Screw Drive Types

The Slotted drive (Flat Head / Flat Blade) is the original single-slot fastener drive geometry standardized under ISO 2380 and DIN 963. Operated with a flat screwdriver blade, it features no inherent centering or cam-out retention, making it susceptible to tool slippage and strictly limited to manual assembly and decorative restoration.

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The Phillips drive (Type I cross recess) is a self-centering cruciform drive system invented by John P. Thompson and commercialized by Henry F. Phillips in the 1930s (ANSI Type I / ISO 4757). Engineered with curved flutes and intentional cam-out torque limiting, it revolutionized high-speed automotive and aircraft assembly.

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The Pozidriv drive (ANSI Type IA cross recess / ISO 4757) is an improved cruciform drive developed by GKN Screws and Fasteners in 1962. Identified by four secondary radial score lines etched at 45 degrees between the main cross blades, it features parallel, non-tapered sidewalls that eliminate cam-out and allow significantly higher torque transmission than Phillips.

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Torx (standardized as Hexalobular Internal under ISO 10664) is a 6-lobed star-shaped screw drive system developed by Camcar Textron in 1967. Engineered with a low 15-degree drive angle and curved lobes, it eliminates cam-out entirely, delivers exceptional torque transfer, and drastically extends tool bit lifespan across automotive, computing, and construction hardware.

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Torx Plus is an advanced evolution of the hexalobular star drive introduced by Textron Fastening Systems in the 1990s. Featuring squarer, elliptical lobes and a true 0-degree drive angle, it increases torque transmission capacity by up to 35% and extends assembly tool bit life by up to 100% in industrial manufacturing.

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The Hex drive (Allen socket / Internal Hexagon, standardized under ISO 4026 and DIN 912) is a 6-sided symmetrical polygonal drive recess developed in the early 1900s by William G. Allen. Widely used in socket head cap screws, bicycle components, and flat-pack furniture, it provides high clamping torque with compact cylindrical head profiles.

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The Robertson drive (Square socket / SCRULOX, standardized under ANSI Type III / CSA B35.4) is a 4-sided tapered square recess drive invented in Canada by P.L. Robertson in 1908. Known for its distinct tapered geometry that locks the screw onto the driver bit for one-handed operation, it is the dominant construction and electrical fastener across Canada.

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JIS B 1012 is a Japanese Industrial Standard cruciform screw drive commonly found on Japanese motorcycles (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki), cameras, and consumer electronics. Visually similar to Phillips, it features a shallower center pit and parallel 90-degree cross-wings engineered not to cam out, which easily strip when turned with standard Phillips screwdrivers.

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Security Torx (Tamper-Resistant Torx / Pin-in-Torx / Torx TR) is a tamper-evident variant of the standard hexalobular drive. Featuring a hardened solid cylindrical metal post in the center of the 6-lobed recess, it prevents standard flat, hex, or standard Torx driver bits from inserting, requiring a specialized hollow-tipped security bit.

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The Tri-Wing drive (standardized under military spec MIL-P-87893 / NASM 87893) is a tamper-resistant security drive featuring three radial slotted wings surrounding a triangular center point. Originally developed for aerospace structural skins, it was famously adopted by Nintendo to prevent unauthorized consumer opening of gaming consoles and cartridges.

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