What are locating pins?

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Locating pins are cylindrical components, usually made of steel.

Their main function is ensuring stable, precise positioning between different parts in an assembly or tool.

Locating pins can be:

• Smooth or shouldered, depending on your specific requirements.
• Dismountable or fixed, depending on the application.

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What do locating pins do?

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Locating pins play a vital role in mechanical systems: centring / locating

Locating pins enable two components to be perfectly aligned. They are often used during the pre-assembly stage.

They make sure that mechanical components remain concentric. This reduces disalignment, which can negatively impact the system’s overall performance.

In moulds and dies, locating pins maintain perfect symmetry, guaranteeing high-precision results.

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Applications for locating pins

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Locating pins are used in a wide variety of industrial sectors:

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• Machining: For positioning parts on machine tools and guaranteeing tight tolerances.
• Mechanical fastening: When assembling components that require precise alignment such as crankcases or shafts.
• Tools: In moulds and dies, to ensure perfect alignment between the male and female parts.‍
• Automotive and aeronautics: For complex assemblies that require meticulous positioning which is easy to recreate if necessary.‍
• Automation systems: For precise robotic operations on assembly lines.

How are locating pins manufactured and machined?

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Choosing the material

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• Locating pins are generally made from high-strength steels, such as alloy steel or heat treated steel, in order to guarantee longevity and maximum resistance.
• Other materials, such as stainless steels or titanium alloys, can also be used in certain environments where corrosion resistance is required.

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Manufacturing process

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• Turning: The cylinder is bar-turned to achieve the locating pin's basic shape.
• Milling: Specific surfaces, such as shoulders and grooves, are machined for custom applications.
• Grinding: For extremely close tolerances, grinding is used to guarantee optimal surface roughness.
• Heat treatment: The locating pin undergoes quenching to improve hardness and wear resistance.
• Surface treatment: Coatings such as nitride, phosphate and black oxide are applied to improve corrosion resistance and reduce friction.

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How are locating pins used?

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How locating pins are used varies depending on the application scenario.

In the case of a locating pin

The pin is inserted into the hole or dowel bush.
The parts are then assembled around the locating pin to ensure perfect alignment.

Locating pins are often used in conjunction with pins or bolts to fix a part in a certain position.
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In some cases, the locating pins have a clamping mechanism to keep the parts in place.

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Maintenance and disassembly

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Removable locating pins are preferable for systems that require regular upkeep.
Specialised tools such as pin extractor tools (pin punches) are sometimes needed for removing locating pins.‍

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Advantages of locating pins

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• Increased precision: Guaranteeing tight tolerances within joints.
• Durability: Materials and treatments specially adapted for wear resistance and heavy loads.
• Versatility: Suitable for a variety of industrial applications.
• Easy upkeep: Removable locating pins allow for quick maintenance and replacement.

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Locating pins are essential elements in industrial processes where precision and reliability are required.
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Their sleek design and essential role in centring and positioning makes them a must-have component for engineers and technicians. Whether it's for machining, automation or joints, locating pins are a reliable solution for optimising mechanical performance and ensuring systems work perfectly.