Penn Engineering

PennEngineering / PEM

PennEngineering, headquartered in Danboro, PA and founded in 1942, is a global leader in fastening solutions and the parent of PennEngineering, PennEngineering Automotive Fasteners, and pennTool™ Group. PennEngineering companies provide fastener and fastener installation design and product solutions worldwide for diverse industries, including electronics, computer, data/telecom, medical, automotive, marine, aerospace/aircraft, and general manufacturing.

PennEngineering is a prominent brand known for its engineering-focused approach. The company prioritizes direct interaction between its engineers and customers. While the concept of how products are held together might not be at the forefront of your mind, it is the sole focus of PennEngineering. They firmly believe that small components can have a significant impact, and their dedication lies in creating enduring connections.

PEM® brand fasteners, offered by PennEngineering, employ various technologies such as self-clinching, broaching, flaring, surface mount, or weld methods. These fasteners are designed to establish robust, reusable, and permanent threads and mounting points in thin sheet metal or P.C. board materials. For compact electronics, microPEM® fasteners are particularly suitable, catering to applications such as smartwatches, laptops, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, and handheld devices.

In addition to fasteners, PennEngineering encompasses Haeger®, a manufacturer of hardware insertion machines. They are recognized worldwide for their innovative solutions in fastener insertion technology. PEMSERTER® presses, also part of PennEngineering, are specifically designed to provide safe, reliable, accurate, and efficient installation of PEM fasteners.

For sheet materials where only one side is accessible, the ATLAS® brand offers rivet nuts and tools. These products provide durable and reusable permanent threads. Lastly, PennEngineering’s SI® brand inserts utilize press-in, molded-in, or heat/ultrasonic installation methods to establish strong, reusable, and permanent threads in plastic materials.

PennEngineering’s diverse range of products and technologies showcases their expertise in providing effective solutions for joining and fastening applications across various industries.

Products

PEM® brand fasteners utilize self-clinching, broaching, flaring, surface mount, or weld technology to provide strong, reusable, and permanent threads and mounting points in thin sheetmetal or P.C. board materials.

aeroPEM™ fasteners provide global fastener solutions specifically for the aerospace / aircraft industries.

SI® brand inserts employ press-in, molded-in, or heat/ultrasonic installation methods to provide strong, reusable, permanent threads in plastic materials.

ATLAS® brand blind threaded rivets provide strong and reusable permanent threads in sheet materials where only one side is accessible.

The STICKSCREW® system is a unique small screw installation system which eliminates expensive screw handling equipment and loose hardware. The screws are tightened to an exact torque as determined by the stick/screw design.

PEMSERTER® presses are designed to safely, reliably, accurately, and quickly install PEM fasteners. No matter how complex or simple an installation challenge may be, using the PEM fastener and PEMSERTER press system will provide you with quality results.

pennTool™ Group brings quality, cost effective tooling and machine part solutions to fastener and component manufacturers across various industries. As a premier fastener manufacturer, PEM is also expert at the design and manufacture of precision tooling for heading and screw machine operations.

PEM® Captive Panel Screws Overview

PEM® captive panel screws are designed to minimize parts and prevent the risks of loose hardware that could damage components. These fasteners are ideal for attaching metal panels or thin material in applications requiring repeated access.

About PEM® Captive Panel Screws Captive panel screws attach metal panels or thin materials, offering a secure and convenient solution where frequent access is necessary. Manufactured by PEM®, a trusted PennEngineering® brand for over 30 years, these screws help reduce loose hardware and associated risks. They are available in various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, carbon steel, brass, and plastic, depending on project needs.

Installation Types

  1. Self-Clinching: Installs flush on the panel’s back and comes in three screw lengths.
  2. Flare-Mounted: Suitable for painted or thin panels, requiring low installation force and accommodating close edge applications.
  3. Floating: Corrects misalignment and works with panels of any hardness.

Design Features PEM® captive panel screws feature a shoulder-on retainer for a secure installation and an anti-cross-threading feature (denoted by “M”), ensuring easy assembly, proper alignment, and improved productivity.

Customization Options Caps come in various styles, such as knurled, smooth, or semi-smooth, and are available in metal or custom-colored plastic. Drive types include Phillips/Slot, Phillips, Torx/Slot, and more.

Advantages These screws reduce the need for loose hardware, cut installation time, and lower the risk of equipment damage. They offer customization in design, length, and materials, making them a cost-effective and versatile solution.

Applications PEM® captive panel screws are used in industries like automotive, medical, and electronics. They secure components in automotive dashboards, medical devices, and industrial enclosures, where reducing vibration and loose parts is critical.

PEM® ReelFast® Surface Mount Screws The PEM® ReelFast® spring-loaded captive panel screws (Type SMTPFLSM™) are designed for printed circuit boards (PCBs), allowing secure attachment and repeated access. These fasteners install using automated SMT equipment, eliminating the need for secondary operations that could damage boards. An anti-cross-thread feature prevents installation issues, and the fasteners work with board materials as thin as 1.6mm, available in various thread sizes.

Key Features of PEM® Captive Panel Screws

  • Available in self-clinching, flare-mounted, and floating types.
  • Uniform appearance above panels.
  • Various cap styles (metal, plastic, colored options).
  • Shoulder-on retainer for secure installation.
  • Anti-cross-threading feature for smooth assembly.

These screws provide reliable and reusable fastening solutions across multiple industries and applications.