White PaperManufacturing & Prototyping
The Benefits of Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins in Soft and Brittle Materials
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Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins offer a variety of advantages in many applications including ease of installation, high retention, host material protection, and lower overall assembly costs. Learn how the optimal balance between strength and flexibility makes them ideal for plastic hinges, outlet covers, locks, latches and more!
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Overview
The white paper titled "The Benefits of Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins in Soft and Brittle Materials" by Adolf Valasek from SPIROL International Corporation discusses the advantages of using Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins as mechanical fasteners in various applications. These pins are designed to provide flexibility and protection to host materials, particularly those that are soft or brittle, such as plastics, soft metals, and ceramics.
The paper outlines the three duty classifications of Coiled Pins: Light, Standard, and Heavy. Light Duty Pins are characterized by their superior flexibility and lower radial pressure, making them ideal for applications where minimal shear force is applied, such as alignment tasks. The flexibility of Light Duty Pins allows them to absorb loads without damaging the host material, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity of fragile components.
One of the key benefits highlighted is the lower insertion force required for Light Duty Coiled Pins, which is 50% less than Standard Duty and 75% less than Heavy Duty Pins. This reduced force not only makes manual installation easier for assembly workers but also improves ergonomics and safety on the assembly line. Additionally, the lower material costs associated with Light Duty Pins contribute to overall assembly cost savings, as less raw material is used, and less powerful installation equipment is needed.
The paper emphasizes that the strength of Light Duty Coiled Pins is often more than sufficient for most applications, as they can handle loads at a fraction of their ultimate shear strength. This makes them a versatile choice for various fastening needs, particularly in scenarios where the pin does not bear significant weights or is not part of a power transmission mechanism.
In summary, the white paper advocates for the use of Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins due to their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to protect host materials, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.