Usually dowel pins are hidden (pressed/slid into holes), which is why most people don't worry about their appearance.
May I suggest looking for Shafting instead of dowel pins. It is more asthetic, comes hardened, ground precision, and the ends are most often cut/chamfered precisely. You may...
The format does depend on how the machine shop likes to work. BiLateral (or equal tolerenced +/- dimensions) is what I like to give to prevent mental math on what the target is.
The real problem is that on paper, both conditions would be a bad design. You are not controlling the minimum...
Using a positioning fixture seems like the most practical, cheapest method. Maybe a rod that fits under the U shape. Some other hardened features that gudie position on the outside of the Magnet.
Maybe a plate with the profile of the magnet cut just right over the work piece. You could use...
Yes, hardened steel chain would last longer wear wise, but it would also rust more. Stainless steel has low carbon, which makes it less hardenable. It is the carbon in steel that reacts to form rust. In a water enviroment that is probably your biggest concern.
You could try a grease to...
Not to burst your bubble. What happens if the part moves in index? Are imaging where you grab?
A DVT camera is a great off the shelf package! Easy to integrate. $5000.00 or so.
If you plan on doing vision systems a lot in the future, and want to save a lot of money, you can develop your own...
If you use rotary encoders you are still going to want to use proximity switches to determine "home" position, or where the encoder counts are referenced from. Overtravel proximity switches are sometimes used for safety as well, in case the encoder "counts wrong".
They...
We have an unusual Materials/structure problem involving a silicon wafer (P-type), cut in the form of a rectangular structure .77in x 1.25lg x .0285 Thick. Support is along the long edges in four spots, .12" in from the short sides, reaching in .03"x.08"in. We are applying 64...
