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Edge Clips

Edge clips are spring steel fasteners designed to grip two abutting panels or sheet edges, creating a vibration-resistant joint without screws or welding. In assemblies with plastics or thin sheets, edge clips offer a low-cost, reliable method to join components, clamp covers, or align parts. Their spring action ensures a firm hold while allowing disassembly or servicing.

Advantages

> Eliminates holes and screws
> Resists vibration

Material

CS60, CS70 carbon steel, austempered

Method of Assembly

Push the edge clip over the two edges that are required to be held together. The inner barbs on the fastener will prevent any separation.

When specifying, please state:

Quantity
Prefix (CBEC)
Part No.
Finish code (e.g. 4000 CBEC-0761-13)

How Edge Clips Work

Edge clips are inserted over two mating panel edges (or over a folded lip) so that internal barbs or fingers bite into the material. The spring steel clip applies radial or lateral pressure, pulling the panels together. Some clips have barbs on both sides, preventing separation and resisting vibration forces. Because they clip externally, they require no clearance or threading inside the panels.

During installation, the clip simply pushes over the edges; the barbs engage and hold. The design ensures that the clip cannot be pulled off without deflecting the spring clip (i.e. tool removal). Edge clips are especially useful when space is constrained or a clean outer surface is needed (no visible screws).

How Edge Clips Work

Panel Thickness & Material Compatibility

Clips are specified for particular panel thickness ranges (e.g. 1.4 – 1.83 mm). Choose spring steel with compatible coatings (zinc, phosphate) to reduce corrosion or wear with plastic or coated surfaces.

Grip & Barb Design

Clip inner barbs should engage both panels for positive retention. Barb angle and height must be balanced—too aggressive, and they dig or crack plastic; too shallow, and clips slip.

Clearance & Fit

Panels must align within tolerances to ensure even compression. Edges should be smooth and free of burrs that could prevent engagement or cause stress.

Installation & Removal

Slide or press the clip over the edges until the barbs engage. Removal typically requires spreading or bending the clip slightly to release grip—avoid damaging the panels. Install from one side or both depending on clip style (some are one-side removable, others fixed on both edges).

Dimensional Data & Sizes

Recommended Installation Torque

Enhance Your Assembly with Our Edge Clips

Start browsing our products or request a quote today to find the ideal fastening solution for your application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Edge Clips

What is an edge clip?

An edge clip (CBEC) is a spring steel fastener that grips two abutting panel edges or sheet metal surfaces together without holes, screws, or welding. It works by being pushed over the joined edges so that internal barbs bite into the material on both sides, pulling the panels together and preventing separation under vibration or handling loads. PSM’s CBEC edge clips are stamped from CS60/CS70 austempered carbon steel, giving them consistent spring force and excellent fatigue resistance through repeated assembly and disassembly cycles. They are a low-cost, reliable method for joining thin sheet metal panels, plastic covers, and formed sections in a clean, screw-free assembly.

What are the advantages of edge clips over screws or welding?

Edge clips offer several practical advantages in the right application:

No holes required — the clip grips the panel edges externally, eliminating the need to punch or drill fastening holes and preserving the structural integrity of the panel
No welding or heat — no heat-affected zone, no panel distortion, and no secondary cleaning or finishing operations after joining
Fast, tool-free assembly — clips simply push on by hand; assembly takes seconds compared to screw-driving or welding operations
Vibration-resistant — the barb engagement and spring clamping force provide inherent resistance to vibration loosening without thread locking compounds
Disassemblable — unlike welded joints, edge-clipped panels can be separated by deflecting the spring clip, allowing maintenance access or panel replacement
Clean outer surface — no visible fastener heads on the outer panel face, giving a neat finished appearance
Low cost — stamped spring steel clips are an economical fastening method for high-volume assemblies

What panel thickness range is compatible with CBEC edge clips?

PSM’s CBEC edge clips are specified for particular panel thickness ranges — the clip must be selected to match the combined thickness of the two panels being joined. The dimensional data table on this page lists the specific panel thickness range (e.g. 1.4–1.83 mm) for each CBEC part number. Selecting a clip that is too loose for the panel thickness will result in insufficient barb engagement and poor retention; selecting one that is too tight may prevent full seating or overstress the clip. Always match the clip part number to the actual combined panel thickness measured from your assembly — contact PSM’s technical team if you need selection guidance for your specific panel specification.

What material are PSM edge clips made from?

PSM’s edge clips are manufactured from CS60 or CS70 austempered carbon steel — a spring steel grade selected for its high elasticity, consistent spring force, and excellent fatigue life under repeated flexure. Austempered carbon steel provides a tightly controlled combination of hardness and toughness that prevents the clip from taking a permanent set (losing its spring force) after repeated installation and removal cycles. The standard finish is a zinc or phosphate coating for corrosion resistance in normal indoor environments. For applications with elevated humidity, chemical exposure, or outdoor use, contact PSM’s technical team to discuss coating upgrades or alternative material options.

How do edge clips work?

Edge clips use a dual-action spring and barb mechanism to grip and hold two panel edges together. When the clip is pressed over the two mating edges, the spring steel body deflects to accept the combined panel thickness and then applies a constant inward clamping force. Internal barbs or fingers on the inner faces of the clip engage both panel surfaces simultaneously — the barb geometry prevents the panels from separating or the clip from being pulled off without deliberate release. Because the clip grips externally over the panel edges, no clearance hole, thread, or access to the back of the panel is required. The spring force also means the clip automatically compensates for minor panel thickness variation within its specified grip range.