Broaching Technology
A broaching fastener is a knurled-shank fastening device that can be pressed into a hole to provide a permanent, strong, threaded or unthreaded attachment point in PC boards. They can also be used in aluminum, acrylic, casting and polycarbonate components. Specially formed axial grooves around the shank of the fastener “broach” or cut into the material, creating a firm, interference-type fit resistant to rotation. In PC boards, broaching fasteners are recommended for use in non-plated holes.
Broaching is almost strictly used in the context of electronic assemblies with PCBs. While it can be used in brittle plastics, more specialized solutions like the unique installation methods of threaded inserts leverage the versatility of plastic to create stronger joints than what broaching could accomplish.
Broaching and broach/flare types are designed for unplated mounting hole applications. If used in plated mounting holes, the stresses
involved can damage the plating, push out the plating entirely, or break any traces inside the board that might be connected to the plated
hole. When installing into non-plated mounting holes there may even be issues with delamination, measeling or crazing in some instances
- Electronic assemblies with PCBs
- Broaching is almost strictly used in the context of electronic assemblies with PCBs. While it can be used in brittle plastics, more specialized solutions like the unique installation methods of threaded inserts leverage the versatility of plastic to create stronger joints than what broaching could accomplish.