Design FAQ - Miniature Wave Springs

Download our new Design FAQ that answers commonly asked questions about designing with small diameter wave springs.

Smalley and Machine Design have partnered to develop a comprehensive FAQ to assist in navigating the different types of wave springs and the materials that are available with our new small capabilities.

Here is a preview:

What wave-spring configurations are available?

The most common wave-spring configurations are single-turn and multiturn “Crest-to-Crest” springs. Single turn springs describe a single circle with a gap or slightly overlapped ends. When compressed by low to medium forces, single-turn wave springs compress axially and expand radially.

Crest-to-crest wave springs are coiled with a single piece of wire, forming a multi-turn spring with the crests aligned. The spring rate decreases as the number of turns increases, making them ideal for applications where low to medium forces cause large deflections. Higher forces may be available with alternate configurations.

Round-wire and linear wave springs are also available. Wave springs with round-wire cross-sections support higher loads while still exhibiting the accurate behavior of flat-wire wave springs. They manage axial forces in tight radial and axial spaces where they reduce vibration and compensate for tolerance stack-up and thermal expansion. They can be an alternative to Belleville washers, providing a more accurate, repeatable load.

Linear wave springs have the same marcel pattern of circular wave springs, but along a straight line. They position and preload components for better sealing, detents, and other uses with similar load-deflection characteristics as a circular wave spring.

Custom wave-spring designs, including nested and interlaced designs, are also available. Nested wave springs are pre-stacked in parallel from a continuous flat wire. Their spring rate is proportional to the number of turns for forceful but precise operation.

 Interlaced wave springs are made by combining together two separate Crest-to-Crest wave springs with similar construction. The two springs have equal thickness, amplitude, and frequency, so that interlacing them results in increased thickness and supports increased loading and fatigue resistance.

Click here to download the full FAQ.