Tuesday, November 12, 2013

When You Would Use Copper Screws

By Bonnie Contreras


Not a lot of people know this, but copper screws are the simplest form of linear actuator, a motor, in fact. Traditional electric or gasoline motors generate rotary motion, linear actuators take that circular motion and turn it into linear, or straight motion. When you turn the head of a screw clockwise or counterclockwise, it drives the shaft of the screw forward along its linear axis.

The shaft, or pointy end of a screw, has a helical thread, while the head is either flat or slightly rounded. In some cases, the external threads of a screw are made to fit into an internally threaded nut. The basic function of a screw once it has performed its motoring function is to hold things together.

An interesting use for a copper screw is in a tattoo machine. They are easily fashioned in the workshop because the metal is so soft. All it takes is a die with the right kind of thread, a vise, a set of pliers, sandpaper and some gun bluing agent. The bluing agent acts to protect iron metal from rust or tarnish and provides a minor degree of protection against corrosion. For copper, it makes it a cool shade of blue for ornamental purposes.

The atomic number of copper metal (Cu) is 29. This metal conducts electricity and head very well. This is how come it is used in copper kitchen pots and pans and in electric wiring. Because it is so ductile and malleable, it is very easy to work with. That is why you can make your own tattoo machine screws on your own.

During the Roman era, Cu was mined in Cyprus. This is where it got its original name of cyprium, eventually shortened to cuprum, which is how it ended up with the chemical symbol Cu. It is a trace element in the human body, where it forms part of cytochrome, an important enzyme. Also, whereas humans use the red, iron-containing hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body and return carbon dioxide out to the lungs, crustaceans and molluscs use a the cupric compound, hemocyanin, which has a blue color.

Cuprum is mainly found in human muscle, liver and bone. Cupric compounds are bacteriocidal, i. E., they kill germs. This is why it is used in wood preservatives and in fungicides. It is also sometimes used as a liner for laboratory incubators used for tissue and cell culture.

What else can be done with a copper screw except as a bacteriocide or in a tattoo machine. They are useful for screwing into wood, particularly if it is exposed to corroding elements. This is because the pretty, reddish metal is less prone to rusting than steel or iron. As a substitute for cuprum, zinc, nickel, cadmium or brass may be used.

Well, there you have it. Copper screws, tiny linear actuators that look red and pretty and kill germs. Because they are soft, you have to place them carefully. It is probably not a very good idea to use them to hold together metal panels used in passenger aircraft.




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