their insertion and/or
removal.

Types & Examples

Considering the countless designs and types of security fasteners available, it is not possible to highlight a single one as an ideal choice. To derive this conclusion, it is
important for the users to review their own product needs against the types and
features of different tamper resistant screws available. Nonetheless, it is equally
important to have basic knowledge of the types of security screws and nuts that
are available.  Below are a list of some of the more common systems available:

 

Hex Socket Head Recess With Pin

This is similar to a regular hex socket recess design. However, right in the center
of the recess is an additional pin or tip which differentiates it from a basic design
and also makes it necessary for its removing tool to have a designated slot for pin
insertion. Thus removal of a hex socket head with pin security screw requires a
modified hex (allen) key or bit which accepts the center pin in the tamper resistant
hex socket drive.

Buy Hex Socket with Pin In Security Screws Here

Torx(r) Recess with Pin

The basic pattern of a regular torx with its six lobe geometry, resembling a star, is
found on its tamper proof version as well. What makes it different and tamper
resistant in nature is the small pin in the center of the recess. Despite its different
types of applications, torx security fasteners are most commonly used in the
electronic industry.

Buy Torx(r) with Pin In Security Screws Here

Snake Eyes Spanner Drive

As the name indicates, this type of security fasteners has two holes on opposite ends around a screw head. Basically, it has two notches opposite each other, close to the
inner circumference of the head. It is practically impossible to use any basic screw
driver or similar tool to remove snake eyes tamper resistant screws.

Buy Spanner Drive Security Screws Here

One-Way Slot Drive

A tamper resistant drive designed in such a way that the screw can only be turned in
one direction – tightened.  They can be installed with a standard slot screwdriver.
One-way screws are typically used where the screw is unlikely to be removed. They
are difficult to remove with standard tools because the slot is designed to cause cam
out when any amount of torque is applied in the direction to loosen the screw.

Buy One-Way Slotted Drive Security Screws Here

 

Aluminum Breakaway Nut / Non-Removable Security – Tamper Resistant Nut

Hex nut breaks away from cone portion when nut is tightened leaving only the
tamper-resistant conical portion. No special tool is required – requires standard
wrench for installation.

• Permanent Conical shaped nut
• Breakaway hex head
• Accurately controls torque
• Vibration resistant

Buy Here

Bolting Systems & Tools

The method to install, tighten and remove security fasteners is a lot different than
that of ordinary screws. The use of specific tools and screw drivers for working with security fasteners results in a unique bolting system that is impossible to tamper
with inadequate mechanism. In short, fastening and removal of tamper resistant
screws requires a highly secure system with fairly uncommon devices and instruments.These tools are designed to have a steady grip on the drive systems of
tamper resistant screws, depending on their screw head type and design. These instruments have a shape that match specific type and dimensions of security
fasteners and have defined slots to fit around distinguishing driver bits. Needless to
say, the use of such specialized tools to fasten and tighten tamper resistant screws
forms the essence of these fixtures. Any fastener or screw that can tamper proof a
product or appliance must come with its own, exclusive bolting system.Various ApplicationsThe use of tamper proof screws has a wide scope of applications. As such tamper resistant screws are available types in a variety of materials and head styles
are available with tamper resistant / security drives offering secure fastening for a
variety of purposes and requirements. This means that there are plenty of devices
and systems that have been designed with these fixtures to make the end product extremely safe for a variety of purposes. Sometimes the safety requirements come
from the needs of the customers or users of the product. In other cases, customers
wish to keep the people around them safe and prevented from any possible injury
from certain products them safe from any risks of injury. It could be their family
members or possibly any individual who may have easy access to the certain device.
In completely different scenarios, there are certain products in every household that
can either become subject to theft themselves or lead to compromised security which
may result in theft of other valuable belongings. When any of these items are
designed to be tamper proof through the use of security fasteners, people reap the
benefits of high security against any act of vandalism or robbery.Basically, the
purpose fulfilled by the use of security fasteners in different products and systems
makes these fixtures the center of attention for the manufacturing companies. On the other hand, there is another form of application for these fasteners which is rather infrequent. It is the use non-commercial or domestic use of tamper resistant screws
for DIY projects. Likewise, domestic projects that are being personally monitored by
the owners can also involve special request to use tamper resistant screws for
additional security.

Electrical Appliances This is a common product category for which tamper
resistance is an essential feature. Although basic precautionary measures are related
to the usage of several gadgets, there is always the risk of injury associated with
deliberate or unintended interference with their internal mechanism. As one would
expect, if any individual is able to open up an electrical appliance there is a high
potential of hazard, accident, or injury.

Security Systems & Related Components
Whether people install security systems or it is the basic form of residential safety
through secure entry points, the use of tamper resistant fasteners is a crucial step.
For example, these screws in safes used by home users greatly reduce the possibility
of theft. They also prevent misuse of weapons by adding further security to gun safes. Other applications are related to using security fasteners in doors, windows, hinges, cupboards, locks, etc.All in all, security fasteners are categorically a fundamental component in the safety strategy used in the design of any product. Not only do they
result in high safety of the end users of such products and systems, but also add to
the reliability and positive image of their manufacturers and vendors alike.