ACT Weld Pins
Stainless steel and ceramics are the most typically used materials for manufacturing nut locator pins. However, stainless steel, while durable, has the disadvantage of requiring an insulator between the pin and the electrode. Weld heat and grease quickly break down the insulator and the locator pin is subject to electrical arcing across the electrode. Advances in ceramic pins make them best suited for certain applications, but sometimes, they are too brittle and pin breakage becomes a problem.
In an effort to provide our customers with the very best products, we searched for the best technology available and found a superior material called "ACT" to replace the existing incident-prone locator pin systems. "ACT" utilizes a proprietary coating specifically developed to withstand the combination of high currents and pressure found in nut welding applications.
ACT alloy pins are made from a relatively new material with a special insulating surface. This innovative surface material allows the pin to be used without additional insulation when locating weld nuts for projection welding. ACT alloy pins are also highly cost effective. Customer cost studies have proven that ACT outlasts KCF and ceramic coated pins by nearly 2:1, and is far less expensive than ceramic composition pins, providing the user with the lowest possible cost per nut weld. While there are many similar looking locator pins available in the market, none of the “knock offs” provide the exceptional wear capabilities and high reliability you can expect from ACT Alloy Nut Locator Pins. As a result, our locator pins have become the “Pin of Choice” for thousands of welding manufacturers worldwide.
Features:
- High quality steel is alloyed with chromium
- It has superior electrical insulation characteristics
- Precise dimensions can be obtained
- Insulation layer is virtually pore-free (profilometer reading of 35 Ra)
- Insulating film is metallurgically stable up to temperatures of 2,000° F
- Insulating film is uniformly distributed throughout the shape of the pin
- Overall strength of the locator pin is at least 50Rc
- Film hardness is more than 2,200 Vickers
Benefits:
- Optimum strength and durability result in the longest pin life
- There is no arcing across the electrode, workpiece, or nut
- Spatter accumulation in thread of weld nuts is virtually eliminated
- High density of insulation surface prevents deterioration
- There is no cracking or spalling due to high welding temperatures
- Uniform coating results in longer life at wear points, such as on corners and transitions
- Concentricity of weld nut location is consistently achieved
Options:
- Pins are designed to work with two different nut sizes (TP-MO6/08 and TP-MO8/10)
- Various special shape locator pin designs are available based on your application needs
- Dimensions for your locator pin application can be customized
- ACT can be used for other welding location applications such as insulation sleeves for bolt welding
- ACT can be used in welding fixtures for non-conductive workpiece datum locators
- Threads (male and female) can be machined into the ACT alloy for use in robotic applications
