Studs | Locating Pins

Overview

Locating pins or pilot pins are similar in form to studs except for their absence of threads. Instead, they have a round or sometimes diamond profile length with a tapered tip. Since there are no threads to hold a load and the part is only subject to shear loading, there is no need for anti-rotation features, making round bar stock the main raw material geometry for locating pins. They can sit pressure-fit in to a milled hole, as well as more permanent attachment methods for thin panels.

Application

Locating pins help align components prior to fastening, which is especially useful when dimensional accuracy is a priority. Servers for telecom and datacom applications pack many components into the smallest space possible, requiring tight tolerances that become tedious when multiplied into large systems of servers. When fastening to a vertical surface, hardware can be minimized if two of the four attachment points are locating pins instead of studs. This ensures four stable corners with only two loose nuts. Additionally, diamond locating pins can be useful in tandem with round pins for very small tolerance situations, as they allow for some play between pins and reduce the possibility of binding.

Locating pins can be used alongside threaded studs to minimize loose hardware without sacrificing support.

Most alternative solutions to locating pins face tradeoffs between directional stability, manufacturing, and tolerance challenges.