Standoffs Target Compact Electronics

NewPEM(R)micro self-clinching standoff fasteners feature hardware for spacing orstacking applications in compact electronic assemblies. "These microstandoffs can serve as practical, cost-effective, and permanently securesolutions enabling quicker assembly of devices ranging from handheld consumerelectronics to medical equipment, among others," says Jay McKenna, globalproduct manager, New Products at PennEngineering.

PEMType MSO4^(TM) micro self-clinching standoffs are manufactured from 400 Seriesstainless steel and are engineered with threads as small as M1.0/#00 and inlengths as short as 2 mm (.080 inch). They can be installed into sheet metal(including 300 series stainless steel) as thin as 0.4 mm (.016 inch) withmaximum hardness up to HRB 88 on the Rockwell "B" scale.

The micro standoffs clinch permanently into place by pressingthem into a properly sized mounting hole using a punch and anvil until thefastener's head is flush with the sheet. Upon installation, they become apermanent part of an assembly, will not loosen or fall out, and provide strongand reusable load-bearing threads. Installing them automatically can furtherreduce costs by accelerating production and eliminating any need to handle thesmall parts.

TheMSO4 provides a new solution for the assembly of extremely small electronicpackaging. Previously, weld or loose fasteners were the only method availableto provide threaded fasteners in such small assemblies. This new clinchstandoff offers significant improvements and cost savings versus weldedstandoffs.