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Product category: Springs, dampers, latches, locks and small components
News Release from: TFC | Subject: Smalley wave springs
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 29 November 2002

Springs ruggedise bayonet connectors

TFC is using a single turn spring in conjunction with a spiral retaining ring to provide a constant preloading force in a ruggedised mil spec electrical bayonet connector.

TFC is using a single turn spring in conjunction with a spiral retaining ring to provide a constant preloading force in a ruggedised mil spec electrical bayonet connector used in motorsport, aerospace and military communications applications Having previously experienced problems with inconsistent loading and binding in the assembly, the manufacturer wanted to replace the under-performing spring with a more reliable alternative TFC's answer was to employ a Smalley wave spring in conjunction with a Smalley double turn retaining ring to provide a guaranteed pre load force and a 360 degree support shoulder without additional machining being necessary

Brian Goode, TFC's Technical Director, says: "Having looked at the design brief from the company and at what they wanted to achieve within the connector, we reasoned that one of our Smalley Spirawave springs used in conjunction with a double turn Smalley retaining ring would be ideally suited for the job".

"Such a spring is manufactured with the benefit of an exclusive Circular Grain Process, and drawn from a continuous coil of single filament pre-tempered round edge wire.

Unlike a die stamped product that is a continuous annular ring, our Smalley springs are formed with either a gap or overlap end profile.

This feature, coupled with the ability to edge coil very narrow radial sections, allows our springs to operate in very tight radial spaces without binding.

Because the springs require no heat treatment (unlike annealed die-stampings) the load performance of the finished product is far more accurate and may be toleranced better than 50% tighter than stampings".

"Similarly our spiral retaining rings with narrow radial wall dimensions, as used in this application, are ideal for low clearance applications and can provide a full 360 degree support shoulder without the need to orientate the spring and ring combination during assembly". Request a free brochure from TFC ...

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