Spring Pin Fasteners Key Terms

Learn the basics when it comes to spring pin fasteners

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer

The spring pin is widely used in industrial manufacturing. Typically, it's used as a basic pin to hold two objects together securely, but it can also be used as a dowel or stop pin. The spring pin is simple: it's designed to fit snugly in place by creating a frictional grip, but the variety of spring pins available can make it a little difficult to choose the correct pin.

Learning a few basic and advanced spring pin terms can help you find the right pin for the job. Find out how a coiled pin and toothed pin work, and learn how to distinguish how strong a pin is by its yield strength rating.

Spring pin

A spring pin is a cylindrical pin with a hollow interior and slot along the side which allows it to compress to fit into a hole that is smaller than the diameter of the pin. The spring pin fits tightly to create a secure way of holding objects in place.
Try: ToolingU offers a definition of the spring pin and how it works.

Yield strength

The yield strength is a measurement of a material's capabilities to handle a load. The strength number is the maximum load amount an object, like a spring pin, can take before it deforms or breaks.
Try: The definition of yield strength is available at the Pivot Pins glossary of terms.

Coiled

The term "coiled" means an object has a spiral appearance. A coiled spring pin is one with a spiraled edge that allows for flexibility while not compromising strength. Coiled spring pins can be used in areas that see a lot of stress and movement.
Try: The coiled spring pin is defined at Spirol. The company is a leader in fastener manufacturing.

Shock absorbing

A spring pin is considered one of the best options for a fastening job that requires good shock absorption characteristics.
Try: Fastenel offers a wide array of spring pins and describes how the design of spring pins makes them excellent shock absorbers.

Dowel or joggle

A spring pin can work as a dowel to stop the movement of an object. The dowel is a pin inserted into holes through two objects to hold them together. It can also be called a joggle.
Try: The dowel and joggle are defined at Glossary.com.

Toothed slot

A toothed slot spring pin is one with a jagged cut instead of the usual straight cut the length of the pin.
Try: Connex, a manufacturer of fasteners, sells a toothed spring pin. They website explains the toothed concept and how it helps a spring pin be even more versatile.