Contact us
You can contact us using any
of the methods below.
Unit 3 Durham Lane
Armthorpe
Doncaster
South Yorkshire DN3 3FE
England
+44 (0)1302 836010
+44 (0)1302 831555
sales@npfasteners.com
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© Northern Precision Ltd.
NORTHERN PRECISION LTD
Accreditations
Northern Precision Ltd operate a quality management
system in accordance with ISO 9001.
The ISO 9001 standard is recognised worldwide and
you can be assured of the benefits of working with a
certified company knowing that our management
systems are constantly assessed and improved.
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statement
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Opening Hours
Mon - Fri 08:00 - 17:00
Registered in England & Wales
Company number 3275391
V.A.T Registration number
GB 684 1384 17
NORTHERN PRECISION LTD
Specialist Fasteners
for Sheet Metal
+44 (0) 1302 836010
+44 (0) 1302 831555
Tel:
Fax:
sales@npfasteners.com
Quality
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Self-Clinching Fasteners
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special parts made to order
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development
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testing
Technical support
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SERVICES & SUPPORT
Clinch Nuts
Flush Nuts
Blind Nuts
Miniature Nuts
Nyloc Nuts
Locking Nuts
Floating Nuts
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Stainless Steel
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Studs
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Panel Fasteners
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Plunger Assembly
Self-Clinching fastener
Do’s and Don’ts
Self-Clinching fastener
problem solving guides
Self-Clinch in harder panels
Installation
Material & Finish
Electro Zinc Plated Carbon Steel ( NAS / NLAS) parts are suitable for installation in ductile
panels with a maximum recommended hardness of 70 HRB.
300 Series Stainless Steel (NAC / NLAC) parts are suitable for installation in ductile panels
with a maximum recommended hardness of 70 HRB.
Part Number Examples
Part number is made up as follows:
(Type)-(Thread)-(Material code)-(Material/Finish code where applicable)
For example:
NAS-M3-1-ZI (Floating Nut-M3-1.0mm min sheet thickness-electro zinc plated carbon
steel)
NAC-M4-2 (Floating Nut-M4-1.4mm min sheet thickness-stainless steel)
NLAS-M5-1-ZI (Locking Floating Nut-M5-1.0mm min sheet thickness-electro zinc plated
carbon steel)
NLAC-M3-2 (Locking Floating Nut-M3-1.4mm min sheet thickness-stainless steel)
Info
Self-Clinching Floating Nuts provide strong female free-running or prevailing torque locking threads in panels that
are too thin to be conventionally tapped. The floating action of this fastener allows for up to 0.8mm adjustment for
mating hole misalignment.
Utilising a special proven clinch feature, this fastener has excellent torque-out and push-out characteristics whilst
providing a flush finish on the underside of the panel.
The locking version has an elliptically deformed thread to provide an effective prevailing torque locking action to
minimise the risk of loosening.
Like all self clinching fasteners they are installed using a parallel squeezing action, so require access to both sides of
the panel.
Floating Nuts are available in various thread sizes, in locking and non-locking variants, manufactured from electro
zinc plated steel and 300 series stainless steel and are suitable for installation in ductile steel and aluminium panels
with a recommended maximum hardness of 70 HRB.
Dimensional Data
Self-Clinching fastener
Do’s & Don’ts
Self-Clinching fastener
problem solving guides
Downloadable
Data Sheet
Back
Performance
Testing Method
Type NAS, NAC, NLAS & NLAC
Bolt (Grade 5 min.) Ensure
full thread engagement
before applying load.
Hardened bushing with
sufficient wall thickness
to withstand applied
compression load.
Body Dia.
+ 1.6mm
Test panel.
Compression rig base.
Bolt (Grade 5 min.) A minimum
of 2 threads should extend past
the end of the fastener.
Test panel held
firmly in vice.
Flat washer
2 pitch min.
Applied torque
from dial measuring
torque wrench.
Torque-out testing of Self-Clinching Floating Nuts should be
performed by the gradual application of torque as shown, while
the test panel is securely held in a vice. The bolt must be of a
sufficient grade to resist thread stripping.
Torque must be gradually applied until failure is observed and a
maximum applied torque reading is recorded. Failure mode is
the nut turning in the panel or cam-out.
Push-out testing of Self-Clinching Floating Nuts should be performed
by the gradual application of a load as shown.
Bushing height should be sufficient to allow free downward
movement of the nut during testing. The bushing bore must be
centred on the head of the nut.
Thread
code
M3
M4
M5
M6
Material
code
1
2
1
2
1
2
2
960
1050
1120
1185
1345
1550
1790
Retainer
Push-out
(N)
1335
1340
1398
1770
1780
2020
2235
Retainer
Push-out
(N)
Steel test panel
Aluminium test panel
Installation
force (kN)
13.5
14.0
15.5
22.0
13.9
14.5
16.0
9.8
17.0
17.2
37.0
Retainer
Torque-out
(Nm)
17.0
22.3
22.8
Installation
force (kN)
6.9
9.0
9.2
13.5
9.0
9.2
9.7
7.5
16.0
17.0
37.0
Retainer
Torque-out
(Nm)
9.0
17.0
20.0
All performance figures are averages obtained over a range of installations and should be used as an indicator
only. Panel material, hole preparation, installation tooling and method can affect part performance. We always
recommend that you carry out your own tests in the actual application. Please call our sales team and we will
be happy to provide you with samples as well as offering technical assistance.
L
Min.
6.8
6.5
8.5
A
+0.12
9.41
7.50
10.42
Thread codes
M4
M3
M5
Anvil Dimensions
9.0
13.09
M6
First punch or drill the correct size hole. Do not deburr or chamfer
the hole prior to installation as this will remove material required
during the clinching process. It is preferable to install the fastener
from the punch side of the panel.
Place the fastener in the anvil with the shank facing up like in the diagram above. Locate the panel mounting
hole over the shank ensuring the panel is held level.
Apply a parallel squeezing force until the head is seated against the panel with no serrations visible. Do not
over squeeze the fastener into the panel as this will result in panel deformation.
When installing Self-Clinching fasteners, please pay attention to the minimum hole centreline to edge and
parent material hardness limitations.
Do not remove any extra material or
chamfer the hole as this could result in
improper installation or reduced
performance.
HRB (ROCKWELL HARDNESS B SCALE)
Ensure that you are installing into a
panel that is ductile and at or below the
published maximum recommended
hardness for the fastener.
Ensure that attention is paid to the
minimum hole centreline to edge
dimension for each fastener. Installing
too close to an edge or bend could result
in improper installation or reduced
performance. Minimum centreline to
edge dimensions shown for each
fastener apply to one edge only. If this
distance is applied on multiple sides
there will be significant panel distortion
unless the panel edges are supported
during installation.
SELF-CLINCHING
FLOATING NUTS
