Tapped M3 Hole 1

[stargal]

Hi All,

I am trying to attach two metal sheets together. One has a captive screw (PEM PF11-M3-2BL) and I want it to screw into a .036" Galvanized steel sheet.

My question is - can I place an M3 tapped hole in the .036" thick steel? Or is it too thin for that to be able to work?

I had used clinch nuts previously, but a change in the design has rendered this impossible because of center line to edge issues.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[djhurayt]

You will only get about 1.8 threads so yes you can but it will not take much load, and will likely strip out the threads in short order.

 

[JohnRBaker]

If at all possible, I would opt for a 'Thin Sheet Nutsert':

http://www.avdel-global.com/en/products/threaded-inserts/thin-sheet-nutsertr.html

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[Compositepro]

Why not use a sheet metal screw for sheet metal?

 

[benta]

Why not just a blind rivet? Do you need to disassemble it afterwards?

 

[ScottyUK]

Extruded hole with a thread? Commonplace on consumer goods, and can be formed pretty close to the edge. Talk to your sheet metal shop.

 

[djhurayt]

ScotttyUK, great idea.

Yes instead of punching a hole (removing a small diameter of material) for your threads, use that material to give yourself more surface for threads. Just pierce the material and push it through to form in effect a thicker sheet thickness in the area of the hardware.