Product and application brief
An after-moulding insert is fitted into a plastic component after that component has been formed. The insert supplies an internal thread, while its outside and the chosen installation process define the interface with the polymer. This route is separate from placing an insert in the mould before forming the part, and from installing a metal-host thread repair sleeve. Select the installation method before choosing the hole and part geometry.
Product forms and reference names
| Choice or field | What to identify |
|---|---|
| Thermal installation | Böllhoff HITSERT2 is a thermal example; heat transfers through the insert and plastic flows into retention features. SPIROL also identifies separate heat/ultrasonic series. Use the selected thermoplastic and process specification. |
| Ultrasonic installation | SONICSERT is an original ultrasonic example. Vibration supplies local joining energy; do not assume that a thermal machine, mandrel or settings can substitute for the selected ultrasonic tooling. |
| Cold press-in | SPIROL Series50/51 identify separate unheaded/headed press-in examples, installed without prior melting. Hole, pilot and outside retention geometry must be selected for the actual plastic and part. |
| Self-tapping insertion | QUICKSERT examples use a rotating insertion route with a selected outside thread and drive. Cutting or forming behaviour depends on the exact product, not the name self-tapping alone. |
| Expansion anchoring | EXPANSIONSERT examples use a slotted body and spreader arrangement. Identify how expansion is actuated and the specified supplied components; do not treat every knurled bush as an expansion insert. |
Match polymer and process
Provide the exact resin designation, thermoplastic or thermoset identity, filler type/content and relevant moulded-part condition. Thermal and ultrasonic examples above use selected thermoplastic constructions; the presence of a polymer host alone does not make either process suitable. Manufacturer product families include different mechanisms and permitted materials. Request the selected product's application and installation specification rather than a universal temperature or pressing rule.
Receiving hole and boss are separate specifications
Record whether the receiving hole is moulded or drilled, straight or tapered, open or blind; then obtain its diameter, taper, tolerances and depth from the chosen insert and host drawing. SPIROL separates Series14 tapered-hole from Series19/20 straight-hole examples. Nominal screw diameter is not the receiving-hole diameter. Identify the boss wall, surrounding features, tool access and remaining material without adopting a catalogue rule for every resin.
Identify orientation and installed geometry
Specify headed or unheaded form, body length, entry pilot, retention profile and permitted insertion direction from the selected drawing. The position of the installed top face, screw engagement and available depth need their own datums. Check the screw's end clearance and mating-part contact arrangement. A free insert's length alone does not resolve the finished joint; do not infer symmetry or two-way installation from a generic image.
Retention is not internal screw locking
Outside retention features connect the insert to the plastic; any internal screw-locking feature is a separate requirement. A sealing version, closed end or special locking combination also needs an exact reference. The illustrative knurled sleeve does not demonstrate pull-out resistance, torque-out resistance, leakage, reuse or suitability for an actual component.
Define acceptance on the actual assembly
Keep the insert supply specification separate from the assembly-process acceptance. Provide the required installed position, thread inspection, host condition and any project qualification or performance-test method. Controlled trials and inspection of the actual material, geometry and process are needed where required. No temperature, vibration frequency, cycle time, insertion force or tightening torque is prescribed here.
Specification fields
| Choice or field | What to identify |
|---|---|
| Reference and route | Exact series/product code or drawing/revision; thermal, ultrasonic, press-in, self-tapping or expansion; required head/closed-end/locking/seal variant. |
| Thread and insert geometry | Internal thread system, size, pitch and fit; insert body length and datum, outside profile, pilot/head and approved installation direction. |
| Polymer and host | Resin grade, filler and moulded condition; boss/wall geometry, surrounding features and actual operating exposure. |
| Receiving hole | Moulded/drilled, straight/tapered and blind/through; controlled size/tolerance, depth, entry geometry and relation to the mating-part drawing. |
| Installation interface | Selected tool/mandrel/sonotrode/spreader reference and process specification, support/fixture access and installed-position datum; not generic settings. |
| Verification | Thread inspection, host/installed-condition acceptance and any actual assembly qualification/test records required by the project. |
| Material and order | Insert alloy/condition/finish separately from polymer; quantity by exact variant, included components, packing/documents and requested date; supply scope confirmed per order. |
Common product questions
Can I use the same hole for every installation method?
No compatibility is established here. Select the hole, host and process together with the exact insert, rather than copying a hole from a different mechanism.
Does a brass-coloured image prove a brass grade?
No. The AI reference communicates appearance only. Specify the actual alloy, condition and finish in the controlled order.
Is after-moulding the same as moulded-in?
No. After-moulding inserts are installed in an already formed part; moulded-in inserts are positioned before the surrounding plastic is formed. Keep their tooling and host interfaces separate.
Related product choices
- In-moulding inserts: separate forming route
- Solid metal-host inserts: separate receiving interface
- Drawing-defined spacers and compression-limiter requirements
- Thread specification checklist
Product references
References checked 10 October 2026 identify structures, not FastenerBridge stock, certification or brand affiliation. Final requirements follow the selected specification. No universal dimensions, load rating or tightening torque is stated.