Rotational capacity requirements for modern applications are higher than ever, especially in electric motors, gearboxes, and automotive transmissions. As the market leader for innovative retaining ring solutions, Smalley’s latest retaining ring innovation, the revolutionary Revolox Self-Locking Ring, features a ‘dimple and slot’ design that safely and efficiently secures your application at high speeds. The […]
Springs + Rings + Seals
Lee Spring acquires M & S Spring, advancing rapid prototype spring capabilities
Lee Spring has acquired Michigan-based M & S Spring. M & S Spring, located in Fraser, Michigan, specializes in rapid prototype custom springs that require quick turnaround with quantities ranging from a single piece to higher volume pilot runs. Steve Kempf, CEO of Lee Spring, commented that “the acquisition of M & S Spring expands […]
What are linear springs and how do they work?
Springs that follow Hooke’s Law are often referred to as “linear springs” because they have a linear relationship between load and deflection. A linear spring has the same diameter along its entire length, and this uniform diameter gives it a constant spring rate. In other words, the spring rate doesn’t change regardless of the load acting on […]
Types of industrial springs: compression, extension, and torsion
Typically mounted deep inside an assembly of moving parts, industrial springs often go unnoticed, despite their importance to motion control and industrial equipment. In fact, they’re found in everything from door closing mechanisms on machine tools to mechanical seals in rotary unions. While springs are readily available in custom designs and variations, there are three primary types […]
What are strain energy and resilience in the context of compression (wave) springs?
When a compressive or tensile load is applied to a spring (or any elastic material), the load does work on the spring, causing the spring to undergo a change in shape (extension or compression). This change in shape creates a type of potential energy — referred to as strain energy — in the material. Typical […]
How to avoid wave spring fatigue in dynamic applications
Wave springs are gaining acceptance in motion applications, thanks to their ability to provide similar force and deflection characteristics to traditional coil springs, but with significantly reduced working height. Although wave springs can be used in static applications — such as preloading a bearing or mechanical seal — many applications require dynamic movement — for example, […]
What are some common wave spring material and finish options?
There are four key criteria for sizing and selecting a wave spring: load, working height, physical design requirements (bore diameter, ID, OD), and material. In many cases, manufacturers supply custom wave springs in “exotic” materials or with special finishes to meet unique application demands, including difficult environments or corrosion resistance. And in some cases, appearance also […]
New Spirawave nested wave spring series from Smalley
Smalley now offers a new nested Spirawave wave spring series. Smalley has been producing nested wave springs as customs for over 30 years, but this will mark the first standard series on the market. These multiple turn, flat wire wave springs are coiled in parallel to produce two to three times as much force as […]
What are rotary unions and how are they used in motion applications?
Rotating components are common in motion applications — robot arms, winders, spools, spindles, and rotary tables are just a few examples. And while creating rotary motion is easy, when air or liquids need to be transferred from a stationary supply to a rotating component for cooling, heating, lubricating, or transmitting fluid power, the task becomes […]
Common challenges that wave springs address
Updated November 2018 || Springs are flexible mechanical components to store and release energy or apply and release forces on machine axes. Wave springs combine flat (non-coiled) bow springs (as their waves) with traditional compression-spring coil geometry. For the design’s compactness (as a high force-to-work height ratio) and other benefits, some motion systems have migrated […]
