Versa-Nut® Insert doubles Grip Range for Plastics and Composites
 
WELWYN GARDEN CITY – 1 September 2009 – Avdel® has introduced a blind insert that doubles the grip range on soft materials, thin-walled plastics, and composites, while providing new levels of joint clamp and pullout resistance with fewer fasteners.
 
The new Versa-Nut® insert features four longitudinal slots evenly spaced along the length of its casing. During assembly, the slots split open to form folded legs that spread across the underside of the workpiece to form a large bearing area. 
 
“The Versa-Nut® insert offers a grip range up to 12.7 mm, larger than any comparable blind fastener on the market,” said Brigitte Marliani, product manager at Avdel.  “This wide bearing area spreads the load onto the soft materials to ensure a strong and vibration-resistant joint that accommodates wide variations in material thickness. It also reduces brittle workpiece cracking and delivers exceptional pullout with maximum torque resistance.”
 
The new Versa-Nut® insert installs in three seconds and can be fitted either immediately after the component is moulded, or in the finished article during assembly. It is usable as a nut plate, nut plate and pivot bearing, nut plate and spacer, nut and bushing, or nut and rivet.
 
“The need for fewer fasteners, along with speed and flexibility of installation, will provide design and assembly solutions in industries where the use of plastics, composites and soft metals such as aluminium and magnesium grows steadily each year,” Marliani said.
 
Applications for the Versa-Nut® insert include blow-moulded automotive parts and trim fixings, sandwiched sections, and composite panels in truck, bus, caravan and marine interiors. They also are suited to general composite and plastic sections for toys, small domestic appliances, containers, display panels, and plastic furniture, as well as fibreboard and plywood assemblies.
 
Versa-Nut® inserts are made from steel with clear trivalent passivated finishes and are available from M4 to M8 thread diameters in first and second grip sizes. They are installed with standard tooling, including hydro-pneumatic hand tools and automated placing equipment.