Questions You Should Know about wave washer manufacturers

Welcome back to Ask the Expert! This time Smalley's Expert Engineers answer questions about wave spring functionality. 

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from HEGONG SPRING.

When a wave spring is compressed, does its diameter increase? What happens to the spring load at work height if the outside diameter is confined? 

The diameter of a wave spring grows as it is compressed. This is also referred to as diameter expansion, and all Crest-to-Crest®, Gap, Overlap, Nested, and WAVO® springs will function in this manner.

 (As a side note, linear springs will grow in length as they are compressed.) If a spring is compressed to the point that it contacts the bore, the spring will bind. Binding causes the spring to become rigid, and the spring properties, as a result, become unpredictable. Some Smalley wave springs, such as the SSB series shown here on the right, are designed to be constrained on the outside diameter. Unlike a wave washer, the spring can grow without binding due to the presence of the gap or overlapping ends. This interference fit, or cling, assists with assembly and does not significantly impact the load at the specified work height.  However, Crest-to-Crest and Nested wave springs will bind if the outer diameter of the spring contacts the bore.

It is always best to contact a Smalley engineer with any applications in which you have questions regarding an interference fit. 

Can the springs be under load where the ends are not parallel when compressed? 

Crest-to-Crest Wave Springs are designed to be compressed with a relatively even or parallel axial load. If the ends are not parallel, the turns on the spring could slide to compensate for the unbalanced load, thus leading to misalignment of the spring. This misalignment would lead to poor wave spring performance. Smalley engineers would be happy to discuss the need for this type of design and help find a solution for your application. 

When trying to design a prototype to test in an application, why do we need to know what the load is at two separate work heights?

Smalley does not necessarily need to know the loads at multiple work heights for every design. This is primarily based on the application in which the spring is used. If the spring is meant to be static, then the operating height is usually all that the Smalley engineer will need to know. However, for some static applications, the spring can be compressed beyond the work height during installation. In this case, it would be an important design consideration to know both the installation and operating work heights. In a dynamic application where the spring is cycling between two heights, both the number of cycles and the work heights need to be considered in order to develop the appropriate design solution.

It is helpful to complete as much information as possible on the Spring Design Checklist to get started with your design. If you have questions about any of the terms, our Engineering Resource Section can help, and our Glossary section can help define terms as well. 

For samples, the lead time is about 7 days. For mass production, the lead time is 20-30 days after receiving the deposit payment. The lead times become effective when (1) we have received your deposit, and (2) we have your final approval for your products. If our lead times do not work with your deadline, please go over your requirements with your sale. In all cases we will try to accommodate your needs. In most cases we are able to do so.

Manual Installation Method for Spiral Retaining Rings:
(Manual installation is used for single or low-volume production. For larger quantities, consider using automatic installation.)
Insert one end of the retaining ring into the groove by prying it open with your hand. Press and wind the ring around the circumference of the groove until the entire ring is in the groove.

Removal Method for Spiral Retaining Rings:
Insert a screwdriver or needle-nose pliers into the removal slot. Use the tool to pry up the end of the ring. Hold the ring with your hand and rotate it along the circumference until the ring is completely removed from the groove.

The raw materials we procure from suppliers can have different colors (see left image). After heat treatment, the color of the metal surface can change, resulting in various surface colors (see right image). Due to oxidation at high temperatures, the material surface can range in color from straw to blue, depending on the temperature and duration of the treatment. This color variation is caused by differences in the state of the oil on the material and the atmosphere inside the heat treatment furnace, which result in different colors of the oxide film on the product surface. This color difference does not affect the mechanical properties of the product.

For more wave washer manufacturersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Springs are mechanical components that utilize elasticity to function, offering a wide range of applications, diverse categories, and affordable unit prices. Despite their widespread demand, the demand is often scattered and varied. While spring units have relatively low value, the industry&#;s output and market size are still significant. Although it is a smaller sector within the manufacturing industry, springs are an essential component in many industrial production chains, playing a crucial role that cannot be overstated.

For a long time, the spring industry has formed an oversupply of low-grade ordinary springs, the passive situation of high-grade products in short supply.

According to expert statistics, China&#;s annual production volume of springs has reached 4 billion pieces, a total of 21 categories of various spring products, more than varieties, including wave springs for a high-precision flat wire compression springs, widely used in aerospace, precision machinery, hydraulic seals and high-end motors and many other industries and products, is one of the representatives of high-end springs.

Wave spring is a more complex space curved parts, the shape is special, requiring uniform distribution of peaks and valleys according to the circumference, so the design, materials, processing equipment have strict requirements.

Design, advanced manufacturers of wave springs will use simulation and other design software for finite element analysis, etc., to provide specific theoretical guidance for wave spring stamping and forming process experiments; production and processing, most companies will independently develop and design special press tooling or equipment, combined with CNC spring presses, CNC ringing machines and other automated equipment to improve product efficiency and product quality; materials, according to In terms of materials, according to the needs of customers in different application areas, choose suitable and high-performance materials, such as the aerospace industry, the need to choose nickel-based alloys and other high-strength, high-temperature-resistant special alloys to process and produce, and materials to meet RoHS and other environmental requirements to achieve green manufacturing and intelligent manufacturing.

One of the major advantages of wave springs over ordinary cylindrical compression springs is that the working height required with the same load is reduced by more than 50%. In order to meet the requirements, higher strength materials need to be used.

Wave springs are used in aerospace, precision machinery, hydraulic seals, and high-end motors where internal space is limited, and dimensional accuracy is critical. The increase in the limit deviation of the inner and outer diameters facilitates the installation and stability of the performance of wave springs.

The spin ratio, or spring index, of a wave spring affects the strength, stiffness, stability, and ease of manufacture of the spring. In order to make the spring itself more stable and not flutter and be too soft, the winding ratio should not be too large; however, in order to avoid strong bending of the spring wire during winding, the winding ratio should not be small.

The number of turns of the wave spring impacts the load deviation when the spring is compressed to a specified height, and the larger the number of turns, the smaller the deviation.

The coefficient of elasticity reflects the relationship between the load and the deformation of the wave spring and is an important characteristic for measuring the performance of the spring product. Wave springs are installed at moving structures and are prone to friction with their surroundings. The increase in stiffness helps to extend their service life.

The raw materials we procure from suppliers can have different colors (see left image). After heat treatment, the color of the metal surface can change, resulting in various surface colors (see right image). Due to oxidation at high temperatures, the material surface can range in color from straw to blue, depending on the temperature and duration of the treatment. This color variation is caused by differences in the state of the oil on the material and the atmosphere inside the heat treatment furnace, which result in different colors of the oxide film on the product surface. This color difference does not affect the mechanical properties of the product.

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