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Plastic Heat Stake Solutions

A fastener-free option to join parts

Heat staking is one of the many processes used in plastic assembly when at least one of the parts is made from thermoplastic. In most cases, heat staking is the preferred method for joining metal parts to plastics. It is also used to join two dissimilar plastic components.

Heat staking process combines the use of heat and pressure, to soften a specific area of the plastic enough to be remolded into a new shape or profile that forms over or around the connecting part. Once cooled, it is the plastic’s strength that holds the mating part in place.

With heat staking, you have a permanent assembly without the use of other fasteners or hardware. Heat staking can also be used to add metal inserts to aid in multi-part assemblies. Heat staking has been found to be a very effective, controllable and repeatable process.

Because heat staking is performed after a part is molded, part assembly considerations need to be taken during product development. Part components need to be designed for the type of assembly that will be used. For heat staking, the plastic part will usually have a boss which is a feature that is raised above the surface. The mating part will have holes that are sized and strategically placed to meet up with the boss during assembly. The bosses will fit into the holes and will allow for heat staking to occur.

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Advantages of Heat Staking

There are other fastener-based technologies to hold parts together, but there are many advantages to the heat staking process including:

All heat staking can occur in one machine cycle, whereas other methods have multiple steps for each location on the part, such as installing multiple threaded inserts.
No vibration damage or stress cracks to sensitive electronic components due to precise, localized application.
No particulates from other materials used.
Ability to stake metalized coated applications.
Ability to reach difficult to access areas.
Eliminates the need for extra hardware, which can become defective, break, or otherwise suffer from quality control issues.
Less costly and less labor intensive to other hardware fastening options.

Our Applications for Plastic Heat Stake Technology

Heat staking works well with many difficult thermoplastics including the glass-filled plastics used in medical devices, automotive, appliances, telecom, electronics and consumer products.

The heat staking process can be used in a variety of applications including:

Panel assemblies
Joining printed circuit boards to plastic housing
Joining electronic components to plastic housing
Medical device assembly

The most common resins used in heat staking are:

Polycarbonate (PC)
Polypropylene (PP)
Polystyrene (PS)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Nylons (GFN or Nylon 6/6)
Ultem (GFN or Nylon 6/6)

If you are designing a part that will be joined to another, contact Ferriot to determine if heat staking is the right solution for your project.

Learn more:

FAQ

What is heat staking?

Heat staking is a process used in plastic assembly where at least one of the parts is made from thermoplastic. It is commonly used to join metal parts to plastics or to join two dissimilar plastic components. The process involves the application of heat and pressure to soften a specific area of the plastic, which is then remolded into a new shape or profile that forms over or around the connecting part. Once cooled, the plastic’s strength holds the mating part in place, creating a permanent assembly without the need for additional fasteners or hardware.

Workbook Resin Selection

Ensuring that an injection molded part lives up to this potential depends in large part on choosing the best resin. This workbook details different part characteristics and how they influence your resin choice.

View the Workbook

Case Studies

Seamless Tool Transfers: How Ferriot Helped Ensure Uninterrupted Production for SRG Global Inc.

SRG team members were not only seeking a reliable injection molder, but one that could manage the intricacies of the mold transfer portion of the program with minimal disruption.

Read Case Study

Finishing Operations for Fluid-Injection Pumps

As a full-service contract manufacturer, Ferriot is capable of a wide variety of services to the customer. Learn how a medical OEM selected Ferriot for full-service sourcing and assembly of components for fluid-injection pumps.

Read Case Study

Finishing Operations for Wheelchair Components

Lead times can be problematic if not managed correctly. We’ll show you how we worked with a medical device OEM to shorten lead times on parts and components for wheelchairs, and gain greater efficiencies.

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How can we help?

Ferriot’s experienced engineers are here to guide you through every critical step in your injection molding journey, from concept to completion.