Ask the Expert - Part Number Issues and Spirolox Retaining Ring Reusability

Welcome back to the Ask the Expert Blog, where our engineers answer commonly asked ring and spring design questions.  This week, our experts field some questions about Spirolox retaining rings, specifically about their reusability, and the usefulness of Smalley Sales Engineers.

For more than 100 years, Smalley has been the industry leader and technological pioneer of retaining rings and constant section rings. And for more than 50 years, Smalley has been revolutionizing the industry with compact wave springs. Whether you require a standard or custom solution, our dedicated team of engineers can tailor a solution for your target application performance.

I have a Smalley part number listed on my print, but I can't find it on your website. Where can I find information about the part?

You may be looking for information on a custom design that would not be published on our website. It is also possible that you may have an invalid Smalley part number or that of a distributor. For all these cases, the best solution is to contact a Smalley Engineer. With a few design details, our engineers will be able to determine what design is associated with that particular part number and provide the appropriate information.

Can Smalley WHM series retaining rings be reused after they have been removed? 

Smalley’s Multiple-Turn Spirolox Retaining Rings are designed for high loads, yet are installed and removed easily because the ring thickness is distributed over multiple turns.

Depending on the installation method and installation stress, these rings can often be reused without any issues. If your application requires frequent installation and removal, it would be best to keep the installation stress low to minimize the need for replacement retaining rings.

Regardless, Spirolox Retaining Rings should always be carefully inspected prior to reinstallation. If the ring is damaged or deformed due to installation, usage, or removal, we recommend replacing it with a new one.

Please note that small rings without removal provisions are not reusable and will be destroyed during removal.
 

Do you have your own questions? Ask the Expert today!