Concealed fastening for clean, elegant designs
PEM® Ghost™ Fastening from PennEngineering® makes it possible to conceal screws, bolts, nuts and other fasteners inside the application. The result is an uninterrupted outer surface, greater design freedom and a locking mechanism that is invisible from the outside.
When visible fasteners limit the design
In many applications, screws, bolts and nuts are essential for holding the structure together. But they can also interrupt the surface, limit design options and make it obvious where an enclosure, housing or panel can be opened.
Industry across a wide range of sectors is therefore increasingly seeking solutions where fasteners can be concealed without compromising functionality. This is particularly relevant to products and applications where aesthetics, security and access control are part of the overall design.
PEM® Ghost™ conceals the locking mechanism on the inside
PEM® Ghost™ Fastening is a fastening technology in which the locking mechanism is not visible from the outside. The technology consists of a pin and a bushing or retainer, both of which are fitted inside the application’s enclosure or housing.
When the locking mechanism needs to be released, a magnetic tool is used to disengage PEM® Ghost™ Fasteners. This gives the application a clean outer surface with no visible traces, marks or mounting points to reveal where the components are located.
At the same time, the concealed design makes it harder for unauthorised individuals to identify and access the application’s contents.
Choose concealed fastening based on design, access and assembly
PEM® Ghost™ can be relevant when a solution needs to be both functional and visually simple. The technology can replace many smaller screws, bolts and bushings that would otherwise be fitted on the outside of an application.
The solution is available in many sizes, lengths and widths and can be tailored to unique requirements across different applications. It is therefore worth considering early in the design phase, when the choice of fastening affects assembly, service access, security and the finished appearance.
- Assess whether visible screws, bolts or nuts detract from the desired design.
- Determine whether the application requires concealed access or greater security.
- Explore whether PEM® Ghost™ can replace existing external fasteners.
- Choose the size, length and width to suit the requirements of the design.
- Plan for access using magnetic release from the start of the design process.
- Involve a technical specialist if the solution needs to be tailored to a specific application.
New possibilities for industrial product design
PEM® Ghost™ Fastening makes it possible to design products with an uninterrupted surface, without fasteners becoming a visible compromise. This opens up possibilities for more elegant designs and can also improve security, as the locking points cannot readily be located from the outside.
The technology is suitable for many industries and application types, including telecoms, servers, security equipment, consumer products, access hardware such as doors, drawers and cabinets, domestic appliances and automotive electronics.
Hans Buch offers mechanical components, fasteners and other mechanical solutions for a wide range of industries, including advice on how concealed fastening can be incorporated into customised designs.
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Brian Beck Faymonville
Sales Engineer
Pernille Frigg Svitzer
Internal Sales and Project Coordinator