Custom Stainless Steel Dowel Pins for Agricultural Machinery
Project Background and Industry Requirements
In the agricultural machinery industry, components like dowel pins must withstand demanding operational environments characterized by high loads, exposure to moisture, and frequent vibration. A major agricultural equipment manufacturer approached us to produce custom 304 stainless steel dowel pins with tight tolerance, superior corrosion resistance, and long-term performance reliability.
Stainless steel 304 was selected for its excellent machinability, high tensile strength (~505 MPa), and corrosion resistance in outdoor environments. The part design included multiple precision diameters and tight fit tolerances, making CNC turning the ideal manufacturing process.
CNC Manufacturing Process Overview
Rough Machining – CNC Milling Stage
To begin, we used CNC milling services to rough-machine the raw bar stock. The operation involved removing excess material while maintaining uniform allowances for subsequent turning. Our 3-axis CNC milling machines provided dimensional consistency within ±0.1 mm, setting the foundation for high-accuracy turning operations.
Precision Turning – CNC Turning of Dowel Pins
The precision machining phase employed stainless steel CNC turning to achieve the required external diameters and coaxiality. Using automatic bar feeders and multi-axis turning centers, we achieved dimensional tolerances of ±0.01 mm and runout below 0.01 mm. This ensured optimal press-fit functionality in the client’s mechanical assemblies.
Surface Passivation Treatment
To enhance corrosion resistance, all machined dowel pins underwent passivation treatment. This process, detailed in our stainless steel passivation service, removes free iron from the surface and forms a stable chromium oxide layer. Testing confirmed that parts withstood over 72 hours of salt spray exposure per ISO 9227 with no visible corrosion.
Dimensional Accuracy and Quality Control
Each dowel pin was inspected under strict protocols to ensure compliance with the technical drawing. Our QC team used calibrated micrometers and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) to validate all specifications:
Feature | Tolerance | Inspection Method |
|---|---|---|
Outer diameter | ±0.01 mm | Digital Micrometer, CMM |
Coaxiality | ≤0.01 mm | CMM |
Surface roughness | Ra ≤ 0.8 μm | Profilometer |
Parts were 100% visually inspected and sampled under AQL 1.0 for dimension and surface finish control.
Result and Customer Feedback
The delivered dowel pins integrated perfectly into the client’s agricultural machinery. Assembly alignment improved significantly, reducing installation time by 20%. During six months of field operation, no failures were reported despite exposure to mud, fertilizers, and extreme weather. The customer has since expanded the partnership to include similar components for seeding and plowing systems.
Why Choose Neway for CNC Precision Pin Manufacturing
We provide one-stop CNC machining services covering material sourcing, CNC processing, surface treatment, and mass production.
Our stainless steel CNC machining capabilities support ultra-tight tolerances and complex geometries in both low and high volumes.
Every part is manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system with full in-process and final inspection.
We specialize in agricultural machinery applications, delivering critical fasteners, shafts, bushings, and structural parts with proven reliability.
FAQs
What tolerance can be maintained for CNC turned dowel pins in stainless steel 304?
How does passivation improve corrosion resistance in CNC machined stainless steel parts?
What inspection equipment is used to ensure pin diameter and coaxiality?
Can Neway support low-volume and high-volume orders for custom dowel pins?
What post-processing options are available after CNC turning and milling?
