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Smalley Retaining Rings: Versatile Solutions for Demanding Applications
Simon Ward
Simon Ward
Simon leads the UK technical team and specialises in the design and development of Smalley wave springs and spiral retaining rings. With over 25 years of experience, Simon develops bespoke parts for major clients around the world and across a wide range of industry sectors. He is now widely considered the leading authority on Smalley products.
~Innovative designs and material options for optimal performance~
Retaining rings, or circlips as they are regularly known, are one of the most simple, yet essential, components where there is a need to retain assemblies on a shaft or within a bore. TFC’s Smalley retaining ring range however, offer an unrivalled choice of types, sizes and materials to satisfy the most demanding of applications.
Unlike die-stamped circlips, Spirolox rings are coiled on edge to the exact diameter required. They have a uniform cross-section and are produced in single or multiple turn form with several of the ranges being directly interchangeable with Imperial and DIN standard groove specifications. This method of manufacture allows a greater flexibility of sizes to be produced, without tooling costs, from as little as 5mm to over 2,000mm in diameter. Furthermore, with extensive in-house rolling mill facilities, Smalley products are readily available in carbon spring steel, AISI 302 & 316 as standard and can also be supplied in exotic alloys such as Inconel X-750, A286, Elgiloy and Phosphor Bronze.
An additional unique retaining product within the Smalley range is the Hoopster® which offers an innovative way to retain mechanical components when radial space is a particular problem. The Hoopster’s minimal radial projection and shallow groove depth allows it to fit where standard circlips and retaining rings cannot.
The Hoopster’s low profile and precision circularity allow it to be an unobtrusive component in an assembly. These rings are suitable for light and heavy loads and are especially ideal for thin wall tubes or cylinders where the groove depth associated with a conventional retaining ring is likely to be a problem. Despite their narrow radial section, they can absorb high thrust loads since their low profile will not twist or deform under load as with conventional retaining rings and circlips.