Table of Contents
Product Pages
Standoffs
KEYHOLE® Standoffs
SNAP-TOP® Standoffs
Nuts
Clinch Nuts
Floating Nuts
Blind Nuts
Flush Nuts
Locking Nuts
Rivet Nuts
Studs
Locating Pins
Captivated Screws
Simple Screws
Spring-Loaded Screws
Knob Cap Screws
Threaded Inserts
Press-In Inserts
Molded-In Inserts
Ultrasonic/Heat-Staking Inserts
Compression Limiters
Specialty Fasteners
Cable Tie Mounts
TACKPIN®
Panel-to-Panel Fasteners
Right Angle Fasteners
Attachment Technologies
Overview
TackPin® fasteners resemble a thumb tack in their utility. A flat head hosts a short shoulder with a round bulb feature on the end, slightly narrower than the barrel. The valley created between the bottom of the shoulder and the bulb serves as an undercut which is filled with the panel material by the shoulder upon installation. This allows the tack pin to be pressed into a parent material to hold down a thin panel. While there are feature variations based on the panel material, the TackPin® fastener family specializes in joining panels with an axial install force as opposed to relying on threads and torque, such as a nail as opposed to a screw.
Application
Laptop keyboards consist of several thin layers of electronics, structural components, and moving parts. Micro screws are traditionally used to fasten the keyboard’s motherboard to the metal housing that slips between the individual keys. With so many screws working at such a small scale, large volume production brings the risk of thread stripping due to over torqueing the screws. This can lead to poor performance. This can be avoided with TackPin® fasteners, which don’t rely on threads and torque but rather use axial force with a positive stop. This can help minimize the number of loose connections in the keyboard assembly.
The TackPin family finds its utility in micro applications that rival laser welding while
avoiding some of the risks associated with traditional screws.
Alternative Solutions
Laser welding and adhesives are commonly used in similar applications where disassembly is not a consideration. TackPin® fasteners might be more efficient with energy usage or install time, but with new challenges like Right-to-Repair regulations emphasizing disassembly and repeatability, a more specialized solution is needed to meet these challenges with the advantages provided by the TackPin®.
The threaded variation of the TackPin® fastener has been explored by OEMs that want to mitigate their thread stripping risks. Accompanying a small undercut, the TackScrew® flows material into a short, threaded section that replaces the bulb, allowing the part to be installed with an axial force while functioning as a screw for 3-5 cycles of disassembly and reassembly. While this may not have the same pull-out strength as the TackPin®, its versatility makes it desirable for OEMs trying to maintain the reparability of product.
Common Attachment Technologies
The TackPin® and TackScrew® fasteners address self-clinching features for metal panels with the FlexTack® fastener including a slightly conical head that can deform to take up some tolerance in the thickness of a panel. On the other hand, the TackSert® fastener is used in more brittle materials, like cast metal, plastics, and PCBs. A helical knurl with an undercut just under the head of the TackSert® fastener helps create an interference fit that frictionally resists pull-out.
Relevant products from PEM:
Explore fasteners for micro applications in our Product Finder:
To learn more about microPEM® TackPin® products, visit the MPF Datasheet.
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