What are Industrial Pins? | Types and Applications

Fastening hardware, such as industrial pins, serve various functions in all industries. But
primarily, you can see these components in machine parts manufacturing and mechanical
engineering. Their primary function is to penetrate, align, mount, couple, or assemble two
workpieces that share the same hole.

While there’s a high demand for industrial pins, it’s worth mentioning that engineers and
technicians also turn to commonly quick release locking pins. These components’ primary
function is to aid in the frequent adjustments of some production and equipment processes.
Nonetheless, read further to learn about industrial pins and their uses or applications.

Where Are Industrial Pins?

Mechanical, construction, metal and machine parts manufacturing industries are the ones who use industrial pins on large scale. These pins can be made from various materials, including wood, plaster, brass, and steel.
Technicians and mechanical engineers primarily use these components to secure mechanical
parts relative to one another during mechanical engineering and machine parts manufacturing.
In particular, industrial pins function by being inserted into a hole. That way, the mechanical
parts won’t be able to move parallel to the mechanical pins’ shaft. These components are
effective when used to counterbalance a shear force applied between two objects.

Furthermore, industrial pins come in various materials, shapes, sizes, and coatings. These
features contribute to their overall effectiveness, strength, and proper application. Moreover,
industrial pins can have two metal ends that extend beyond the holes in which they’re inserted.
As a result, it allows the ends to be bent out wider than the hole opening, creating a tension
mechanism that prevents the pin from falling out accidentally.

In addition to the materials and characteristics, industrial pins are designed with heads or self-
tensioning upgrades. Their purpose is to ensure they don’t fall out of the hole where they’re
inserted.

Furthermore, here is a list of industrial pins which are most widely used –

Types of industrial pins –

1. Dowel Pins

Dowel pins are among the common industrial pins made up of cylindrical-shaped solid material
pieces. These materials come in various types that join or align multiple parts. In particular, some
dowel pins are made of steel, aluminum, and real wool. But regardless of what they’re made of,
they all share the same design: cylindrical pieces of material.

Moreover, you can usually find these pins inside furniture when it comes to dowel pins’
applications. They’re used to connect two pieces of furniture or workpieces. And they can be
inserted inside tube-like sections to connect the pieces. Moreover, dowel pins are also commonly
used for machines. And they’re used to align machine parts for high precision and accuracy.

2. Taper Pins

Taper pins, also known as tapered pins, are cylindrical pins with a diameter. And this diameter
graduate decreases over a certain length. These pins can be made of alloy steel, stainless steel,
and carbon steel. Moreover, they’re dependable, cost-effective, and easy to install when locating
or fastening. Depending on the application, these pins’ material can be used for corrosion
protection and to meet the requirements for fastening or locating.

Accordingly, in terms of their applications, taper pins are usually used in industries that require
precision positioning, low torque, and locking. The machined finish on these pins increases the
friction that holds two or more parts. In particular, dowel pins are used in oil and gas,
shipbuilding, electronics, and aerospace industries.

3. Spring Pins

Spring pins are industrial pins intended to be inserted into a hole smaller in diameter than the pin
itself. The pin is sprung, allowing it to be shrunk in diameter when installed. It also provides for
a tight fit while exerting force against the holes. This force causes friction, which keeps the pin
locked in place.

Furthermore, there are various spring pins: slotted spring pins, coiled spring pins, electrical
spring pins, and spring-loaded spring pins. These pins have many applications, including
stamping, casting, and other manufacturing processes. For instance, electrical spring pins are
used as electrical connectors. Moreover, slotted spring pins can withstand high impacts of shock
and vibration better than other industrial pins.

4. Grooved Pins

Grooved pins are primarily used as pivots, locating elements, and locking devices. These are
industrial pins usually made of steel and have three grooves running along their surface. These
grooves can be swaged, making the pins stronger than spring pins and more elastic than dowel
pins.
When it comes to the types of groove pins, they’re usually zinc-plated and made of low-carbon,
unhardened steel. They’re available in various finishes and shear-resistance heat treatments.
Moreover, the grooves are usually spaced evenly around the grooved pin’s circumference. They
may run the entire length or only a part of it. And that allows a uniform-diameter hole to be
drilled through a pile of materials. It locks one section of the pin while allowing clearance
around another.

Conclusion
Overall, industrial pins attach the shaft-supported components to the shaft. They prevent axial
movement caused by thrust load and allow torque transmission. All these pins, particularly the
types of industrial pins mentioned above, are used to secure the component around them in
various ways.