Case Study: Solving Precision & Compliance Challenges for a Leading U.S. Biomedical Manufacturer with Custom Made Dowel Pin Solution

Posted: October 8, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: dowel pin, Fasteners, Metric Dowel Pins, Mil-Spec Precision Dowel Pins, Pins, PRECISION DOWEL PIN | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Challenge 

A prominent U.S.-based biomedical company faced a significant challenge. They required custom stainless steel dowel pins for a new medical device, with the following critical specifications: 

  • Non-standard size: 1/2″ in length, with an unusual diameter of .085″. 
  • Tight tolerances: +/- .0005″ for both the diameter and length. 
  • Limited quantity and budget: A few thousand pieces, with a total budget under $2,500. 
  • Full documentation: Required full material certification, manufacturer’s lab test report, heat treat certifications, and a signed MFG Certificate of Conformance. 

The company’s existing supply chain was unable to meet these specific requirements. After weeks of searching, they found no U.S. manufacturer that could provide the high-precision parts, full paperwork compliance, and stay within their budget or delivery timeline. 

The Solution 

MF Supply stepped in, offering a tailored solution that addressed every aspect of the customer’s needs: 

  • Fast and Flexible Quoting: Within 48 hours, MF Supply provided a detailed quote with multiple quantity price breaks and an optional expedite fee for faster delivery. 
  • Made in the USA: MF Supply partners exclusively with domestic U.S. factories capable of producing parts to exacting standards and precise tolerances. 
  • Full Traceability and Compliance: We ensured all required certifications were included, such as material certifications, lab test reports, heat treatment certifications, and a signed Certificate of Conformance. This level of documentation allowed the biomedical company to maintain their high compliance standards. 
  • Efficient Delivery: MF Supply expedited the manufacturing process, and the parts were delivered within 8 weeks from the receipt of the order—well within the customer’s timeline. 

The Results 

By partnering with MF Supply, the biomedical company was able to: 

  • Receive their custom-made, USA-manufactured stainless steel dowel pins with exact specifications, without compromising on quality or documentation. 
  • Stay within budget, ensuring they did not exceed their $2,500 limit for the project. 
  • Ensure full compliance with all regulatory and internal quality control requirements, thanks to the comprehensive documentation provided with the parts. 
  • Meet tight deadlines, with expedited manufacturing and an on-time delivery schedule. 

The success of this project has led to repeat orders, and MF Supply now maintains safety stock for this customer, ensuring they can meet future urgent requests without any production delays. 

Why MF Supply? 

For manufacturers who need domestically certified, precision dowel pins or other custom parts with exacting tolerances, short lead times, and full traceability from ISO-certified U.S. factories, MF Supply is the partner of choice. Our ability to provide complete, certified paperwork and fast delivery helps manufacturers avoid costly delays and ensure compliance—every time. 

Manufacturers working with us can expect timely deliveries, competitive pricing, and access to expert guidance to help optimize their fastener choices. Visit our website at www.mfsupply.com, reach out to us at sales@mfsupply.com or request a quote. Our MF Supply team of sourcing experts will help you find what you need. “Finding the right screw for you” is our tag line after all!

Book a one-on-one consultation with our President, Robin, to discuss how MF Supply can help you solve your Industrial Sourcing, Fastener, and Safety concerns.

MF Supply Work With Us

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Here are 5 reasons to buy from MF Supply

  • We Source and Deliver What Others Can’t, Faster Than You Imagined – With speedy solutions for elusive parts and lengthy delivery times – We’ve got you covered with both custom-made specials (send us your prints!) and hard-to-source options, quickly and at a fair price.
  • Cost-Effective Functional Equivalents to OEM Brand Fasteners-Why Pay More? – Reduce lead times and costs with the same quality and same performance.  Try us for alternatives to brands like McMaster-Carr, MSC, Misumi, PEM, and RAF and experience unmatched savings! Same form, fit and function for less.  
  • Huge Selection of Certified and Commercial Hardware with Same-day Shipping Available for Countless Items – We source and stock standards, specials, commercial, Mil-Spec & OEM brands in inch and metric sizes. Standards include AN, NAS, MS, IFI, ASTM, ASME, DIN, ISO, JIS. We are sourcing experts for inserts, certified Mil-Spec parts and anything in stainless steel. Many parts are available with manufacturers’ certifications, including DFAR, ROHS and CoC. Trust us to ship on-time from our national distribution centers. 
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MF Supply is a WBE/WOSB certified supply chain partner to business, industry and government.  We are sourcing experts and stocking distributors of Hardware, Precision & Mil-Spec Fasteners and Safety supplies.  For more than 50 years, we have been supplying manufacturers in the electronics, industrial, commercial, aerospace and military markets with the full range of fastener products and services.  Our Cage Code is 58QG4 and our registered name is RL Supply Inc dba MF Supply.  

