DIN 1 and World War 1

On March 1st, 1918, at the end of WW1, the first DIN standard was published. The “DI-Norm 1” specified dimensions and materials for tapered pins used in mechanical engineering. With the new standard, the Germans would have a slight upper hand: Mass production of military equipment, with faster and cheaper procurement.

Historians have hypothesized (although not confirmed) that DIN 1 was explicitly designed for the famous “08/15” machine gun. Engineering textbooks all agree that the taper pin serves well for securing the position of machine parts – i.e., in jigs – and for forming both frictional and positive-locking connections. However, since taper pins are not vibration-proof, they’re not suitable for creating joints that’ll be subject to shocks and alike. And what is above all else subject to shaking and vibration? Yes, you guessed it, machine guns.

Luckily, the time has since changed for the better. But the modern world isn’t without its challenges, namely climate change and resource scarcity. That’s why we’ve redesigned the dowel pin. Our new patented positioning pin has x2 the precision and reduced requirements for hole shape and position, which means a reduction of time and materials used.