Threaded Fastener Technologies for Thin Metal Appliance Assemblies
Dozens of types and thousands of variations of self-clinching fasteners have been engineered over the years—and more are always on the horizon.
Every decision involving fastening and joining can impact the early stages of appliance design, affect the assembly process down the line, and influence the integrity and performance of appliances in service. When evaluating the technologies available to attach thin metal sections and/or components in an application, designers typically will need to ask critical questions and then take stock of the various options and their viability.
For example, will disassembly be likely to allow for service or repairs or will the application require joining dissimilar metals? If so, designers can quickly rule out welding. The permanency of a welded joint is obvious and, even if disassembly is not a relevant issue, it is virtually impossible with welding to join dissimilar metals, such as steel to aluminum. If the welded surface is intended to be the finished surface, then additional finishing steps to compensate for burn marks and scale will further be required to create a presentable “cosmetic-friendly” assembly. Some sheets, of course, are just too thin to weld properly.