Clinching Technology

PEM® Self-Clinching Fasteners

As the global leader in clinching technology, PennEngineering® offers a wide range of high-quality self-clinching fasteners under the brand PEM®, ranging from nuts, studs, and standoffs to more specialized parts.

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Two people discussing design of a fastener.

How Do PEM® Fasteners Work?

PEM® self-clinching fasteners are pressed into a hole in the workpiece, displacing the material in the region of the drill hole. This material flows into a recess in the shank area of the fastener by cold forming. A serration or a specially shaped head now prevents the workpiece from rotating – the self-clinching fastener becomes one with the workpiece.

Advantages of PEM® Fasteners

  • Extremely stress-resistant even in thin sheets starting from 0.5 mm
  • No special treatment of the drill hole needed
  • No reworking of the thread necessary
  • Also ideal for coated surfaces
  • High positional accuracy
  • No damage or bulges on the backside of the component

Overview of PEM® Fasteners

PEM® Self-Clinching Nuts

A self-clinching-nut on a white background.

Self-clinching nuts offer a high twist-out and pull-out resistance. They are available in various shank lengths and are suitable for metallic materials, in some cases even for stainless steel panels. The range of parts also includes nuts flush on both sides, closed parts, nuts with thread locking, and miniature designs. There is a parallel product line for insertion in PC boards.

  • Available in various materials, surface designs, lengths and variations
  • Thread sizes from M2 to M12

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A self-clinching-nut on a white background.
Self clinching nuts - Fast and clean fastening solution for applications with double-sided access

PEM® Round Self-Clinching Nuts

Close-up of a metal PEM self-clinching nut, round type, on white background

Round self-clinching nuts are suitable for non-rotating screw connections in thin-walled workpieces that can be loaded on both sides. The RMHB type versions have been specially developed as miniature versions for limited installation space. Unlike self-clinching nuts, the shank is riveted. For this reason, the edge distance is a less important criterion.

  • Materials: galvanized steel, colorless passivated
  • Thread sizes: M3, M4, and M5

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Close-up of a metal PEM self-clinching nut, round type, on white background

PEM® Self-Clinching Studs

PEM® self-clinching stud on a white background.

The self-clinching studs for through holes are flush on the head side after installation. They are suitable for use in metallic materials, and in some cases even for stainless steel panels. Heavy-duty self-clinching studs with projecting heads offer an even better twist-out and pull-out resistance. Special studs for use in blind holes allow for a concealed installation.

  • Available in various materials, surface designs, lengths, and variations
  • Thread sizes from M2.5 to M10; also in coarse-thread

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PEM® self-clinching stud on a white background.

PEM® Self-Clinching High-Strength Studs

A PEM® self-clinching stud on a white background.

Self-clinching threaded studs for extremely high torque-out and pull-through resistance.

  • Types: HFH, HFHS, HFHD, and HFHDS
  • Available in various materials, lengths, and variations

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A PEM® self-clinching stud on a white background.

PEM® Studs (Threadless)

Close-up of a PEM self-clinching stud threadless

In addition, threadless studs for metallic materials are available. These can be used as positioning or locking pins.

  • Available in various materials, lengths, and variations

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Close-up of a PEM self-clinching stud threadless

PEM® Self-Clinching Standoffs (Closed Type)

A PEM self-clinching standoff, closed type on white background

Self-clinching standoffs for through holes are flush on the head side after installation. No additional flanging or welding is required. They are suitable for use in metallic materials, and in some cases even for stainless steel panels. Anti-twist protection is ensured by the hexagon head. There are special standoffs available for use in blind holes, which allow for a concealed installation.

  • Available in various materials, lengths, and variations
  • Thread sizes M3, M4, and M5, as well as miniature thread sizes and various through-hole options

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A PEM self-clinching standoff, closed type on white background

PEM® Self-Clinching Standoffs (Open Type)

A close-up of a PEM self-clinching standoff on white background.

Self-clinching standoffs for press-fit flush mounting. They can be pressed into round holes, with the hexagon head providing anti-twist protection.

  • Available in various materials, lengths, and variations
  • Thread sizes M3, M4, and M5, as well as miniature thread sizes and various through-hole options

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A close-up of a PEM self-clinching standoff on white background.
Self-clinching standoffs – available in various types for the perfect connection

PEM® Roller Bearing Fasteners

Close-up of a PEM roller bearing fastener, an alternative to conventional high-friction slide shelves

PEM® Roller Bearing Fasteners are easy-to-install, pre-assembled rollers. They offer a user-friendly alternative to conventional high-friction slide shelves. They also eliminate the cost of expensive sliding rail assemblies, which makes them an efficient and cost-effective solution.

  • Easy installation and simple design for use where space is limited
  • Support loads while guiding and positioning components
  • Eliminate the need for oil lubricants and loose fittings normally required with drawer slides
  • Press-fit roller bearing fasteners are easily installed into pre-punched or drilled holes in sheet metal as thin as 1 mm

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Close-up of a PEM roller bearing fastener, an alternative to conventional high-friction slide shelves

PEM® PreTect™ Thread Masking Plugs

PEM® PreTect™ thread masking plug on a white background.

Thread masking plugs for improved thread protection during the painting or powder coating process. After use, the plugs can be easily removed by the end user with a fine tool.

  • Available for standard self-clinching nuts in a wide range of thread sizes and materials
  • Heat-resistant to temperatures of up to 250 ˚ C

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PEM® PreTect™ thread masking plug on a white background.

PEM® Self-Clinching Captive Panel Screws

Close-up of a metal PEM self-clinching captive panel screw

Self-clinching captive panel screws are either spring-loaded or non-spring-loaded captive screws. They offer a large variety of various fixing and release possibilities, various support surfaces, and screw lengths.

  • Available in various materials, lengths, and variations
  • Thread sizes M3, M4, M5, and M6

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Close-up of a metal PEM self-clinching captive panel screw

PEM® Spacer

Two PEM snap-top self-clinching fasteners on white background

These press-in spacers for “keyhole” mounting can be used in metallic materials. They enable components to be attached and detached quickly.

  • Materials: stainless steel
  • Available in various spacer lengths

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Two PEM snap-top self-clinching fasteners on white background

PEM® SMT Nuts

A PEM self-clinching nut and a taped PEM SMT nut strip, designed especially for PC board mounting

These self-clinching nuts are taped and have been specially designed for PC board mounting. They are available with or without an adhesive spot. PEM® SMT Nuts are set by soldering both in plated-through and non-plated drill-holes. This method eliminates the risk of damage to the PC board.

  • Material: Tinned steel
  • Thread sizes: M2, M2.5, M3, M4, M5

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A PEM self-clinching nut and a taped PEM SMT nut strip, designed especially for PC board mounting

PEM® SMT Spacers

A PEM spacer and a strip of taped PEM SMT Spacers, designed for PC board mounting, on white background

These spacers are taped and have been specially designed for PC board mounting. Like the SMT nuts, they are available with or without an adhesive spot and are set by soldering in both plated-through and non-plated drill holes. There is no risk of damage to the PC board with this process.

  • Material: Tinned steel
  • Thread sizes and designs: M3 and through holes 3.6 to 4.2

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A PEM spacer and a strip of taped PEM SMT Spacers, designed for PC board mounting, on white background

Download More Information

Thumbnail PEM Catalogue

PEM® Self-Clinching Fastener Catalogue

Find more information and technical details about self-clinching fasteners in our PEM® product catalogue.

4.1 MB | pdf