Frequently Asked Questions

A product specification is a detailed document that outlines the technical requirements and characteristics of a part. It includes information on materials, dimensions, surface finish, and performance criteria. We use these specifications to ensure that every component we manufacture meets our customers’ exact needs.

Tolerances are the permissible limits of variation in a product’s dimensions. For example, a drawing might specify a diameter of 10mm ± 0.02mm, meaning the acceptable range is from 9.98mm to 10.02mm. Our state-of-the-art machinery, including Strohm and Tsugami machines, allows us to achieve extremely tight tolerances, often in the ten-thousandths of an inch (±0.0001), (+0.0001/.0003), which is critical for precision applications.

Tight tolerances ensure that components fit and function correctly within a larger assembly. This is particularly vital for applications requiring alignment, such as machinery, medical devices, and electronics, where even a slight deviation can lead to product failure or safety issues.

We have extensive experience working with a wide variety of materials, including:

• Stainless Steel
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Copper
• Monel
• Titanium
• Black oxide
• Various alloys

We can also work with other metals depending on your specific needs.

Our capabilities are focused on precision machining of pins and rods:

• Turning: We utilize advanced multi-axis CNC machines for turning, drilling, and threading. Our equipment includes Strohm and Tsugami machines.
• Grinding: We offer precision grinding services to finish parts to extremely tight tolerances, capable of grinding from 1/16” to 4” in diameter, with tolerances as tight as 0.0002.
• Drilling & Tapping: We can drill and tap items, with or without vents, in a wide range of standard and metric threads.
• Assembly: We provide light assembly services to deliver a more complete product.
• Threading: We can right-hand thread on Landis threading machines.

Yes! We specialize in custom manufacturing. We can manufacture from a print, repair a discontinued part, or create a new part to solve a specific problem. Our team has technical expertise to assist you from design to the final product.

Quality is our top priority. Our quality assurance process includes:

• Incoming Material Inspection: We verify that raw materials from trusted sources meet specifications.
• In-Process Checks: Our experienced machinists conduct regular checks during manufacturing to monitor dimensional accuracy.
• Final Inspection: Every finished part is closely inspected before shipment to ensure proper sizing and exceptional surface quality. We also provide traceability for all manufactured parts.

Yes, we provide material certifications for all our products upon request. These documents verify the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the raw materials used.

Please send us your part drawings (e.g., in PDF, STEP, or IGES format) and any relevant specifications. Our production specialists will review your requirements and provide a detailed quote.

For any technical questions regarding product design, materials, or manufacturing capabilities, please contact our production team directly, give us a call at (630) 766-3774, or email chuy@sub-ind.com

We are not ISO certified. However, we do have a quality department inspecting all the products we manufacture and purchase. We can provide all inspection documentation in accordance with the customer’s request.

A dowel pin is a solid, headless, cylindrical metal rod manufactured to a very precise tolerance. Its primary uses are:

• Alignment: To ensure that two or more components fit together precisely and maintain their correct orientation and position.
• Joining/Fastening: To hold parts together, often absorbing lateral stress.
• Pivot/Hinge: In some applications, they can be used as a simple hinge or pivot point.

We specialize in precision-ground, solid metal dowel pins. We offer a variety of features and specifications, including:

• Standard Dowel Pins: Precision-ground pins for a variety of general-purpose applications.
• Dowel Pins with Vents: We can add a flat vent or air-release vent along the pin’s length to prevent air or liquid from being trapped in blind holes during insertion.
• Dowel Pins with Threads: We can machine a threaded hole on one end, allowing for easy removal with a puller tool.

We manufacture dowel pins from a variety of materials to suit different applications and environments, including:

• Stainless Steel: Grades 303, 316, and 416 for excellent corrosion resistance.
• Alloy Steel: Hardened and ground for superior strength and durability.
• Aluminum, Brass, and Copper: For specific applications requiring different properties like weight or conductivity.

The fit of a dowel pin refers to the relationship between the pin’s diameter and the hole it will be inserted into. The most common fits we can manufacture for are:

• Interference Fit (Press Fit): The pin diameter is slightly larger than the hole diameter. This requires force to install, creating a secure, permanent, and rigid connection that prevents movement.
• Transition Fit: The pin and hole diameters are very close, allowing for a tight fit that may be a very slight clearance or interference fit. It is a common and versatile fit.
• Clearance Fit (Slip Fit): The pin diameter is slightly smaller than the hole diameter. This allows for easy insertion and removal, making it ideal for parts that need to be frequently assembled and disassembled.

Choosing the right pin depends on several factors:

1. Function: Is the primary purpose alignment or holding parts together?
2. Fit: Do you need a permanent connection (interference fit) or one that can be easily disassembled (clearance fit)?
3. Material: What environmental factors (corrosion, temperature) will the pin be exposed to?
4. Dimensions: You will need to provide the required diameter and length, along with the necessary tolerances.

Our team can assist you in selecting the perfect dowel pin for your specific project requirements.

Yes, we can manufacture dowel pins to meet a wide range of industry standards, including ASME, ISO, and DIN specifications. Please provide the specific standard and part number with your request.

Please send us your part drawings, including material specifications, dimensions, tolerances, and any other relevant information. We will review your request and provide a detailed quote.

A stud is a headless fastener that is threaded on both ends or along its entire length. Unlike a bolt, which has a head and is typically secured with a nut on one end, a stud is designed to be screwed into a component, with a nut secured on the other end. This headless design makes studs ideal for:

• Tight Spaces: They can be installed in areas with limited access for a wrench or a head clearance.
• High-Stress Applications: Studs provide a more uniform clamping force than bolts, as the stud threads are not subjected to the rotational forces of torquing. This helps prevent fatigue and provides a more accurate and reliable connection, which is why they are often used in high-performance engines and machinery.

We specialize in precision-machined metal studs for various industrial applications. Our capabilities include:

• Continuous Thread Studs: Threaded from end to end, these are highly versatile and can be cut to length for different applications.
• Double-End Studs: Featuring threads on both ends with an unthreaded body in the middle. The threads on each end can be of the same or different lengths, depending on the application.
• Tap-End Studs: Threaded on one end for screwing into a tapped hole, with a standard bolt thread on the other end to receive a nut.

Studs are used across a wide range of industries for their strength and reliability. Common applications include:

• Flange Connections: Securing pipes and pressure vessels in the oil & gas, chemical, and power generation industries.
• Automotive and Aerospace: Used in engine blocks, exhaust manifolds, and turbine housing where a strong, secure, and repeatable connection is critical.
• Heavy Machinery: Mounting and securing components in industrial equipment and machinery.
• Structural Applications: Anchoring and joining structural steel members in construction.

We work with the same wide range of materials as our other products, including various grades of stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloys. We can also provide studs with different finishes, such as:

• Black Oxide: Provides a sleek, corrosion-resistant finish.
• Zinc Plating: A common plating for added rust resistance.
• Passivation: A chemical treatment to enhance the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.