Threaded Inserts provide metal threads stronger than what could be tapped directly into the plastic material. In some cases, these inserts are provide with a thru-hole (un-threaded) which can serve as a compression limiter or a strong surface area to prevent wear of the plastic. These parts are retained in the plastic using knurls, undercuts,barbs, and/or hex configurations. Strategic Source Components offers a wide variety of threaded inserts designed for molded, ultrasonic/thermal, and post molded applications.
Ultrasonic/Thermal Inserts
Ultrasonic/Thermal Inserts are designed to be installed into thermoplastic materials with use of an ultrasonic or thermal insertion machine. An ultrasonic machine will generate high frequency vibrations that create frictional heat allowing the plastic to slightly melt and flow into knurls and undercuts. Thermal Installation machines apply direct heat to the insert that will cause the plastic in the hole to slightly melt and flow into knurls and undercuts. These methods provide excellent pull-out/jack-out performance in thermoplastic materials. These inserts are provided in straight hole (Series 100) and tapered hole (Series 200) varieties. The advantages of ultrasonic/thermal installation include rapid installation, elimination of potential mold damage, and increased productivity due to improved mold cycle times. The disadvantages include cost of ultrasonic/thermal installation equipment, limited to thermoplastic materials (not suitable for thermoset materials), and settings may need to be adjusted for insert size and thermoplastic type.
Please click on the links to see the styles of ultrasonic/thermal inserts we offer.
Mold In Inserts
Mold In style inserts are designed to be installed into plastic materials by using core pins during the molding process. These inserts usually have either a diamond knurl with undercuts and come in both blind (Series 300) and thru hole (Series 350) varieties. The advantages of mold in style inserts include: no additional installation equipment required, a wider variety of insert configurations, and excellent pull-out/jack-out performance in both thermoplastic and thermoset materials. The disadvantages to this method include slower molding cycle times as the process has to wait for an operator to load onto a pin, operator safety, and potential mold damage should an insert fall off during the molding operation.
Please click on the links to see the styles of standard mold in inserts we offer.
Press Fit Inserts
Press Fit Inserts are installed into molded or drilled holes without the use of heat using a slow action press. These inserts normally have a hex configuration with barbs (Series 400) or a milled slot with knurling (Series 500,510, & 520). The advantages of press fit inserts include: quick/simple installation (arbor press), no heat or ultrasonics required, designs available for both thermoplastic and thermoset materials, and good pull-out/jack-out performance. The disadvantages to these products are less performance than other methods (mold-in/ultrasonic/thermal) and larger boss diameters needed due to higher installation stress.
Please click on the links to see the styles of press fit inserts we offer.