Ball plug for a machined port?

[Anonymous]

I have an item I am reverse engineering and it has a port that makes a corner inside the part.  This is done by drilling two intersecting holes.  Where one of these holes meets the surface there is a ball pressed into the port to seal it off.  What is this ball or technique called?  I can't find anything on the net...while I'm here, does Inventor have anything for this as a fastener or...??  See the pic for an example of this technique.

Thanks,

Zach

[I_Forge_KC · Accepted solution]

Here are some drop-in fittings like that so you don't have to be super critical about the hole geometry...

http://www.sfckoenig.com/germany/en/our-products/koenig-expander-plugs

https://www.carrlane.com/catalog/index.cfm/28025071F0B221118070C1C513E111D081B0006280B1713050245221E...

http://www.eisinserts.com/

These aren't in the CC, but they look pretty simple to model up...

As for your carb... it was likely just a crazy interference fit and jammed in a counterbored hole. The cast aluminum was probably spongey enough to wrap around the ball as it was pressed in. You might be able to swage around the back of the ball, but I doubt it was necessary. If the hole had enough shoulder depth you can use the press to deform the hole edge to trap the ball.

Here is a manufacturer of precision balls that talks just a tad about press-fitting them.

http://www.precisionballs.com/closures.php

[mcgyvr]

welch plug? (freeze plug)

Is what what you want to know?

[Anonymous]

Thanks dude!!  The expander plug is exactly what I was looking for as that is what is in the part I am creating a print from.  I didn't realize there was a shoulder for it in there, glad I found that out before hand.  The carb was just an easy picture to find on the net to show what I was talking about.  As you said, I agree that it is merely a ball pressed into the hole, no sleeve needed as the aluminum deforms enough to seal and its alot lower pressure than a hydraulic port.

Zach