Expanding Line of PEM® ReelFast® Surface Mount Fasteners Offers Variety of Reliable Attachment Solutions for Printed Circuit Boards

The expanding line of PEM® ReelFast® surface mount fasteners from PennEngineering® offers a variety of reliable attachment solutions for printed circuit board applications. Depending on type, the fasteners can be specified to mount, stack, or space boards; attach components to boards; create right-angle attachment points on boards; or enable repeated access without requiring loose screws. All types are supplied on tape and reel compatible with existing SMT automated installation equipment and install permanently where designed in the same manner and at the same time as other surface mount components prior to the automated reflow solder process. Where necessary, a polyimide patch affixed to the end of the fasteners allows for vacuum pickup. Production benefits include avoiding potential board damage and scrap due to improper secondary installation operations by off-line equipment, minimizing the need to handle hardware, and promoting faster assembly. The ReelFast product line includes Type SMTSO™ steel nuts and spacers/standoffs and Type SMTSOB™ brass versions with or without threads for board mounting, stacking, or spacing applications; Type SMTRA™ fasteners introducing re-usable threads at right angles to boards for mounting board to chassis, chassis to board, or component to board; and newly introduced Type SMTPFLSM™ all-metal spring-loaded captive panel screws and Type PSHP™ captive panel screws with color plastic caps to allow for subsequent access to assemblies without the use of loose screws or the risk of compromising thread integrity over time. PEM ReelFast surface mount fasteners can be supplied in a range of unified or metric thread sizes and lengths. Detailed specifications, fastener drawings and models, and performance data (Bulletin K) for this family of RoHS-compliant fasteners can be accessed at www.pemnet.com