APSM Engineering

PEM Insertion and Avdel Rivet Nut Insertion

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PEM inserts are pressed straight into the sheet at our workshop, on dedicated insertion equipment, as part of the same job as the cutting and folding.
It gives you strong, repeatable threads in thin material where tapping will not hold, and it means one less supplier handling your parts. Components leave here assembly-ready.

12mm Mild Steel Panel with artwork

APSM Engineering

PEM Insertion and Avdel

APSM Engineering offers PEM sheet metal inserts and Avdel rivet nut insertion services, providing strong, reliable threaded and fastening solutions for fabricated components. Using dedicated insertion equipment, we accurately install a wide range of PEM fasteners and Avdel rivet nuts to suit customer specifications and application requirements.

These fastening methods allow for durable, repeatable threads in thin sheet materials where traditional tapping is not suitable. Our in-house insertion capability ensures correct positioning, consistent quality, and secure fixing, ready for immediate assembly or final use.

By offering PEM and rivet nut insertion as part of our fabrication process, APSM delivers a fully finished, assembly-ready component, reducing additional handling, lead times, and costs for our customers.

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Why Not Just Tap The Hole and What We Insert?

Below about 2mm, a tapped thread has too few turns of engagement to hold under load. It strips. A PEM fastener sidesteps that: the sheet is displaced around a knurled collar and cold-flows into it, so the thread sits in the fastener rather than in the sheet. The part ends up stronger than the material it is in.

PEM self-clinching studs, standoffs and captive nuts, and Avdel rivet nuts, on our PEM Series 4 press. Tell us the fastener reference if you have one. If you do not, send the drawing with the thread size and the sheet thickness and we will specify it.

Getting It Right On The Drawing

Two things decide whether a PEM insert works. The first is sheet thickness, because each fastener has a minimum. The second is how close the fastener sits to an edge or a bend, since the sheet needs enough material around it to flow into. Mark both on the drawing and we will flag anything that will not hold before you commit.

The blank is cut on our fibre laser, folded on the press brake, welded if it needs it, and the fasteners go in here too. Most customers use us for the whole route. Some send parts in for insertion only, which is normal work.

PEM or Avdel

Both give you a strong thread in a thin sheet. The difference is how they go in.
PEM self-clinching fasteners are pressed into a laser-cut hole. The sheet flows into the fastener’s collar and locks it in place, so it resists turning and pulling out under load. They leave a neat finish and suit flat parts where we can reach both sides of the sheet.
Avdel rivet nuts are fitted from one side only. The nut is pushed into the hole and squeezed so its body folds against the back of the sheet. That makes them the right choice for closed sections, tubes, and parts where you cannot reach behind the hole.
If you are not sure which one your part needs, send the drawing. We will look at the material, the thickness and access to the hole, then recommend the fastener.

Quote Your Inserts

Send your drawing with the thread size, the sheet thickness and the fastener reference if you have one. We will check hole sizes and edge distances before quoting, so there are no surprises when the parts arrive.
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FAQs

What is PEM insertion?

PEM insertion is the process of pressing a self-clinching fastener into a hole in sheet metal. The press forces the sheet to flow into the fastener’s collar, locking it in place. It gives a permanent, strong thread in sheet metal that is too thin to tap.

What are PEM sheet metal inserts used for?

PEM sheet metal inserts add threads and fixing points to thin parts. Common uses include standoffs for mounting circuit boards, captive nuts for fixing covers and panels, and studs for attaching brackets. They replace loose nuts and washers, which speeds up assembly and stops parts from going missing.

Should I use a PEM fastener or an Avdel rivet nut?

Use a PEM fastener on a flat sheet where we can reach both sides and you want a neat finish. Use an Avdel rivet nut for tube, closed sections or any part where the back of the hole cannot be reached. We can advise based on your drawing.

Can PEM fasteners go into stainless steel or aluminium?

Yes, but the fastener has to suit the sheet. A self-clinching fastener must be harder than the material it is pressed into. Aluminium and mild steel take standard types, and stainless sheet needs fasteners made for stainless. Tell us the material, and we will specify the right one.

Can you fit inserts into parts made somewhere else?

Yes. Send the parts with a drawing showing fastener positions and references, and we will fit them. Most customers use us for the whole job, from cutting to insertion, but insertion only is normal work for us.

Do you offer PEM insertion outside Swansea?

Yes. Our workshop is in Swansea, but we fit inserts for customers across the UK. Send your drawing by email, and the finished parts are packed and sent back to you.

More Questions ?

We are more than happy to advise you on the options available. Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions

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