If I understand your objective correctly, you are asking for the equivalent of a threaded heat set insert, but without the threads? Of course, there's a mechanical advantage with the inserts in that the outer diameter is often knurled or otherwise featured to provide more surface area with which the plastic will bond. One could simply drill out the heat set insert to the required diameter. I've recently completed a project using the inserts and if I had considered the benefits, I might have done just that, but the loads are insignificant and the inserts were used to eliminate nuts on the obverse.