What the heck are Dowel Pins?

Posted: June 18, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: dowel pin | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Dowel Pins

Welcome back to our “what the heck is that” series, where we discuss some of the unique fasteners and electronic hardware that manufacturers use in the design and assembly of their products. Today, we will introduce you to the Dowel Pin.

What is a Dowel Pin? 

If you have ever shopped at Ikea or assembled furniture on your own, then you are familiar with the peg shaped non-threaded wooden pins that are used to join parts together, aka as a Dowel Pin.

For the purposes of manufacturing, Dowel Pins are solid, headless cylindrical shaped straight metal pins with a centerless ground finish. Typically hardened and manufactured to precise fractional diameters and lengths, Dowel Pins come in a variety of sizes, styles, designs and materials that cause confusion among buyers, engineers and end-users alike! Today, we will try simplify this confusing category of fasteners.

Who uses Dowel Pins?

Dowel Pins are used as a hinge, shaft or pivot to locate or hold parts together within a precision assembly or a fixture.

They are broadly used across various applications in many industries, including: aerospace, electrical motors, hydraulic equipment, instrumentation, tooling and fixtures, machinery, military and many more.

Dowel Pins are popular within assemblies since they can withstand frequent insertion and removal without distortion.  And production favors pins since they require no extra fastening hardware for insertion, no secondary operations and no mating parts.  All this adds up to speedier production, which makes everyone in the food chain happy!

What do I need to consider when selecting Dowel Pins?

Although Dowel Pins are offered in a multitude of materials and styles, when it comes to the main commercial and Mil-spec offerings, there are a few main issues to consider.

Standard, Oversized or Undersized?

Standard series Dowel Pins are used for initial applications.  They have a basic diameter 0.0002 inch over the nominal diameter. For example, a ¼ standard dowel will have a diameter between .2501-.2503.

Oversized series Dowel Pins are usually used to fit into worn holes and are generally used in the aftermarket for repairs.  They have a basic diameter 0.001 inch over the nominal diameter. For example, a ¼ oversized dowel will have a diameter between .2509-.2511.

Undersized series Dowel Pins are used for inconsistent holes.  They have a basic diameter -0.0002 inch under the nominal diameter.  For example, a ¼ undersized dowel will have a diameter between .2500-.2498. The Mil-P-21143/2- falls into the undersized category.

Chamfer or radius on the end?

In general, commercial pins are made to inch standard ANSI ASME B18.8.2.  Standard alloy pins will have a radius on one end and a chamfer on the other end.  However, stainless steel Dowel Pins are often manufactured with a chamfer on both ends.

Commercial or Military?

If you or your customer needs domestically made, DFARs pins to the most exacting standards, then military may be the right pin for you!

Alloy or stainless? And which stainless for that matter?

Alloy Steel is the strongest pin available and is hardened. It can be finished with Black Oxide to provide greater rust resistance than plain alloy.

Type 416 Stainless steel is the strongest standard stainless steel offering, and is the material used for MS16555 and MS16556 series.  Magnetic.

Type 18-8/303 Stainless Steel is the most commonly available stainless offered and is the standard material offered for Mil-P-21143 series.

Type 316 Stainless Steel is the most corrosion resistant stainless available and does not correlate to a Mil-spec part.

Are there other factors to consider?

Dowel Pins often show up under their Mil-spec numbers, which can be crossed to commercial equivalents. Some common Mil-spec series for Dowel Pins include Mil-P-21143 (303 Stainless), MS16555 (standard series offered in both alloy and 416 Stainless Steel) and MS16556 (oversized series offered in both alloy and 416 stainless steel).

If you are not ordering by an MS or NAS Mil-Spec part number, then inch Dowel Pins conform to ANSI/ASME B18.8.2.  For commercial pins, be mindful to specify the material and size tolerance that you need. Unless noted, Dowel Pins are precision ground, hardened and heat treated to meet the proper Rockwell hardness.

And remember, no hammers! When installing Dowel Pins, never drive the pin into the hole with force, always press it in for best results.

Dowel Pins at MF Supply

We offer:

The full range of commercial and mil-spec parts, including parts that are DFARS and ROHS compliant.

Brand names and generic equivalents.

Custom made parts per print in non-standard and exotic materials and finishes.

Inch and Metric sizes including DIN 7, DIN 6325, and ISO 2338 and 8734

 

For more detailed information on Dowel Pins, visit us at http://www.mfsupply.com/dowel_pins_s/1925.htm