Replacing Metal with Plastic? Here’s a Solution for Weaker Threads

May 29, 2015 - PRLog -- Maintaining Thread Strength in Plastic Parent Material

Today, manufacturers and design engineers are looking for alternative ways to decrease the cost, weight, and size of their parts. As a result, more and more companies are turning to plastic to replace heavier and more costly metal materials. Using plastic not only reduces the weight, but can also lower cost, and provide design flexibility. In fact plastic components manufactured using injection molding can be produced in a fraction of the time it takes to machine the same component from metal.

There are many pros and cons to using plastic as an alternative to metal, however one major drawback is weaker thread strength. This issue can be resolved with a product bisco industires is a franchised distributor for – KATO Tangless® CoilThread®inserts.

KATO CoilThread inserts are a helically-coiled fastener that can provide permanent, wear-resistant screw threads that exceed the strength of plastic parent materials. While made of metal, KATO CoilThread inserts weigh less and require the smallest boss diameter (minimum required material thickness around the insert) for a given size when compared to solid/brass inserts. KATO CoilThread inserts can be installed in any plastic material that can be tapped.

KATO Tangless inserts have a drive notch at each end which eliminates the need for orientation thereby reducing overall installation time. In addition, KATO Tangless CoilThread inserts usually cost less than solid inserts! That means, you can reduce costs both by switching to plastic components and by securing them with KATO Tangless^® CoilThread inserts. In fact, customer studies show that using KATO Tangless inserts can save from $0.15 - $0.50 per hole in labor costs.

Already working with plastic materials? bisco carries a large selection of Tangless inserts and tools. Visit biscoind.com for more info on all KATO products!