27 Years of Precision ManufacturingAccuracy to ±0.005 mmExports to 42+ Countries
Typically replies within 24 hours

Locating Pins & Bushings

584 precision locating components for fixture positioning — from standard cylindrical dowel pins to specialized welding fixture pins. Available in DIN, JIS, and NAAMS standards with materials including SKD11, SUJ2, and SUS304.

Product Sub-Categories

Locating Pin Types at a Glance

Each sub-category serves a different positioning function. Use this comparison to identify which type matches your fixture requirement:

FeatureLocating PinsHeight Adjusting PinsJig & Drill BushingsWelding Pins
Primary FunctionX-Y positioning of workpieceZ-axis height controlDrill/reamer guidancePanel positioning in weld fixtures
Typical Accuracyh7, g6, m6 (±0.005–0.02 mm)±0.1 mm (adjustable range)H7/h6 bore guidance±0.05 mm (NAAMS spec)
Key MaterialSKD11, SUJ2, SUS304Carbon steel, hardened tipsCase-hardened steel (60+ HRC)Tool steel + anti-spatter coating
Common StandardsDIN, JIS, MISUMIMISUMI proprietaryDIN 172, DIN 179NAAMS, proprietary
Typical ApplicationCNC fixtures, inspection gaugesDie adjustment, support levelingMulti-hole drilling jigsRobotic & manual welding cells
Products Available360697976

Why Material Choice Matters for Locating Pins

The material of a locating pin directly determines its wear resistance, corrosion behavior, and achievable positioning accuracy over thousands of insertion cycles:

  • SKD11 (D2 equivalent, 58-62 HRC) — High-chrome tool steel offering the best wear resistance for high-volume production. Resists galling and maintains diameter tolerance over millions of cycles. Ideal for CNC fixtures and inspection gauges.
  • SUJ2 (52100 bearing steel, 60-64 HRC) — Bearing-grade steel with excellent surface finish and roundness. Often used where rotational precision matters (e.g., indexing fixtures).
  • SUS304 (304 stainless, ~187 HB) — Corrosion-resistant but softer. Use only when the fixture operates in wet/chemical environments where rust would compromise positioning accuracy.

Rule of thumb: For dry-environment fixtures cycling >10,000 parts, use SKD11. For corrosive environments, accept the hardness trade-off and use SUS304 with a shorter replacement interval.

About Locating Pins & Bushings

Locating pins and bushings are the primary positioning elements in any precision fixture. They establish the datum reference that all other fixture components build upon — without accurate location, clamping force and support are meaningless.

Our 584-product range covers the complete spectrum from standard cylindrical dowels (φ2–φ25 mm) to specialized welding fixture pins with anti-spatter coatings. All pins are manufactured to published tolerance grades with full dimensional certification.

Engineering Resources

Application Scenarios

🔧

CNC Machining Fixture Setup

Pain point: Workpiece shifts during heavy cutting operations cause dimensional drift and tool breakage, requiring frequent recalibration.

Why it fits: Press-fit locating pins (m6 tolerance) establish permanent datum points with ±0.005 mm positional accuracy. Diamond pins eliminate over-constraint in 2-pin locating systems.

Recommended:Ø10-16 mm Cylindrical + Diamond Locating Pin set
🏭

Multi-Station Assembly Line

Pain point: Parts must transfer between 5+ fixture stations with consistent positioning — any station-to-station variation compounds into assembly defects.

Why it fits: Standardized locating pin + bushing pairs (h7/H7 clearance fit) ensure identical datum references across all stations. Jig bushings add hole-drilling repeatability at each station.

Recommended:Standard Dowel Pins + Press-Fit Drill Bushings

Welding Fixture Maintenance

Pain point: Welding spatter seizes onto locating pins, requiring weekly replacement and 30+ minutes downtime per pin change.

Why it fits: DLC-coated welding pins resist spatter adhesion and last 5-10× longer. Anti-spatter coatings reduce replacement frequency from weekly to monthly.

Recommended:DLC-coated Welding Locating Pins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between locating pins, height adjusting pins, and drill bushings?+
Locating pins establish X-Y position by fitting into precision bores. Height adjusting pins control Z-axis elevation via threaded or spring mechanisms. Drill bushings guide cutting tools (drills, reamers) into the workpiece at precise locations. Each serves a distinct positioning function in a complete fixture assembly.
Which locating pin standard should I choose — DIN, JIS, or NAAMS?+
DIN (German/European standard) is most common in European and Chinese manufacturing. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) dominates in Japan and Japanese-invested plants globally. NAAMS (North American Automotive Metric Standard) is required by most North American automotive OEMs for welding fixtures. Choose based on your customer's or plant's standard — mixing standards in the same fixture is not recommended.
What materials are locating pins made from, and when does material choice matter?+
Common materials include SKD11 (highest wear resistance, 58-62 HRC), SUJ2 (bearing steel, excellent roundness), and SUS304 (stainless, corrosion-resistant but softer). Material choice matters most in high-cycle applications — SKD11 pins maintain tolerance over millions of insertions, while SUS304 may need replacement after 100K cycles in abrasive conditions.
Do you offer locating pins in both metric and imperial sizes?+
Yes. Our standard range is metric (φ2 mm to φ25 mm in 0.5 mm increments). Imperial sizes are available as custom orders with the same lead time. Contact us with your required diameter and length for a quote.
How many locating pins are typically needed to locate a workpiece?+
Two pins are sufficient for most applications: one cylindrical (round) pin constrains X and Y translation, and one diamond (relieved) pin constrains rotation while allowing thermal expansion. This 2-pin system follows the 3-2-1 locating principle.
Do I always need a bushing with my locating pin?+
Bushings are strongly recommended when: (1) the fixture plate is aluminum or soft steel — bushings prevent bore wear; (2) pins are replaced frequently — bushings protect the plate bore; (3) high positional accuracy is required — hardened bushing bores maintain tighter tolerances than raw plate bores.

Need Locating Components?

Send your fixture drawing or specify the pin diameter, length, material, and tolerance grade. We'll provide a quote within 24 hours.

✓ MOQ 1 piece✓ DIN / JIS / NAAMS standards✓ Custom lengths and coatings