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Tech-Sonic

PSM Tech-Sonic inserts are engineered to provide high-performance threaded connections in thermoplastic parts. They are especially useful where repeated screw cycles, vibration resistance, and strong torque/pull-out capacity are required. By offering a durable insert solution, Tech-Sonic allows designers to minimize damage to plastic bosses and maintain assembly integrity.

Advantages

Selection of Tech-Sonic Inserts

ISO Metric

Unified

Specifying an Insert & Stud

Boss Design Specification

Hole Preparation

Molded holes are recommended wherever possible. The taper on a molded hole should be 0. 5° inclusive and the hole diameter recommended should apply at the point reached by the bottom of the insert. The top of the hole should not be chamfered or counterbored and care must be taken to avoid bell mouthing. Hole diameter tolerance:-0.00 +0.10mm.

Installation

The fastener has been designed for installation using a pre-heating process. Care must be exercised to ensure that the Fastener softens but does not melt the plastic. This will avoid any tendency to generate unsightly “flash” around the top of the insert and ensure optimum performance. Excessive pressure should be avoided since this may result in the insert being forced into the hole without allowing the plastic to soften and flow around the surface profile.

Wall Thickness

A general guide to minimum wall thickness is given in the data table but this will vary depending upon the nature of the plastic. Where thinner walls are required these can often be accommodated, but consultation with the P.S.M Technology Centre or local sales office and pre-production testing is strongly advised.

Performance Data

The complexity of materials and variations in service conditions make it impossible to detail fastener performance for specific applications. The chart below gives a general guide and shows the relative performance of the inserts in the range.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tech-Sonic Inserts

What is a Tech-Sonic Insert?

A PSM Tech-Sonic Insert (TEC/TCTS) is a threaded brass insert for plastic parts, installed using ultrasonic insertion. It features a unique combination of opposed knurls and a knurled flange, a design engineered to deliver significantly increased pull-out and torque-out performance compared to standard single-knurl insert designs.

What are opposed knurls and why do they matter?

Opposed knurls are two sets of knurled gripping surfaces oriented in different directions along the insert body. This geometry resists pull-out forces from both directions of axial load and improves rotational (torque-out) resistance simultaneously. The result is a more secure, stable installation in the plastic boss than a single-direction knurl pattern can provide.

What is the purpose of knurled flange on a Tech-Sonic Inserts?

The knurled flange sits at the top of the Tech-Sonic Insert and engages the plastic surface around the entry point of the boss hole during ultrasonic installation. This additional knurled contact area increases torque-out resistance and helps anchor the insert against rotation, complementing the opposed knurl pattern along the insert’s main body.

What is the difference between TEC and TCTS Tech-Sonic Insert variants?

TEC and TCTS are two variants within PSM’s Tech-Sonic range, differing in flange/head configuration, length, or thread specification to suit different boss designs and installation requirements. Both share the same opposed-knurl, knurled-flange design principle. PSM’s dimensional data sheet specifies the exact distinguishing features and size range for each code.

What performance benefits does the Tech-Sonic design provide over standard inserts?

The combination of opposed knurls and a knurled flange gives Tech-Sonic Inserts significantly increased pull-out resistance, torque-out resistance, and overall joint stability compared to standard single-feature insert designs. This makes Tech-Sonic Inserts well suited to applications with higher mechanical loads, vibration exposure, or frequent assembly/disassembly cycles.