Pins for Plastic Assemblies
SPIROL manufactures many different types of pins for use in plastic assemblies. These include Coiled Spring Pins, Slotted Spring Pins and specific types of Solid Pins. Common pinning applications for plastic include: free-fit hinge pins, friction-fit hinge pins, latch pins, axles, pivot pins, permanent retention pins, serviceable retention pins, fastening pins, connecting pins, locating pins, alignment pins, shaft and hub pins, shaft and gear pins, etc. Based on your specific application requirements, SPIROL’s Application Engineers will assist you in selecting the optimum pinning solution for your assembly.
If installation equipment is required, SPIROL also offers a standard comprehensive line of Pin Installation Equipment from manual to fully automatic modules, with or without out fixturing, to support pin assembly requirements.

Pin Types
(Light Duty)
Coiled Spring Pins
SPIROL invented the Coiled Spring Pin in 1948. Truly an engineered fasteners, the Coiled Pin is available in three duties, light, standard and heavy, to enable the designer to choose from the optimum combination of strength, flexibility and diameter to suit different host materials and application requirements. Their shock absorbing design dampens forces and vibration to prevent hole damage and prolong assembly life.
Light Duty Coiled Spring Pins are generally recommended for soft, brittle or thin materials such as plastics, aluminum, die castings, ceramics, and where holes are located close to an edge of the assembly. In situations not subjected to significant loads, such as when used purely for alignment or as an axle, light duty Coiled Pins are often used because of easy installation resulting from lower insertion force.

(Series 500)
Extra Light Duty Coiled Pins
The Series 500 Extra Light Duty Coiled Pins were specifically designed for use in soft or fragile materials. The 1½ coil formation ensures that the radial force exerted against the hole wall does not exceed the strength of the hole material to prevent deformation. These pins are also an economical solution where pin strength is not a major design consideration. Typical applications for Series 500 Extra Light Duty Pins include: hinge pins in plastic or ceramic assemblies, alignment pins, and fastening applications where the hole is close to an edge of an assembly component.
Within the family of the Series 500 Extra Light Duty Coiled Pin, is the Series 550 Cosmetic Coiled Pins designed specifically for use in Cosmetic Cases.

(BP100)
Press-N-Lok™ Pin
SPIROL's BP100 Press-N-Lok™ Pin has opposing barbs on each end of the pin and is designed to permanently retain two plastic components to each other such as two halves of a plastic enclosure. Press-N-Lok™ Pins are installed in two stages: First, press the pins into one half of the plastic housing. Next, align the other half of the housing with the exposed pins and press into place. During installation, the plastic will backfill into the area around the barbs resulting in maximum resistance to axial force. SPIROL's Press-N-Lok™ Pins are manufactured from lightweight, lead free aluminum as a standard, and available to order in austenitic stainless steel. SPIROL Press-N-Lok™ Pins are available in diameters ranging from 2mm to 4mm.

(LP500)
Latch Pins for Plastics
SPIROL's Series LP500 Latch Pins for Plastics are designed with a barb located under the head with a barb length equal to the width of the outermost section of the assembly. The remaining length of the LP500 Latch Pin is smooth without any other retention features. This allows the LP500 Latch Pin for Plastic to easily align and freely install through all of the holes with a plastic assembly until the barb makes contact with the final hole to securely lock the pin in place. Once fully installed, the handle will pivot freely around the non-barbed end of the stationary pin. The head prevents the LP500 Latch Pin from being over-installed, and enables the pin to be mechanically oriented for automatic installation. Manufactured from lightweight, lead free aluminum, SPIROL's LP500 Latch Pins for Plastics are available in three standard diameters: 3mm, 4mm and 5mm.

Application Success Stories

Retention Pin in Plastic Electric Vehicle Charging Handle
Customer Challenge:
A manufacturer of electric vehicle charging handles had been experiencing high scrap rates during assembly due to screws stripping the plastic host. They wanted to replace the screws with permanent, tamper resistant fasteners that also supported lean manufacturing.
SPIROL solution:
- SPIROL Engineering recommended replacing the screws with Press-N-Lok™ Pins that were specifically designed as retention pins for plastic enclosures.
- Press-N-Lok™ Pins have barbs that provide high retention in plastics. As the pins are pressed into the plastic, the barbs displace the plastic host material. After installation, the plastic backfills behind the barbs to lock the pins in place.
- The assembly time for the Press-N-Lok™ Pins was much quicker and the assembly equipment costs was lower compared to the screws previously used.
- SPIROL's Press-N-Lok™ Pins simplified the assembly process, and eliminated scrap events associated with the installation of the screws.

Hinge Pin in Automotive Interior Door Handle Latch Mechanism
Customer Challenge:
An automotive door handle manufacturer approached SPIROL to recommend a hinge pin that would eliminate the BSR (buzz, squeak & rattle) caused by a semi-tubular rivet they were using in their assembly.
SPIROL solution:
- SPIROL’s LP500 Latch Pin for Plastics was specifically developed for the automotive handle and latch market.
- The barbed section under the head of the LP500 Latch Pin for Plastics locks the pin into the plastic host assuring the handle pivots properly while the pin remains stationary. This also completely eliminates the concern for BSR.
- Since the pin is pressed securely into place upon insertion, all secondary operations such as riveting and peening are eliminated.
- Replacing the current Semi-Tubular Rivet with SPIROL’s LP500 Latch Pin for Plastics simplified the assembly process, improved production efficiencies, eliminated lubricants, and improved the overall product quality of the door handle.

Trigger Pin in Surgical Stapler
Customer Challenge:
A leading medical device manufacturer approached SPIROL for assistance in designing a self-retaining trigger pin that eliminated cracking of the plastic yoke within the surgical stapler.
SPIROL solution:
- SPIROL Engineers recommended a Light Duty Coiled Spring Pin which was designed specifically for plastic assemblies to ensure the perfect balance of strength and flexibility.
- Coiled Pins are easy to install and exert low stress on the hole after installation, yet they provide exceptional retention.
- In addition to recommending the most appropriate pin, SPIROL Engineers also recommended the hole sizes for each of the retaining locations to make sure that the assembly functioned properly over the life of the assembly.
- SPIROL’s Coiled Spring Pin eliminated the cracking of the plastic yoke, enhanced the function of the trigger, and improved the overall quality of the surgical stapler.
Don’t See What You’re Looking For?
Need help choosing the most appropriate fastening solution for your application? SPIROL's expert engineers will review your specific requirements, and design the most cost-effective Pin to meet your technical and commercial needs. Let us help!


Installation Technology for Pins
In addition to a comprehensive line of engineered components used for joining and assembly, SPIROL also offers a full range of Pin Installation Equipment designed to facilitate cost-effective and high quality assembly of your products. Our installation solutions range from manual machines to fully automated work cells with statistical process control and error-proofing options. We are the only company of our kind that offers the total integrated solution.

Local Design, Global Supply.
SPIROL has Application Engineers throughout the world to assist you in your designs, supported by state-of-the-art manufacturing centers and worldwide stocking facilities to simplify the logistics of delivering your product.
Have a manufacturing issue you can't solve? Our engineering experts love a challenge. Recommending efficient solutions for your application requirements is what we do best. Give us a call or fill out the form below to connect with us!
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