Product category:
Springs, dampers, latches, locks and small components
News Release from: Rencol Tolerance Rings | Subject: Tolerance rings
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 04 February 2003
Tolerance rings take up the slack in
aluminium
With aluminium being considered for an ever wider range of vehicle components, thermal constrains prescribe the use of conventional steel bearings.
The drive to reduce vehicle weight and meet legislation requirements in relation to emissions is leading to aluminium being considered for an ever wider range of vehicle components In many instances there is a requirement to mount bearings into these - posing problems which do not arise when using a steel housing
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 18 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Aluminium is now being adopted for gearboxes, wheel hubs and suspension mounts, to name a few.
In all such applications wide temperature variations may be encountered.
Where steel bearings are being used with steel housings significant differential thermal expansion may not always be a major consideration.
However, aluminium expands and contracts in response to temperature change at approximately twice the rate of typical carbon steel specifications.
This means that bearings can no longer simply be press fit directly into the housing.
Extreme cold could result in the bearing being crushed, while higher temperatures may cause it to work loose.
Against this background Rencol reports that tolerance rings are in increasing demand as a ready means of accommodating significant differential expansion.
The waveforms around the circumference of each of these spring steel fasteners locate against the mating components to form a secure interference fit.
The height, pitch and stiffness can be designed to meet specific engineering criteria.
Explains Roger Cornwell of Rencol Tolerance Rings: "In a completed assembly the wave forms are partially compressed.
The spring action allows for additional compression in the event of the housing contracting and takes up 'slackness' arising in the event of expansion".
The relative simplicity of the product and the ease with which it can be fitted either manually or automatically make the tolerance ring a highly attractive means of overcoming the problems associated with differential thermal expansion. Request a free brochure from Rencol Tolerance Rings ...
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