WINTER 2020

74 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

74 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP. 30 Rock Avenue, Danielson, CT 06239 TEL 1-860-774-8571 FAX 1-860-774-2048 EMAIL info@spirol.com WEB www.spirol.com HOW TO INSTALL A COILED SPRING PIN by Jeff Greenwood, Product Sales Engineer Coiled Pins were designed with assembly in mind. Compared to other pins, their square ends, concentric chamfers, and lower insertion forces make them ideal for easy installation. Additionally, Coiled Pins can accommodate wider hole tolerances than any other pin because they compress during installation and conform to the shape of the hole. All in all, Coiled Pins are the easiest type of pin to install and are designed to be serviceable. The Coiled Pin’s nominal diameter represents the recommended hole size for the product into which they are being installed. Coiled Pin design guidelines will provide the recommended hole tolerance range. The Coiled Pin is designed so that the pre-installed diameter is greater than the hole size, and the chamfer diameter is smaller than the hole. During installation, the swaged chamfer helps align the Coiled Pin with the hole and facilitates compression of the coils as it is being driven into position. However sometimes, particularly when the pins are too small to hold while hammering into the hole, they may opt to use a pin driving chuck so that they don’t have to hold onto the pin while the pin is being inserted. Automatic pin inserters are preferred for high production volumes because they provide a significant return on investment (ROI) over time. Additionally, automatic pin inserters are preferred for small diameter pins that are difficult to handle. Hammer The simplest Coiled Pin installation method is to use a hammer. First, align the Coiled Pin up to the hole by hand. Next, simply hammer the Coiled Pin into the hole as if it was a nail. Drive the pin to the desired insertion depth and be careful not to damage the host. Using a hammer is great for prototyping a handful of assemblies or trying out a Coiled Pin for the first time. However, this installation method is not recommended for short pins or pins with small diameters because it can be difficult to hold these pins in place by hand. Installation Options Most manufacturers prefer to use a hammer when only a handful of prototype assemblies are needed. TECHNICAL ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PAGE 146

THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK 75 SPIROL International Corporation is pleased to announce that two of its world class manufacturing locations have received the 2018 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award for achieving operational excellence and quality control. This is SPIROL Canada’s fifth year and SPIROL Connecticut’s fourth consecutive year receiving this prestigious award. According to the letter sent by General Motors notifying SPIROL of the awards: “The award is given to specific manufacturing locations and only our top performing supplier manufacturing sites are eligible to receive it. Suppliers who receive this award have met or exceeded a very stringent set of quality performance criteria and have achieved the cross-functional support of the entire GM organization. This was even a bigger challenge as GM continues to launch many new and exciting products.” SPIROL manufactures Coiled Spring Pins, Slotted Spring Pins, Solid Pins, Compression Limiters, Inserts for Plastics, Installation Technology and Vibratory Feeding Equipment at their Connecticut facility, and Tubular Products including roll formed Spacers, Compression Limiters, Dowel Bushings, Spring Dowels, and Ground Hollow Dowels at their Canadian facility. With only 10% of General Motors’ suppliers having received this award for 2018, these are significant achievements and a testament to SPIROL’s operational excellence and quality control – especially considering the millions or parts supplied to General Motors from SPIROL’s global locations. SPIROL is a leading manufacturer of a diverse line of engineered components for fastening and joining, including Coiled Spring Pins, Slotted Spring Pins, Solid Pins, Disc Springs, Alignment Dowels and Bushings, Spacers, Compression Limiters, Threaded Inserts for Plastics, Precision Shims, Pin and Insert Installation equipment. SPIROL can be found in the following countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Spain, and the United States. Since 1948, SPIROL has been providing technical expertise in fastening, joining and assembly to the world’s leading manufacturers. For more information contact SPIROL by Tel: 1-860-774-8571, Email: info@spirol.com or online at www.spirol.com.