Tappex Thread Inserts Ltd has been manufacturing inserts since 1956. With more than 50 years’ experience, it sees itself a company who takes part in to solve fastening problems rather than simply be a fastener supplier. Due to continuous development Tappex’s range of inserts for plastic includes more than 20 standard variations from M1.6 to M12 for use in all grades of thermoplastic, thermoset, structural foam and composite materials.

General application area of Tappex brass inserts in plastic, but certain types can be used in aluminium and some metal alloys. Threaded inserts provide load bearing thread in softer materials where normal screws can destroy the joint after more turning in and out. Using Tappex internal threaded inserts you can apply higher stud tightening torque than using metric screw directly in the plastic.

You can install post-mould inserts effectively with installation equipments of Tappex exist.

Tappex insert types:

• Self-tapping inserts (Trisert®, Trisert-3®, Foamsert®)
• Press-fit inserts (Multisert®, Microbarb®)
• Insert for moulding in (HiMould®)
• Specials (anti-creep spacers, male inserts, etc.)

On the following pages for further information about Tappex insert technology:

Range of inserts

Trisert® - self-tapping inserts

The Trisert self-tapping threaded insert was developed to post-mould production process. The Trisert design use external thread to be tapped into plastic to provide balanced cutting and reduced installation torque. As the installation tools pick up Trisert by its internal thread to install, every insert is therefore automatically checked for the existence of a good thread. FlexiArm machine provides fast and efficient cold installation for self-tapping inserts.
Trisert inserts can be used in thermoplastic and thermoset grades including the latest engineering plastic alloys.

• Double ended (M2-M10, in three lengths)
• SReduced headed (M3-M8)
• Regular headed (M2.5-M10, in two lengths

Trisert-3® - self-tapping inserts

This is the latest development of inserts are made from case hardened steel, grade 303 or grade 316 stainless steel. Trisert-3 was developed to critical application circumstances which unsuitable for brass inserts, can be used in hard plastics and in some metal alloys. Its design is based on the reduced headed version of Trisert insert.

• Reduced headed (M3-M8, in two lengths, three materials)

Foamsert® - self-tapping inserts

The Foamsert is a special version of the Trisert for foam materials, laminated chipboards, medium density fibre board and certain types of glass reinforced plastics. Installation method of Foamsert is the same as Trisert settling.

• Double ended (M2.5-M8)
• Reduced headed (M3-M8)

Multisert® - press-fit inserts

The Multisert press-fit threaded insert was developed to post-mould installation process. Barb form on its external surface makes the insert suitable for different installation methods into thermoplastics. Flexible base materials allow the easy and fast cold press-fit installation. For improved performance, it can be press fitted with heat insertion or ultrasonic, which maximize the fill of molten plastic around the barbs. Harder or flame retardant materials require heat or ultrasonic assistance in any event.

• Unheaded (M2-M12, in two lengths)
• Single thickness head (M2-M8, in two lengths and head diameters)
• Double thickness head (M1,6-M10, in two lengths and head diameters)

Microbarb® - press-fit inserts

The Microbarb is the special version of Multisert with larger head and barb diameter to provide increased bearing surface. It was developed to pull through applications in thin section thermoplastic materials. Microbarb has the same installation method as Multisert insert has.

• Large headed (M2-M10)

HiMould® - inserts for mould-in

The HiMould range of brass threaded inserts has been designed for moulding-in during the cycle of the moulding machine.
HiMould inserts do not require threaded pins located inside the mould tool but rapidly located onto appropriate plain pins giving higher productivity and reducing tool down time. Unique design of HiMould insert still give guaranteed flash free threads. It is widely used in all types of thermoplastic and thermoset plastic mouldings.

• Type 'A' blind ended (M3-M6)
• Type 'B' open ended (M2-M12)
• Type 'C' blind ended with counter-bore in the open end (M2-M10)

Special Tappex inserts

• Anti-creep spacers
  They are designed to provide reinforced clearance holes for bolts to pass through a plastic moulding, and thus allow metal-to-metal clamping forces to be applied to an assembly without over-stressing the plastic.

• Male inserts
  They are available based on the same body design and installation features of the female equivalent. Thus the basic forms of Trisert, Multisert or HiMould, can be produced in Unheaded and Headed versions with the same Short, Regular and Long body lengths as the relevant female insert, with a defined stud length.

• Imperial range
  They use the external features of the nearest metric equivalent product. Popular imperial sizes are available from stock.

• Specials
  Where a standard product does not exactly meet the requirements of a given application then Tappex may already have stock of a special variation that is suitable. For special requirements there is a possibility to produce customized inserts.

For larger order quantities inserts can often be produced as ‘specials’ to the customer’s requirements. For availability, please contact us. Non stocked special Tappex inserts are only available on request of significant quantities. Please, contact us with your special requirement with detailed specification.

Product range and technical data can be found in Tappex general catalogue in Hungarian is available for download in PDF format from our website. Tappex general catalogue does not contain Trisert-3 self-tapping inserts.
Trisert-3 catalogue is available for download in PDF format from our website.

FlexiArm

FlexiArm® 

The FlexiArm has been designed for the rapid cold installation of the Tappex Trisert, Trisert-3 and Foamsert in high volumes.
The installation machine is a pneumatic screwdriver on a pantograph arm mechanism. The screwdriver can be specified with automatic or manual reverse torque-clutch control, with different RPM, depending on the size of the insert and the receiving material.
Its size allows it to be installed alongside the respective moulding machine, so that inserts can be fitted during the waiting time of a typical mould cycle. It is available with one, two or three arms to suit most multi-task assembly requirements. A range of production drivers is available to provide an accurate method of installing the inserts at various heights and positions in the moulding.
Rapid installation tray can be used for easier installation of certain M2-M6 inserts.

Hand tools

For installation of self-tapping inserts in low-volume when investment to FlexiArm device is not paying, Tappex hand tools are recommended to use.
The series 031 hand tools are suitable for installation of Trisert, Trisert-3 and Foamsert from M2.5 to M10 size threaded inserts.

Heat Inserter

For harder grades of thermoplastic, press fitting of Tappex Multisert and Microbarb needs to be assisted by either heating the insert to prevent the plastic becoming stressed which can lead to cracking over time, particularly in thin sections or in long thin bosses.
Tappex Heat Inserter has rugged construction and a variable feed-back temperature control to suit virtually all grades of thermoplastic and also a speed control to prevent the operator overriding the correct insertion cycle time. An indicator light illuminates as soon as the insert is fully installed.
It has an output of 400w and comes complete with three interchangeable heat tips, for different sizes but other heat tips are available to order.

In case you are interested in Tappex installation equipments or tools for your Tappex inserts, please, contact us.