What's New

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 has been continually investing in ongoing research and development to meet the demand for high RPM...

Coignières, France, July 12th, 2022 – Smalley is proud to celebrate that they have locally supported the European market for 20 years. In 2002, Smalley opened their first global branch office in France to provide quick and personalized service to European customers. In 2013, they expanded service capabilities  with order fulfilment from a local warehouse, which  was expanded further in 2021 to now offer over 10,000 parts from inventory. From France, Smalley offers full customer support...

When you are in need of a quick and economical heavy-duty ring, Smalley's newest standard series of Tapered Section Retaining Rings (Circlips) is here to secure your assembly!...

Here at Smalley, our interns have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges that impact and shape the future. Smalley interns collaborate on meaningful projects and get hands-on experience while working alongside other bright-minded peers and industry experts. Our internships give students a chance to explore, discover, and learn while encouraging their personal and professional development. Don't just take our word for it- meet our Engineering Intern, Ismael. He is a mechanical...

Here at Smalley, students have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges that impact and shape the future. But don’t just take our word for it, meet our externs- Braden and Kyle. Braden and Kyle (left) with Brian (Product Design Engineer) and Francisco (Product Application Engineer). Braden and Kyle are freshman mechanical engineering students from Northern Illinois University (NIU). Our week-long externship gave them a chance to explore, discover, and learn while encouraging their...

Smalley is pleased to announce the release of a new Nested Spirawave Wave Springs 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 traditional single-turn wave springs. Nested Spirawave springs can be used to replace stacks of single-turn springs, eliminating misalignment and inconsistent...

Lake Zurich, IL, August 24, 2018 – Smalley was presented with the 2017 General Motors Supplier Quality Excellence Award, marking the sixth consecutive year Smalley has achieved this prestigious honor. 175 suppliers were presented with this award in 2017, but Smalley was just one of five who has received it six years in a row.   GM has been recognizing its notable suppliers with the Quality Award since 2012, and it is only provided to companies that meet 13 rigorous quality points. Standards...

From powertrain to airbags, mirror assemblies to seating, Smalley Retaining Rings and Wave Springs are used throughout the automotive industry. We are pleased to announce that our automotive certification has been upgraded to IATF 16949:2016. “IATF 16949 certification takes a new approach to ensuring quality for our customers,” states Blanca Gerue, Smalley’s Quality Systems Manager. “With the implementation of an Automotive Quality Management System (AQMS), we audit the entire...

New advances in ring and spring manufacturing From medical devices to electronics, the world around us is getting smaller. “How small can you go?”  This is one of the questions a Smalley engineer hears all the time … but a better question is how small do you need? As The Engineer’s Choice™ for Wave Springs and Spirolox® Retaining Rings we have the answer! Smalley’s newly expanded manufacturing capabilities now allow us to design and manufacture Smalley Wave Springs and Spirolox...

Springs are one of the fundamental building blocks of machine design. The ability to store and release energy and apply measured force with simplicity and low cost has made metallic flat and wound springs the preferred choice for most mechanical designs. However, new materials and designs put high technology in some of these simple and easy to understand components. Read more on...

Smalley’s New French-Language Website Streamlines Design Solutions For years, engineers in a wide range of industries have relied on Smalley for design solutions.  With the recent launch of their updated website, Smalley’s vast database of Retaining Rings, Constant Section Rings, and Wave Springs went online, offering instant interactive access to customized technology for a myriad of applications from aerospace and automotive, to oil & gas and medical.   But until recently, the site...

What is a wave spring? What are some advantages of wave springs? What are common types? What’s the difference between wave-formed and stamped springs? Are wave springs only made from flat...

Smalley Steel Ring Company is pleased to announce we have been awarded the new and prestigious 2013 GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award. According to General Motors, "The GM Supplier Quality Excellence Award joins the 20-year-old Supplier of the Year Award and will recognize about 7 percent of product suppliers – those who have demonstrated the highest levels of quality performance over the previous 12 months." As a previous recipient of the GM Supplier of the Year Award, "we are once...

Smalley Steel Ring Company is pleased to announce new 2013 50th Anniversary Parts and Engineering Catalog. The new catalog combines previously existing Spirolox® Retaining Ring and Wave Spring series with newly released series. Smalley's recently released Metric Hoopster and Laminar Seal Rings catalog have been incorporated into the new catalog.  Smalley is pleased to offer the new catalog to its customers. George Nisbet, Smalley's Vice President of Operations says, "The 50th Anniversary...

Smalley Steel Ring Company announces the launch of the new Metric Hoopster Retaining Rings. The new Metric Hoopster Retaining Rings offer an innovative way to retain mechanical components when space is a problem. The Hoopster's minimal radial projection and shallow groove depth allows the Hoopster to fit where regular stamped rings and retaining rings cannot. The Hoopster’s low profile, precision circularity and small radial size allow it to be an unobtrusive component in an assembly....