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Alignment Dowels / Bushings

Spring Alignment Dowels

SPIROL’s Dowel Bushings and Spring Dowels are designed to maintain alignment and are used to locate components with respect to each other. These roll-formed, hollow Alignment Dowels have lead-in chamfers that facilitate insertion into the holes of both mating components. The Dowel's flexibility enables absorption of wide hole tolerances and the staggered seam prevents interlocking.

Dowel Bushings are designed with an inside diameter clearance that allows the passage of a bolt for fastening, thereby eliminating the need to drill an additional hole.  They are also heat treated to isolate the bolt from shear loads.

Spring Dowels are designed around the holes in the mating components and are not used in conjunction with bolts.

SPIROL’s Dowel Bushings and Spring Dowels simplify assembly, reduce weight and significantly lower costs.

If installation equipment is required, SPIROL also offers a standard comprehensive line of Installation Equipment from manual to fully automatic modules, with or without out fixturing, to support your assembly requirements.

Application Engineering Assistance: If you would like assistance in selecting the proper Alignment Dowel for your assembly, please Request Engineering Support!  We are here to help!

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(DB100)

Dowel Bushings

SPIROL Series DB100 Dowel Bushings are used to align or locate components in conjunction with bolts which pass through the inside diameter of the Dowel Bushing after it has been installed. The flexible diameter absorbs wide hole tolerances, and the need for two separate holes (one for the location / alignment Dowel and one for the bolt) is eliminated. The hardened Dowel Bushings also absorb shear loads, isolating the bolts from these forces. DB100 Dowel Bushings accommodate metric bolt sizes ranging from M6 to M16 and .250” to .500”.

(SD200)

Spring Dowels

SPIROL Series SD200 Spring Dowels are used to accurately locate components with respect to each other. They are formed around arbors to assure roundness. It is recommended that one half of the hole tolerance be used for the fixed location of the Spring Dowel and one half for the hole in the mating part. Spring Dowels are designed for metric holes that range in diameter from M6 to M16 and available to order for inch holes ranging from .250” to .625”.

Additional Alignment Dowels / Bushings Types

Precision Alignment Dowels
Precision Alignment Dowels

Customizable Solutions

If you are unable to find the Alignment Dowel in the diameter, length, material, finish or quantity that you require within our standard offering, or if you are unsure what Alignment Dowel is most appropriate for your plastic assembly, Request Engineering Support and we will help you determine the most cost-effective solution for your application.

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Your Total Assembly Solution

Installation Technology for Dowels and Bushings

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

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How far should I install the Dowel Bushing in the host component?
The Dowel Bushing or Spring Dowel should be installed to at least 60% of its length into the component that will provide primary retention. This will ensure that the exposed end of the Dowel conforms to the hole size of the retaining component.
Do you offer your Alignment Dowels/Bushings in Stainless Steel?
We can manufacture our products out of a variety of materials - including stainless steel. We offer the most cost competitive solution when our standard off-the-shelf materials are used, however special buys are not uncommon once approved by engineering. When special materials are required, our engineers will review the request to determine feasibility. We will also consider alternative solutions such as high performance coatings or other manufacturing processes that will achieve the desired performance at a lower cost.
Do you offer additional lengths of Dowels other than those listed in the catalog?
Yes, we offer additional lengths other than what is offered as standard as make to order. However, any special length requires an application review by our Engineering Department to manufacturing feasibility. Most special length Alignment Dowels/Bushings require a minimum order value due to special raw material buys. When length requirements exceed 10 times the diameter, SPIROL Applications Engineers will often recommend the use of a Coiled Spring Pin for alignment rather than a Dowel Bushing or Spring Dowel. With its 2.25 wraps of steel, the Coiled Spring Pin holds itself straighter over the longer length to diameter, and does a great job of aligning components.
Do you offer Alignment Dowels / Bushings in smaller diameters than listed in the catalog?
We do offer smaller diameter Dowels, however, applications that require diameters less than 5mm or .187in, our Coiled Pin may be a better option.
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