Passelementet

Passelementet is a term used in Swedish technical language to denote an element that serves to locate, align, or join parts in an assembly. It defines how two or more components fit together and how their relative positions are constrained.

In practice, a passelementet functions as a reference or locator. Its role is to ensure correct orientation, position, and sometimes load transfer between mating parts. It is not a single fixed part but rather a design function that can be fulfilled by different features. Examples include dowel pins or alignment pins for locating parts, sleeves or bushings that guide a shaft, keys and keyways for torque transmission and alignment, and bore patterns that create a controlled fit.

The choice of passelementet depends on factors such as the required accuracy, assembly order, frequency of assembly and disassembly, manufacturing capabilities, and material properties. Designers consider tolerances, surface finish, wear resistance, and datum references when specifying a passelementet on drawings. The concept is closely linked to the broader field of tolerancing and fit in mechanical design.

In Swedish manufacturing literature, passelementet is encountered as a functional concept rather than a fixed catalog of parts. It emphasizes the role of an element in achieving a reliable and repeatable assembly.

See also: Tolerancing, Fit (mechanical), Alignment, Dowel pin, Key and keyway, Datum.