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Virginia Tech

Testing and Understanding Screwdriver Bit Wear

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis is focused on gaining a better knowledge of how to design and test Phillips screwdriver bits. Wear is the primary concern in applications where the bit is used in a power driver. Such applications include drywalling, decking and other construction and home projects. To pursue an optimal design, designers must have an understanding how the bit geometry changes with wear. To make use of the geometrical data, the designer must also have an understanding of the fundamentals of the bit/screw surface contact and its effect on force distribution. This thesis focuses on three areas. First, understanding how the tool and bit are used, and what factors contribute to bit wear. With this understanding, a test rig has been designed to emulate typical users and, in doing so, produce the factors that cause wear. Second, there must be a means to analyze geometric changes in the bit as it wears. A method for doing this was developed and demonstrated for a Phillips bit, but the process can be applied to other bits. Finally, the fundamentals of surface contact must be understood in order to apply the geometrical information obtained to improved bit design.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1998

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Adler, W. Alexander
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Reinholtz, Charles F.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Mitchell, Larry D.
  • Saunders, William R.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-42698-205111
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36701

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Adler, W. Alexander. Testing and Understanding Screwdriver Bit Wear. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36701