A newly developed self-piercing nut from mechanical fastening specialist Profil UK provides high strength location and consistent electrical earthing of components in sheet metal assemblies.
Suitable for panels up to 2mm thick - and offering substantial piece part cost and installation speed advantages over competitive products such as riveted studs, threaded pegs, captive nuts or welded anchors - Profil’s new RSR nut is an ideal choice for vehicle assembly, electrical equipment and domestic appliance applications.
It is equally effective with steel, aluminium, plated, or sandwich steel panels and incorporates a skirted profile that ensures watertight sealing and maximum metal-to-metal contact, for assured electrical performance and high torque resistance.
Electrical conductivity is further enhanced by the RSR nut’s large, flat area of contact and the attachment of terminations using self-tapping bolts or screws. The product’s cross-section also accommodates purpose-designed slip-on plastic cages with four terminal locations. In addition, the fastener’s body ensures a 7mm stand-off from the base panel, eliminating the risk of unwanted electrical contact or damage to the finished surface.
Produced in mild steel, with a corrosion-resistant trivalent zinc passivated finish, RSR nuts are suitable for automated insertion at up to 100 units per minute, at least an order of magnitude faster than riveted or welded alternatives.
“The new fasteners complement the capabilities of our established two-piece earthing studs by giving customers the choice of a nut or stud configuration for the provision of high performance component or sub-assembly earthing points in their products,” says Profil UK’s sales manager, Adrian Ellis. “They are already under evaluation with several leading automotive manufacturers and proving equally successful on both steel and aluminium bodied vehicles.”