Locating and Fixturing Pins

Locating and fixturing pins are removable devices used to locate, align or fix two or more parts together. They can accomplish this manually - for example, a simple pin - or by pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical power in a more complex device. They are often made out of aluminum, brass, titanium, wood, or plastic. Locating and fixturing pins are also available in hardened steel, unhardened steel, and stainless steel varieties. As simple devices, locating pins and fixturing pins are often packaged in bulk, sold by quantity and are available in an assortment of sizes. Simple types of locating and fixturing pins include bullet-nose dowels, bullet-nose pins, clamping pins, cone locator pins, diamond locator pins, drift pins, floating locating pins, indexing or pop pins, L-pins, quick release pins, round locating pins and T-pins. More complex types include pneumatically-driven pin clamps and miniature pins that may include proximity sensing technology.

Bullet-nose dowels and pins are a common type of locating and fixturing pins. A bullet-nose dowel is a precision locating pin. These locating pins and fixturing pins have long, tapered noses that are often used with a mating bushing or a liner. Bullet-nose pins are similar to bullet-nose dowels but have a bigger locating shoulder. Bullet-nose locating and fixturing pins are available with short, round, or diamond tops. These locating and fixturing pins are used to align two pieces of a fixture.

Clamping pins, cone locator pins, and diamond locator pins are basic categories of locating and fixturing pins. Clamping locating and fixturing pins are used for clamping materials of varying thicknesses by an adjustable collar or bushing to braze the pin into position. Cone locator pins have cone-shaped tips. These locating pins and fixturing pins are used with a mating bushing or liner for medium-accuracy applications. Cone locating and fixturing pins can compensate for a wide degree of misalignment. Diamond locator pins are similar to cone locator pins but have four flat, diamond-shaped tips. These locating and fixturing pins are often used in conjunction with a round pin.

Other types of locating and fixturing pins include drift pins, floating locating pins, and indexing or pop pins. Drift pins are locating and fixturing pins with tapered ends. They align holes in materials that are bolted together. Floating locating pins function similarly to diamond pins and are often used in conjunction with round pins. Floating locating and fixturing pins provide precise 1-axis location while floating in the perpendicular axis. Indexing or pop pins are spring-loaded pins that are either threaded or non-threaded. This type of locating and fixturing pin is often equipped with a handle for easy installation and removal.

Locating and fixturing pins include L-pins, quick release pins, round locating pins, and T-pins. L-pins are removable alignment pins with an l-shaped handle. Quick release pins have spring-loaded steel balls that create a positive lock. Removal of quick release locating and fixturing pins is done by a pushing a button or other actuating device that unlocks the steel balls. Round locating pins have round, tapered tips that accurately locate a part, often in conjunction with a diamond locating pin. T-pins are a type of locating and fixturing pins that are have a T-shaped handle for easy removal.

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