Board Spacers, Standoffs

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
R6395-02 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 19MM	3161
R40-6000502 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M4 BRASS 5MM	2663
R40-3001102 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 11MM	0
R40-1003002 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 30MM	361
R30-6010802 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 BRASS 8MM	602
R30-9400800 Harwin	HEX SPACER M3 PLASTIC 8MM	7065
R40-6711294 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M4 NYLON 12MM	4534
R40-1001402 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 14MM	5219
R30-6200614 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 6MM	4857
R6396-02 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 7/8"	1089
R40-1001202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M4X0.7 BRASS 12MM	0
R40-6710894 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M4 NYLON 8MM	3304
R30-3001202 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 12MM	10172
R30-6700794 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 NYLON 7MM	2583
R30-1000602 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 6MM	4711
R30-1000802 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 8MM	5056
R30-3001802 Harwin	HEX STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 18MM	1740
R30-6701594 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 NYLON 15MM	642
R30-6200714 Harwin	ROUND SPACER M3 ALUMINUM 7MM	1548
R30-5000402 Harwin	ROUND STANDOFF M3X0.5 BRASS 4MM	336

Board Spacers, Standoffs

1. Overview

Board spacers and standoffs are specialized hardware components used to create controlled spacing between printed circuit boards (PCBs), panels, or structural elements. They provide mechanical support, electrical isolation, and thermal management in electronic assemblies. Their importance in modern technology includes enabling compact designs, reducing vibration stress, and improving heat dissipation in devices ranging from smartphones to industrial control systems.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Cylindrical Spacers	Simple tubular design with uniform diameter	PCB layer separation in consumer electronics
Hexagonal Standoffs	6-sided structure for wrench tightening	Industrial equipment panel mounting
Self-clinching Standoffs	Permanent installation with threaded compression	Sheet metal enclosures in servers
Adjustable Spacers	Variable length through threaded adjustment	Prototype development and testing
Insulated Spacers	Non-conductive materials for electrical isolation	High-voltage power supply assemblies

3. Structure & Composition

Typical construction includes:

Material: Stainless steel (corrosion resistance), aluminum (lightweight), or nylon (insulation)
Geometry: Cylindrical (standard), stepped (for multiple board heights), or flanged (for load distribution)
Installation Features: Internal threading (male/female), knurled surfaces (for grip), or press-fit tabs
Surface Treatment: Passivation (metal), UV resistance (plastics), or EMI shielding coating

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Material Hardness (HV)	Determines wear resistance and load capacity
Thread Engagement Length	Affects vibration resistance in dynamic environments
Thermal Conductivity (W/m K)	Critical for heat dissipation in power electronics
Dielectric Strength (kV/mm)	Safety factor in high-voltage applications
Installation Torque Rating	Prevents over-tightening damage to PCBs

5. Application Fields

Primary industries include:

Electronics Manufacturing: Server racks, LED displays
Automotive: Engine control units (ECUs), ADAS systems
Aerospace: Satellite PCB mounting, avionics enclosures
Medical Devices: MRI scanner internal structures
Consumer Electronics: Smartphone PCB stacking

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product
PEM	S-8900 Series self-clinching standoffs
RS Components	486-8826 insulated hexagonal spacers
Mouser Electronics	925206-12 adjustable PCB spacers
McMaster-Carr	91285A102 stainless steel standoffs

7. Selection Recommendations

Evaluate mechanical load requirements vs material strength
Match thread type (UNC/UNF/Metric) with assembly hardware
Consider CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) compatibility with PCB materials
Select insulated variants for >50V circuits
Use vibration-damping coatings in mobile applications

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Miniaturization: Sub-1mm spacers for wearable devices
Material Innovation: Conductive polymer composites for EMI shielding
Smart Integration: Standoffs with embedded strain gauges for structural monitoring
Automated Installation: Self-aligning designs for robotic assembly lines
Sustainability: Biodegradable plastic options (PLA-based) entering mainstream production