Kruiskopschroevendraaiers

Kruiskopschroevendraaiers, also known as Phillips head screwdrivers, are tools designed to drive screws with a cross-shaped recess in their head. This recess, originally conceived by Henry F. Phillips, features four slots that meet at the center, forming a cross. The design was patented in the 1930s and offered an advantage over slotted screws by allowing for better torque application and reducing the likelihood of the screwdriver slipping out of the screw head (cam-out).

The tip of a kruiskopschroevendraaier is shaped to mate precisely with the Phillips recess. These screwdrivers are commonly found in a variety of sizes, often indicated by numbers such as PH0, PH1, PH2, and PH3, with larger numbers corresponding to larger screwdriver tips and screw heads. The correct size of the screwdriver is crucial for proper engagement and to prevent damage to the screw head or the screwdriver tip.

While the Phillips head design is widely adopted, alternative cross-head screw drive types exist, such as Pozidriv, which features additional smaller slots for even greater torque transfer and reduced cam-out. However, kruiskopschroevendraaiers remain a common and recognizable tool in households and workshops worldwide, used in everything from furniture assembly to electronics repair. The distinctive cross shape of the screw head is a hallmark of this widely used fastener system.