A graphic depicting the unique design of Tappex's flagship threaded insert, the Trisert-3
Tappex Trisert-3 in grade-5 titanium
The Tappex Trisert-3, a self tapping threaded insert available in steel and titanium.
Grade 5 Titanium self tapping Trisert-3 thread insert

Self -Tapping / Threading Thread inserts for critical applications

The standard brass self-tapping Trisert® range has for many years included three primary designs: Double Ended, Reduced Headed and Regular Headed variants. These solve most application problems in thermoset and thermoplastic grades, including the latest engineering plastics.
Trisert-3® is the latest addition to this family and has been developed to expand the proven Trisert® range into more critical applications including light metal alloys: aluminium, magnesium as well as glass-filled thermoplastics and epoxy / hard-glass thermosets possibly incorporating carbon & kevlar-fibre reinforcement. ONLY TAPPEX HAVE DESIGNED A SELF-TAPPING INSERT WITH BESPOKE CURVED CUTTING FEATURES – WATCH OUT FOR COPIES FROM ASIA AND THE UK!
The concept of the Trisert-3® design is to provide efficient installation of threaded inserts into post-mould & machined parts especially as the installation torque can be more precisely controlled and monitored for greater reliability. As the internal thread is used to install the Trisert-3®, with engagement in the installation tooling, all internal threads of each insert are automatically checked for the existence of a good thread.

Trisert-3® – Features

Trisert-3® has patented three cutting features to provide more balanced cutting forces and therefore reduced installation torque, compared to the many cross-slot designs available, that only have two cutting features (slots or pierce holes). The Trisert-3® design maintains a complete cylinder design that provides for a stronger body, size-for-size, than the slotted design and maybe used used in ‘pull-through’ applications. Trisert-3® is available in two standard-lengths variants: regular and long stated for length in mm. This provides an increased bearing surface that not only allows higher tightening torques to be applied, but also provides more support to softer mating components. The head diameter is designed to fit exactly the counter bore of the the prepared hole specified, and thus presents a neat flush fit finish, where required.

Insert’s  material grades

In most applications into plastic, the standard brass Trisert® offers a satisfactory and economic solution with good wear resistance and strength. Also it will withstand corrosion in most environments without any second operation surface treatment.

In order to meet the requirements of a wider range of host materials and harsher applications, the selection of the material for the Trisert-3®  is very important. Trisert-3® inserts are offered in two grades of stainless steel (303 and 316) as well as a case-hardened steel variant with zinc nickel, trivalent passivated finish.

The stainless steel versions, in particular, are able to withstand critical operating environments, such as marine and chemical/food-processing, while still retaining good wear resistance and mechanical strength.

Trisert 3® – Installation

ElecArm for the installation of self tapping thread insertsThe Tappex FlexiArm® provides a rapid and reliable method of installation for the Trisert-3® range. The FlexiArm® installation machine consists of a pantograph arm with a pneumatic screwdriver attached. The screwdriver can be specified with an automatic reverse torque-clutch control and operating at either 510 rpm or 1,100rpm. Alternatively, a manual reverse torque-clutch control operating at 510 rpm is available and will be recommended dependant upon the size of the insert and the material into which it is being installed.
The FlexiArm® provides a low-cost assembly solution for many different post-mould applications and 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 (which can be fitted at a later date) to suit most multi-task assembly requirements. With harder materials it is more critical that the insert is exactly aligned with the receiving hole. The latest FlexiArm® facilitates this by being adjustable in two planes or axis. A range of production drivers are available to provide an accurate method of installing the inserts at various heights and positions in the moulding (see inset), and they are available separately to suit M3 to M10 threads presently, larger sizes being developed and also some equivalent Imperial sizes are available.
We have also recently released our newest installation tool for threaded inserts, the ElecArm, a series of electric preset-torque screwdrivers mounted on balance arms, and can be used in conjunction with a Tappex production driver (part no.029).

Hand Installation Equipment

Alternatively, the inserts can be installed by hand, using Tappex Hand Tools (031 range) that come complete with an alignment bush to ensure correct installation.

The Tappex Flexiarm an installation tool for threaded inserts
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Insert Manufactured from…

TRISERT-3® - REDUCED HEADED - 6238M5-303

Material: 316 Stainless Steel, 303 Stainless Steel,Steel Case Hardened Zinc Nickel plated and Trivalent Passivated and Titanium Grade 5 (Please contact us for more information on size availability)
These materials are RoHS compliant.

Finish: Self-Colour Passivated and as specified. Special finishes to customer requirements, at extra cost.

Description: The Trisert-3 is a single ended self-tapping insert. Its main features are the truncated external thread form with three equally spaced cutting facets.

Application: Designed to meet the the requirements of a wide range of host materials and harsh environments where brass Triserts would not be suitable. The Trisert-3 is compatible with the hole size for the equivalent size standard Trisert. Suitable in corrosive atmospheres and for installation into alloys or particularly hard engineering plastics.

Hole Size: Moulded and drilled hole diameters vary dependent upon installation technique, specific component geometry and material. Please consult our technical department for a precise recommendation, to ensure optimum production conditions. Sizes given are for reference purposes only.

Hole Design: The hole design information is intended to indicate the approximate dimensional requirements for satisfactory installation of the insert. They should not be specified for production tooling without prior consultation with our Application Engineering Department - we accept no responsibility should the use of this information without consultation result in product failure. Please call our application engineers for assistance +44 (0) 1789 206600

Installation: Self-tapping using a hand tool (part no.031) or reversible drive mechanism. Tappex offer pneumatic reversible tools mounted in a Tappex FlexiArm, used in conjunction with a Tappex production driver (part no.029).
We have also recently released our newest installation tool for threaded inserts, the ElecArm, a series of electric preset-torque screwdrivers mounted on balance arms, and can be used in conjunction with a Tappex production driver (part no.029).

Insert Design

Trisert-3 self tapping thread inserts reduced headed design
Part No.: 6238M5-303
Thread Size: M5
Pitch (internal): 0.80
Diameter (external) B: 7.50
Head Thickness T: 0.40
Head Diameter D: 7.50
Length L: 8.40

Hole Design

Reduced headed hole design for thread inserts
Hole Diameter C (Plastics): 6.90-7.20
Hole Diameter C (Alloys): 7.15-7.35
Hole Depth Y: 9.30
Boss Diameter X: 12.60
Wall Thickness W: 2.70

The following are downloads relating to the Trisert-3® range, although a downloads may also be applicable to other product ranges. General information can be found on our downloads page.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, please contact our experienced technical sales who available to assist you:  +44 (0) 1789 206600.

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Tappex 2018 Brochure

Product brochure with overviews and descriptions of products.

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Threaded Inserts for Plastics a ten point guide

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Tappex brochure about the Trisert-3® range of Tappex products. Overview, applications and technical specifications

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Features and Description of the Tappex FlexiArm

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Details of Production Driver Function, Identification, Dimensions, Suggested stock, and Troubleshooting.

Tappex Downloads - PDF

Tappex Hand Tool description, instructions for use, and maximum torques.

Installing Trisert 3 (Stainless Steel Threaded Inserts) Into Nylon

In this video we demonstrate the Tappex 510rpm Manual Reverse Pneumatic Screwdriver & Flexiarm and show how easy it is to install Tappex’s Trisert-3 (one of our stainless steel self threading inserts) into 30% glass filled nylon.

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Tappex ElecArm® New Range of Installation Equipment for Self-Tapping Inserts – Overview

Tappex ElecArm® Self-Tapping Insert Installation Demonstration

Gen 3 Heat Inserter