🔩 Secondary Operations

Tapping &
Hardware Insertion

Threaded holes, press-fit nuts, rivets, and helicoil inserts added in-house — so your parts arrive ready to assemble.

How It Works

Assembly-ready parts,
straight off our floor

After laser cutting or CNC machining, our operators add threaded features and press-in hardware so you can bolt your assembly together on arrival — no drilling, no tapping jig required.

Select the hardware type and size when configuring your quote. We source standard PEM, blind rivets, and metric/UNC thread stock on-shelf.

Thread tapping: M2 to M24, UNC #4 to 1"
PEM self-clinching nuts, studs, and standoffs
Blind rivets: aluminium and steel, 3.2–6.4 mm
Helicoil wire thread inserts for stripped-thread rescue
Countersunk and counterbored holes per DXF
Same lead time as base fabrication — no extra days

🔩

Thread Tapping

CNC or hand-tapped to ISO & UNC standards

⬡

PEM Nuts & Studs

Self-clinching fasteners pressed flush

🪛

Blind Rivets

Pop-riveted joins, 3.2 – 6.4 mm diameter

🌀

Helicoil Inserts

Steel wire inserts for thin aluminium

Specifications

Capability at a glance

Standard capability covers the vast majority of sheet metal and machined-part applications.

📏

Thread range (metric)

M2 – M24

Coarse and fine pitch available

🔧

Thread range (UNC/UNF)

#4 – 1″

Standard and fine series stocked

⬡

PEM nut range

M3 – M12

SS, steel, and aluminium substrate

📐

Min wall for tapping

1.5 mm

Thinner = helicoil recommended

⚡

Positional accuracy

±0.1 mm

CNC-located before tapping

🕒

Additional lead time

Zero

Completed alongside primary op

Thread Standards

Common sizes in stock

All listed sizes are kept in-house. Non-standard sizes accepted on request with 1–2 day lead extension.

Thread	Pitch / TPI	Min Sheet (mm)	Common Use	Stock
M3	0.5 mm	1.5	Electronics, small panels	In Stock
M4	0.7 mm	2.0	General sheet metal	In Stock
M5	0.8 mm	2.5	Structural brackets	In Stock
M6	1.0 mm	3.0	Most common fastener	In Stock
M8	1.25 mm	4.0	Heavy brackets, frames	In Stock
M10	1.5 mm	5.0	Load-bearing joints	In Stock
M12	1.75 mm	6.0	Machine bases	On Request
#8-32 UNC	32 TPI	2.0	Rack-mount equipment	In Stock
1/4-20 UNC	20 TPI	3.0	Camera mounts, fixtures	In Stock
M16–M24	Various	8.0+	Heavy fabrication	Lead +2 days

Design Guide

How to spec hardware in your DXF

Mark threaded holes and hardware locations clearly. Follow these rules for error-free production.

📍 Mark tapped holes clearly

Place threaded holes on a separate DXF layer named "TAPPED" or use the notes field in your quote to list hole coordinates and thread sizes. We'll cross-reference against your geometry.

📏 Use correct pilot hole diameter

Your DXF should show the pilot hole diameter, not the thread major diameter. We tap from your pre-cut hole. M6 pilot = 5.0 mm, M8 = 6.8 mm, M4 = 3.3 mm.

⬡ PEM nut hole sizing

PEM clinch nut holes must match the PEM press-in diameter, not the thread. E.g., a PEM M6 nut (Type S) requires a 11.2 mm hole in 2 mm steel. We'll confirm sizing from your notes.

↔️ Maintain edge distance

Keep threaded holes at least 2× the thread diameter from any edge or other hole. Too close to edges causes material tear-out or inadequate thread engagement strength.

Pro tip: Add a HARDWARE_NOTES.txt to your upload or use the notes field in the quote form: list each hole by X,Y coordinate and specify "M5 tap" or "PEM M6 nut". Our engineers review every order before cutting.

FAQ

Common questions

Can you tap threads in aluminium sheet that's only 1.5 mm thick? ⌄

Yes, but only for M3 and M4 at 1.5 mm. For M5 and above in thin sheet, we recommend a PEM self-clinching nut or a helicoil insert, which provide far more thread engagement. We'll flag it if your spec looks risky.

What's the difference between a PEM nut and a tapped thread? ⌄

A tapped thread is cut directly into the base material — fine for thicker stock but limited by material depth. A PEM self-clinching nut is a separate steel fastener pressed into a punched hole; it provides high pull-out strength even in thin 1.5–3 mm sheet and leaves a flush face on the back.

Do you charge per hole or per part? ⌄

Hardware operations are priced per feature (each tap, each PEM insertion, each rivet). The quote page shows a line item breakdown. The cost is typically ₹8–₹30 per feature depending on size and type, with a setup charge amortised across the batch.

Can you add tapping to an order of just 2–3 parts? ⌄

Yes. There's no minimum quantity requirement. Prototype quantities of 1–5 parts are common. The per-part setup cost is higher at low quantities, but the instant quote reflects this accurately.

How do I specify hardware if I'm uploading a DXF? ⌄

Use the notes field on the quote page. List each hole by its location (e.g., "all Ø5mm holes = M6 tap") or attach a marked-up PDF. Our engineers read every note before the job goes to the floor.

Tapping &Hardware Insertion

Assembly-ready parts,straight off our floor