Smalley Blog

May 15, 2018	Product Spotlight: Self-Locking Rings In addition to standard Spirolox® retaining rings, Smalley can also manufacture them with a unique self-locking provision. These self-locking rings are ideal for applications with high rotational requirements. They can also withstand the effects of vibration, rapid acceleration, and some impact loading. Self-locking rings provide a mechanical interference that increases the rotational capacity... Read More>>
April 3, 2018	MP35N: Industrial Grade Smalley has recently added MP35N to the expansive list of materials in which our Retaining Rings and Wave Springs can be manufactured. This unique material was added to our production capabilities because of its superior strength and corrosion resistance. These characteristics make it an ideal option for our customers in the Aerospace, Medical and Oil & Gas industries. MP35N contains a... Read More>>
March 7, 2018	Trade Show Spotlight Curious to know where you can meet our team of expert engineers and see both Spriolox® Retaining Rings and Crest-to-Crest® Wave Springs in person? Smalley’s technical team will be traveling to cities around the world to share with you the latest in ring and spring technology. Make sure to visit us at these events! Can’t make it but want to stay up to date on what’s new? Visit the Smalley Resource... Read More>>
February 20, 2018	Smalley Receives “Stamp of Approval” for Medical Component Manufacturing Quality parts make for an exceptional medical device. For many years, Smalley has been a trusted supplier to the medical industry. Our recent certification to ISO 13485 is another indicator of our dedication to delivering the highest quality retaining rings and wave springs on the market. After a year-long approval process and quality audit with the third-party registrar (DQS), Smalley has been... Read More>>
February 6, 2018	GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award Recipient 5 Years Running Smalley has again been awarded the GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award for the fifth consecutive year. This accolade is awarded only after a supplier passes a rigorous quality audit that covers every aspect of production to delivery. Smalley’s commitment to quality and the automotive industry is evident by our pending upgraded certification to IATF 16949:2016. “What an honor to be recognized... Read More>>
January 8, 2018	FAQ: Rings 1. Do Spirolox rings fit stamped ring grooves? Yes, Spirolox rings are designed to fit into grooves for stamped or Truarc style snap rings without the downside of protruding “ears”. Smalley has a published interchange listing to help you identify a Smalley ring replacement, or let us know the Truarc part number you are using and we’ll be happy to identify the appropriate ring for your... Read More>>
December 19, 2017	Advantages of Using a Wave Spring 1. Can a Wave Spring be Made with the Same or Higher Spring Rate, Compared to a Helical Coil Spring? Yes, we can increase spring rate with various modifications such as the number of waves, material thickness, and number of turns. Crest-to-Crest springs can function similarly to helical springs in a variety of applications. Smalleys engineers can help you identify the correct wave spring for... Read More>>
June 20, 2017	Ask the Expert - How do I Measure the Free Height of a Wave Spring? It’s important to know to how to properly measure a wave spring’s free height in order to verify that you are using the correct part for your application. When done correctly, it can also save valuable inspection time. To Measure the Free Height of a Wave Spring: Ensure the spring is sitting on a flat surface between two parallel plates Lower the top measuring surface until it touches the... Read More>>
March 16, 2017	Did You Know? Smalley’s Online Resources Smalley has become The Engineer’s Choice® in Retaining Rings and Wave springs not just because we were the originators of the technology, but because our engineers work directly with you to ensure we have the right solution for your application. Smalley’s engineers have answered your questions submitted through our Ask the Expert portal for years. We have used these questions to help us build our... Read More>>
January 19, 2017	Ask the Expert - Linear Springs and Laminar Seal Rings Requirements We are back with another Ask the Expert Blog entry. This week, our retaining ring, spring and snap ring experts answer a couple questions about Linear Springs and Laminar Seal Rings. If you have your own question please submit them on our Ask the Expert page! My application requires a linear spring with a high spring rate and won't fatigue over time. Would this need to be a custom Linear Spring... Read More>>