Covering the installation and removal benefits of Spirolox retaining rings.
Identifying the right components for your application is no simple task. There are many options when it comes to retaining rings, including Spiral type retaining rings, snap rings, Constant Section rings, and Hoopster retaining rings to name just a few. Spirolox retaining rings, also known as a spiral retaining rings, offer unique advantages, such as a 360° retaining surface and no protruding ears to interfere with mating components.
Benefits of Spirolox Retaining Rings
Unlike stamped retaining rings, Spirolox retaining rings are coiled from flat wire and can be produced with any number of turns to increase the strength of the ring. This means the rings can be edgewound to a custom diameter, which is a major advantage over die-stamped rings. Smalley Steel Ring offers more than 6,000 standard retaining rings, in addition to custom designs. One of Smalley’s Engineering Technicians offered the following comparison between Spirolox rings and traditional stamped rings.
“The ring comparator below shows a traditional stamped ring which has removal provisions or ears, that often interfere with assembly components. The Spirolox retaining ring is manufactured without the added ears, providing a “removal notch” for simple removal with no special tools. An additional benefit of the design, with multiple turn rings, there is 360° retaining surface.“
Since the coiling process yields a ring with virtually no scrap, Spirolox retaining rings can be economically produced in a variety of materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel and exotic alloys. Yet despite these differences in manufacturing, Spirolox retaining rings are still compatible with conventional snap ring grooves.
Installing Spirolox Rings
Spirolox retaining rings are designed to allow easy assembly and removal, requiring no special tools. There are several ways to install a Spirolox ring, either manually or using an automated or semi-automated approach. According to Smalley, “Another common problem with stamped rings is the difficulty associated with installation and removal. When using snap ring pliers, the stamped ring has a tendency to fly off the pliers which is a safety concern for a lot of companies. Spirolox rings eliminate the danger of projectiles.” This is especially true as the ring diameters increase.
Manual Installation
For manual installation either internally or externally, you can separate the coils and insert one end into a groove. Pressing down around the circumference of the ring, you can then wind it in by hand. The pair of videos below illustrates how to install Smalley Spirolox retaining rings manually.
Internal/Housing:
External/Shaft:
Semi-Automated Installation
Spirolox rings can also be used in automated assemblies. Simple tooling can be manufactured to streamline the installation process. Smalley also offers a series of standard assembly tools for semi-automated assembly. If a standard installation tool does not fit your assembly, Smalley can manufacture a custom tool tailored to your application. Semi-automated installation can be used in both internal and external assemblies.
Internal applications use a plunger and a bore sleeve with a suggested taper of 6°. The bore sleeve will act as a guide while the plunger pushes the ring into position. Smalley advises using tooling with a hardened working surface to minimize wear and tear.
This video demonstrates automated internal installation:
External applications use a plunger and a tapered plug, again with a suggested taper of 6°. The plunger pushes the ring over the plug and into position. The process can be automated using either an arbor press or an air cylinder.
This video demonstrates automated external installation:
Multiple Groove Installation
To install a Spirolox ring in an assembly with multiple grooves, use a thin-walled sleeve fitted over the shaft to act as the guide for a plug. The length of the sleeve should extend just past the first groove, allowing for clearance during installation. “Smalley does offer standard tooling to help with installing large quantities of rings,” said a Smalley Engineering Technician. “Custom tooling is also offered for specific applications if needed, such as the application described above or if the ring is installed deep into an assembly.”
Self-Locking Installation
Self-locking Spirolox retaining rings are useful for safety and anti-tampering applications. They can be manually installed in a similar way to standard rings by winding them into the grove. A slight strike will engage the ring’s tabs and slots, completing the installation. Just be sure to avoid flattening the locking tab.
Removing Spirolox Retaining Rings
Like all Smalley rings, Spirolox retaining rings come standard with removal notches to facilitate easy extraction from a groove. The notch forms a small gap between the ring end and the shaft or housing, permitting an object to be inserted to pry the free end out radially.
This video demonstrates internal Spirolox ring removal from a housing:
This video demonstrates external Spirolox ring removal from a shaft:
Screwdriver Removal
To remove a Spirolox ring using a screwdriver or any flat blade tool/dental pick, insert the tool tip into the removal notch and pry out the end of the ring. You can then grab the ring and spiral it out of the groove. In cases where clearances are tight, an access slot can be integrated to expose the radial wall and back edge of the ring.
Smalley’s Removal Tool
Smalley’s Spirolox retaining ring removal tool can be used to fit between ring layers in order to access the removal notch. Simply start at the gap end of the ring and fit the slotted end of the tool flat side down. Once the tool is secured, pull it out radially and upwards to remove the ring.
The Right Retaining Ring for Your Application
Using a retaining ring to secure an assembly on a shaft or inside a housing is a no-brainer, but choosing the right type of ring—not to mention installing it and, if necessary, removing it—is not so straightforward.
Smalley’s style of rings provides many benefits over traditional stamped rings, including simplicity of installation and removal, not interfering with mating assembly components, and the need for stainless steel or simple aesthetics.
Download the Spirolox Retaining Ring Installation and Removal Guide for more information about this process. For specific product or application questions, reach out to engineering@smalley.com.
Smalley Steel Ring has sponsored this post. All opinions are mine. Ian Wright
