Self-Clinching / PEM Hardware Hole Size Chart

Use this chart to find the mounting-hole size, hole tolerance, minimum sheet thickness, and minimum hole-center-to-edge distance for the selected SP nut thread and shank code. The SP family is intended for stainless-steel sheet within the manufacturer’s stated hardness limit.

How to use this chart

1. Select the metric thread you need, such as M4 × 0.7 or M6 × 1.
2. Select the SP shank code that matches the sheet thickness. The shank code is part of the installation choice; it is not interchangeable with the thread size.
3. Make the hole to the listed nominal diameter and keep it within the listed tolerance. Confirm the finished sheet material and hardness before installation.
4. Keep the hole center at least the listed distance from the sheet edge. Check the manufacturer’s guidance separately if the hole is near a bend, another clinch fastener, or a formed feature.

What the SP family covers

PEM SP nuts are a manufacturer-specific family for stainless-steel sheets. The selected PennEngineering table lists SP options for the metric threads shown in this dataset, with different shank codes covering different minimum sheet thicknesses. The mounting hole changes with the thread size, while the hole tolerance is listed separately in the manufacturer data.

The chart keeps the SP family separate from S, SS, CLS, CLSS, CLA, locknut, stud, and standoff families. Those families can have different materials, hardness limits, sheet ranges, head geometry, and installation requirements. A matching thread alone does not prove that another family will fit the same hole or work in the same sheet.

Minimum sheet thickness and shank code

Each SP row includes a recommended minimum sheet thickness. Use a shank code that is suitable for the actual sheet thickness and follow the current PennEngineering installation instructions. The minimum value in this chart is not a general strength rating and does not establish a maximum sheet thickness, joint load, torque, or pushout performance.

Edge distance and material limits

The minimum edge distance is measured from the hole centerline to the sheet edge. Treat it as a design boundary for the selected family, not as a universal rule for every self-clinching fastener. PEM also identifies a hardness limit for SP nuts: stainless-steel sheet at HRB 90 / HB 192 or less. If the panel is harder, unusually thin, curved, close to a bend, or already distorted, stop and verify the application with the manufacturer.

Hole preparation

Prepare a round, correctly sized hole and remove burrs that would prevent the nut head from seating. The installation method must apply the parallel squeezing force specified by the manufacturer. Do not assume that a drilled, punched, or laser-cut hole has the same result if its size, taper, burr direction, or edge condition falls outside the installation guidance.

Do not countersink the hole unless the selected product specifically requires it. A countersink can remove the material that the clinching feature needs. For production work, confirm the current part number, finish, installation tooling, and panel condition from the PennEngineering catalog before releasing the drawing.

Related reference topics

• How to use Hole Wizard in SOLIDWORKS for modeling a prepared hole in a CAD workflow.
• How to make a threaded hole with Hole Wizard in SOLIDWORKS for a different, tapped-hole workflow.
• Do not substitute a rivet-nut or general clearance-hole recommendation for this manufacturer-specific installation data. Confirm that the selected hardware family and installation condition match.

Source note: Dimensions in this chart come from PennEngineering’s public self-clinching-nut data for the PEM SP family. Always verify the current product catalog and installation requirements for production-critical work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an SP hole size for an S or CLS nut?

Not automatically. Compare the exact family, thread, shank code, material, and current manufacturer data. This chart intentionally does not label SP dimensions as universal PEM dimensions.

Does the minimum sheet thickness tell me the joint load?

No. It is an installation applicability limit from the selected product data. Joint performance also depends on the panel, installation process, fastener material, and loading.

Can I use a smaller edge distance if the hole is punched?

Do not assume that. Punch quality does not replace the manufacturer’s edge-distance and proximity guidance. Check the selected product’s current installation documentation.