Spring Plunger Component Name?

[mbush91]

Hello All,

I have been googling for hours to no avail. I am looking the name of a mechanical component which I have seen used before. The component will be used on a production test rig to depress a tactile switch. The component consists of a spring loaded metal cylinder nested inside another cylinder. The inner cylinder sticks out of both ends so when the outer cylinder is mounted it allows the entire inner cylinder to be pushed downward then springs back to the normal position. The whole thing is maybe 3mm-5mm in diameter and maybe 15mm - 20mm long?

I have attached an image that I quickly modeled of what I am attempting to describe. It shows the component in the uncompressed (normal) position. When the top is pushed down the entire inner cylinder moves with it.

If anyone knows what to call this thing to find it for sale I would really appreciate it!

[MagicSmoker]

The informal name is a pogo pin.

See, for example, this selection at DigiKey:

https://www.digikey.com/products/en/connectors-interconnects/contacts-spring-loaded-and-pressure/311?k=pogo+pin&k=&pkeyword=pogo+pin&pv1989=0&FV=ffe00137&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&stock=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25

[mbush91]

Sadly, pogo pins are not what I'm looking for as only one end moves and they are make for electrical connections. I am looking for something where the spring loaded inner cylinder comes out of both ends so when I press on the top the bottom moves down

[mjkuwp]

perhaps these terms:

spring plunger
index plunger

Check:

http://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/tooling-positioning-components/locating-positioning-components/ball-spring-plungers-accessories/index-plungers


https://www.carrlane.com/en-us/

http://www.vlier.com/

mcmaster.com

[ajb]

If all else fails, sounds like the sort of thing that could be made relatively easily from a piece of brass rod, brass tubing (or perhaps an externally threaded bushing), and a couple of shaft collars. 

[calexanian]

You want a solenoid. Or a solenoid mechanical actuator. Search with solenoid and it should get you closer to what you want.