The addition of a head in the heat-mounted or press-in versions allows an effective flow of the plastic material into the groove located under the head. Where the insert can be mounted in the direction opposite to that of insertion of the bolt, the head provides excellent pull-out resistance.
Body
The knurling and grooves of the body create both torque and pull-out resistance.
Diamond-shaped knurling: offers a maximum interference surface area with the plastic material, whilst remaining suitable for low-filled materials
Angled knurling: combines high torque resistance with sufficient pull-out force
Hexagonal profile: provides the highest torque resistance
The grooves, whether they are carved out between the knurled strips, or whether they constitute the bottom of a screw thread, offer the best pull-out resistance
Body End
Open: The most cost-effective profile
Closed: Suited to overmoulding applications, and prevents the moulded material from obstructing the tapped section
Type
The functions fulfilled by the various SOFTERFIX™ insert profiles for soft materials entail authorisation of the application of a torque (defined in accordance with the corresponding bolt), enabling durable and repeated clamping of the assembly whilst preventing the extraction of the insert from its workpiece when it is solicited by the in-use forces. These functions and constraints, combined with installation modes which depend on a balance between manufacturing costs, investment amounts and mechanical performance, resulting in an insert design suited to each instance.
SE Type
Heat- or ultrasonic-mounted inserts
These inserts are intended to be heat- or ultrasonic- mounted. This method has the advantage of not increasing the manufacturing cost of plastic workpiece, yet allowing remarkable mechanical resistance. These profiles are available in short (best cost) or long (reinforced mechanical resistance) versions, as well as with heads (better anchoring when reverse-mounted).
IF Type
Press-in inserts
These offer a useful compromise between installation cost and torque resistance, to the detriment of pull out force resistance. These inserts are appropriate for materials that are both low-filled and relatively soft.
CG Type
Inserts for cable gland
These inserts are specifically dedicated for electrical box or cabinet applications intended to receive cables through 'cable glands' and provide a solution that is particularly economic for these applications: using these inserts, cable glands can be directly screwed into the wall of the cabinet, without need for either tapping of the wall or provision of an expensive threaded rod in the mould.
ST Type
Self-tapping inserts
These inserts are suited to a great many applications. They can be used in numerous thermoplastic and thermosetting materials. They provide excellent pull-out force resistance.
CR Type
BE Type
C Type
Expansion inserts
These inserts are suitable for applications with lower mechanical requirements (torque resistance and pull-out force), and are very easy to install. Mechanical anchoring is provided through the introduction of the bolt, generating radial pressure, and pushing the knurling into the wall of the hole.
P Type
R Type
SE Type
Overmoulded inserts
This insert profile offers the best mechanical anchoring characteristics, in terms of both torque resistance and pull-out force. The provision of overmoulded inserts deposited in the mould cavities can result in a lower production rate for plastic workpieces, but it is recommended for thermosetting and high-filled thermoplastic materials.
