Hardware Insertion · Miami Gardens, Florida

Hardware Insertion and PEM Fasteners

Self-clinching nuts, studs, standoffs and other press-in hardware installed on four Haeger presses and an Auto-Sert automated insertion machine, as one step in a part we cut, form, finish and assemble for you.

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4 Haeger Presses|Auto-Sert Automated Insertion|Nuts · Studs · Standoffs|Pull-Out Force Testing|AS9100 Rev D

Overview

Threads in Thin Sheet Metal

Sheet metal is too thin to hold a useful thread on its own. Self-clinching fasteners, often called PEM fasteners after the best-known brand, solve that: the fastener is pressed into a punched or laser-cut hole, the sheet cold-flows into an undercut, and the result is a permanent, load-bearing thread or stud.

Good hardware installation depends on the hole. Because MJM cuts the hole, forms the part and presses the hardware in the same building, the hole size, edge distance and installation force are controlled by one team under one AS9100 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 quality system.

Hardware

Hardware We Install

Self-Clinching Nuts

Nuts in inch and metric threads for steel, stainless and aluminum sheet.

Self-Clinching Studs

Studs for grounding, covers and component mounting.

Standoffs

Through-hole and blind standoffs for circuit boards and stacked panels.

Cage Nuts

For rack rails and assemblies that need alignment tolerance.

Hinges and Latches

Mechanical hardware installed at assembly, to your bill of materials.

Custom Hardware

Customer-specified and customer-supplied hardware installed to your drawing.

We install the manufacturer and part number on your drawing. If you supply the hardware, we will install it; if not, we will source it.

Equipment

Insertion Equipment and Verification

Equipment	Use
Haeger hardware insertion presses (4)	Installation of nuts, studs and standoffs, from prototypes to production lots.
Auto-Sert AST machine	Automated insertion for high-volume fastener installation.
Com-Ten DFM5000 digital force meter	Insertion force and pull-out strength verification on pressed hardware, plus pull testing of spot welds.
Laser cutting and CNC punching	Mounting holes cut to the fastener manufacturer hole size, ±0.005 in.

Design Notes

Designing for Press-In Hardware

Use the manufacturer data sheet. Hole size, minimum sheet thickness, minimum edge distance and sheet hardness limits are specific to each fastener. Put the full part number on the drawing.
Match the fastener to the sheet. A self-clinching fastener must be harder than the sheet it clinches into, so stainless sheet needs fasteners made for stainless.
Keep hardware away from bends and edges. Fasteners need flat material around them to seat, and room for the press tooling.
Plan the finish sequence. Some hardware goes in before coating and is masked; some goes in after plating or anodize. Tell us which threads must stay clean.
Flag it early. Hardware location is one of the most common fixes in our design-for-manufacturability reviews.

From Hardware to Finished Assembly

Hardware is rarely the last step. After insertion, parts go on to welding, finishing and mechanical assembly: enclosures with hinges, latches and gaskets installed, racks and chassis built to print, and kits packed to your bill of materials.

Straight Talk

What We Do Not Do

We do not sell loose fasteners, and hardware insertion is not a stand-alone service for parts made elsewhere; the results depend on holes we did not cut. We install hardware in the parts we fabricate.

Assembly and hardware department at MJM Manufacturing

FAQ

Hardware Insertion Questions

Does MJM install PEM fasteners?

Yes. MJM installs PEM and other self-clinching nuts, studs and standoffs on four Haeger hardware insertion presses and an Auto-Sert automated insertion machine at its Miami Gardens, Florida facility.

What is a self-clinching fastener?

A self-clinching fastener is pressed into a hole in sheet metal. The sheet material flows into an undercut on the fastener, locking it permanently in place and providing a strong thread or stud in material too thin to tap.

Can hardware be installed in stainless steel and aluminum?

Yes. MJM installs hardware in steel, stainless steel and aluminum sheet using fasteners specified for each material.

Does MJM test installed hardware?

Yes. Insertion force and pull-out strength can be verified with a Com-Ten digital force meter.

Is hardware installed before or after powder coating?

It depends on the fastener and the finish. Many are installed before coating and masked; others are installed after plating or anodizing. MJM plans the sequence from the drawing.

Can MJM deliver a complete assembly?

Yes. After hardware insertion MJM welds, finishes and assembles parts with hinges, latches and gaskets, and can kit and pack to a bill of materials.

Electrical Enclosure Fabrication: NEMA-type boxes, cabinets and panels built to print.
Custom Sheet Metal Enclosures: complete enclosures from one source.
19-Inch Racks and Equipment Cabinets: rail accuracy and squareness under load.
Sheet Metal DFM Guide: design rules that lower cost.
CNC Punching Services: Amada turret punching with 794 tools on the shelf.
Custom Metal Fabrication: the full shop under one roof.
Metal Finishing and Powder Coating: powder coat, anodize, chem film, passivation and plating on one PO.

Send Us Your Drawings

STEP files and PDF drawings to sales@mjmmfg.com or (305) 620-2020. Quotes in 24 to 48 hours.

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Ronald Travieso

Working with MJM Manufacturing has been one of the best vendor experiences I've had. The parts matched my samples perfectly, and even the packing was done with real care — clean, organized, and professional. Of all the vendors I've worked with, they're by far the most organized and quality-focused. Great communication from start to finish. Highly recommend them for custom fabrication work.

Robert Cooler

MJM is wonderful to deal with. They have worked diligently and have produced my projects thus far to the highest standards.

Israel Schechter

I have been ordering parts from MJM Manufacturing for many years, and they have consistently exceeded my expectations. Their quality, professionalism, and attention to detail are outstanding. Every order is handled efficiently, delivered on time, and manufactured to the highest standards. The team at MJM is knowledgeable, responsive, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. It is rare to find a company that maintains such a high level of consistency over many years. I highly recommend MJM Manufacturing to anyone looking for a reliable partner for complex, precision sheet metal parts and assemblies. I. Schechter, Former President of GBI Intralogistics Solutions, Current Owner/President of IPSTEC, Aventura, Florida

Richard Havass

As a customer, I have been working with MJM Manufacturing for approximately 35 years. The expertise of Mike Mijares and his team at MJM is top notch. Whenever I have a new part design, I typically review the design of the part with MJM to ensure that I am using the most cost-efficient manufacturing process to produce the parts as economically as possible. There was a part that we had made years ago using a progressive die to emboss a curved channel into a sheet metal part. The cost of the progressive die for this part was $55K. The redesign of the part from MJM consisted of $1200 in tooling to make the new part profile. Parts came out great and saved tens of thousands in tooling. Lastly, whether MJM produces a prototype or a production run, the appearance of the part is pristine, no tool marks or scratches on any part. In the 35 years that I have worked with Mike and his team, I have found them to be one big family. Mike’s love for his business is refreshing! You rarely see a person that is so charged to get up for work every day! Richard Havass Mechanical Engineering Manager JCI-Sensormatic

Sulen Ojeda Fuentes

Esta fábrica está llena de muy buenos profesionales son una gran familia trabajadores de años con muy buena experiencia .lo recomiendo porque son un gran equipo. Y realizan muy buen trabajo.