O1 Tool Steel Locking Blocks with Angular Pin Holes - Inlay Type

This inlay-type locking block is used in injection mold tooling to position and retain components inside undercut/undercut-plate systems where repeatable location is required. Its angular pin hole design accepts an inlay feature to create stable, controlled retention during part opening and closing cycles.

Common scenarios include automotive connector and terminal molds, where slide or insert assemblies must return to the same alignment after thermal cycling. The block’s compact geometry and plate-side tapped bolt fixing help maintain repeatable placement in multi-cavity tooling.

It’s also well suited for appliance and consumer product housings that use modular tooling plates for quick changeovers. The inlay approach lets engineers select the inlay part dimension (H/E) to fine-tune fit and engagement.

In all cases, the angular feature angles (A = 10–20° and G = 12–25°) support consistent mechanical guidance, improving alignment compared with straight-through locating methods.

O1 tool steel is selected for these locking blocks due to its balanced wear resistance and toughness for tooling components that experience frequent sliding/contact. O1 is commonly used in tooling applications where impact resistance is needed alongside moderate abrasion resistance.

Material processing typically involves machining to size, followed by heat treatment to reach a working hardness suitable for precision locating surfaces. For mold component use, blocks are usually oil quenched and tempered to achieve target hardness in the ~58–62 HRC range, depending on the final tempering condition. Higher hardness improves wear resistance but can reduce toughness if over-tempered or too aggressively quenched.

• After hardening/tempering, dimensional stability is critical for maintaining engagement through the angular pin hole.
• If compared to more wear-focused grades (e.g., higher-alloy D-series/H-series steels), O1 offers a practical toughness–wear compromise for repeatable retention in modular plates.

Selection starts with the block’s height T and width A/W so the locking block fits the available plate pocket and maintains proper alignment with the mating inlay. Choose T from 20–30 mm, 30–50 mm, or 35–60 mm and select A/W from 38–58 mm, 38–68 mm, or 48–78 mm based on your plate-side space and load path.

Next, match the inlay part dimension H/E to the required engagement depth range: 10–20 mm, 10–40 mm, or 10–50 mm. This controls retention geometry and helps achieve consistent mechanical positioning.

• Pick the angular hole diameter D (6, 8, 10, or 13 mm) to match the mating inlay pin/insertion hardware.
• Confirm angular alignment using A = 10–20° and G = 12–25° against your tooling system angles.
• Tolerance/fit: ensure clearance and interference are defined by your inlay design; the hole diameter D drives the fundamental clearance/gap for reliable assembly.

All listed dimensions are configurable within the given ranges; use your cavity/core requirements to constrain the allowable package envelope on the plate.