Nearly every sheet metal assembly must eventually fasten to something else, which means threaded hardware has to be carried by material that is often no more than a sixteenth of an inch thick. PEM fasteners are the standard solution to that problem, and HM Metalworks operates two insertion presses to support the range of work we take on.
How PEM Fastener Insertion Works
PEM fasteners are threaded studs, nuts, and standoffs installed directly into sheet metal under controlled pressure. As the fastener seats, it displaces the surrounding material, and that displaced material permanently locks the fastener in place.
The advantages are primarily in what the process eliminates. Because no welding is involved, there is no heat input, and therefore no distortion or discoloration requiring secondary cleanup. Tapping is avoided as well, which is significant in thin material where there is insufficient wall thickness to hold reliable threads. Loose hardware is removed from the assembly process entirely, reducing the risk of missing components during field installation.
The result is a flush, permanent thread in material that could not otherwise support one.
Why We Operate Two Presses
The two machines serve distinct purposes, which is the reason we maintain both.
Our first press supports prototype and short-run production. Fasteners are positioned by the operator, providing the flexibility required when part configurations vary or hardware selection changes between jobs.
Our second press, a 1025 equipped with an automated fastener feeder, addresses higher-volume requirements. The feeder loads and sets fasteners in sequence rather than relying on manual placement, substantially reducing cycle time on components carrying multiple fasteners. This delivers three measurable benefits:
Reduced lead times on production quantities. Cycle time previously constrained throughput on high-count parts. That constraint has been removed.
Improved consistency across a run. Automated feeding maintains uniform seating depth from the first part to the last. On assemblies where a proud fastener prevents proper fit-up, that repeatability is essential.
Parallel scheduling of prototype and production work. Operating two presses allows a short-run order to proceed on one machine while a production run continues on the other, eliminating the delays that occur when both compete for a single press.
Applications
Fastener insertion is rarely specified by name, but it appears throughout the assemblies we produce.
Electrical enclosures and equipment panels requiring captive hardware for access covers. Mounting brackets that interface with equipment in the field. Chassis and frame components for OEM assemblies. Signage and display fixtures where mounting hardware must remain concealed behind a finished face.
In each case, the fastener performs structural work while remaining out of view.
Submit Your Drawings for Review
If your project includes sheet metal components with threaded hardware, send us the drawings. We will evaluate material thickness, fastener selection, and spacing, and advise whether the specified hardware is appropriate or whether an alternative would yield a better result. This review is completed before quoting, since identifying an oversized fastener at the design stage is considerably less costly than discovering the issue in production.
Cutting, forming, insertion, welding, and finishing are performed at our facility in Vernon, New Jersey. Your project stays with one team from drawing to delivery.
