American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment and skills development across all engineering disciplines that are focused on helping the global engineering community develop solutions to benefit lives and livelihoods. ASME was founded in 1880 by a small group of leading industrialists and has grown through the decades to include more than 78,000+ members in over 145 countries worldwide.
ASME is also the leading international developer of standards associated with mechanical engineering, currently responsible for the development and maintenance of nearly 600 standards in a wide range of disciplines that are accepted for use in more than 100 countries around the world.
The ASME B18 Committee for the standardization of bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, and similar fasteners was organized in March 1922. In 1969, the Standards Committee was reassigned to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Today, the B18 Standards Committee has 16 Sub-Committees, which also includes the B18 US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to ISO TC 02 and maintains 53 Fastener Standards.
Fastener Standards are considered a “common language” that benefits manufacturers, designers, and consumers. Having standards helps minimize situations where we would be re-inventing the wheel. All standards promote four key principles, Uniformity, Efficiency, Business Interaction and most importantly, Safety.
Uniformity
Standards help to establish consistency among products that you use every day. For example, an engineer does not have to worry about who manufactured a bolt to know that it will fit with its corresponding size nut or washer. Thanks to product standards and standardized gauges that are used for inspection. These standards also set tolerances, which assist in the consistent manufacturing of, and acceptance or rejection of products, by having a range of acceptable values that keep each product within an agreed upon range.
Efficiency
Using standards helps to reduce production time by using existing and proven technology. Standards do this by providing a common language for all stakeholders. Owners, designers, manufacturers, inspectors, and others can ensure consistency and uniformity in product performance.
Business Interaction
Manufacturing to a certain standard implies a higher level of quality for the customer. By being consistent and effective in the design, a manufacturer can confidently reproduce existing designs in large quantities. There are various standards development organizations (SDOs) that develop industry fastener standards for the worldwide market. Some of these organizations include but aren’t limited to: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), International Standards Organization (ISO), American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). There are also a few standards that are still referenced in day-to-day operations, but are no long supported or active. One is the Duetsches Institut fur Normung (DIN). This standard is continuing to be out by the current ISO standards.
Safety
The standardization of fasteners promotes safety in all applications, and the first three principles support the industry in ensuring safety as well. This eliminates costly and damaging failures in the industry.
The ASME Vision
According to the ASME web site,“ASME strategy is designed to meet our commitment to serving societal needs: ASME positively impacts safety, public welfare, and overall quality of life globally. We strive to deliver innovative products and services to our members, the engineering community, and society.”
The ASME Mission
ASME’s mission is to develop the best, most applicable codes, standards, conformity assessment programs and related products and services in the world for the benefit of humanity. Also, to involve the best and brightest people from all around the world to develop, maintain and promote the use of these ASME products and services world about.
Over the past 100 years, ASME has developed content that not only advances technology and ensures high- quality products, but we have a firm commitment to public safety. Our codes, standards and certification requirements are globally recognized. Our Conformity Assessment Programs allow the recognition of a company’s or individual’s capability to fulfill the requirements of an ASME standard to advance public safety and facilitate international commerce.
Membership in the ASME B18 Fastener Standards Committee is voluntary, and it is a great place to learn and be part of the development of Industry Fastener Standards. Your participation will yield excellent personal and professional development as well as help make better standards.
To learn more about ASME, visit the association’s website: www.asme.org.
