Abstract: A thermal press for installing metal inserts into a workpiece of thermoplastics material is disclosed and includes a reciprocating driver supported on a frame for movement toward and away from the workpiece. The driver includes a heated bit engageable with an insert positioned upon the workpiece when the driver is moved into a ready operative position and applies heat directly to the insert causing it to locally melt the thermoplastics workpiece. The thermal press features an adjustable air biasing mechanism which is automatically activated upon movement of the driver into its ready operative position after arrest of the bit in its insert engagement position whereby the air biasing means drives the bit independently of the driver to apply a predetermined insert driving force on the bit to fully install the insert into the workpiece upon softening of its thermoplastics material.

Abstract: A hand-operated thermal press for installing metal inserts in a workpiece of a thermoplastics material comprises a frame (12) including an upright post (16) on which is slidably mounted a support bracket (24) carrying an insert driver (18). Movement of the bracket (24) along the post (16) is limited by adjustable clamps (20, 22) and the bracket (24) is biassed into a starting position by a coil spring (28). A hand-operable mechanism (34) is provided for moving the insert driver (18) along the post (16). The insert driver (18) incorporates a heating unit movable relatively to the insert driver (18) against a biassing spring (100). The heating unit includes a core (70) heated by the unit and which supports a bit (92) adapted to receive the metal insert to be installed. The clamps (20, 22) are adjusted to provide a required movement of the insert driver and the spring bias (100) ensures a consistent driving force for installing the insert.