New PEM® SMTSK™ unthreaded standoffs from PennEngineering® permanently surface mount on printed circuit boards to enable quick attachment and removal of stacked components without requiring screws or tools. Their unique barrel design allows for a stacked board or panel to be slipped easily into place and then detached by simply sliding the component sideways and lifting it off. These standoffs will effectively serve to attach and space components either horizontally or vertically using minimal hardware and fewer assembly operations. Continue reading →

PEM® self-clinching SH™ nuts and HFLH™ studs from PennEngineering® can successfully install in high-strength thin steel sheets to provide permanent threads for mating hardware in automotive component attachment applications. Continue reading →

New PEM® PreTect™ thread masking plugs from PennEngineering® will protect internal threads of self-clinching nuts and standoffs during paint and powder coating processes. The pre-installed silicone masking plugs – supplied already in place – have been designed for self-clinching blind standoffs, thru-hole standoffs, and nuts in thread sizes #4-40 to ¼-20 and M3 to M6. Plugs can be augmented for thru-hole fastener types with a specially engineered stretched polyester film offering thread protection on the side opposite the plug. Plugs and film can be removed easily using a fine tip tool when processes are completed.

All self-clinching fasteners provide permanent and reusable load-bearing threads in metal sheets too thin to be tapped or where extruded or stamped threads would be impractical. Usually installed during the fabrication process – before an assembly would undergo painting or powder coating – self-clinching fasteners become integral components. The new plugs and film ensure that paints or powder coatings will not impact the thread integrity of installed fasteners as assemblies move through production.

The plugs and film can reduce labor requirements by eliminating any need to manually mask fastener threads in advance of coating processes or subsequently clean contaminated threads. They have been engineered to withstand temperatures up to 482ºF and 250ºC and fasteners with the feature can be installed automatically to achieve additional production economies.

Detailed specifications, drawings and 3D models of fasteners with plugs and film, and performance data (Bulletin STP) can be viewed and downloaded for free at www.pemnet.com.

SI® inserts from PennEngineering® permanently install in plastic assemblies to provide durable and reusable metal threads for mating hardware and allow for repeated disassembly and re-attachment whenever required. By promoting quick and easy access to an assembly, SI inserts offer highly practical joining solutions in contrast to fixed and unyielding methods, such as adhesives or rivets. Continue reading →

PEM® SFN™ spinning flare nuts from PennEngineering® become permanently captivated upon installation in thin metal sheets and, when paired with a self-clinching stud or other fixed externally threaded hardware, can eliminate all loose fasteners (including flange nuts) in attachment applications. These one-piece, flanged hex nuts additionally will spin freely in a sheet enabling quick attachment to mating hardware. Their use ultimately promotes savings in assembly time and costs. Continue reading →

ATLAS® SpinTite® blind threaded inserts from PennEngineering® provide strong, permanent, and reusable threads in thin sheet materials where only one side is accessible for hardware installation. Installation is performed from the accessible “front” side using spin-spin tooling technology. The inserts then become permanently mounted on the “back” side to accept a mating screw for final component attachment. The “blind” installation capability especially suits applications such as tubing, extrusions, and others where access to the back side is either limited or nonexistent. Continue reading →