Pulley guard pins play an important role in pulley systems. As their name suggests, they are used in conjunction with pulley guards. Pulley guard pins secure pulley guards in place while subsequently shielding the cable. To learn more about pulley guard pins, keep reading.
What Are Pulley Guard Pins?
Pulley guard pins are cylindrical metal pins designed for use with pulley guards. They typically feature a flared head and a narrower shank — similar to a bolt or screw. Pulley guard pins, however, aren’t traditional fasteners; they are specialized fasteners that hold pulley guards in place.
How Pulley Guard Pins Work
Most pulley guard pins are designed to expand slightly when inserted into a hole. Known as spring-type guard pins, they are slightly oversized relative to the size of the hole. When pushed into the hole, these pins will compress to create outward tension. This outward tension prevents the pins from falling out.
While there are different types of pulley guard pins, many of them have the following features:
- High-carbon or stainless steel construction
- Protective surface coating, such as cadmium or zinc
- Slotted construction
Why Use Pulley Guard Pins
Pulley guard pins help to prevent unintended cable movement. Cables typically fit into a groove on the pulley wheel. Vibrations or other forces, however, can knock the cable out of this groove. Pulley guards, as well as pulley guard pins, prevent instances of cable derailment by covering the cable.
Pulley guards are U-shaped brackets that connect to pulley wheels via a pin. After aligning a guard over the pulley wheel, you can insert a pin into it. The pulley guard pin will hold the guard in place so that the cable is shielded and protected.
Get the Right Size
If you’re planning to use a pulley guard pin, you’ll need to make sure it fits. Pulley guard pins need to be long enough to fit all the way through the pulley wheel. They also need to be wide enough to compress once installed. If a pin is too wide, though, it may not fit. You can avoid problems such as these by choosing a pulley guard pin in the right size for the pulley system with which you intend to use it.
In Conclusion
Pulley guard pins are small components with a clear and essential purpose. They keep pulley guards securely in place, protect cables from derailment and help maintain reliable operation in pulley systems.
